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PoE 2 Build

Crossbow Grenadier - Mercenary/Ranger

0.3 TTE

Mercenary

Creator

By Screamheart

Updated on Sep 7, 2025

Sep 7, 2025

Build Overview

This build can fly through the campaign with ease and has no problem in endgame maps! It utilizes massive explosions with Explosive Grenade and Cluster Grenade for screen clearing AoE, and buffed even further by a machine gun like attack Rapid Shot.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Massive AoE
Run and Gun Playstyle
Fantastic Damage
Range

Good Grenade Placement is helpful.

Build Variants

Endgame

Act 1-3

Act 4+

Equipment

Endgame

Act 1-3

Act 4+

Set 1

Set 2

Aim to hit all max resistances.
Effective chance to Evade should be 30%+.
Effective chance to Deflect should be 80%+.
Damage prevented by Deflection should be 49%+.
You will get some Armour from Evasion.
Maximum Life should be over 2,000.

Skill Gems

Endgame

Act 1-3

Act 4+

Support Gem Requirements:

Str 50

Dex 55

Int 35

Expand all

Explosive Grenade

Cluster Grenade

Rapid Shot

Gas Grenade

Mortar Cannon

Herald of Ash

Passive Tree

Endgame

Act 1-3

Act 4+

main:

123

set 1:

set 2:

How it Plays

Sprint into an area.
Shoot Explosive Grenade at the first group you see.
Use Cluster Grenade when there are big groups, especially if you're surrounded.
Rotate Gas Grenade and Mortar Cannon as you see fit for more damage and CC.
Continue to use Explosive Grenade.
Use Rapid Shot to generate Heat to empower Explosive Grenade and Cluster Grenade at 15 stacks.
Be careful not to Overheat Rapid Shot by shooting too much.
Dodge often between Grenades.

How it Works

This build utilizes many bonuses that increase Projectile and Grenade damage.

Short Fuse I can make our Grenades explode much faster, which streamlines the speed of the build.
Multiple combos between the different Grenades increase our damage.
Multishot II makes our Grenade attacks easier to land by increasing our ground coverage.
Many nodes in the passive tree reduce detonation times and improve AoE size and cooldown times.
Rapid Shot empowers our grenades by building up heat when it's used.