As POE2 Currency barrels toward its full release, the excitement surrounding the long-awaited sequel continues to surge through the action RPG community. Developed by Grinding Gear Games, POE2 isn’t merely a visual and mechanical upgrade—it’s a full-blown reimagining of what made the original Path of Exile a genre-defining title. With sweeping changes to core systems, a reworked campaign, and an ambitious character class structure, Path of Exile 2 is poised to set a new gold standard for ARPGs.

Among the many innovations shaping this future, one of the standout features is the game’s expanded roster of character archetypes. While veteran fans will recognize familiar class identities, each has been sharpened with purpose and playstyle clarity. And at the center of this evolution stands one of the most compelling new additions: The Mercenary.

A World Transformed: From Exile to Evolution

Before diving into the Mercenary’s role in POE2, it's important to appreciate the larger canvas the game is painting. Path of Exile 2 takes place years after the events of the first game, introducing a new campaign that spans seven acts. The world of Wraeclast remains harsh and unforgiving, but it’s now richer with story, denser with lore, and more nuanced in its presentation. The graphical overhaul is dramatic—lighting, environments, animations, and character models all reflect a modern aesthetic that still retains the gritty tone POE is known for.

However, beyond visuals, the heart of POE2 lies in its mechanical reformation. The passive skill tree returns, now streamlined but still rich with customization. Skill gems, a cornerstone of POE’s build diversity, are reworked to slot support gems directly into active skills, reducing the clunky micromanagement of gear sockets and enabling more intuitive build experimentation. This opens the door for deeper character specialization—and it’s here that new classes like the Mercenary truly shine.

Enter the Mercenary: Precision, Speed, and Tactical Prowess

The Mercenary is a brand-new class that represents a significant departure from the fantasy archetypes Path of Exile players may be used to. Instead of a magic-wielding sorcerer or a brute-force warrior, the Mercenary embodies a modern design ethos centered on agility, ranged combat, and tactical utility.

Whereas other classes in POE2 draw from traditional high fantasy tropes, the Mercenary feels like a grounded, almost paramilitary force—more akin to a sniper or elite operative. Wielding crossbows and a variety of unique ammunition types, this class brings an entirely fresh combat rhythm to the battlefield. Fast, calculated, and capable of both burst damage and battlefield control, the Mercenary thrives on precision and adaptability.

The Crossbow Combat System: Weaponized Versatility

One of the defining features of the Mercenary is the crossbow system, which introduces not just a new weapon type, but an entirely new combat paradigm. In Path of Exile 2, crossbows are not just ranged alternatives—they are modular tools of destruction.

Each crossbow comes with unique base properties. For example, one might fire explosive bolts, while another emphasizes rapid-fire or armor penetration. But it’s the ammunition system that adds a new tactical layer. Mercenaries can swap between various types of bolts mid-combat—frost bolts to slow enemies, incendiary bolts to apply damage over time, and more. The interplay between crossbow and ammo type adds strategic depth, especially when facing enemies with different resistances or behaviors.

Supporting this are active reload mechanics and stance shifts that enhance movement and accuracy, rewarding players who can juggle positioning with timing. Compared to the more chaotic, screen-filling spell storms of other classes, the Mercenary demands a cooler, more measured approach—sniping key targets, dodging return fire, and setting traps before unleashing controlled mayhem.

Defining a New Archetype in the POE Universe

The Mercenary doesn’t just stand out because of its tools—it represents a new kind of Path of Exile experience. In a game long defined by over-the-top spellcasting and melee carnage, the Mercenary is lean, calculated, and surgical. It’s a class designed for players who enjoy tactical positioning, situational awareness, and managing cooldown windows.

This class also speaks to POE2’s evolving design philosophy. Where the original game often leaned heavily on complexity for its own sake, the sequel aims to make complexity more accessible and meaningful. The Mercenary is a prime example: it offers depth without convolution. The modularity of the crossbow and ammo system feels intuitive, but mastering it still provides a steep skill ceiling.

Synergy with Passive Skills and Ascendancies

Just like in Path of Exile 1, passive skills are crucial in defining your build’s potential. The Mercenary starts on a section of the passive tree that supports ranged attacks, elemental effects, crit mechanics, and movement speed. This provides a great launching pad for building not just pure damage dealers, but hybrids that specialize in evasion, traps, or debuffing enemies.

What really expands the Mercenary’s potential, however, are Ascendancy Classes. Grinding Gear Games has hinted that the Mercenary’s Ascendancies will emphasize special operations-style gameplay, such as:

The Saboteur: Not to be confused with the original trap-focused Shadow class, this version could emphasize tactical deployment of gadgets, proximity mines, or stealth mechanics.

The Marksman: A crit-heavy, range-extended subclass that maximizes sniper-style gameplay, punishing enemies before they ever reach the front lines.

The Tactician: Focused on control and utility, using crowd control bolts, decoys, and battlefield manipulation to dominate larger groups.

These Ascendancies are designed to give players multiple viable identities within the Mercenary archetype, further reinforcing POE2’s focus on player choice.

A Visual and Audio Showcase

The Mercenary also benefits from POE2’s stunning visual and audio overhaul. Crossbow attacks feel punchy, kinetic, and powerful. The different ammunition types produce varied effects that are both satisfying to watch and tactically meaningful. For example, a frost bolt might leave a lingering ice patch, slowing anyone who crosses it, while an incendiary bolt could explode into a burst of fire that visually bathes the environment in flickering flame.

Sound design is equally strong. You can feel the metallic clack of a reloaded bolt, the tension of a taut crossbow string, and the sharp crack of a perfectly timed shot. These sensory elements elevate the Mercenary’s gameplay, ensuring that every engagement feels deliberate and impactful.

The Bigger Picture: A Class That Reflects POE2’s Vision

The Mercenary isn’t just a cool addition—it’s emblematic of Path of Exile 2’s broader ambitions. With this class, Grinding Gear Games is showing that they’re not afraid to experiment, innovate, and rethink the foundations of their universe. This isn’t a sequel that’s coasting on nostalgia. Instead, it’s an evolution that honors the past while confidently stepping into the future.

It also signals a broader trend in ARPG design. Players are increasingly looking for agency, creativity, and meaningful decision-making. The Mercenary offers that in spades—allowing players to tailor their playstyle down to the type of ammunition they carry and the exact moment they pull the trigger.

What the Future Holds

With open beta looming and final release on the horizon, POE2 Currency for sale is shaping up to be a monumental leap forward—not just for Grinding Gear Games, but for the ARPG genre as a whole. The Mercenary class is a shining example of how the game is modernizing its approach without sacrificing depth or identity.

As new players prepare to explore Wraeclast and veterans ready themselves to dive back into its chaotic depths, the Mercenary offers a fresh lens through which to experience the world: as a ghost in the brush, a tactician behind enemy lines, a killer with a cause.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of Path of Exile or just dipping your toes into its vast, unforgiving world, the Mercenary promises a new way to play—and perhaps, a new way to win.