When Does the Mercenary Class get Good?

[Decidedly Uncouth]

So far, it has been absolute trash. Is there a build where I won't suffer from boredom and frustration? Good god, this game needs another 10 years of development, cause this ain't it.

[Danteskeo]

here. if this doesnt work for you make another class

https://mobalytics.gg/poe-2/builds/frostferno-witch-hunter-fearless-dumbo

[wulfster42]

It's good right away, ranger is better, but both are good. Both can use bows or xbows, so you have the full skill list of both weapons to choose between. Projectile etc bonuses work forth both weapon types, both need the same stats etc.

Some bow abilities are pretty amazing early on, don't be afraid to use them on your merc.

I honestly prefer Deadeye to any merc ascension so would generally suggest going with ranger even if you prefer xbows to bows. The only difference between the two are the ascension choices.

Merc Gem is pretty decent though, so still can work just fine as your ascension if you wanna go merc base. Being able to use 2 of the same passive gem is pretty big, the quality and skill level bonuses are quite nice as well.

That being said you can get quite a few skill level boosts already between your equipment. And the quality bonus isn't nearly as big as tailwind from Deadeye.

Tailwind boosts your movement speed as well, so if that matters to you (Even half as much as me) it's pretty awesome. The DR and evasion from it.....you just can't compete with that in almost any other ascension to be honest.

So.....Merch does have strong attacks, but those are all based on using a xbow, which you can do just as well as a ranger if you want, and I prefer Deadeye over the two current merc ascensions, so you may just want to play a ranger with an xbow (and a bow, seriously use one of each for either class).