Path of Exile 2: Unveiling the Path to Domination

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's engaging class system hinges on the Ascension system. Unlocking your first Ascendancy requires completing the Ascent to Power quest in Act 2. This guide details how to initiate and conquer this quest, including the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Starting Ascent to Power

In Act 2, after accessing the Ardura Caravan and exploring two location nodes, speak to Zarka before reaching Traitor's Passage. She'll direct you to Balbala, a trapped Djinn, to gain power.

Balbala's location within Traitor's Passage is randomized due to procedural generation, but she's generally found near the end. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to her prison. Defuse three seals to trigger the encounter.

Defeating Balbala the Traitor

Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, plus Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability. While not overly complex, mastering her mechanics may require a few attempts. Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counters:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged. Save your Energy Shield for more dangerous attacks. May inflict Burning or Poison.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged version of the slash attack; dodge or block. Each dagger causes Poison buildup.
• Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with an explosive AoE detonating after 1.5 seconds. Unblockable, but dodgeable. Preceded by "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!"
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge only. Cue: "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: A Barya (coin) creates a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent a Balbala clone. Stepping on it triggers a teleport and slam attack.
• Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports, yells "Tithe!", and unleashes a fiery AoE. Dodge.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist. Quickly find and attack her to cancel the channeling. She'll then yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a dodgeable AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: (Late-game) Conical pattern of explosive daggers; dodge in the opposite direction.
• Blade Storm: (If the Shadow Clone survives) A swirling blade storm; prioritize eliminating the clone.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, to be given to Zarka, revealing the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

From the Ardura Caravan, navigate to the Trials of the Sekhemas node (initially requiring caravan repositioning). Balbala will explain the trial's mechanics at the altar.

The procedurally generated dungeon features various challenges per room: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic for a boon.

The Trials utilize "Honor" (depleted by damage) and "Sacred Water" (obtained by killing enemies, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery). Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. Remaining Honor and Sacred Water are exchanged for rewards.

Each Trial section offers a boon and a curse. Examples include:

• 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.
• Ritual Trial: Kill summoners and their beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, and Zarokh (tiered).

Successfully navigating the Trials requires balancing boons and curses to preserve Honor. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a significant challenge; prioritize Fire Resistance.

Finishing Ascent to Power

Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar where you choose your first Ascendancy (permanent choice).

In Cruel difficulty, a workaround for a bugged quest involves:

1. Talk to Zarka, defeat Balbala (Barya shows "Number of Trials 2").
2. Return to Normal difficulty, enter Trials using the "Two Trials" Barya.
3. Complete two Trials, defeating a boss in each, to gain 2 additional Ascendancy Points.

Note: Only the first Normal and Cruel difficulty runs grant Ascendancy Points. The Trial of Chaos (Act 3) provides the remaining 4 points (8 total). Reaching 0 Honor only fails the trial; the first Barya isn't consumed. Subsequent attempts consume the Barya.