Core Concept of the Shotgun Mercenary

The foundation of this build lies in the redesigned projectile mechanics of Path of Exile 2, particularly the way certain attacks can "shotgun"-meaning multiple projectiles can hit the same enemy when fired from up close. Instead of playing like a traditional bow or thrown-weapon build, the Shotgun Mercenary exploits tight spacing, forced proximity, and fast attacks to deliver devastating bursts of damage.

Your main skill choices revolve around close-spacing projectiles, such as:

Scatter Volley

Burst Shot

Multi-Pellet Shot

Ricochet Grenado (shotgun variant)

These abilities launch clusters of small projectiles that normally cover a cone or short spread, but when discharged nearly point-blank, all of them collide with a single target. This creates a dramatic ramp in DPS and lets the build excel in both bossing and elite clearing.

Why Mercenary? Mobility + Burst Synergy

What makes the Mercenary the best class for this archetype is a combination of high mobility, adrenaline-based damage spikes, and unique skill trees that reward high-risk positions.

Key Mercenary strengths include:

Exceptional dash and roll options to instantly get in and out of close range.

Adrenaline-triggered bonuses that scale perfectly with burst damage windows.

Synergies with thrown projectiles and ranged explosives, many of which have shotgun potential.

High evasion and animation-cancel flexibility, necessary for close-quarters survival.

The class can weave in aggressive plays and instantly reposition before enemies can react, turning the risky shotgun playstyle into a consistent and repeatable loop.

How the Shotgun Mechanic Works in PoE2

Path of Exile 2 has redesigned several projectile skills to allow legitimate shotgunning by:

Reducing minimum projectile spacing

Increasing overlap when used at point-blank

Allowing cone-style projectiles to converge on the same hitbox

This means the closer you stand, the more individual pellets connect. A standard projectile cluster might deal moderate damage at range, but if you press your barrel right into an enemy's face, you can land every pellet simultaneously-multiplying the skill's effectiveness dramatically.

The Shotgun Mercenary build fully embraces this identity, turning normally modest projectile skills into nuclear close-range detonations.

Defensive Setup:Surviving Point-Blank Fighting

Since this build fights inches away from lethal enemies, defense is just as important as damage.

Recommended layers include:

Evasion stacking with movement speed scaling

Short-interval Guard skills like Parry or Brace

Smoke Grenade or Blind effects to neutralize enemy accuracy

Adrenaline-boosted defensive nodes for sudden survivability spikes

Stagger and knockback micro-interactions, useful for controlling melee threats

With these defenses, the Mercenary can dash into danger, unleash a full shotgun blast, and escape before taking fatal hits.

Playstyle Overview

The gameplay loop revolves around:

Dash/Roll into point-blank range

Unload a full shotgun skill burst

Trigger adrenaline and on-hit effects

Evade, reposition, and repeat

This makes the build extremely fast, explosive, and satisfying. It's not a passive, tanky style-it rewards skillful movement, timing, and aggression.

The Shotgun Mercenary is one of the most unique emerging playstyles in POE 2 Currency, combining mobility, high-risk gameplay, and unparalleled close-range burst damage. If you enjoy fast, explosive combat and want a build that feels both skill-expressive and brutally powerful, the Shotgun Mercenary delivers an adrenaline-fuelled experience unlike anything else in the game.