ExileDB
Mercenary

Mercenary

Strength/Dexterity class · Path of Exile 2✓ Checked against game files · 0.5.5

The Mercenary is a Strength/Dexterity class: 11 Strength, 11 Dexterity and 7 Intelligence at level 1. The Mercenary starts with a Makeshift Crossbow and the Fragmentation Rounds skill gem. Ascendancies: Tactician, Witchhunter and Gemling Legionnaire. 33 skills need a crossbow, the Mercenary's starting weapon. Patch 0.5.5, from the game files.

Base attributes
Str11
Dex11
Int7
Trait: Totems remain for longer
Starts with

Mercenary ascendancies (3)

Tactician

Tactician

Countless wars have left you with skills somewhat resembling a decent officer...

10 notables · 10 small passives · 8 points from the trials

Totems 4Armour 4Evasion 4Projectiles 3Minions 2
Tactician pagePlan it on the treevs Witchhuntervs Gemling Legionnaire
  • A Solid PlanNotable
    Persistent Buffs have 50% less Reservation
  • Cannons, Ready!Notable
    +1 to maximum number of Summoned Totems
    Skills used by Totems have 30% more Skill Speed
    Totems only use Skills when you fire an Attack Projectile
  • Polish That GearNotable
    Gain Deflection Rating equal to 20% of Armour
    Gain 100% of Evasion Rating as extra Ailment Threshold
  • Right Where We Want ThemNotable
    Projectile Damage builds Pin
    Pinned enemies cannot perform actions
  • Stay Light, Use CoverNotable
    Defend with 200% of Armour
    Enemies have an Accuracy Penalty against you based on Distance
    Maximum Chance to Evade is 50%
    Maximum Physical Damage Reduction is 50%
  • Strategic EmbankmentsNotable
    Totems you place grant Embankment Auras
  • Suppressing FireNotable
    40% more Immobilisation buildup
  • Unleash Hell!Notable
    Grants skill Supporting FireRecruit artillery Minions that take up positions behind you. They will lie in wait for your Command, then fire volleys of arrows at the target location.
  • Watch How I Do ItNotable
    Allies in your Presence gain added Attack Damage equal
    to 25% of your main hand Weapon's damage
  • Whoever Pays BestNotable
    Banners gain 5 Glory per second
    There is no Limit on the number of Banners you can place
TacticianA Solid Plan Persistent Buffs have 50% less ReservationCannons, Ready! +1 to maximum number of Summoned Totems Skills used by Totems have 30% more Skill Speed Totems only use Skills when you fire an Attack ProjectilePolish That Gear Gain Deflection Rating equal to 20% of Armour Gain 100% of Evasion Rating as extra Ailment ThresholdRight Where We Want Them Projectile Damage builds Pin Pinned enemies cannot perform actionsStay Light, Use Cover Defend with 200% of Armour Enemies have an Accuracy Penalty against you based on Distance Maximum Chance to Evade is 50% Maximum Physical Damage Reduction is 50%Strategic Embankments Totems you place grant Embankment AurasSuppressing Fire 40% more Immobilisation buildupUnleash Hell! Grants Skill: Supporting Fire Grants Skill: Supporting FireWatch How I Do It Allies in your Presence gain added Attack Damage equal to 25% of your main hand Weapon's damageWhoever Pays Best Banners gain 5 Glory per second There is no Limit on the number of Banners you can placeArmour and Evasion 15% increased Armour and Evasion RatingArmour and Evasion 15% increased Armour and Evasion RatingBanner Area Banner Skills have 16% increased Area of EffectMinion Damage Minions deal 20% increased DamagePin Buildup 20% increased Pin BuildupPin Buildup 20% increased Pin BuildupPresence Area 20% increased Presence Area of EffectSpirit 8% increased SpiritTotem Damage 20% increased Totem DamageTotem Damage 20% increased Totem Damage

Small passives

  • Armour and Evasion×2
    15% increased Armour and Evasion Rating
  • Banner Area
    Banner Skills have 16% increased Area of Effect
  • Minion Damage
    Minions deal 20% increased Damage
  • Pin Buildup×2
    20% increased Pin Buildup
  • Presence Area
    20% increased Presence Area of Effect
  • Spirit
    8% increased Spirit
  • Totem Damage×2
    20% increased Totem Damage
Witchhunter

Witchhunter

There's something very wrong with this world... and you're going to fix it.

