Multiplayer and party-based gameplay remains an underrated gem in Path of Exile. In patch 3.26, mercenaries that excel in team synergy not only make group play more efficient but also elevate your entire squad’s performance through auras, buffs, and crowd control.

One of the best team-focused mercenaries is the Guardian-Scion archetype. This archetype boosts global defenses via auras like Discipline, Grace, or Purity of Elements, and can even offer on-death explosions or fortify support. In groups tackling Uber Pinnacle bosses, these benefits are game-changing.

Support-centric Witch builds can use the Occultist-Templar hybrid mercenary for curse spreading. With Hex Touch and efficient curse effectiveness PoE Currency scaling, they soften targets for the entire group, especially during cluster-packed league events such as Legion or Breach.

If your party includes multiple summoners, the Necromancer-Duelist mercenary adds value by increasing minion survivability and offensive capability. Auras like Vitality or Haste support the summoning playstyle, allowing the group’s pets to tank while players focus on area control.

Ranged parties benefit immensely from a Trickster-Ranger support that casts Smoke Mine or Blind-inflicting skills, creating safer zones during chaotic engagements. Such builds are especially helpful during Delirium or Simulacrum waves.

Hybrid healers—though niche in PoE—become possible with mercenaries carrying Life Regen auras and instant recovery setups. These are PoE 1 Currency ideal for sustaining long group fights where flask charges may not reset fast enough.

For groups relying on speed, mercenaries that provide movement buffs or Flask Effect Duration improvements help maintain tempo. Faster clears translate directly to faster loot cycles and XP gains, especially in rotating party maps.

In essence, choosing a party-optimized mercenary is about enhancing the strengths of others while filling in the gaps. The right one ensures your team works as a well-oiled machine through even the most brutal endgame content.