Mercenary in Path of Exile 2: Strengths and weaknesses, tips and ancestry

The Mercenary stands out as one of the pivotal character classes in Path of Exile 2. If you’re keen to explore how this class operates, uncover its strengths, receive tips for optimizing its performance, or learn about the available ascendancies, you’re in the right spot. This guide seeks to answer common inquiries about the Mercenary in this action RPG.

Mercenary Characteristics

Here’s a quick overview of the traits associated with the Mercenary class:

“If you have a weapon, I’ll handle it. Just point me in the right direction. I’ve witnessed both the marvels and horrors of warfare, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to survive. If you have coin, I’m your man.”

• Main Attribute: Dexterity and Strength.
• Preferred Weapons: Crossbows.
• Range: 5/5
• Difficulty: 3/5
• Speed: 4/5
• Offense: 5/5
• Defense: 2/5

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Mercenary

Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of the Mercenary can significantly enhance your gaming experience. Here’s a summary:

Strengths

• Versatility in strategy; the variety of ammunition allows for adjustments in different combat scenarios.
• Fast-paced shooting mechanics, ideal for players with good accuracy.
• Multiple tactical options through skills that can manage groups of enemies.

Weaknesses

• Constantly changing ammunition can be tricky for beginners.
• Generally ineffective in close-quarters combat; maintaining distance is crucial.
• Often necessitates careful planning of combos to navigate battles successfully.

Playing Tips for the Mercenary

The Mercenary can be viewed as a hybrid class, balancing strength and dexterity. This character is distinguished by its use of crossbows and elemental grenades, along with the ability to execute intricate combos that can inflict substantial damage—if utilized correctly.

Players who appreciate strategic positioning and delivering accurate shots will find that the Mercenary can devastate opponents with long-range attacks, as well as perform quick strikes that can ignite or freeze foes.

However, mastering the Mercenary demands skill, practice, and precise control, making it a class that may be challenging to learn initially but offers great rewards once mastered.

Mercenary Ascendancies

As the Mercenary advances in levels, it can unlock various ascendancies (or subclasses) that fine-tune its playstyle to suit particular gameplay preferences:

• Witch Hunter: This subclass merges sorcery with fierce combat tactics, boosting magical defense at the expense of physical defense, while also gaining the ability to cause enemy explosions.
• Gemling Legionnaire: This subclass enhances abilities by embedding gems within the body, providing extra skill slots and improving resistances based on the embedded support gems.