Thanks to buffs for Gemling Legionnaire Ascendancy, specifically changes to Advanced Thaumaturgy Notable Passive Skill, Mercenary class has become increasingly popular in Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.0. In this guide, we'll explain the new effects of Advanced Thaumaturgy and introduce a build designed to maximize the potential of Mercenary and Gemling Legionnaire. Read on to learn more! The value of the reworked Advanced Thaumaturgy As a signature skill for Gemling Legionnaire, Advanced Thaumaturgy now grants a bonus effect based on the quality of your socketed gems. For Mercenary's Cluster Grenade, this change transforms it into a skill that detonates instantly, delivering a shotgun-like blast capable of one-shotting bosses. Here's why: Previously, Cluster Grenade's effect involved an initial explosion followed by multiple stages of spread. The four initial projectiles would split into 18 micro-projectiles each, potentially resulting in 72 total hits. Now, with the reduced detonation time and the gem quality bonus, all 72 hits detonate at the exact same point. When focused on a single boss, this burst damage makes one-shotting them entirely possible! However, to fully realize this build, you'll need to complete the initial leveling phase and craft the rest of your gear. Don't worry, we've outlined a plan for you below! Leveling as a Mercenary First, it's important to note that while this new Cluster Grenade Mercenary build is incredibly powerful, it doesn't require high-end gear; the skill itself carries most of the weight. That said, if you have the budget and want to perfect your character, you can buy PoE 2 currency at IGGM to further boost the build's power. Act 1 After landing and picking up your starter gear, defeat The Bloated Miller and acquire Permafrost Bolts, Fragmentation Rounds, and Entangle skills. Entangle allows you to cast while moving quickly, eliminating the need to reload your crossbow or grenades and removing the need to wait around. Permafrost Bolts can freeze bosses, allowing you to shatter them with Fragmentation Rounds. You will later unlock Multishot and Magnified Area support gems, but it is best to save them for your next skill, Explosive Grenade. After defeating The Rust King with this setup, you can also add Flash Grenade to your arsenal. Regarding passive skills, focus on stacking projectile damage and increasing cooldown recovery speed during this phase; this ensures Flash Grenade is ready sooner, thereby boosting your overall projectile damage output. For defense, prioritize pure armor; evasion rating is not a concern at this stage. It is worth noting that Essence of Virtue, a new talent for Gemling Legionnaire, will prove highly valuable for defense later on. Also Read: FPS Boost! Recommended Graphics & Game Settings for Path of Exile 2 0.5.0 Act 2 Upon reaching level 22, you can acquire Explosive Shot and enhance it with Double Barrel support gem. Simultaneously, upgrade Multishot 1 to Multishot 2 and apply it to Explosive Shot as well. You can now remove Permafrost Bolts and Fragmentation Rounds from your setup. In Act 2, rely primarily on Flash Grenade to handle enemies; use quick taps of Explosive Shot to finish off any stragglers. When facing elite monsters, throw two Explosive Grenades in quick succession, then rapidly switch to Explosive Shot to detonate them for a burst of massive damage. Before defeating Jamanra, the Abomination, remember to adjust your passive skills to enable instant reloading for Explosive Shot. To achieve this, utilize the weapon-swapping mechanic to gain bonuses for both crossbow reload speed and grenade damage. Act 3 Vendors in this act will begin selling Bombard Crossbow; you definitely need one, as its effect allows grenade skills to fire an additional projectile. You can also combine three crossbows at Reforging Bench to craft a superior version. Next, add Oil Grenade skill to the build. It lowers enemy elemental resistance and grants you bonuses from Persistent Ground and Potent Exposure. If you have spare support gem slots, equip Magnified Area to this skill, and use Jeweller's Orbs to secure Elemental Armament bonus for Explosive Grenade. Additionally, you should incorporate Wind Dancer. The evasion rating it provides on its own isn't particularly significant, but when paired with Blind Support gem, Wind Dancer ensures your survival as you weave rapidly through enemy ranks. This is because enemies attempting to attack you are countered and blinded, rendering them unable to land effective hits, while you strike them with greater precision than ever. Even if you make a mistake while dashing and find yourself swarmed by enemies, you can withstand the pressure; your armor provides enough damage reduction to help you turn a dangerous situation around. Finally, during this act, you can enter Temple of Chaos to complete your second ascendancy; upon completion, be sure to select Advanced Thaumaturgy immediately. If you have currency available to improve gem quality, I recommend investing it into Explosive Grenade to gain at least one additional projectile. Viable gear upgrade strategies While gear isn't critical for this build, if you wish to further optimize it, a good first step in reaching the endgame is to use Abyssal Crafting on your amulet to obtain a modifier granting +5% quality to all skills. Alternatively, if you have enough Divine Orbs, you can trade for Lineage Support Gem Dialla's Desire that grants +5% quality to socketed skill gems. That concludes our leveling strategy for Mercenary Gemling Legionnaire Cluster Grenade build. The name might sound a bit complex, but the combat performance is straightforward and highly effective, give it a try if you're interested!

