Summary
Path of Exile 2is the highly anticipated sequel to Grinding Gear Games' free-to-play ARPGPath of Exileand is currently expected to release no sooner than 2025. Although it was originally announced as a massive update to the original game, the developer decided in 2023 thatPath of Exile 2would be a standalone sequelinstead. The sequel is bringing a host of improvements to the original game, but its most significant change will come with six brand-new character classes. Among those new classes is the Mercenary class.
Based on what has been revealed so far,Path of Exile 2’s new Mercenary class has thoroughly excited fans of the first game, as well as newcomers. The Mercenary class is unlike anythingPath of Exilehas seen before, and it is already showing signs of being a new favorite among players. However, there are several new mechanics the Mercenary class is bringing to the table, so both new and veteran players may do well to educate themselves on it beforePath of Exile 2’s release.
Breaking Down Path of Exile 2’s Mercenary Class
Path of Exile 2’s Mercenary Class Is a Ranged Class
One of Grinding Gear’s primary goals in designingPath of Exile 2’s Mercenary class was to ensure it made players feel as though they were playing a top-down shooter. One of the ways they have accomplished this is by allowing the use of the WASD keys for movement, rather than solely relying on click-to-move with the mouse. Additionally, unlikePath of Exile’s regular bows, which need to be drawn back before firing, the Mercenary’s crossbow can be fired instantly. AsPath of Exile 2’s Mercenary class is a ranged class, the new WASD movement options and the instantaneous response of the Mercenary’s crossbow when the player attacks set it apart fromevery other class inPath of Exile.
Path of Exile 2’s Mercenary uses a crossbow that can switch between three different modes of fire. The Power Shot Crossbow acts as a sniper rifle, in which it fires single high-damage projectiles. The Burst Shot Crossbow is similar to a shotgun, as it fires a widespread barrage of multiple projectiles simultaneously. Finally, the Rapid Shot Crossbow fires like an automatic assault rifle and is different from the others in that it can be fired while the player is moving.
Path of Exile 2’s Mercenary Class Comes With Ammo Skills and Attachments for the Crossbow
Apart from the versatility that three different crossbow types will add toPath of Exile 2’s Mercenary class, players can apply various ammo skills and attachments to their crossbows. Currently, there are three known ammo skills — Armor-piercing, Incendiary, and Permafrost — and each crossbow will handle ammo skills differently. Armor-piercing ammo is fairly self-explanatory, whereas Incendiary and Permafrost are unique. When used, Incendiary ammo can ignite enemies, with more projectiles increasing the fire’s strength. Permafrost, on the other hand, is useful for slowing enemies and potentially freezing them in place.
Crossbow attachments act asSkill Gems inPath of Exile 2, meaning they can also be augmented with Support Gems, just as with normal skills. At the moment, there are three known attachments for the crossbow: Grenade Launcher, Flash Grenade, and Oil Grenade. It can be assumed that the primary attachment for the crossbow is a Grenade Launcher, with its grenade type being the feature that can be altered. The Grenade Launcher fires normal grenades, whereas the Flash Grenade and Oil Grenade stun and slow enemies, respectively. Oil Grenades can also be set on fire to ignite unarmored enemies.
Path of Exile II
WHERE TO PLAY
Path of Exile 2 is a next generation free-to-play Action RPG created by Grinding Gear Games. Journey across the deadly continent of Wraeclast, meeting multiple immersive cultures while facing off against evil in many forms. Path of Exile 2 features twelve character classes, 240 Skill Gems, hundreds of equipment base types, a six-act campaign, more than a hundred unique boss fights, a deep endgame system and so much more. Play with your friends without losing any progress with couch co-op, cross-play and cross-progression.