8 notables · 8 small passives · 8 points from the trials

Armour 3Evasion 3Cooldowns 3Physical 1Area of effect 1
Witchhunter pagePlan it on the treevs Tacticianvs Gemling Legionnaire
  • Ceremonial AblutionNotable
    Sorcery Ward's Barrier can also take Physical and Chaos Damage from Hits
  • Judge, Jury, and ExecutionerNotable
    Decimating Strike
  • No MercyNotable
    Deal up to 40% more Damage to Enemies based on their missing Concentration
  • Obsessive RitualsNotable
    50% less Armour and Evasion Rating
    Grants skill Sorcery WardPassively manifests a protective barrier which takes Elemental Damage from Hits for you until depleted. The barrier instantly recharges to its full value a short time after it stops taking damage or is fully depleted.
  • Pitiless KillerNotable
    Culling Strike
  • Weapon MasterNotable
    100 Passive Skill Points become Weapon Set Skill Points
    Grants 100 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
  • WitchbaneNotable
    Enemies have Maximum Concentration equal to 30% of their Maximum Life
    Break enemy Concentration on Hit equal to 100% of Damage Dealt
    Enemies regain 10% of Concentration every second if they haven't lost Concentration in the past 5 seconds
  • Zealous InquisitionNotable
    10% chance for Enemies you Kill to Explode, dealing 100%
    of their maximum Life as Physical Damage
    Chance is doubled against Undead and Demons
WitchhunterCeremonial Ablution Sorcery Ward's Barrier can also take Physical and Chaos Damage from HitsJudge, Jury, and Executioner Decimating StrikeNo Mercy Deal up to 40% more Damage to Enemies based on their missing ConcentrationObsessive Rituals Grants Skill: Sorcery Ward 50% less Armour and Evasion Rating Grants Skill: Sorcery WardPitiless Killer Culling StrikeWeapon Master 100 Passive Skill Points become Weapon Set Skill Points Grants 100 Weapon Set Passive Skill PointsWitchbane Enemies have Maximum Concentration equal to 30% of their Maximum Life Break enemy Concentration on Hit equal to 100% of Damage Dealt Enemies regain 10% of Concentration every second if they haven't lost Concentration in the past 5 secondsZealous Inquisition 10% chance for Enemies you Kill to Explode, dealing 100% of their maximum Life as Physical Damage Chance is doubled against Undead and DemonsArea of Effect 8% increased Area of EffectArmour and Evasion 15% increased Armour and Evasion RatingArmour and Evasion 15% increased Armour and Evasion RatingCooldown Recovery Rate 6% increased Cooldown Recovery RateCooldown Recovery Rate 6% increased Cooldown Recovery RateCooldown Recovery Rate 6% increased Cooldown Recovery RateDamage vs Low Life Enemies 35% increased Damage with Hits against Enemies that are on Low LifeDamage vs Low Life Enemies 35% increased Damage with Hits against Enemies that are on Low Life

Small passives

  • Area of Effect
    8% increased Area of Effect
  • Armour and Evasion×2
    15% increased Armour and Evasion Rating
  • Cooldown Recovery Rate×3
    6% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
  • Damage vs Low Life Enemies×2
    35% increased Damage with Hits against Enemies that are on Low Life
Gemling Legionnaire

Gemling Legionnaire

The more you embrace virtue gems, the more power they offer...

