Mercenary Overview
The Mercenary is a frontline melee class that excels at close-range combat through a mix of offense, defense, and crowd control. Whether using a Sword & Shield or a Hammer, Mercenaries thrive by staying in the fight, punishing enemy mistakes, and controlling the pace of engagements.
- ✓Strong survivability thanks to defensive tools and Super Armor.
- ✓Multiple viable playstyles that support both aggressive and defensive players.
- ✓Excels in prolonged close-range engagements.
- ✓Strong crowd control through Stuns and Daze.
- ✗Limited ranged options.
- ✗Can struggle against highly mobile enemies that kite or keep their distance.
- ✗Many abilities require good positioning and timing to reach their full potential.
Mercenary Weapons
These playstyles are defined by the Mercenary's two weapon types:
The Sword & Shield balances offense and defense, combining fast sword attacks with shield-based Blocks, Perfect Blocks, and counterattacks. Depending on your build, it can focus on maintaining Blade Edge and Strong Edge to empower Stacked Slash, or using Shield Pressure, Momentum, and Shockwave Strike to turn defensive openings into powerful attacks.
Who Should Play Mercenary?
The Mercenary is an excellent choice for players who enjoy melee combat and want a class that balances offense with survivability. It is particularly beginner-friendly thanks to its forgiving defensive options, while still offering enough depth through Perfect Blocks, skill choices, and talent paths for experienced players to master.
Mercenary Rating
| Stat | Rating |
|---|---|
| HP | 4/5 |
| Attack | 3/5 |
| Crowd Control | 4/5 |
| Mobility | 3/5 |
| Difficulty | 2/5 |
Mercenary Skill List & Priority
Skills are active abilities tied to the player's equipped weapon. You can equip two weapon skills for both your Sword & Shield and Hammer, allowing you to bring four weapon skills into battle. Some skills also include follow-up attacks that can be performed by pressing the skill again or meeting certain conditions, expanding your moveset without requiring additional skill slots.
Sword and Shield / Hammer Skill List
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Block (Basic Skill) |  Raise the shield to block attacks from the front. Hold to maintain the shield stance, allowing movement while the shield is raised. In trio mode, blocking PvP damage consumes less Energy. |
| Impalement (Basic Skill) |  Hold Major Action to thrust forward with your sword, dealing damage and gaining 2 Sword Tip stacks. While in the Blade Edge or Strong Edge state, the thrust travels farther. |
| Stacked Slash (Basic Skill) |  Normal attacks grant Sword Tip stacks. At 6 stacks, enter the Blade Edge state. Gain another 6 Sword Tip stacks to enter the Strong Edge state. Press Major Action + Minor Action to unleash Stacked Slash. The Strong Edge version has greater range, increased damage, and grants Super Armor before returning to the Blade Edge state. |
| Whirling Cut |  Dash forward and perform two slashes, dealing Physical Damage. |
| Shield Dash |  Dash forward with your shield, damaging enemies in your path. Blocks frontal attacks while the shield is raised. After casting, briefly increases Movement Speed while wielding a Sword & Shield. Can also be used while blocking. |
| Stonebreaker Slash |  Raise your shield while driving your sword into the ground, then perform an upward strike that deals Physical Damage. Blocks frontal attacks during the animation and can trigger a Perfect Block. A successful Perfect Block slightly knocks back enemies during the follow-up dash. Has a shorter base cooldown in Trio Mode. |
| Shield Slam |  Leap forward and slam your shield into the ground, dealing Physical Damage and reducing enemy Movement Speed. Blocks frontal attacks during the jump and grants Super Armor while airborne. |
Skill Priority
The best Mercenary skills depend on your chosen weapon and playstyle. Offensive Sword focuses on maintaining empowered states through Blade Edge, Strong Edge, and Stacked Slash, making offensive sword skills your priority. Defensive Shield relies on Shield Pressure, Momentum, and counterattacks, so skills that support Perfect Blocks and defensive openings are more valuable. Charging Hammer prioritizes charged attacks and Super Armor, while Stun Hammer focuses on maintaining pressure through consecutive Hammer attacks and Daze opportunities.
The skill priority below highlights the core skills for each Mercenary build. Because the best skill choices depend heavily on your talent progression, these recommendations assume you have already unlocked the core talents that support your chosen playstyle.
| Playstyle | Priority Skills |
|---|---|
| Offensive Sword | Whirling Cut > Stonebreaker Slash |
| Defensive Shield | Stonebreaker Slash > Shield Slam |
| Charging Hammer | Earthshaker > Skullcrusher |
| Stun Hammer | Hammer Spin > Hammer Dash |
How to Play Mercenary
Playing the Mercenary effectively is all about controlling the pace of combat. While each build approaches fights differently, they all reward good positioning, proper timing, and knowing when to commit pressure or create distance. Whether you are maintaining empowered Sword states, building Momentum with your shield, or advancing through attacks with a Hammer, success comes down to understanding your weapon's unique strengths.
Choose the Right Weapon
Sword & Shield offers two distinct approaches depending on your build. Offensive Sword focuses on maintaining Blade Edge and Strong Edge to empower Stacked Slash, while Defensive Shield uses Shield Pressure, Momentum, and defensive mechanics to punish enemy mistakes.
Hammer focuses on overwhelming opponents through Super Armor, charged attacks, and sustained pressure. Charging Hammer uses mobility and durability during charge attacks to deliver powerful strikes, while Stun Hammer maintains offensive momentum through repeated attacks and Titan Hammer Strike.
Master Your Weapon's Mechanics
Every Mercenary build features a distinct mechanic that sets it apart from the rest. Sword users must carefully manage their empowered states and select the optimal moment to unleash Stacked Slash. Shield users rely on standard blocks and Perfect Blocks to build Momentum and generate counterattack opportunities. Hammer users must understand precisely when to commit to heavy charged attacks, maintain Super Armor, or keep pressing the offensive to create openings.
Manage Your Positioning
The Mercenary excels in close-range combat but can struggle against enemies that constantly disengage or fight from a distance. Use terrain, objectives, and mobility tools to limit enemy movement and force fights on your terms. If an engagement turns unfavorable, reposition instead of chasing blindly into a bad situation.
Know When to Commit
Every Mercenary build rewards commitment at the right moment. Capitalize on openings created by empowered attacks, Perfect Blocks, Super Armor clashes, or Daze effects, but avoid overextending when the opponent has the advantage. The strongest Mercenaries know when to push forward and when to reset the fight.
Builds
Now that you understand the Mercenary's core mechanics, the next step is choosing a build that matches your preferred playstyle. Our dedicated build guides cover recommended skills, talent progressions, and gameplay tips for each Mercenary build.
Related Guides
Guides By Category
| Guides By Category | |
|---|---|
 Latest News and Update |  Classes |
 Weapons |  Weapon Skills |
 Ciphers |  Bosses |
List of Classes
| List of Classes | |
|---|---|
| Mercenary | Sorcerer |
| Blackarrow | Shadowstrix |
| Seer | Withered Knight |
Guide to Classes
| Guide to Classes | |
|---|---|
| How to Change Classes | |
| Recommended Class | |
| Best Class for Beginners | Best Classes for Solo Players |
| Best Classes for Multiplayer | |
| Best Builds | |
| Mercenary Best Build | Sorcerer Best Build |
| Blackarrow Best Build | Shadowstrix Best Build |
| Seer Best Build | Withered Knight Best Build |
Beginner Guides
| Guides to Get You Started | |
|---|---|
| Game Overview | Is there a Demo? |
| Beginner Tips & Tricks | |
