Mercenary · Explosive/Gas Grenade

Breakpoints by level/act. [C]=clear [ST]=single-target [B]=buff [M]=mobility [U]=utility.

Crossbow ShotS [ST] [U] — Level 2 (Act 1, after Bloated Miller)

• Secondary single-target ability; used to weave damage between grenade cooldowns; also used (like Explosive Shot variant) to pre-emptively detonate grenades.

Explosive GrenadeS [C] [ST] — Level 2 (Act 1, after Bloated Miller) — MAIN

• Main clear & single-target ability.
• Linked supports: Multishot+ I (from Areagne, Grelwood, Act 1, Level 3), Elemental Armament+ I (optional, from Ervig, Grim Tangle, Act 1). Upgraded to Multishot+ II at Level 41.
• Combos with Mortar CannonS from Level 41.

Frost BombS [C] [ST] (Amplifier) — Act 1, Clearfell (Abandoned Camp)

• Secondary clear ability & single-target amplifier (cold exposure). Recast off cooldown to sustain Max Exposure.

ContagionS [C] — Level 3 (Grelwood, Brambleghast — Uncut Skill Gem Level 2)

• Tertiary clear ability. Removed at Level 14 when Gas GrenadeS is equipped.

Flash GrenadeS [C] [U] — Act 1, Red Vale (The Rust King — Uncut Skill Gem Level 3)

• Linked supports: Multishot+ I, Magnified Area+ I.
• Used to combo/debuff enemies for extra single-target damage.

Gas GrenadeS [C] [ST] — Level 14 (Act 1, Oghman Manor) — MAIN

• Main clear & single-target ability. Poison clouds (limit 6 active; detonate with Explosive GrenadeS).
• Linked supports: Multishot+ I, Elemental Armament+ I.

Wind DancerS [B] — Act 1 (Freythorn, Gembloom Skull)

• Survivability buff.

Elemental WeaknessS [ST] [U] — Level 22 (Act 2)

• Linked support: Heightened Curse+. Curse the boss to debuff for more damage.

Leap SlamS [M] (Optional) — Level 22 (Act 2)

• Optional supports: Rapid Attacks+ I, Cadence+. Mobility/zone-skip (also enabled by equipping any Shield + Slim Mace on the second weapon set).

Oil GrenadeS [ST] [U] — Level 31 (Act 3)

• Linked supports: Potent Exposure+, Persistent Ground+ I. Debuffs enemies before unloading Explosive Grenades.

War BannerS [B] — Act 3 (Azak Bog, Gemrot Skull)

• Additional single-target damage buff. Linked support: Prolonged Duration+ I.

Mortar CannonS [ST] — Level 41 (Act 4)

• Combos with Explosive GrenadeS + Multishot+ II. Activate as boss becomes targetable.

Flask upgrades (not gems, for reference)

• Life/Mana: Greater (L10), Grand (L16), Colossal (L30), Gargantuan (L40), Transcendent (L50).

• Early clear: Combo ContagionS + Explosive GrenadeS + Frost BombS (+ Crossbow ShotS). Aim grenades/frost bombs at where you are traveling so mobs are inside the radius on detonation.
• Early single-target (L2–13): Frost BombS (exposure) → single Explosive GrenadeS (cooldown) → weave Crossbow Shots → recast Frost BombS for Max Exposure before dumping all Explosive GrenadeS cooldowns. Keep target inside the explosions (near walls or directly in front of boss).
• L14+ clear: Alternate Gas GrenadeS and Explosive GrenadeS; lead mobs into detonation zones.
• L14+ single-target: Frost BombS as boss spawns → Gas GrenadeS ×2 → all Explosive GrenadeS cooldowns → recast Frost BombS to sustain Max Exposure. L22+: also cast Elemental WeaknessS as the enemy becomes targetable.
• L31+ single-target: Oil GrenadeS & Elemental WeaknessS as boss spawns → Gas GrenadeS ×2 → all Explosive GrenadeS cooldowns. L41+: activate Mortar CannonS as the enemy becomes targetable.
• Gas GrenadeS note: Limit of 6 Poison Clouds — once firing 5+ projectiles, fire a single Gas GrenadeS before detonating clouds if running low on cooldowns.
• Playstyle: "don't get hit" / kill-or-be-killed. Fire grenades ahead, dodge-roll through enemies, fight bosses in melee range to keep them inside explosions. Explosive Shot can pre-emptively detonate grenades.