8 notables · 8 small passives · 8 points from the trials

Attack speed 1Critical hits 1Resistances 1Movement speed 1Strength stacking 1
Gemling Legionnaire pagePlan it on the treevs Tacticianvs Witchhunter
  • Adaptive CapabilityNotable
    Attribute Requirements of Gems can be satisified by your highest Attribute
  • Advanced ThaumaturgyNotable
    Gem Quality grants Socketed Skills an additional effect
  • Enhanced EffectivenessNotable
    20% less Attributes
    Inherent bonuses gained from Attributes are doubled
  • Essence of VirtueNotable
    Grants skill Virtuous BarrierWhile active, conjures a glittering barrier that accumulates protective gemstone Motes of each Attribute type over time, but loses a random Mote when you are Hit.
  • Gem StuddedNotable
    For each colour of Socketed Support Gem that is most numerous, gain:
    •Red: Hits against you have no Critical Damage Bonus
    •Blue: Skills have 30% less cost
    •Green: 40% less Movement Speed Penalty from using Skills while Moving
  • Implanted GemsNotable · choose one option
    Choose one of 3 options:
    • Bolstering Implants
      +2 to Level of all Skills with a Strength requirement
    • Motoric Implants
      +2 to Level of all Skills with a Dexterity requirement
    • Neurological Implants
      +2 to Level of all Skills with an Intelligence requirement
  • Integrated EfficiencyNotable
    Skills deal 20% increased Damage per Connected Red Support Gem
    Skills have 6% increased Skill Speed per Connected Green Support Gem
    Skills have 20% increased Critical Hit Chance per Connected Blue Support Gem
  • Thaumaturgical InfusionNotable
    +1% to Maximum Cold Resistance per 3 Blue Support Gems Socketed
    +1% to Maximum Fire Resistance per 3 Red Support Gems Socketed
    +1% to Maximum Lightning Resistance per 3 Green Support Gems Socketed
GamblerAdaptive Capability Attribute Requirements of Gems can be satisified by your highest AttributeAdvanced Thaumaturgy Gem Quality grants Socketed Skills an additional effectEnhanced Effectiveness 20% less Attributes Inherent bonuses gained from Attributes are doubledEssence of Virtue Grants Skill: Virtuous Barrier Grants Skill: Virtuous BarrierGem Studded For each colour of Socketed Support Gem that is most numerous, gain: •Red: Hits against you have no Critical Damage Bonus •Blue: Skills have 30% less cost •Green: 40% less Movement Speed Penalty from using Skills while MovingImplanted GemsIntegrated Efficiency Skills deal 20% increased Damage per Connected Red Support Gem Skills have 6% increased Skill Speed per Connected Green Support Gem Skills have 20% increased Critical Hit Chance per Connected Blue Support GemThaumaturgical Infusion +1% to Maximum Cold Resistance per 3 Blue Support Gems Socketed +1% to Maximum Fire Resistance per 3 Red Support Gems Socketed +1% to Maximum Lightning Resistance per 3 Green Support Gems SocketedAttributes 3% increased AttributesAttributes 3% increased AttributesBolstering Implants +2 to Level of all Skills with a Strength requirementMotoric Implants +2 to Level of all Skills with a Dexterity requirementNeurological Implants +2 to Level of all Skills with an Intelligence requirementReduced Attribute Requirements Equipment and Skill Gems have 4% reduced Attribute RequirementsReduced Attribute Requirements Equipment and Skill Gems have 4% reduced Attribute RequirementsReduced Attribute Requirements Equipment and Skill Gems have 4% reduced Attribute RequirementsSkill Gem Quality +2% to Quality of all SkillsSkill Gem Quality +2% to Quality of all SkillsSkill Gem Quality +2% to Quality of all Skills

Small passives

  • Attributes×2
    3% increased Attributes
  • Reduced Attribute Requirements×3
    Equipment and Skill Gems have 4% reduced Attribute Requirements
  • Skill Gem Quality×3
    +2% to Quality of all Skills

Which Mercenary ascendancy? Nodes by theme

Nodes about…TacticianWitchhunterGemling Legionnaire
Minions2––
Projectiles3––
Attack speed1–1
Critical hits––1
Fire1––
Physical–1–
Totems4––
Armour43–
Evasion43–
Resistances––1
Spirit2––
Area of effect21–
Movement speed––1
Cooldowns–3–
Strength stacking––1
Dexterity stacking––1
Intelligence stacking––1

Counts of nodes (notables and small passives) whose text is about each theme. Side by side: Tactician vs Witchhunter · Gemling Legionnaire vs Tactician · Gemling Legionnaire vs Witchhunter.

