Path of Exile 2: A Comprehensive Guide to the Mercenary Class and Ascensions

In Path of Exile 2's Early Access, six distinct classes await players, each offering a unique gameplay experience. Additionally, each class can specialize further through two Ascension options, unlocking powerful new abilities and transformative changes to their playstyles. This guide provides a detailed look at the mercenary class, helping you decide which path to take during the Early Access launch.

The Mercenary is the ideal class for players who have always wanted to experience Path of Exile as a shooter from an isometric perspective. This ranged fighter wields crossbows loaded with various ammunition types, allowing them to maintain the upper hand in any situation.

Whether it’s dealing area damage with grenades, precise strikes with armor-piercing bolts, or controlling the battlefield with icy barriers, the Mercenary is a versatile marksman that blends strategic depth with high mobility.

Mercenary Playstyle

The Mercenary feels like a shooter character, complete with WASD controls for maximum precision and control. The class excels at swapping between different ammunition types, ensuring the perfect solution for every enemy and scenario. This approach combines direct damage, battlefield control, and crowd management for a tactical playstyle.

Core Mechanics of the Mercenary:

• Ammunition Variety: The Mercenary can quickly switch between ammo types such as buckshot, explosive grenades, or armor-piercing bolts, each designed for specific enemies or challenges.
• Artillery and Turrets: Deploy ballistas to add pressure and control enemies effectively.
• Quick Movement: Despite carrying heavy weaponry, the Mercenary remains agile, using the WASD controls to dodge enemy attacks with ease.

Example Abilities of the Mercenary

The Mercenary’s skillset allows for full utilization of their tactical arsenal. You can obliterate enemies with explosions, create icy barriers, or unleash massive damage with high-powered bolts.

• Glacial Bolt: Fires bolts that create ice walls on impact, splitting enemies and controlling the battlefield by slowing them down.
• Fragmentation Rounds: Launches a grenade that explodes on impact, causing massive area damage. Highly effective against groups of enemies.
• Armor-Piercing Rounds: Bolts that penetrate enemy armor, increasing damage against heavily armored foes.
• High-Velocity Rounds: Fires bolts with enhanced speed and range, ideal for targeting single foes or bosses.
• Gas Grenade: Releases a toxic cloud that poisons enemies. Can be paired with Explosive Shot to ignite the cloud for additional damage.
• Artillery Ballista: Deploys a stationary crossbow turret that bombards enemies from a distance. Requires careful positioning as it has a minimum range.

With a total of 22 active abilities, the Mercenary offers one of the largest skillsets in the Early Access version, providing immense flexibility for tailored builds.

Mercenary Ascension Classes

The Mercenary can further specialize through Ascension classes, which allow players to enhance their playstyle. Choose between the Witchhunter, blending magic and crossbow combat, or the Gemling Legionnaire, focusing on skill efficiency and Support Gems.

1. Witchhunter

The Witchhunter Ascension grants the Mercenary the ability to combat magical foes with a mix of ranged attacks and ritual magic. This specialization targets undead and demons, weakening them with unique effects while offering hybrid melee and ranged capabilities.

Key Features and Bonuses of the Witchhunter:

• Sorcery Ward: Generates a shield that absorbs magic damage but slightly reduces physical defense.
• Zealous Inquisition: Enemies have a chance to explode upon death, dealing area damage. This chance doubles for undead and demons.
• Judge, Jury and Executioner: The first hit against an enemy can deal up to 30% of its maximum health as damage, making it highly effective against bosses.
• Witchbane: Disrupts enemy spellcasting, reducing their ability to focus and cast spells.

Witchhunter Playstyle:

The Witchhunter is perfect for players seeking a hybrid playstyle that combines magic with crossbow combat. With explosive effects and debuffs, this Ascension excels at defeating magical or undead foes while maintaining strong offensive capabilities.

2. Gemling Legionnaire

The Gemling Legionnaire Ascension focuses on maximizing skill potential and enhancing the power of Support Gems. This specialization allows players to unlock additional gem sockets and improve the efficiency of their abilities, creating devastating builds.

Key Features and Bonuses of the Gemling Legionnaire:

• Integrated Efficiency: Adds extra skill slots, allowing more active abilities to be utilized simultaneously.
• Thaumatalogical Infusion: Increases maximum resistances based on the number of equipped Support Gems.
• Adaptive Capability: Removes attribute requirements for gems, enabling the use of any gem color.
• Crystalline Potential: Grants bonuses to the quality of all equipped gems, further enhancing their effectiveness.

Gemling Legionnaire Playstyle:

This Ascension is ideal for players who want complete control over their builds. It rewards creativity and planning by drastically increasing the flexibility and power of your skills. Builds that rely heavily on Support Gems will find unparalleled benefits with the Gemling Legionnaire.

Conclusion: Mastering the Mercenary in Path of Exile 2

The Mercenary is a highly versatile and tactical class that appeals to players who enjoy blending ranged combat with strategic gameplay. Whether you choose the magical hybrid approach of the Witchhunter or the skill-maximizing efficiency of the Gemling Legionnaire, the Mercenary offers endless possibilities for unique and powerful builds.

Boost Your Build with POE 2 Currency

To unlock the full potential of your Mercenary and gain access to the best gear, ensure you have plenty of POE 2 Currency. This valuable resource is crucial for crafting, upgrading, and optimizing your character, giving you the edge needed to dominate in Path of Exile 2!