If you’ve been jumping into the Rise of the Abyssal league in Path of Exile 2, you’ll know it’s pure chaos out there. Mobs everywhere, screen packed with things trying to kill you – but that’s exactly where the Explosive Witchhunter Mercenary comes alive. I’ve been running it for a while now, and honestly, it’s not just combat, it’s basically running a light show on steroids. You’re clearing maps fast, surviving harder content, and it doesn’t fall apart when things get nasty. If you manage your setup right – and maybe save time by grabbing a bit of PoE 2 Currency – you can push it into endgame without weeks of grinding.

Fast, Brutal, and Fun

The play loop is ridiculously fun. You’re not plinking away at mobs; you’re setting off chain reactions. Explosive Shot throws out AoE bursts that spread Herald effects across the screen, wiping trash before they even get a swing in. Then a boss shows up, and you just lock in, fire off Shockburst Rounds, and stack Shock on them until their health bar evaporates. It’s that sudden ramp from wide-area clears to laser-focused single-target damage that makes the build so addictive.

Survivability Without Sacrificing Damage

Most glass cannon builds crumble the second something hits them. This one? It can take a few punches. You’re running a mix of Evasion and Energy Shield, so hits feel less punishing. With Wind Dancer and Ghost Dance, incoming damage gets softened, and you bounce back quick. High evasion – I’m sitting over 90% – plus around 5k ES means even nasty abyssal affixes aren’t the end of the world. Ascendancy perks help too; 'Judge, Jury and Executioner' chunks down rares, while 'Pitiless Killer' stops smaller mobs from clogging the field.

Core Gear to Make It Shine

You’ll need some key pieces to get it all working. A Gemini Crossbow with extra projectiles is huge, and “The Three Dragons” helmet flips elemental effects for some wild lightning freeze or shock plays. Rolling those perfect mods isn’t cheap – think 20–50 Divines if you want it clean. If you hate endless map farming, a quick buy on the trade market can get you there faster, letting you focus on play rather than grind.

This setup feels like a statement on the ladder – fast clears, high damage, and enough toughness to keep going when the map turns ugly. Whether you’re soloing Uber bosses or towing the whole squad through the nastiest zones, the Explosive Witchhunter just keeps delivering. If you want to skip the slow gear ramp and enjoy the build’s full strength right away, jumping in through u4gm poe2 makes the climb smoother without losing the thrill of play.