The Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict is a thrilling choice for players who love active combat and tactical gameplay. Whether you're a veteran returning to the game or a new player diving into the Rise of the Abyssals League, this guide will walk you through the fastest Mercenary leveling build so you can reach level 100 efficiently.

Before we dive in, make sure to check out the PoE 2 store at Eld.gg for everything from affordable PoE 2 currency to leveling services. Having the right gear and resources makes your early journey much smoother.

Mercenary Fast Leveling Build Overview

The Mercenary begins with a crossbow, the central weapon for this build. Understanding its mechanics is crucial:

· Attack: Shoots bolts.

· Reload: Requires manual activation after running out of bolts.

This is an active weapon, so timing your reloads is critical.

Key Early Skills

· Fragmentation Rounds: Functions like shotgun ammo, firing ten shards instantly. Switch ammo type using the skill, then fire with the attack button.

· Cycle Rounds: Cycles through your ammo types, though basic ammo will be mostly obsolete later in the game.

· Reload Crossbow: Essential for maintaining a smooth attack rhythm.

These abilities are enough to tackle the first boss and advance to Clearfell.

Early Game Setup

Upon reaching Clearfell, interact with Kubly and collect your first Uncut Skill Gem. You'll find a second Uncut Skill Gem in the abandoned camp stash. These gems form the foundation of your early build.

For simplicity and speed, we recommend the following early combo:

1. Explosive Grenade – primary area damage tool.

2. Contagion – a Dark Mage skill that spreads damage from defeated enemies to nearby foes.

Combat Loop:

· Cast Grenade → Kill enemies → Contagion spreads damage.

This setup is effective against packs and bosses alike, making it ideal for fast leveling.

Support Gems

Early support gems drastically improve your efficiency. Obtain two early gems:

1. Scattershot with Explosive Grenade – throws three grenades instead of one.

2. Double Barrel with Fragmentation Rounds – fires two bullets per shot, increasing single-target damage.

As you progress:

· Use Concentrated Effect on Explosive Grenade for more damage.

· Add M.E.R. to Fragmentation Rounds to boost attack speed.

Custom loot filters are highly recommended to keep your inventory manageable and highlight essential gear.

Gear Priorities

Gear Slot Stats to Look For Notes

Weapon Max physical damage, fast reload Reload speed is critical

Gloves Added damage Boosts base attack power

Rings Added damage Scales early damage

Other Gear Extra life Ensures survivability

Stats Dexterity + Strength Natural scaling for Mercenary

Maximizing physical damage and reload speed on your crossbow is the top priority. Added elemental damage is optional but beneficial.

Passive Skill Tree

Focus on:

· Projectile Damage Nodes – maximizes early DPS.

· Two-Handed Weapon Nodes – boosts stun and raw damage.

· Optional: Crossbow cluster (reload speed, damage) or Ranger side (projectile buffs, electrocution).

Avoid deep stat nodes early—they're inefficient. Keep progression simple but effective, aiming for high projectile damage and stun synergy.

Spirit Gem & Herald Buffs

Defeating Freythorn grants a Skull, unlocking Spirit, a resource for permanent buffs.

Recommended early buff: Herald of Thunder – significantly boosts your attack after defeating shocked enemies. This prepares your build for late Act One challenges and beyond.

Full Build Setup

By level 14, after completing key quests, craft:

· Gas Grenade – spreads poison for additional area damage.

· Galvanic Shards – lightning-infused shotgun skill for crowd control.

Support Gem Assignments:

· Galvanic Shards: Lightning Infusion + Innervate

· Fragmentation Rounds: Double Barrel + Martial Tempo

· Frag Grenade: Expedite

· Gas Grenade: Corrosion + Scattershot

· Herald of Thunder: Magnified Effect + Concentrated Effect

Combat Strategy:

· Use Gas + Frag Grenade for area damage.

· Clean up high-health enemies with shotgun rounds.

· Boss fights: pre-place grenades, then finish with shotgun bursts.

Boss Fights & Final Tips

Bosses follow the same rhythm as mobs:

· Gas Grenade for armor breaking

· Frag Grenades for AoE damage

· Shotgun rounds for single-target cleanup

Adjust support gems as needed for efficiency. With this setup, you'll remain ahead of the difficulty curve throughout Acts One to Three.

Conclusion

This Mercenary leveling build is fast, efficient, and fun, using a combination of grenades, Contagion, and crossbow shotgun rounds to clear content quickly. By following the gear, passive tree, and support gem recommendations, you can reach level 100 in no time.

For more PoE 2 guides, updates, and leveling strategies in the Rise of the Abyssals League (Patch 0.3.0), visit the Eld.gg Blog and browse our store for affordable Path of Exile 2 currency and leveling services.