Path of Exile 2: Level Your Mercenaries for Success

This Path of Exile 2 Mercenary leveling guide details optimal skill choices, support gems, essential passive skills, and itemization strategies for a smooth progression to the endgame. Mercenaries, while straightforward to level, benefit significantly from strategic build choices.

Optimal Skills and Support Gems

Early-game success hinges on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, multiple targets) and Permafrost Shot (rapid freezing, amplifying Fragmentation Shot damage). However, the build truly shines once Grenade skills are unlocked.

The synergy between these skills is key. Explosive Shot detonates Explosive and Gas Grenades, creating significant area-of-effect (AoE) damage. Ripwire Ballista provides a distraction, while Glacial Bolt controls enemy crowds. Oil Grenade is situational, outperformed by Gas Grenade in most scenarios, but useful against bosses. Galvanic Shards excels at clearing weaker enemies. Herald of Ash adds further AoE damage via ignites. Use available Level 1 or 2 Support Gems until obtaining the recommended ones. Enhance Explosive Grenade, Explosive Shot, and Gas Grenade with a Lesser Jeweller's Orb for additional support gem sockets.

Prioritized Passive Skills

Focus on these three key passive skills on the Mercenary tree:

• Cluster Bombs: Increases Grenade projectile count.
• Repeating Explosives: Chance for double Grenade explosions.
• Iron Reflexes: Converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating the drawback of the Sorcery Ward Ascendancy (recommended for leveling).

Other valuable nodes include Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Prioritize these over Crossbow-related nodes and Armor/Evasion unless necessary for survivability.

Itemization and Stat Priorities

Prioritize upgrading your Crossbow first. Aim for gear with these stats:

• Dexterity
• Strength
• Armor
• Evasion
• All Elemental Resistances (except Chaos)
• Increased Physical Damage
• Increased Elemental OR Fire Damage
• Attack Speed
• Mana On Kill OR Hit
• Life on Kill OR Hit
• Rarity of Items Found
• Movement Speed

A Bombard Crossbow significantly enhances Grenade damage by adding another projectile. Actively seek these out for crafting potential. Always replace the weakest piece of equipment first.

This comprehensive guide should empower you to effectively level your Mercenary in Path of Exile 2, maximizing damage output and survivability throughout your journey.