• Level 2 — Makeshift CrossbowI (starting; not worth crafting)
• Level 4 — Tense CrossbowI (any with Inc. Physical or Flat Elemental dmg; from chests/Rusted & Refined Arms in Red Vale, or Renly's shop)
• Level 10 — Sturdy CrossbowI (Magic/Rare, Inc. Physical or Flat Elemental; optional 1–2 Lesser Elemental Runes; ilvl 8 for next flat roll tiers)
• Level 16 — Varnished CrossbowI (ilvl 16 for next tier; socket 1–2 Lesser Elemental Runes)
• Level 33 — Bombard CrossbowI (ili 33; next tiers ilvl 46 / 54+; Blacksmith's Whetstones to 20% quality)
• Level 59 — Cannonade CrossbowI (ilvl 60 / 65+ next tiers; 2 Elemental or Greater Elemental Runes; whetstones)
• Level 78 — Siege CrossbowI (ilvl 81+ for flat attack, ilvl 82+ for physical tiers; 2 Greater Elemental Runes; whetstones)
• From Level 33+, prioritize crossbows with "Grenade Skills Fire an additional Projectile". General rule: equip the crossbow giving the most DPS.

• Flat Elemental Damage to Attacks is the top early scaling stat. Slot priority: Crossbow (largest source) > Rings > Gloves.
• Runss / Artificer's Orbs / Salvage Bench (Salvendish): Salvage Bench unlocked in Act 1 (return Renly's Smithing Tools → Renly). Salvage socketed gear for Artificer's Shards → Artificer's Orbs; salvage Superior (quality) items for Blacksmith's Whetstones.
• Elemental runes early: Lesser/Sty/Greater Storm, Glacial, Desert Runes.
• Physical runes later as base phys rises: Lesser/Greater Iron Runes.
• Orbs found from: monster drops, Secrets, salvage.
• Crafting: Regal OrbI 1–2-mod Magic items (disenchant Rares at the Potion Seller for Regal Shards); Exalted OrbI on good Regals (or save Exalts for trade). No gold from disenchanting.
• Vendor checks & gambling: buy pre-rolled Magic/Rare items; gamble when gold is spare.
• Reforging Bench: unlock after Mektul the Forgemaster (Act 3, optional); combine 3 Magic → 1 Magic or 3 Rare → 1 Rare.
• Vendor filter regex: "ts: S|\d+% i.+mov|d Ph|ds .+Da|ll P|k Sp" — matches Sockets, Movement Speed, Inc. Physical, Flat Physical, Flat Elemental, +Level Projectile Skills, Attack Speed.
• Farm zones for levels + Uncut Skill Gems (e.g. farm Dreadnought to ~L31 while looting Level 9 Uncut gems before Jamanra); plan passive tree vs gem attribute requirements.

• Level 3: allocate 5 Intelligence to create ContagionS (Uncut Skill Gem Level 2 from Brambleghast). After def The Crowbell, reallocate those points via Weapon Set Passive points (CTRL + SHIFT + Right Click) — do this continuously to level Frost BombS & Elemental WeaknessS. Equip any Shield + Slim Mace on the second weapon set (optionally enables Leap SlamS skips).
• Early damage: rush RicochetP & OverwhelmP.
• Grenade scaling: Grenade Cooldown Recovery RateP, GrenadierP, Cluster BombsP (reduce cooldowns; extra grenade projectiles).
• Clear speed: Volatile CatalystP & Adrenaline RushP.
• Finish: remaining damage/defensive nodes per planner.
• Attributes: most pathing nodes are Strength/Dexterity (gear + gems); allocate tiny attribute nodes for Intelligence/Str/Dex as rare gear demands.
• Ascendancy (all viable): WitchhunterA, TacticianA, Gemling LegionnaireA — see linked ascendancy guides. Note: respeccing costs a lot of Gold per node in endgame. First 2 Ascendancy points from the Trial of Sekhemas before the Dreadnought (Act 2); ascend at Balbala (Traitor's Passage) or at Level 27+.

