The Secrets of the Atlas expansion in Path of Exile introduces a thrilling new seasonal league: Mercenaries of Trathus. In a world already brimming with danger, Wraeclast is now home to rogue mercenaries- powerful enemies equipped with notorious gear and deadly skillsets.

This league not only brings dynamic PvE encounters but also introduces a companion system akin to Diablo 2's hirelings. Mercenaries can travel with you across the campaign and into the Atlas endgame, providing utility, defense, damage, or even loot bonuses. Here's everything you need to know to master the new Mercenary system in Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas.

What Are Mercenaries?

Mercenaries are mini-boss NPCs found throughout the Mercenaries of Trathus league. Unlike Rogue Exiles or Betrayal encounters, you can interact with them directly before combat. When you find a Mercenary, you'll see their entire loadout-including weapons, skills, armor, and even buy POE currency-before deciding whether to engage them.

You have four options when interacting with a Mercenary:

1. Take an Item - Choose a piece of gear from their inventory. If you defeat them, the item drops.

2. Hire for Work - If you win the duel, they become a permanent companion.

3. Exile - Win the fight, and that archetype won't spawn again for 10 encounters.

4. Leave - Walk away without fighting (this reduces your renown score).

Mercenaries scale with you, adapting their strength and gear over time. As a companion, they provide passive bonuses and direct damage. Whether you want to fix a build's weakness, maximize loot, or simply survive tougher content, Mercenaries offer versatile support.

Where to Find Mercenaries

Mercenaries spawn in nearly every zone starting in Act 1. Look for the crossed swords icon on your minimap. Engaging one will pause the game and bring up their character sheet. From there, you can inspect the gear and make your decision. If you choose to fight, prepare for a serious 1v1 duel.

Mercenary Companions - How They Work

Upon hiring, Mercenaries behave like permanent allies-much like Spectres, Animate Guardian, or Minions.

·You may hire up to 3 Mercenaries, but only 1 can accompany you at a time.

·Swapping Mercenaries can be done from your hideout at any time.

·If a Mercenary is defeated, they retreat to town and must be healed for a Gold fee.

·Mercenaries gain XP and passive bonuses based on your renown.

Each Mercenary has an archetype (e.g., Shadow Archer, Flamecaller, Juggernaut) that influences their gear and abilities. Some are tanky tanks, others are glass cannons, aura bots, or loot generators.

Mercenary Archetypes and Exiling

Each Mercenary falls under a specific archetype, such as:

·Spellcaster

·Melee Duelist

·Elemental Archer

·Aura Specialist

·Trap/Mine Expert

·Gold Hoarder (Loot Buffs)

If a certain archetype doesn't synergize with your build, you can exile them. This removes their archetype from spawning for the next 10 zones. You can exile up to 2 archetypes at once, letting you tailor your future options.

Renown System - What It Is and Why It Matters

Defeating Mercenaries raises your Renowna score tied to the Mercenary system's long-term progression.

·+1 Renown per successful duel

·-1 Renown for walking away or losing

·Maxes out at Renown 3

The higher your Renown, the stronger the Mercenaries you encounter:

·Better gear

·More support gems

·Higher-tier affixes

·Greater chance of spawning Infamous Mercenaries

This system ensures that the more you engage with Mercenaries, the greater the rewards. However, if you consistently flee or die, the quality of Mercenaries drops significantly.

Infamous Mercenaries - Elite Encounters and Unique Loot

At higher Renown levels and endgame maps, you'll encounter Infamous Mercenaries- elite, tougher, smarter, and heavily geared variants.

Traits of Infamous Mercenaries:

·Always have at least one Unique item

·Rare items may have infamous affixes (exclusive modifiers)

·Skill gems may be gilded (special visual effects and added properties)

Look for the "Infamous" prefix in their name, and check their build pane to confirm their elite status. These fights are worth seeking out if you want the best Mercenary companions or are farming exclusive gear.

Why Use Mercenaries?

·Glass Cannon builds benefit from a Juggernaut Mercenary, who can tank hits and draw enemy attention, improving survivability.

·Aura Stacking characters can use an Aura Specialist to gain access to additional powerful auras like Grace or Determination, effectively doubling aura effects.

·Magic Find players will want a Gold Hoarder Mercenary, who increases item quantity and rarity for better loot drops.

·Totem Builds pair well with Elemental Archer or Spellcaster Mercenaries, who can clear enemies off-screen and support totem-based playstyles.

·Melee Builds are supported by Trap or AoE-focused Mercenaries, who can handle large packs of enemies while the player focuses on bosses or direct combat.

Mercenaries are not just companions- they're gameplay extensions that let you experiment with synergies, overcome bottlenecks, or enjoy thematic storytelling.

Tips for New Players

·Don't rush to hire the first Mercenary you see. Examine their gear carefully.

·If you lose a duel, analyze the Mercenary's build. You may learn from it.

·Focus on building synergy between your character and your Mercenary, not just power.

·Exile Mercenaries that don't match your needs.

·Use the POE currency Grab option if you're behind on upgrades or leveling gear.

Conclusion

Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas - Mercenaries of Trathus is one of the most engaging seasonal leagues yet, and the Mercenary system brings unprecedented build customization and tactical depth. Whether you're an elite mapper or a story-driven player, Mercenaries provide lasting value and dynamic encounters.

Best of all, the system rewards skill, planning, and experimentation, not just damage scaling. Hire wisely, exile strategically, and claim Wraeclast's deadliest allies as your own.