Path of Exile 2: Mercenary Leveling Guide

This Path of Exile 2 Mercenary leveling guide outlines optimal skills, support gems, passive skills, and item choices for a smooth progression to the endgame. While Mercenaries offer straightforward leveling, strategic build choices are key to maximizing their potential.

Optimal Skills and Support Gems

Early-game success relies on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range AoE) and Permafrost Shot (for freezing and increased Fragmentation damage). However, the build truly shines with Grenade skills.

The table below details core skills and recommended support gems (levels 1-2, readily accessible before Act 3):

Use a Lesser Jeweller's Orb to add support gem sockets to Explosive Grenade, Explosive Shot, and Gas Grenade for optimal gem combinations. Substitute support gems as needed until you obtain the recommended ones. Glacial Bolt is generally preferred over Oil Grenade for leveling, swapping to Oil Grenade for bosses. Galvanic Shards replaces Fragmentation Shot for safer horde clearing.

Key Passive Skill Tree Nodes

Prioritize these passive skill nodes:

• Cluster Bombs: Increases Grenade projectiles (at least 2x).
• Repeating Explosives: Chance for Grenades to explode twice.
• Iron Reflexes: Converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating the Sorcery Ward Ascendancy drawback (best Ascendancy choice for leveling).

Other important nodes include Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow skills, Armor & Evasion can be prioritized later, based on your survivability and damage output.

Itemization and Stat Priorities

Prioritize upgrading your Crossbow first. Focus on gear with:

• Dexterity
• Strength
• Armor
• Evasion
• Elemental Resistances (excluding Chaos)
• Physical and Elemental Damage
• Mana on Hit
• Life on Hit/Kill
• Movement Speed (optional)
• Attack Speed (optional)
• Rarity of Items Found (optional)

A Bombard Crossbow significantly improves Grenade damage by adding an extra projectile. Actively seek out these crossbows for crafting opportunities. Always replace your lowest-level gear with a superior alternative.