The only downside of leveling up a Mercenary using grenades is the multiple-button playstyle.
Here is everything you better know about leveling up a Mercenary using grenades in POE 2.
Act 1
Act-1 is probably the hardestone, since we do not have any AOE clear.
Start withHigh Velocity Roundspaired withDouble BarrelandScattershot this should be your single-target DPS.
Once youunlockGalvanic Shards, use it withLightning InfusionandPierceas your main clearing tool.
We also recommend slotting in Flash Grenade to get out of a tricky situation.
If you do not like Galvanic Shards, you could alsotryPermafrost Boltspaired withIce Bite.
This will help youfreeze enemiesfollowed by ashatter that deals massive damage.
We also recommendswitching toHerald of Ashwhen you switch to this setup.
You should also slot inOil Grenadewhenever you get it toapply Fire Exposureandslow enemies down.
Act 3 To Mapping
You will get your firstLesser Jeweller’s Orb use it on yourGas Grenade.
To use it, you will need toprovide a source of Ignite.
One of the ways is to burn theOil Grenadeusing anExplosive Shotfollowed byspamming Gas Grenadesontop of the burning ground.
Your rotations require you to press multiple buttons.
We alsorecommend keeping theFlash Grenadeslotted somewhere, as it is a free get-out-of-jail card.
Once you get more than 100 Spirit, linkClarityandVitalitywith the Herald of Ash.
By this time, youshould also useWind Dancer, as it is a fairly good defensive layer.
You should be able to take this exact setup onto maps.
These boots allow you todrop Ignited Groundwhile moving, which lastsfor eight seconds.
It completely removes theneed to manually ignite your Gas Grenades.
Aside from this, you also getHP, a bit ofFire Resistance, andsome Movement Speed.
With the helmet, you are free touse your best Movement Speedboots during the campaign.
It also provides us withsome Evasion Rating, which isone of our defensive layers.
If youhave your Elemental Resistancessorted, we highly recommendhaving Death Rushas one of your rings.
It will give you a lot ofHP leech,flat Evasion Rating, andOnslaught.
Gear Stat Priority
While leveling, remember toregularly check the vendorsfor any potential gear upgrades.
Also, youdo not need a rare itemin every single slot.
Crafting in Path of Exile 2isnowhere near as complicatedas it was in the first game.
Be sure touse your Regal Orb,Orb of Alchemy,Exalted Orb, etc.
to hit something nice.
Remember that yourDPS scales directly with your weapon, so always look for a better Crossbow.
You canSalvage these itemsat any Town to getArtificer’s Orb,Armourer’s Scrap, andBlacksmith’s Whetstone.
Ascendancy Order
Our choice ofAscendancyis theWitch Hunter.
While doing the Campaign, you will most likely complete the first two Ascendancies.
give a shot to get it as soon as you’re free to.
Pitiliess Killer
This willboost your clear speedas well assingle-target DPS.
Culling Strike from this node willinstantly kill enemiesafter theyreach a specific HP threshold.
This is incrediblypowerful against bosses.
Witchbane or Obsessive Rituals
If youneed defenses, you should definitelytake Obsessive Rituals.
Before you do that, however, be sure tohave around 10K combined EvasionandArmor.
Alternatively, you’re free to also choose Witchbane.
Passive Skill Tree
The endgame skill tree can be seen in the screenshot above.
However, at the start of the Campaign,travel to Instant Reloadbefore anything else.
Get your Monk through the campaign with this leveling build.
