Path of Exile 2: Guide to Ascendency

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power Quest

Path of Exile 2's intricate Ascendancy system significantly impacts gameplay. Unlocking your first Ascendancy requires completing the Ascent to Power quest in Act 2. This guide details how to initiate and conquer this challenging quest, including the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Initiating Ascent to Power

Once you unlock the Ardura Caravan in Act 2, explore the available location nodes. Before reaching "Traitor's Passage," speak with Zarka. She'll direct you to Balbala, a trapped Djinn, to gain power.

Balbala's location is randomized due to PoE2's procedural generation, but she's typically found at the end of Traitor's Passage. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Defuse three seals to trigger the boss fight.

Defeating Balbala the Traitor

Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, along with Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability.

Balbala's Attacks and Counters:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged attack; dodge or block. Each dagger inflicts Poison.
• Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with AoE explosions; dodge only. Voice cue: "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!"
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Teleports and throws daggers creating AoE; dodge only. Voice cue: "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: Throws a Barya (coin), creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent clone summoning. Teleport and slam attack follows if you step on the AoE.
• Teleport Slam: After clone summoning; voice cue: "Tithe!" Dodge the fiery AoE.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes, voice cues: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!" Poisonous mist appears; find and attack Balbala to cancel. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a dodge-able AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise pattern; dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated quickly, Balbala summons a destructive blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

After defeating Balbala, take Balbala's Barya to Zarka. She'll reveal the location of the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node from the Ardura Caravan. The first time, you'll need to command the caravan to move to the Sekhemas map. Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar.

The Trials are procedurally generated. Each room presents unique challenges: timed challenges, traps, or elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic to receive a boon.

Key Mechanics:

• Honor: A resource bar; depletes with damage taken. Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial.
• Sacred Water: Currency obtained by killing enemies; used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Keys: Earned with remaining Sacred Water; open chests for rewards.

Energy Shield drain doesn't reduce Honor. Energy Shield builds are advantageous.

Each Trial section offers boons and curses. Examples of Trials:

• Chalice Trial: Defeat two bosses.
• Escape Trial (timed): Defuse Death Crystals before time runs out.
• Gauntlet Trial: Avoid traps and find levers.
• Hourglass Trial (timed): Survive enemy waves until time runs out.
• Ritual Trial: Find and kill summoners and their beasts.
• Boss Trial: Face various bosses (Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, Zarokh).

Balance boons and curses to preserve Honor. Rattlecage is particularly challenging; prioritize Fire Resistance.

Completing Ascent to Power

Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar, where you choose your first Ascendancy. This choice is permanent.

Cruel Difficulty: To gain additional Ascendancy points in Cruel difficulty, you must:

1. Speak to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala (ensure the Barya indicates "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Normal difficulty and access the Trials using the two-trial Barya.
4. Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each.
5. You'll gain 2 additional Ascendancy Points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug.)

Remember: Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. The first Normal and Cruel difficulty runs grant 2 Ascendancy Points each. You'll also need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points (total 8).