Overview
With no character or ascendancy balance changes in 0.5.5, Gemling Legionnaire stays one of the strongest endgame ascendancies, and grenades are one of the most efficient ways to get it through the campaign. This guide focuses on the early game — especially Act 1, where grenade characters tend to struggle — and treats Explosive Grenade as a leveling platform that later transitions into an endgame setup.
The plan is simple: pick up Explosive Grenade at the first uncut gem, cover single target with Crossbow Shot and clear packs with Fragmentation Rounds while the grenade is on cooldown. Once Multishot is linked to Explosive Grenade the build smooths out and the rest of Act 1 becomes easy. From there, progress is driven mostly by crossbow upgrades at a handful of breakpoints.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong, efficient campaign clear once Multishot is linked
- Clear crossbow upgrade breakpoints remove guesswork
- Advanced Thaumaturgy adds two projectiles to Explosive Grenade
- Works with either strength or dexterity Essence of Virtue choices
- A high-budget endgame version exists on the creator’s Mobalytics
Cons
- Act 1 is noticeably rough before Multishot
- Damage depends heavily on keeping the crossbow up to date
- Third ascendancy waits until roughly level 65–70
Key Skills
- Explosive Grenade — main clear and damage, linked with Multishot early
- Frost Bomb — lowers boss resistances (taken before Beira)
- Crossbow Shot — single target filler
- Fragmentation Rounds — clear while grenades are on cooldown
- Pounce — movement skill from any talisman on weapon set two
Gear & Anointments
Spend most currency on the crossbow, looking for flat damage, increased physical damage or +levels to projectile skills. Suggested upgrade points:
- Level 10 — well-rolled Sturdy Crossbow for the Act 1 boss
- Level 16 — Varnished Crossbow for most of Act 2
- Level 33 — Bombard Crossbow, ideal for grenades thanks to its extra projectile
- Level 59 — Cannonade Crossbow, the weapon to carry into maps
Check vendors for rings and gloves with flat damage whenever you return to town, and open the sarcophagus in the Cemetery of the Eternals for a guaranteed ring. Find the Mysterious Campfire in Clearfell and kill the Forgotten Witch in the Grelwood for early gems.
Endgame Notes
Ascendancy order: skip the first trial and take Essence of Virtue plus Implanted Gems in Act 3, then Advanced Thaumaturgy once comfortable at level 65–70. After that, use Gemcutter’s Prisms on Explosive Grenade so Multishot can be swapped for a damage support.
Credits & Source
Build credited to rhino9192. See the source video for the full build’s gameplay footage + voice commentary: PoE 2 0.5.5 Grenade Gemling League Starter Guide.