Patch 0.5’s Return of the Ancients expansion has introduced numerous gameplay changes, but one of the most underrated additions is the new Grenade Launcher system.
For both Ranger and Mercenary players, this new weapon system introduces a fundamentally different combat style that emphasizes timing, positioning, and burst damage rather than constant projectile spam.
A New Approach to Combat
Traditionally, ranged builds in Path of Exile 2 have relied on sustained damage output and rapid skill usage. Grenade Launchers change this formula by introducing delayed explosions and area-denial mechanics.
Instead of continuously firing at targets, players are encouraged to predict enemy movement, control space, and maximize burst windows.
This shift creates a more tactical combat experience where success depends on:
- Proper grenade placement
- Movement management
- Burst timing
- Cooldown coordination
- Positioning awareness
As a result, combat feels more deliberate and rewarding for players who can execute rotations efficiently.
How Grenade Launchers Affect Ranger
For Ranger builds, Grenade Launchers introduce an entirely new layer of gameplay.
Many traditional Ranger setups focus on rapid projectile attacks and constant screen clearing. With the addition of explosive mechanics, Rangers can now combine direct projectile damage with delayed area bursts.
This creates a hybrid playstyle that offers:
- Higher burst damage potential
- Improved crowd control
- Better area coverage
- Stronger engagement flexibility
The tradeoff is increased complexity. Players must carefully manage positioning and timing rather than relying solely on attack speed and projectile scaling.
While this may make the class slightly less beginner-friendly, skilled players can achieve significantly higher efficiency during difficult encounters.
Mercenary Benefits Even More
Among all classes, Mercenary appears to gain the greatest advantage from the Grenade Launcher system.
The class naturally synergizes with explosive mechanics through its weapon flexibility and tactical combat design. Mercenary can rapidly switch between weapon setups while chaining explosive effects to clear dense monster packs efficiently.
This allows the class to maintain excellent momentum throughout the campaign and early mapping stages.
| Category | Ranger | Mercenary |
| Clear Speed | High | Very High |
| Burst Damage | High | High |
| AoE Coverage | Strong | Excellent |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Moderate |
| Weapon Flexibility | Limited | Excellent |
| League Start Potential | Strong | Very Strong |
| Scaling into Maps | Strong | Strong |
The combination of explosive chaining and weapon swapping gives Mercenary a unique advantage that many players have yet to fully appreciate.
Meta Implications for Patch 0.5
The introduction of Grenade Launchers signals a broader design direction for Path of Exile 2. Rather than focusing exclusively on raw DPS races, the game increasingly rewards tactical execution and skill expression.
Movement, positioning, and rotation management now play a larger role in determining overall efficiency.
For league starters, this means character progression often extends beyond simply upgrading damage numbers. Players may invest more heavily in gear optimization, weapon combinations, and path of exile 2 currency farming strategies to support flexible multi-weapon loadouts.
Grenade Launchers may not dominate every tier list headline, but their impact on the Patch 0.5 meta should not be underestimated.
Rangers gain access to powerful burst-control gameplay, while Mercenaries unlock some of the strongest explosive synergies currently available. As players continue exploring the Return of the Ancients expansion, Grenade Launcher builds could emerge as some of the most efficient and rewarding league-start options in the game.