• Act 1: After Bloated Miller → Crossbow ShotS + Explosive GrenadeS (L2). Clearfell: Frost BombS (Abandoned Camp); Beira of the Rotten Pack → +10% Cold Res (wolf head). Grelwood: Areagne → Multishot+ I (link Explosive GrenadeS); Brambleghast → L3, 5 Int, ContagionS. Red Vale: The Rust King → Uncut Gem L3 (upgrade Explosive GrenadeS or Flash GrenadeS); optional farm for Tense CrossbowI. Grim Tangle: optional Ervig → Elemental Armament+ I → Explosive GrenadeS. Cemetery of the Eternals: Ancient Ruin secret → ring; Tomb of the Consort → Asinia; Mausoleum → Draven; Lachlann of Endless Lament. Hunting Grounds: The Crowbell → 2 Weapon Set points; Freythorn waypoint, continue to Ogham Farmlands. Ogham Farmlands: Una's Lute → 2 Weapon Set points. L10: Greater Life/Mana Flasks, optional Sturdy CrossbowI. Ogham Village: Renly's Smithing Tools → Salvage Bench + Lesser Storm RuneI + Blank Rune; The Executioner; Leitis → Uncut Skill Gem L5. Freythorn: 3 Rituals → The King in the Mists; Gembloom Skull → Wind DancerS; Finn → Sapphire or Ruby CharmI. Manor Ramparts: optional Gallows secret (Uncut Support L1). Oghman Manor: Candlemass → +20 Maximum Life; L14: Gas GrenadeS + Multishot+ I + Elemental Armament+ I, remove ContagionS; Sapphire CharmI before Count Geonor; defeat Geonor.
• End of Act 1 links: Gas GrenadeS (Multishot+ I, Elemental Armament+ I); Explosive GrenadeS (Multishot+ I, Elemental Armament+ I); Flash GrenadeS (Multishot+ I, Magnified Area+ I); Frost BombS; Wind DancerS.
• Act 2: Mawdun Quarry (optional Faridun War Cache → Artificer's Orb). Ruby CharmI before Rudja the Dread Engineer. L16: Grand Life/Mana Flasks; optional craft Varnished CrossbowI (+ Lesser Elemental Runes). Traitor's Passage: Balbala → Djinn Barya (ascend now or L27+ before Dreadnought). L22: Elemental WeaknessS + Heightened Curse+; optional Leap SlamS + Rapid Attacks+ I + Cadence+. Mastodon Badlands: Runes of Aldur → guaranteed Lesser Jeweller's Orb. Bone Pits: Sun Clan Relic (hyenas). Keth: Kabala, Constrictor Queen → 2 Weapon Set points; Kabala Clan Relic (snakes). Buried Shrines: optional Elemental Shrine ring. Valley of the Titans: Sun + Kabala relics → buff choice (30% Charm Charges Gained / 30% Charm Effect Duration +1 Charm slot). Titan Grotto: optional Titan's Sword secret (runes). Deshar: Fallen Dekhara → 2 Weapon Set points; optional Unremembered secret (Artificer's Orb). Spires of Deshar: Sisters of Garukhan → +10% Lightning Res. Trial of the Sekhema → first 2 Ascendancy points. The Dreadnought: optional farm; Topaz CharmI / Lightning res gear; Jamanra the Abomination.
• Act 3: Sandswept Marsh: Orok Campfire secret → Lesser Jeweller's Orb. L30: Colossal Life/Mana Flasks. L31: Oil GrenadeS + Potent Exposure+ + Persistent Ground+ I. L33: craft Bombard CrossbowI. Jungle Ruins: Mighty Silverfist → 2 Weapon Set points. Venom Crypts: Corpse-snake Venom → Servi → Artificer's Orb + permanent buff (RECOMMENDED: 25% increased Stun Threshold; alternative tumor/elemental dripping/mana regen — permanent, cannot change). Jiquani's Machinarium: Blackjaw the Remnant → Flame Core → +10% Fire Res. Matlan Waterways: Ravaged Corpse → rare Belt (via Servi). Azak Bog: Ignagduk → Gemrot Skull → War BannerS + Prolonged Duration+ I. Molten Vault: optional Mektul → Reforging Bench + Artificer's Orb (delaying OK; heavily-buffed HP). Utzaal (Past): Viper Napuatzi (farm first). Aggorat (Past): Sacrificial Heart → Blood Sacrifice secret → 2 Weapon Set points. The Black Chambers: Doryani, Royal Thaumaturge.
• Act 4: L40: Gargantuan Life/Mana Flasks. L41: Mortar CannonS + Explosive GrenadeS + Multishot+ II. Isle of Kin: Blind Beast → Blank Greater Rune (Delving Site secret → Lesser Jeweller's Orb; optional Beast Pen Rare → Uncut Support L4). Journey's End: Omniphobia → 2 Weapon Set points. Abandoned Prison: Chapel Key → Goddess of Justice → 30% Life or Mana Recovery from Flasks. Whakapanu Island: Great White One → Shark Fin → permanent Kaom's Lesson (30% armour/evasion/ES) or Rakiata's Lesson (permanent; risky choice — check endgame guide). Singing Caverns: Diamora → unlock Eye of Hinekora. Eye of Hinekora: Silent Hall secret → +5% Maximum Mana. Halls of the Dead: 3 Tests → Ancestral Tattoo +5 Attribute or +5% Res (Tawhoa dex/lightning, Tasalio int/cold, Ngamahu str/fire — permanent); Yama the White → Navali → 2 Weapon Set points. Arastas: Morning/Evening Bells → 3 Regal + 3 Exalted. Ngakanu: optional Meeting House chests.
• Interlude 1 (The Curse of Holten): L50: Transcendent Life/Mana Flasks. Holten: Ferryman → Greater Runes. Wolvenhold: Oswin the Dread Warden → 2 Weapon Set points.
• Interlude 2 (The Stolen Barya): Khari Crossing: Molten One's Gift → +5% Maximum Life; Akthi and Anundr → 2 Weapon Set points. Sel Khari Sanctuary: Rangeen's & Yoon's Barya → rare Ring/Amulet/Jewel. Qima: Orbala's Pillar → buff (RECOMMENDED: 3% increased Movement Speed or 15% Global Defences; changeable anytime). Qimah Reservoir: Azmadi the Faridun Prince.
• Interlude 3 (Doryani's Contingency): L59: craft Cannonade CrossbowI. Kriar Village: Lythara the Wayward Spear → +40 Spirit. Howling Caves: Abominable Yeti → 2 Weapon Set points. Kriar Peaks: Elder Madox → free Unique.
• Endgame (Ziggurat Refuge): completing all 3 Interludes grants 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points.

