With the launch of PoE 3.26: Secrets of the Atlas and its accompanying Mercenaries of Trarthus League, mercenaries are now essential to shaping high-end gameplay. These recruitable allies aren't just companions-they're strategic tools for damage, aura stacking, crowd control, and survivability.

Here are the top 7 mercenary archetypes you'll want for endgame content, from utility-driven aura bots to fire-blasting solo clearers.

7. Manyshot - Clone Archer Support

Role: Aura Support / Light Cold Damage

Primary Stats: Dexterity

Key Gems:

·Hatred, Grace, Vaal Ice Shot, Frigid Fork Shot, Mirror Arrow

·Vaal Grace, Regular Grace

Strengths:

·Provides Hatred and Grace, two highly valuable auras that boost damage and evasion.

·Frees up your mana pool for other auras or reservation-heavy skills.

·Creates cold-chilling zones with clone arrows for added control.

Weaknesses:

·Mediocre damage output on its own.

·Squishy if not kept away from mobs.

Best For: Aura-stacking builds and players needing an extra layer of cold crowd control.

6. Bladecaster - Hybrid Damage & Debuff Support

Role: Aura Bot / Light DPS

Primary Stats: Dexterity, Intelligence

Key Gems:

· Blade Fall of Trarthus, Blade Vortex, Ethereal Knives, Aspect of the Spider

·Grace, Clutches of the Damned

Strengths:

·Aspect of the Spider slows and increases damage taken by enemies.

·Blade skills provide light AoE clear and crowd control.

·Grace offers evasive survivability.

Weaknesses:

·Needs good gear to stay alive (capped resistances, high evasion).

·DPS is decent but not a map-clearing tier.

Best For: Builds that scale off slows, debuffs, or need extra support in clearing tight packs.

5. Cruel Mistress - Chaos Support & Control

Role: Chaos Caster / Debuffer

Primary Stats: Intelligence

Key Gems:

·Void Sphere, Soulrend of Reaping, Despair, Dark Pact

·Zealotry, Frostblink

Strengths:

·Void Sphere pulls enemies in, synergizing with AoE slam builds.

·Despair and Envy (if rolled) massively buff chaos damage builds.

·Zealotry creates Consecrated Ground, boosting crit and healing.

Weaknesses:

·Fragile and dependent on correct aura rolls.

·Niche value outside of chaos/spell builds.

Best For: Chaos DoT, spellcaster, and crowd-control-focused builds.

4. Fallen Reverend - Aura Tank + Utility

Role: Tanky Aura Bot / Debuff Soaker

Primary Stats: Strength, Intelligence

Key Gems:

·Zealotry, Wrath, Absolution, Raise Spectre of Transience

·Desecrate, Reinforce: Fallen Bishop

Strengths:

·Can equip Sign of the Sin Eater, redirecting ailments away from you.

·Offers Wrath and Zealotry, great for caster and lightning builds.

·Highly customizable with gear-supports defensive layering.

Weaknesses:

·Requires POE currency for itemization and maintenance.

·Not much personal damage.

Best For: Elemental casters or builds vulnerable to ailments, looking for a walking decoy.

3. Eruptor - Pure Melee Fire Power

Role: Melee DPS

Primary Stats: Strength

Key Gems:

·Volcanic Fissure of Snaking, Consecrated Path, Infernal Cry

·Flamelink, Molten Shell, Determination

Strengths:

·Extremely tanky with Infamous trait and high armor.

·Volcanic Fissure melts packs with a high DPS weapon equipped.

·Flamelink buffs both player and mercenary with fire damage.

·Has Leap Slam potential for good mobility.

Weaknesses:

·Needs good melee gear to reach full potential.

·Limited utility if not properly equipped.

Best For: Fire-based melee players or summoner builds that want a fire-clearing companion.

2. Flaming Charlatan - Fire Aura Support

Role: Unique-Based Support / Fire Aura Caster

Primary Stats: Strength, Intelligence

Key Gems:

·Anger, Herald of Ash, Purifying Flame

·Meteor, Holy Mortar, Scorching Ray Totem

Strengths:

·Anger and Herald of Ash dramatically boost fire damage.

·Herald of Ash helps with overkill burning clear.

·Equips unique priest gear that synergizes well with fire builds.

·Works well with spell or attack-based fire builds alike.

Weaknesses:

·Fire-dependent-limited synergy with cold, chaos, or physical builds.

·Support role more than full-on DPS.

Best For: Fire spell/attack builds and aura-stacking metas.

1. Kineticist - Jack-of-All-Trades Powerhouse

Role: Hybrid Support / High-Clear / Aura Bot

Primary Stats: Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity

Key Gems:

·Kinetic Bolt, Kinetic Blast, Elemental Weakness

·Flame Wall, Haste, Frostblink

Strengths:

·Triple stat spread allows equipping the widest range of buy POE orbs.

·Haste adds mobility and attack/cast speed for all builds.

·Flame Wall + Kinetic Blast = huge area damage on hit.

·Can stack projectile support gear like Asenath's Touch and Doryani's Prototype.

·Elemental Weakness softens enemies for you massively.

Weaknesses:

·Requires significant investment to hit peak effectiveness.

·Not great for pure chaos or minion builds.

Best For: Endgame farmers, projectile, elemental, or speed-clear builds, and anyone wanting the best overall support mercenary in PoE 3.26.

Final Thoughts

Mercenaries in Path of Exile 3.26 are more than just passive companions-they're powerful endgame tools. Whether you're farming high-tier maps, pushing Delve, or taking on pinnacle bosses, bringing the right mercenary archetype can mean the difference between surviving and melting.