Path of Exile 2 is an exciting expansion of the acclaimed Path of Exile universe, bringing with it new gameplay mechanics, characters, and a fresh approach to leveling and progression. One of the most anticipated features of PoE 2 is the Mercenary class, which offers a unique blend of versatility and powerful combat potential. The Mercenary leveling build is ideal for players who enjoy being on the front lines of battle, dealing damage, and commanding a strong presence on the battlefield while also wielding some tactical advantages.

In this guide, we'll break down the essential elements of the Mercenary Leveling Build, from the best skills and passive tree nodes to gear recommendations and playstyle tips. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of Path of Exile or a newcomer to Poe 2 trade, this guide will help you efficiently level up your Mercenary and become a powerhouse in the game's challenging endgame content.

Introduction to the Mercenary Class

The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2 is designed to be a hybrid fighter that excels at both offensive and defensive roles. Mercenaries are adept at dealing high damage in combat while also being able to support allies through various buffs and debuffs. Their ability to adapt to different situations makes them a perfect choice for both solo play and group content.

The Mercenary's toolkit includes a mix of weapon-based combat, summoning allies, and tactical abilities that allow them to manipulate the battlefield. Whether you choose to focus on damage-dealing, defense, or summoning minions to fight for you, the Mercenary class offers a lot of flexibility in how you build and approach combat.

Mercenary Leveling Build: Core Principles

When leveling up your Mercenary in PoE 2, it's important to focus on building around a strong foundation that allows you to progress through the early to mid-game efficiently. Here are the core principles that should guide your build:

Fast Clear Speed: Leveling in Path of Exile 2 can be slow and grueling without the proper build. Having high damage output and fast clear speed will help you tackle monsters quickly and keep the experience flowing. The Mercenary class excels at dealing damage with a variety of skills, so leveraging these strengths early on will speed up your progression.

Survivability: Mercenaries are often on the front lines of combat, which means you need to focus on survivability. Having good defense, health regeneration, and resistances will help you survive tougher encounters, especially when progressing through the Act content and the endgame bosses.

Versatility: The Mercenary is a class that can transition into many different roles. From melee DPS to tank, or even support, the Mercenary is adaptable. For leveling purposes, it's best to focus on a balanced approach that can deal a lot of damage while maintaining some form of defense and utility.

Minion Support or Summoning: As a Mercenary, you have the option to either go summon-heavy or focus on self-reliant damage. For new players or those looking to ease into tougher areas, minions can provide a lot of assistance. However, if you're more experienced or prefer the challenge, focusing on solo damage output will also work well.

Attributes for Mercenary Build

The Mercenary build in PoE 2 requires you to balance damage and survivability, which is reflected in the attributes you focus on.

Strength (Primary Attribute):

As a melee-focused class, Strength should be your primary attribute. It boosts your health, physical damage, and armor, which are essential for staying alive and dealing with enemies up close. Strength will also unlock the ability to buy POE 2 Divine Orbs equip powerful melee weapons and armor, which are necessary to keep your Mercenary tanky and dealing substantial damage.

Dexterity (Secondary Attribute):

Dexterity is important for enhancing your accuracy, critical strike chance, and evasion, which are especially useful for improving damage output and defense. Additionally, high Dexterity will unlock powerful attack skills and gems that can complement your build as you progress through the game.

Intelligence (Tertiary Attribute):

Intelligence is less important for a pure Mercenary build but should still be considered when selecting certain support skills or defensive utilities. If you want to incorporate elemental damage or supportive spells, consider allocating a modest amount into Intelligence.