Mercenary

Mercenary portrait
BruiserHammerSword and ShieldASolid pick
The archetypal frontline Hunter — a durable melee bruiser built around sword-and-board and blunt weapons, trading sustained pressure for survivability.

Overview

Role
Bruiser
Weapons
Sword & Shield / Hammer
Weapon types
2
Skills available
19
Talent branches
16
Weapons in catalog
96

A class can equip any weapon of its types, and each weapon unlocks the skills tied to that type. How skills work →

Community read (demo)

ASolid pickCompetitive and commonly played — strong damage or clear role, with no major community complaints about viability.

The durable sword-and-board / hammer bruiser. Frequently cited as outperforming the heavier Withered Knight thanks to better sustain and super armor.

Source: Withered Knight feedback

Perception from the demo / Steam Next Fest build, not final balance. Replaced with data-driven analysis at the July 29, 2026 release.

Base attributes

The Mercenary's starting attribute block. Base stats are flat in this build — your level scaling comes from gear and talents, not the class itself.

Attack
100
Defence
50
Max Health
618
Max Stamina
100
Stamina Regen
10
Critical Increase
35%
Armor scaling
×1.5125 PvE · ×2.6125 PvP

Recommended affixes

The affixes the game itself suggests for a Mercenary build.

Skills the Mercenary can slot

All skills →

Mercenary talent trees

How talents work →

Mercenary unlocks 16 talent branches as you level. You earn 8 talent points across 12 levels — branches marked “choose one” lock out their alternatives, so plan around the splits.

Weapon Mastery

Unlocks at level 2Choose one
Sword Edge icon
Sword Edge

Sword attacks from skills also grant 1 stack of Sword Tip on hit.

Blade Charge icon
Blade Charge

While in the Blade Edge or Strong Edge state, Sword and Shield attacks deal increased damage.

Stacking Blade icon
Stacking Blade

The number of Sword Tip stacks required to enter the Blade Edge and Strong Edge states is reduced to 4.

Shield Buildup icon
Shield Buildup

Sword Tip stacks gained from normal attacks and Impalement are replaced by Shield Pressure. Upon reaching 6 stacks of Shield Pressure, you gain 1 stack of Momentum. Momentum can accumulate up to 2 stacks. Shield attacks from skills also grant 2 stacks of Shield Pressure on hit. When you have Momentum, you can press Major Action and Minor Action to consume 1 stack of Momentum and unleash Shockwave Strike.

Perfect Defense icon
Perfect Defense

After Block, there is a very brief window to trigger Perfect Block, but using Block consumes Energy. After a successful Perfect Block, you can immediately enter the Momentum status. Block has a lower base Energy cost in trio mode. Additionally, a special Block skill can be cast during the Breakaway window. This skill can only be used to trigger Perfect Block and cannot maintain the shield for long.

Block Damage Boost icon
Block Damage Boost

All Perfect Blocks grant you a shield and briefly increase damage dealt to players and your Movement Speed.

Weapon Mastery

Unlocks at level 2
Unstoppable icon
Unstoppable

When triggering Super Armor Clash, your own Energy will not be reduced, and the enemy will be Stunned.

Hammer of Convergence icon
Hammer of Convergence

After a charge-type skill grants Super Armor through charging, it greatly increases Physical Resistance and Magic Resistance. This effect is removed when Super Armor ends.

Relentless Advance icon
Relentless Advance

You can move and dodge while charging Power Hammer and Punishing Hammer. You may dodge up to 2 times, and each dodge consumes Energy.

Consecutive Attacks

Unlocks at level 2
Shield Break icon
Shield Break

Hammer normal attacks deal increased damage and additional damage to shields.

Combo Energy Recovery icon
Combo Energy Recovery

Landing consecutive Hammer attacks recovers Energy.

Titan Hammer Strike icon
Titan Hammer Strike

When the Hammer deals damage, it accumulates Daze stacks. At 6 Daze stacks, the Hammer's next attack will Stun the target and remove all stacks. Major Action hits accumulate 1 Daze stack, while Minor Action and skill hits accumulate 2 Daze stacks. Note: Hammer Spin hits during the spin only apply 1 stack of Daze. The final hit applies 2 stacks of Daze.

Whirling Cut Enhancement

Unlocks at level 3Choose one
Fearless icon
Fearless

The Whirling Cut (Dash) skill becomes available on Sword and Shield. Whirling Cut (Dash): Quickly dash to attack, dealing Physical Damage. Use this skill again within a short time to cast Whirling Cut. Whirling Cut (Dash) has a shorter base cooldown in trio mode.

Whirling Edge icon
Whirling Edge

Gain 1 stack of Sword Tip on skill hit. While in the Blade Edge or Strong Edge state, this skill deals increased damage.

Foresight icon
Foresight

The Whirling Cut (Bounce) skill becomes available on Sword and Shield. Whirling Cut (Block): Raise the shield for an omnidirectional Perfect Block, then perform a fierce slash dealing Physical Damage. Use this skill again to cast Whirling Cut. Whirling Cut (Block) has a shorter base cooldown in trio mode.

Whirling Technique icon
Whirling Technique

After a successful Perfect Block triggered by Whirling Cut (Block), Whirling Cut grants Super Armor, and its Damage Multiplier is increased.

