Path of Exile 2: Embark on Ascent to Power Guide

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate class system relies heavily 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 challenging 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 with Zarka before reaching Traitor's Passage. She'll direct you to Balbala, a trapped Djinn, to gain power.

Balbala's location is randomized within Traitor's Passage. 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.

Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counter-strategies:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged version of the slash attack; dodge or block. Each dagger inflicts Poison.
• Whirling Dash: A fast lunge with an AoE explosion 1.5 seconds later. Dodge; the voice cue ("Face Me!" or "Na'kai!") precedes the attack.
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge only. Voice cue: "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: Throws a Barya (coin), creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent clone summoning. A teleport and slam attack follows if you step on the AoE.
• Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports and slams ("Tithe!"), creating a fiery AoE to dodge.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!"), summoning poisonous mist. Find and attack her to cancel the channeling. She'll then yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a slam AoE.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise conical pattern. Dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't quickly eliminated, Balbala summons a devastating blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, which you take to Zarka. She'll reveal the location of the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

From the Ardura Caravan, travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. (Note: The first time, you'll need to command the caravan's movement.)

Balbala will explain the trial's mechanics. The procedurally generated dungeon features various challenges: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before each trial, make an offering using a Relic for a boon.

The Trials introduce "Honor" and "Sacred Water":

• Killing enemies yields Sacred Water, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Taking damage reduces Honor.
• Reaching 0 Honor fails the trial.
• Remaining Honor is traded for Sacred Water.
• Sacred Water buys chests.
• Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor.

Each trial section grants 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: Find and kill summoners and their summoned beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, and Zarokh (depending on tier).

Balance boons and curses to preserve Honor. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a particularly challenging boss; prioritize Fire Resistance.

Finishing Ascent to Power

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

Cruel Difficulty: To obtain two additional Ascendancy points in Act 2 Cruel difficulty, you'll need to:

1. Talk to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala (ensure the coin shows "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Act 2 Normal Difficulty and access the Trials using the two-trial coin.
4. Complete two Trials, defeating a boss in each.
5. This grants two additional Ascendancy points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug.)

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