Mercenary skills

Path of Exile 2 does not lock skill gems to a class: any class can use any gem its weapon allows. These are the skills only the Mercenary's ascendancies grant, and the gems built for the weapons the Mercenary starts with.

Skills only Mercenary ascendancies grant (3)

  • Grants skill Supporting Fire · Tactician: Unleash Hell!Recruit artillery Minions that take up positions behind you. They will lie in wait for your Command, then fire volleys of arrows at the target location.
  • Grants skill Sorcery Ward · Witchhunter: Obsessive RitualsPassively manifests a protective barrier which takes Elemental Damage from Hits for you until depleted. The barrier instantly recharges to its full value a short time after it stops taking damage or is fully depleted.
  • Grants skill Virtuous Barrier · Gemling Legionnaire: Essence of VirtueWhile active, conjures a glittering barrier that accumulates protective gemstone Motes of each Attribute type over time, but loses a random Mote when you are Hit.

Crossbow skills (33)

Supports the game recommends for them

×N: recommended for N of these crossbow skills. Top 18 of 141.

Meta gems that can hold them

14 more skills take any martial or melee weapon, this one included
  • Archon of Chayula
    not a gem · Acolyte of Chayula: Archon of ChayulaAny Martial Weapon · Buff, Attack, AoE, Trigger, Physical, Chaos, Duration, Conditional, Storm
  • Fragments Of The Past
    Any Martial Weapon, Unarmed · Attack, AoE, Projectile, Trigger, Sustained, Cold, Duration
  • Herald of Ash
    Any Martial Weapon · Buff, Persistent, AoE, Fire, Duration, Herald
  • Herald of Blood
    Any Martial Weapon · Buff, Attack, Persistent, AoE, Physical, Herald, Payoff
  • Herald of Ice
    Any Martial Weapon · Buff, Attack, Persistent, AoE, Cold, Herald, Payoff
  • Herald of Plague
    Any Martial Weapon · Buff, Persistent, Chaos, Herald
  • Herald of Thunder
    Any Martial Weapon · Buff, Attack, Persistent, AoE, Lightning, Herald, Payoff
  • Rain of Blades
    Any Martial Weapon · Attack, Buff, AoE, Trigger, Duration
  • Shockwave Totem
    Any Martial Weapon · Attack, Totem, AoE, Melee, Slam, Duration, Nova
  • Smash to Smithereens
    not a gemAny Martial Weapon, Unarmed · Attack, AoE, Trigger, Fire
  • Vivid Stampede
    not a gem · Spirit Walker: Vivid StampedeAny Martial Weapon, Unarmed · Attack, AoE, Trigger, Lightning, Duration
  • Void Illusion
    not a gem · Acolyte of Chayula: Grasp of the VoidAny Martial Weapon, Unarmed · Attack, Buff, Persistent, AoE, Trigger, Duration
  • Voltaic Barrier
    Any non-Talisman Martial Weapon · Attack, AoE, Trigger, Lightning, Chaining
  • Wind Dancer
    Any Martial Weapon · Buff, Attack, Persistent, AoE, Melee, Trigger, Staged

Start on the passive tree

RangerHuntressWarriorMercenaryDruidWitchSorceressMonk

The Mercenary has a starting point of its own. Open the tree planner with the Mercenary →

Rankings and tools for this class

Mercenary vs another class

vs Druidvs Huntressvs Monkvs Rangervs Sorceressvs Warriorvs Witch