Hammer Spin Enhancement

Unlocks at level 3
Steel Sanctuary icon
Steel Sanctuary

Extends the duration of Hammer Spin's Super Armor effect.

Endless Whirlwind icon
Endless Whirlwind

Increase the rotation speed, Movement Speed, and turning speed of Hammer Spin.

Stonebreaker Slash Enhancement

Unlocks at level 4Choose one
Stonebreaker Counter icon
Stonebreaker Counter

After Stonebreaker Slash's Perfect Block succeeds, it grants Super Armor during the skill and increases the skill's damage.

Feral Attack icon
Feral Attack

Stonebreaker Slash can be cast during the Double Hit Escape window, but this will increase the skill's base Energy cost and extend its base cooldown time.

Sudden Edge icon
Sudden Edge

Stonebreaker Slash supports holding the button. While held, the travel distance is increased and you deal damage while moving.

Stonebreaker Edge icon
Stonebreaker Edge

Gain 1 stack of Sword Tip on skill hit. While in the Blade Edge or Strong Edge state, this skill deals increased damage.

Skullcrusher Enhancement

Unlocks at level 4
Dynamic Charge icon
Dynamic Charge

You can move and dodge while charging Skullcrusher. You may dodge up to 2 times, and each dodge consumes Energy. Once you dodge during charging, the skill's cooldown will be the same as that of a Lv.2 charge cast.

Skullcrushing Echo icon
Skullcrushing Echo

When a charged attack or skill hits, it reduces the cooldown of Skullcrusher.

Iron-Clad Body icon
Iron-Clad Body

Skullcrusher on Lv.1 Charge grants Super Armor during casting.

Shield Dash Enhancement

Unlocks at level 5
Rising to the Challenge icon
Rising to the Challenge

After successfully blocking during Shield Dash, enemies on hit by this skill are Stunned for a period of time.

Absolute Punishment icon
Absolute Punishment

The last hit of Shield Dash reduces the skill's remaining cooldown when hitting an enemy player.

Hammer Dash Enhancement

Unlocks at level 5
Dash icon
Dash

Increases the dash distance of Hammer Dash.

Super Armor Armament icon
Super Armor Armament

Gain Super Armor while casting Hammer Dash.

Block Mastery

Unlocks at level 6
Sturdy Shield icon
Sturdy Shield

Successful Block adds 1 stack of Indomitable Will. Successful Perfect Block adds 3 stacks of Indomitable Will.

Opportunist icon
Opportunist

Increase Movement Speed during Block.

Shield Strike Taunt icon
Shield Strike Taunt

Hitting enemies with a shield attack briefly taunts them. This effect has a cooldown.

Shield Slam Enhancement

Unlocks at level 7
Bounce icon
Bounce

Shield Slam can be quickly cast while blocking with the shield raised.

Raging Earth Shake icon
Raging Earth Shake

Increases the slow effect of Shield Slam, and enemies directly hit by the shield are Stunned for a period.

Will to Survive icon
Will to Survive

Each enemy hit by Shield Slam adds 3 stacks of Indomitable Will.

Earthshaker Enhancement

Unlocks at level 7
Leap Step icon
Leap Step

You can move, jump, and dodge while charging Earthshaker. You may dodge up to 2 times, and each dodge consumes Energy. Once you dodge during charging, the skill's cooldown will be the same as that of a Lv.2 charge cast.

Thunderous Hammer icon
Thunderous Hammer

When a charged attack hits, it reduces the cooldown of Earthshaker.

Iron Will

Unlocks at level 9
Steel Skull icon
Steel Skull

Increase Critical Damage Resistance.

Indomitable Will icon
Indomitable Will

Stack the Indomitable Will effect when attacked. There is a brief interval between effect triggers.

Resilient Body icon
Resilient Body

After a charge-type skill reaches the next phase, you gain 2 stacks of Indomitable Will. For hold-to-use skills, you gain 1 stack of Indomitable Will periodically.

Warhammer Sling Enhancement

Unlocks at level 10
Rock Scatter icon
Rock Scatter

Warhammer Sling throws 3 stones; however, the damage, damage area, and impact of the stones are reduced.

Powerful Rock Sling icon
Powerful Rock Sling

Warhammer Sling can be held to perform a Lv.1 charge. Lv.1 Charge: Increases maximum range and Damage Multiplier.

Woodling Expert

Unlocks at level 10
Regular icon
Regular

Woodling merchants will offer you a discount during matches.

Woodling Bane icon
Woodling Bane

Greatly increases damage dealt to Returner Woodlings.

Swift Exit icon
Swift Exit

Allows you to learn the spawn location of the Smuggler Woodling and Ghost Ship in advance.

Way of Gylden Hunt

Unlocks at level 12
Greed is Good icon
Greed is Good

Increases Gyldenblod gained.

Monster Hunter icon
Monster Hunter

Increases damage dealt to monsters but reduces damage dealt to Gyldhunters.

Death Sense icon
Death Sense

Allows you to sense the corpses of other Gyldhunters.

Gyldenmist Tolerance icon
Gyldenmist Tolerance

Increases resistance to the Gyldenmist, slowing the rate of Gyldening.

Standout weapons

All weapons →

Standout armor

All armor →

Other classes

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