Path of Exile 2 offers an intricate and rewarding experience for players who enjoy theorycrafting and experimenting with unique builds. One standout for both new and experienced players is the Mercenary Witch Hunter Grenadier Build, which combines simplicity with devastating firepower. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this build, from leveling to dominating the endgame.
Why Choose the Mercenary Witch Hunter Grenadier Build?
If you’re looking for a build that simplifies PoE2’s complexity while delivering screen-clearing power and fast boss kills, this is the one for you. Using grenades as the primary damage source and a Detonator skill for instantaneous explosions, this build ensures rapid progression through the campaign and effortless endgame farming, get POE 2 Currency.
Core Mechanics of the Build
Explosive Grenade and Explosive Shot Combo
The backbone of this build is the synergy between Explosive Grenade and Explosive Shot:
- Explosive Grenade: Throws grenades that deal massive AoE damage upon detonation.
- Explosive Shot: A Detonator skill that instantly triggers the grenades.
The strategy is straightforward:
- Throw grenades to cover the battlefield.
- Use an Explosive Shot to detonate them instantly, obliterating enemies.
If facing tougher enemies, throw multiple rounds of grenades before detonating to stack the damage. The beauty of this combo lies in its simplicity and adaptability.
Leveling as a Mercenary
Early Game Skills
Before acquiring Explosive Grenade, start with Fragmentation Rounds, which functions like a shotgun:
- The closer you are to enemies, the more projectiles will hit, increasing your damage significantly.
- This is particularly effective against early bosses when positioning properly.
Transition to Explosive Grenades
Once you unlock Explosive Grenade, pair it with the following supports:
- Fire Infusion: Converts 25% of damage to fire, amplifying your output.
- Magnified Effects: Expands the grenade’s AoE, ensuring more enemies are caught in the blast.
- Scattershot: Fires additional projectiles for wider coverage.
By mid-game, your grenades will handle most packs efficiently, paving the way for a smooth progression.
Ascending to Witch Hunter
The Mercenary naturally evolves into the Witch Hunter subclass, which enhances grenade mechanics and mobility:
- Gain increased projectile damage and AoE size.
- Improved mobility ensures you can reposition quickly, avoiding incoming attacks.
Endgame Skill Setup
Explosive Grenade
This remains your primary skill, supported by:
- Fire Infusion: Amplifies fire damage.
- Scattershot: Fires extra projectiles.
- Magnified Effects: Increases AoE for better coverage.
- Concentrated Effect: Reduces AoE slightly but boosts damage output.
Explosive Shot
Supports for Explosive Shot include:
- Martial Tempo: Increases attack speed for smoother gameplay.
- Nimble Reload: Ensures faster skill usage by increasing reload speed.
- Inevitable Crit: Guarantees critical strikes after a few attacks.
- Ignition: Adds high ignite chance, dealing additional damage over time.
Spirit Gems
Spirit Gems are situationally activated based on the encounter:
- Herald of Ash:
- Overkill damage spreads as fire to nearby enemies.
- Use with Cannibalism for life recovery on kills.
- Attrition:
- Boosts damage the longer a fight lasts, ideal for boss battles.
- Pair with Vitality for life regeneration during extended encounters.
Gear and Equipment
Weapon
- Use a two-handed bow with bonuses to projectiles and fire damage.
- Look for mods that add extra projectiles or increase grenade damage.
Armor
- Prioritize armor and evasion gear for survivability.
- Mods that boost elemental damage or attack speed are valuable.
Accessories
- Rings and amulets should focus on critical strike chance, fire damage, and life regeneration.
Passive Skill Tree
The passive skill tree emphasizes projectile damage, grenade utility, and survivability. Below is a step-by-step breakdown:
Early Nodes
- Projectile Damage and Attack Speed: Speeds up your attacks, which is critical for smooth early gameplay.
- Remorseless: Boosts projectile damage and stun buildup for reliable boss stuns.
Mid-Game Focus
- Heavy Ammunition: Increases projectile damage and stun buildup, essential for controlling bosses.
- Feel No Pain: Provides armor and evasion, improving your durability in tougher encounters.
Endgame Nodes
- Cluster Bombs: Adds an extra grenade per throw and increases AoE.
- Adrenaline Rush: Increases movement and attack speed after recent kills.
- Overwhelm: Reduces attack speed slightly but provides massive damage and stun bonuses.
By the endgame, aim to unlock the Crossbow Cluster, which offers:
- Additional grenade projectiles.
- Chance for grenades to activate twice, doubling damage.
Playstyle and Tips
General Gameplay
- Use grenades for trash mobs and elites, detonating them immediately with an Explosive Shot.
- Always maintain mobility; avoid staying still during grenade reloads.
Boss Fights
- Begin with a volley of grenades.
- Use Attrition Spirit Gem for sustained fights, ensuring your damage ramps up over time.
- Stun bosses early with grenade setups and finish with Explosive Shot.
Survivability
- Leverage Cannibalism to heal during pack clears.
- Use Vitality for life regeneration during drawn-out battles.
- Position carefully to avoid unnecessary damage while maximizing shotgun-like grenade hits.
Closing Thoughts
The Mercenary Witch Hunter Grenadier Build in Path of Exile 2 offers an accessible yet powerful option for players of all skill levels. Its straightforward playstyle, incredible AoE, and boss-melting capabilities make it an excellent choice for leveling and endgame content.
Dive into Path of Exile 2 with this explosive build, and watch as enemies crumble under your grenades. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, this build ensures your journey through Wraeclast is as smooth—and explosive—as possible.
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