Path of Exile 2 NEW Mercenary Class Gameplay update

Today Grinding Gear Games hit us with a double feature. They announced the upcoming league Affliction along with a new Path of Exile 2: Mercenary Walkthrough. This new class displays the use of a crossbow/gun along with some grenade attachments. This is a first for POE. Along with the new roll with no cooldown feature, this will definitely be one for many POE players to try. Aside from the HUGE graphics overall this looks like it will be worth the wait. Path of Exile 2 is scheduled to release in the summer of 2024. For now, check out the walkthrough video below for the new Mercenary gameplay. 

Here are some key points from the Path of Exile Subreddit for this new class. 

• Path of Exile 2 will support optional WASD movement. Able to strafe with mouse while attacking as well

• Monk: momentum-based combat

• Warrior: heavy slams

• Huntress: mix of melee and ranged combat

• Sorceress: ranged pure caster with good mobility

• Druid: uses spells to enhance melee abilities/animal form

• Mercenary: specializes in crossbows which can also function like shotguns

Crossbows fire instantly unlike bows. Crossbows are hybrid of assault rifles, sniper rifles, or shotguns. Can be equipped with ammo. Short reload time.

• Burst-shot Crossbow: Shotgun

• Incendiary Ammo: Cone damage, ignites

• Permafrost: Cone damage, freezes

• Piercing: Bursts on hit, causing shrapnel hits

• Rapid-shot Crossbow: Assault Rifle

• Incendiary Ammo: Deals more damage the longer you fire; adds fire damage to grenades

• Permafrost: Creates ice crystals on the floor that explode on proximity and chill

• Piercing: Erodes armour

• Power-shot Crossbow: Sniper Rifle

• Incendiary Ammo: Fires a “rocket” that explodes on contact. Explodes nearby grenades.

• Permafrost: Creates Frost Walls in a V shape that can explode in an area if hit multiple times

• Piercing: Penetrates armour. Armour broken enemies take extra damage and get stun

Attachment are like extra skill slots instead of quivers

• Explosive Grenade Launcher – deals damage in an area

• Flash Grenade Launcher – stuns

• Oil Grenade Launcher – coats ground in oil, slowing enemies and can be ignited, dealing burning damage