PoE 2 Best Build for Level 1 to 20 - Destroy Everything with S-Tier Grenadier Mercenary Build

When you start Path of Exile 2, you’ll quickly realize the game doesn’t hold back. Swarms of enemies, relentless bosses, and challenging mechanics hit you right away. That’s why you need a build that clears packs with ease, dominates single-target fights, and leaves no room for frustration. Enter the S-Tier Grenadier Mercenary - Best Build for Level 1 to 20 in PoE 2—an absolute powerhouse that floods the battlefield with explosive chaos while scaling perfectly into the early game.

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Why Choose the Grenadier Mercenary Build in PoE 2?

If you’re looking for a build that combines explosive chaos with tactical precision, the Grenadier Mercenary is your perfect pick.

This powerhouse revolves around the strategic use of grenades like Explosive Grenade, Gas Grenade, and Flash Grenade, ensuring massive destruction across the battlefield.

These skills work together seamlessly, making it one of the Best AoE (Area of Effect) Build in Poe that deals devastating damage to clear waves of enemies while High-Velocity Rounds take care of tougher single targets with pinpoint accuracy.

The true beauty of this build lies in its versatility. Grenades aren’t just about flashy explosions—they come packed with utility. 

Flash Grenades can blind enemies, reducing their accuracy and making fights much safer, while Gas Grenades apply damage over time (DoT) and can even break armor, making it easier to bring down tankier foes.

This multi-layered approach ensures you’re always in control, no matter the challenge.

On top of that, the Gemling Legionnaire’s unique ability to duplicate support gems opens up game-changing synergies.

By doubling down on support effects, you can amplify grenade power, reduce cooldowns, and expand AoE to cover entire screens, turning you into an unstoppable, explosive force.

Whether you’re clearing maps or annihilating bosses, this build offers the perfect mix of reliable efficiency and heart-racing excitement.

Early Game Skill Setup (Levels 1–10) - PoE 2 Act 1 Build

Permafrost Bolts and Armor Fragmentation Rounds

Start with Permafrost Bolts, which deliver solid cold damage and freeze enemies in their tracks.

Equip the Pierce Support Gem to freeze multiple enemies per shot and use Armor Fragmentation Rounds to shatter them for massive physical damage.

This combo is your bread and butter for crowd control and early clears.

For even faster freezing, add the Glaciation Support gem to Permafrost Bolts.

It improves the chill effect, giving you more time to follow up with explosive attacks.

Explosive Grenade

Unlock Explosive Grenade as soon as possible—it’s your primary AoE tool for much of the early game.

Pair it with Scatter Shot to fire three grenades per use, ensuring wider coverage and bigger explosions.

Add Second Wind Support to increase the number of grenades available, doubling from three to six charges.

Mid-Game Skill Setup (Levels 11–20) - PoE 2 Act 2 Build

Transition to Galvanic Shards

At level 15, switch to Galvanic Shards to replace Permafrost Bolts.

Equip Pierce Support and Lightning Infusion Support, boosting its lightning damage and ensuring it chains through enemies.

This becomes your go-to AoE option as you progress through Act 2.

Gas Grenade and Flash Grenade

Unlock Gas Grenade at level 15 to add a damage-over-time (DoT) element to your arsenal.

Equip it with Corrosion Support to break armor and increase its effectiveness against bosses.

Use Flash Grenade to blind and stun enemies, giving you extra breathing room during tougher fights.

High-Velocity Rounds for Bosses

Equip High-Velocity Rounds with Scatter Shot and Double Barrel Support, enabling you to fire three shots at once while loading an additional round.

This combo for Grenade Mercenary Build melts bosses and elite enemies, ensuring you breeze through challenging encounters.

Passive Skill Tree Progression for PoE 2 S-Tier Grenadier Mercenary Build

Early Game Nodes for Grenadier Build (Levels 1–10)

• At the start of your journey, focus on Projectile Damage Nodes to give your grenades and crossbow a solid damage boost. These early points are crucial for ramping up your offensive potential.