• Act 2 Relic: 30% increased Charm Charges Gained
• Act 3 Venom Drought: 25% increased Stun Threshold (Permanent)
• Act 4 Chapel: 30% increased Life Recovery from Flasks
• Act 4 Tattoos: 5% Resistance (Permanent)
• Interlude 2 Orbala's Boon: 3% increased Movement Speed
• Note: reference your endgame build before selecting permanent buffs.

• Item filter: follow Havoc_Grenade_Campaign_0.3 (via Neversink's Filterblade / official site filter).
• More damage: upgrade Crossbow first (highest phys/elemental, ideally Bombard/Cannonade/Siege base), then Gloves and Rings with lots of flat Phys/Elemental to Attacks.
• Die less: kill-or-be-killed — lead mobs into grenade radii, dodge-roll through packs, fight bosses in melee range; use Explosive Shot to detonate grenades in advance; upgrade item bases (Armour & Evasion), cap Elemental Res, raise Life pool, add defensive layers; wear relevant charms (Resist/Sapphire/Ruby/Topaz for elemental, Amethyst for chaos, Stone for stun, Thawing for freeze).
• Vendor regex for filtering bases (see Gear Priorities).
• Farm zones for levels & Uncut Skill Gems when a boss blocks progress (e.g. farm Dreadnought → L31, Level 9 gems for Jamanra).
• Ascension timing: avoid ascending too early if undergeared; Balbala provides the Djinn Barya (Act 2), Trial of Sekhemas gives first 2 points pre-Dreadnought.

Jeder Eintrag verlinkt auf poe2db.tw (Datenbank) und die offizielle poe2wiki.net. Badges im Fließtext: S=Skill, + =Support, I=Item, U=Unique, P=Passive, A=Ascendancy, B=Buff, C=Charm, R=Rune.

Der Merc ist momentan der schnellste Twink der Liga – Gas-Grenade-Wolken zünden dank Radiant Grief sofort. Die Route funktioniert identisch auf Ranger und Huntress.