This Path of Exile 2 Mercenary leveling guide outlines effective strategies for quickly progressing this class. While Mercenaries offer versatile combat options, optimizing skill choices and gear is key to maximizing their potential.

Optimal Skills and Support Gems

Early-game success relies on Fragmentation Shot and Permafrost Shot. Fragmentation Shot excels at close-range multi-target combat, enhanced by stun-focused Support Gems. Permafrost Shot's freezing effect boosts Fragmentation Shot damage.

The late-game meta shifts dramatically with the acquisition of powerful Grenades and Explosive Shot.

Core Mercenary Skills	Useful Support Gems
	Ignition, Magnified Effect, Pierce
	Scattershot, Fire Penetration, Inspiration
	Ruthless
	Fire Infusion, Primal Armament, Magnified Effect
	Ignition, Magnified Effect
	Overpower
	Lightning Infusion, Pierce
	Fortress
	Clarity, Vitality

Gas Grenade provides massive area-of-effect poisoning, while Explosive Grenades offer delayed explosions. Explosive Shot detonates these Grenades for devastating AoE damage. Ripwire Ballista provides a distraction, and Glacial Bolt offers crowd control. Oil Grenade is situational, often outperformed by Gas Grenade, but useful against bosses. Galvanic Shards is a strong option for clearing weaker enemies. Herald of Ash provides additional damage over time. Use available Support Gems until you acquire the recommended ones. Utilize Lesser Jeweller's Orbs to add gem sockets to key skills.

Essential Passive Skills

Prioritize Cluster Bombs, Repeating Explosives, and Iron Reflexes on the Passive Skill Tree. Cluster Bombs increases grenade projectiles, Repeating Explosives adds a chance for double explosions, and Iron Reflexes mitigates the downsides of the Sorcery Ward Ascendancy skill (the recommended Ascendancy). Also focus on Cooldown Reduction, Projectile/Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect. Crossbow skills and Armor/Evasion nodes are less critical unless needed.

Itemization and Stat Priorities

Prioritize Crossbow upgrades. Focus on Dexterity, Strength, Armor, Evasion, Elemental Resistances (excluding Chaos), Physical and Elemental Damage, Mana on Hit, and Resistances. Rarity of Items, Movement Speed, and Attack Speed are beneficial but not essential. A Bombard Crossbow significantly enhances grenade damage.