Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate class system heavily relies 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 complete this quest, including strategies for the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Starting "Ascent to Power"

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

Balbala's location is randomized within Traitor's Passage, usually 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, along with Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability.

Balbala's Attacks and Counters:

• Slash Attack: Basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged attack; dodge or block. Each dagger inflicts Poison.
• Whirling Dash Attack: Fast lunge with AoE explosion (1.5-second delay). Cannot be blocked, but dodgeable. 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 Slam follows if stepped on. Voice cue: "Tithe!"
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes (voice cues: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!"), summoning poisonous mist. Find and attack her to cancel. She'll then use a slam attack (voice cues: "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!").
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise conical pattern. Dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated quickly, Balbala summons a destructive blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

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

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node (initially requiring caravan movement). Balbala will explain the trial mechanics.

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

Key Mechanics:

• Honor: A resource bar depleted by damage. Reaching 0 Honor fails the trial.
• Sacred Water: Currency obtained by killing enemies; used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Keys: Earned from remaining Sacred Water; open chests (Bronze, Silver, Gold).

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

Each trial section offers a boon and a curse. Trial types 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 until time runs out.
• Ritual Trial: Kill summoners and their summoned beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Successfully navigating the Trials, including defeating Rattlecage, unlocks the final altar where you choose your first Ascendancy. This choice is permanent.

Cruel Difficulty and Additional Ascendancy Points

In Cruel difficulty, completing two Trials consecutively (a workaround for a bug) grants two additional Ascendancy Points. The Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) provides the remaining four points (total of 8). Remember, only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy Points. Subsequent attempts consume the Djinn Barya. Reaching 0 Honor results in failure, but the first attempt doesn't consume the Barya.