Path of Exile 2: Mercenary Leveling Guide

This Path of Exile 2 Mercenary leveling guide outlines strategies for efficient progression. While Mercenaries are relatively easy to level, optimizing skill choices and gear significantly improves the experience.

Optimal Skills and Support Gems:

Early game relies on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, multiple targets) and Permafrost Shot (freezes enemies, boosting Fragmentation Shot damage).

Later, the focus shifts to grenades and Explosive Shot. The following skills and support gems are key:

Use Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add support gem sockets to key skills. Swap skills (e.g., Glacial Bolt for Oil Grenade against bosses) based on the situation.

Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes:

Prioritize Cluster Bombs, Repeating Explosives, and Iron Reflexes. Other valuable nodes include cooldown reduction, projectile/grenade damage, and area of effect. Crossbow skills and armor/evasion nodes are less critical early on.

Gear and Stat Priorities:

Focus on upgrading your crossbow first. Prioritize Dexterity, Strength, Armor, Evasion, elemental resistances (excluding Chaos), physical and elemental damage, mana/life on hit, and attack speed. Rarity and movement speed are beneficial but less crucial. A Bombard Crossbow significantly enhances grenade effectiveness.

By following these guidelines, you can efficiently level your Mercenary in Path of Exile 2. Remember to adapt your strategy based on your current gear and the challenges you face.