Season 4 of CoD Black Ops 7 Warzone has introduced a completely new meta environment. The developers have added several new weapons to the game, while Season 4 patch has also buffed and nerfed a variety of other guns. Because Warzone mode's map and gameplay differ greatly from both multiplayer and zombies, weapon loadouts also vary significantly. That said, the following guns perform exceptionally well in different scenarios - whether at long range or close quarters. These are the 5 best guns in CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4 Warzone: DS20 Mirage Carbon 57 MXR-17 DRAVEC 45 AK-27 DS20 Mirage DS20 Mirage remains the top long-range meta assault rifle in Black Ops 7 Season 4. This weapon boasts an extremely high rate of fire, excellent ADS speed and aim walking movement speed, easily manageable recoil, and a very competitive TTK. If you want to dominate opponents at any distance, this is the perfect choice. Attachment Selection： Fang Hoverpoint Elo (Optic): This sight provides a clear, clean view and improves recoil stabilization. Monolithic Suppressor (Muzzle): It not only effectively increases damage range and bullet velocity, but also prevents you from being detected by other players' radar while firing. 17.1" Abdicator Barrel (Barrel): This greatly enhances vertical and horizontal recoil control and further boosts bullet velocity, making the weapon more stable in long-range engagements. Griffon Reserve Extended II (Magazine): With a 60-round capacity, you can take down multiple fully armored enemies without reloading. Weighted Stock (Stock): This further optimizes vertical and horizontal recoil control, significantly improving long-range handling. Carbon 57 Carbon 57 currently ranks first among all submachine guns in CoD Black Ops 7 Warzone. With this loadout, you get lightning-fast fire rate, ADS speed, and aim walking movement speed. The rate of fire is extremely high, and recoil is controllable at mid range (requiring burst fire). If you enjoy run-and-gun gameplay and dominating close-quarters fights, this SMG will definitely satisfy you. Attachment Selection:  Kühn Ported Comp (Muzzle): It increases movement speed, aim walking movement speed, and firing speed while sliding or prone, while also reducing all hipfire spread - making the weapon deadly in close-range combat. 14" Rockleigh Barrel (Barrel): This increases damage range for faster, more consistent kill times. MFS Renown Plus Mag Prestige Attachment (Magazine): This prestige attachment performs excellently - it increases magazine capacity, eliminates significant bullet deviation, enhances vertical and horizontal recoil control, and further increases damage range, making the weapon equally ferocious in mid-range encounters. Hammer Platoon Pad (Stock): It maximizes close and mid-range performance by improving aim walking movement speed and ADS speed. Enhanced Cycle System (Fire Modes): This increases the rate of fire, dramatically shortening the kill time at close range. MXR-17 MXR-17 received a major buff in this update and currently ranks second among assault rifles. It features a fast sprint-to-fire speed, average ADS and aim walking movement speed, very easy recoil control, and a faster TTK. Attachment Selection:  Fang Hoverpoint Elo (Optic): Improves sight picture and reduces recoil stabilization. Monolithic Suppressor (Muzzle): Increases bullet velocity and damage range while hiding your radar position when firing. 17" Greaves Scourge Barrel (Barrel): Increases bullet velocity and improves vertical and horizontal recoil control. VAS Convergence Foregrip (Underbarrel): Because this weapon does not have the fastest rate of fire, this attachment is especially important. It improves recoil control on the first two shots, vertical recoil control, and minimizes bullet deviation. Rhodes Drum Mag (Magazine): A 60-round capacity allows you to engage multiple fully armored enemies at once. DRAVEC 45 Dravec 45 received a substantial buff in Season 4 and comes highly recommended. It features an extremely fast fire rate, ADS speed, and aim walking movement speed, along with controllable recoil and a short TTK. It is strongly recommended for close and mid-range engagements - this is one of the finest SMGs in the current Warzone. Attachment Selection:  Bowen .45 Suppressor (Muzzle): It hides your position on the minimap when firing while also increasing damage range and recoil stabilization. This is a massive improvement for an SMG. 19" EAM Horizon Barrel (Barrel): Increases damage range for faster, more consistent kill times. Gator Extended Mag (Magazine): A 48-round capacity is enough to take down multiple enemies at once. Servel Q-step Stock (Stock): Improves aim walking movement speed and ADS speed, helping you handle close and mid-range gunfights. Bolt Carrier Group (Fire Modes): Increases the rate of fire, dramatically shortening the kill time at close range. AK-27 AK-27 also received a major buff in Season 4 and is now part of the assault rifle meta. It offers fast sprint-to-fire speed, decent ADS and aim walking movement speed, solid recoil control, and a very fast and consistent TTK at close, mid, and even long ranges. Attachment Selection:  Fang Hoverpoint Elo (Optic): Still a reliable choice for improving sight picture and reducing recoil. Eclipse 7.62 Brake (Muzzle): You will need the improvements to first-shot recoil control, kick reset speed, and vertical recoil control. 17.6" Vandal Heavy Barrel (Barrel): Increases bullet velocity while also improving horizontal and vertical recoil control. Vast Convergence Foregrip (Underbarrel): You will want the extra first-two-shots recoil control, vertical recoil control, and as much elimination of bullet deviation as possible. Saber Pack Heavy Drum (Magazine): A 60-round capacity lets you take down multiple enemies without reloading. These are the meta guns in CoD BO7 Season 4 Warzone. When building your loadout, it is wise to pair a long-range weapon with a short-range one, so that you can effectively handle any situation.