This Path of Exile 2 Mercenary leveling guide outlines optimal skills, support gems, passive skills, and items to ensure a smooth progression to the endgame. While Mercenaries are considered relatively easy to level, strategic choices are crucial for maximizing efficiency.

Optimal Skills and Support Gems

Early-game success hinges on Fragmentation Shot (effective close-range, multi-target damage) and Permafrost Shot (freezing for added damage). However, the build truly shines once Grenades are unlocked.

The table above shows core skills and recommended support gems. Note that support gem levels (1 or 2) are easily attainable before Act 3. Prioritize using available support gems until the recommended ones are acquired. Use a Lesser Jeweller's Orb to add support gem sockets to Explosive Grenade, Explosive Shot, and Gas Grenade.

• Explosive Shot: Detonates Explosive and Gas Grenades for massive AoE damage.
• Gas Grenade: Poisons enemies over a large area.
• Ripwire Ballista: Distracts enemies.
• Explosive Grenade: Deals significant AoE damage.
• Oil Grenade: Useful for hordes (but Gas Grenade is generally superior).
• Flash Grenade: Provides crowd control.
• Galvanic Shards: Excellent for clearing hordes of weaker enemies.
• Glacial Bolt: Crowd control (especially useful early on).
• Herald of Ash: Causes enemies to ignite nearby foes upon death.

Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes

Focus on these key passive skills:

• Cluster Bombs: Increases Grenade projectiles.
• Repeating Explosives: Chance for Grenades to explode twice.
• Iron Reflexes: Converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating the drawback of the Sorcery Ward Ascendancy skill (recommended for Witchhunter Ascendancy).

Other valuable nodes include Cooldown Reduction, Projectile & Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Prioritize these over Crossbow skills and Armor/Evasion until necessary.

Itemization and Stat Priorities

Crossbow upgrades yield the most significant power increase. Always replace the weakest equipped item first. Focus on gear with:

• Dexterity and Strength
• Armor and Evasion
• Physical and Elemental Damage
• Mana on Hit
• Resistances (excluding Chaos)
• (Optional, but beneficial): Attack Speed, Mana/Life on Kill, Item Rarity, Movement Speed

A Bombard Crossbow is highly recommended, adding another Grenade projectile. Actively seek these out for crafting opportunities.