  Don't forget to grab Cooldown Recovery Nodes, which are just as important. They reduce the recharge times for your grenades, allowing you to unleash more grenades in quick succession. This setup gives you fast, efficient combat power right from the start.

Mid-Game Nodes for Grenadier Build (Levels 11–20)

• Once you're cruising through the mid-game, it's time to level up your AoE game with Cluster Bombs. These nodes add extra projectiles to your grenades, maximizing the area of effect and ensuring that you're clearing crowds with ease.

  To improve your overall survivability, add Adrenaline Rush for life regeneration and increased movement speed. This helps you stay mobile while keeping your health up.

  Additionally, invest in Volatile Grenades to reduce the fuse duration of your grenades, allowing them to explode faster, and adding more burst damage to your gameplay.

Late-Game Goals for Grenadier Merc Build

• As you approach the late game, your ultimate goal should be to unlock Full Salvo, which gives you 25% increased damage for each ammunition type used in the past 10 seconds. This will significantly boost your damage potential during intense battles, making your grenades even more powerful.

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  Also, don't skip out on Incendiary Nodes to ramp up the fire damage and ignite the potential of your Explosive Grenades, allowing you to deal even more devastating damage to enemies and bosses alike. These late-game nodes will elevate your build, making you a grenade-spamming powerhouse!

Gear Recommendations for Best Level 1-20 Grenadier Mercenary Build

Weapons

• For your weapons, crossbows are the way to go. Look for crossbows that have +1 or +2 to Projectile Skills as this will directly boost your grenades and ammunition abilities.

  These boosts are crucial for enhancing your Explosive Grenades, Gas Grenades, and Flash Grenades, making them hit harder, deal more damage, and cover a larger area.
  Having these boosts will make your grenades a more devastating force, giving you an edge in both boss fights and mob clears.

Armor

• When it comes to armor, the priority should be on gear that increases life, mana regeneration, and resistances. 
  Life ensures you can survive longer in tough fights, while mana regeneration keeps your grenades coming without running dry. 

  Resistances are equally important to ensure you're not easily overwhelmed by elemental damage from enemies or bosses. With these stats, you’ll maintain a solid defense while maximizing your damage output with every grenade you throw.

Looking for a good Witch Minion Build? Check out our guide on PoE 2 Best Early Leveling Witch Necromancer Minion Build.

Playstyle and Strategy for PoE 2 Grenadier Build

Boss Fights

When facing bosses, your strategy should be all about stacking Gas Grenades before the fight even begins. This allows you to set the stage for massive damage right from the start.

Once the fight kicks off, unleash your Explosive Grenades for explosive bursts of AoE damage, taking down surrounding minions while dealing significant damage to the boss.

Don’t forget to cycle in High-Velocity Rounds to focus your fire on the boss, delivering powerful single-target damage that will melt their health bar.

To gain an even greater advantage, Flash Grenades become your secret weapon. Use them to blind and stun the boss, reducing their accuracy and leaving them vulnerable to your relentless grenade barrage.

This makes the fight smoother, as you can safely deal damage while the boss is temporarily immobilized, giving you that all-important edge.

Mapping

For mapping, your approach should be efficient and fluid. Alternate between Explosive Grenades and Galvanic Shards to clear packs of enemies with ease. 

Explosive Grenades will cover wide areas, taking out multiple foes at once, while Galvanic Shards adds lightning AoE to the mix, ensuring nothing gets left behind. This combination is perfect for fast-paced clearing.

When faced with larger mobs or elite packs, pull out the big guns—Cluster Grenades.

These grenades cover a massive area and are perfect for wiping out multiple enemies in a single go, making them invaluable when you’re up against overwhelming numbers.

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Conclusion

With this S-Tier Grenadier Mercenary Build, you’ll dominate the early game in Path of Exile 2. From melting bosses to obliterating enemy hordes, this build is designed to ensure a smooth, explosive journey through Acts 1 and 2 from Level 1 to 20. With the perfect balance of AoE and single-target damage, you’ll always feel powerful, no matter the challenge.