Path of Exile 2 has introduced a new approach to unlocking and enhancing Ascendancy classes, beginning with the somewhat challenging Trail of the Sekhemas. This sequel has implemented various changes compared to the original game, all aimed at keeping the experience engaging while preserving its essence. These adjustments have generally been well-received and have contributed to a sense of increased challenge, which is evident in features like the new dodge roll maneuver that gives PoE 2 a soulslike feel.
Ascendancy Trials are essential for unlocking your initial Ascendancy classes and acquiring additional passive points. Every class offers three choices, each featuring a unique playstyle. However, given that the game will be in early access for a minimum of six months, the six available classes—some of which are well-suited for solo players—do not yet have fully developed Ascendancies. Nonetheless, the Ascendancies that are currently available showcase their potential to provide powerful enhancements.
How to Begin the Trial of the Sekhemas
Boss for Progress
To initiate the Trial of the Sekhemas, you must first defeat the boss Balbala the Traitor in Traitors Pass. This boss is manageable as her attacks, while quick, do offer ample time to evade. The most challenging aspect arises when she turns invisible and inundates the arena with poison gas. To counter this, you must locate her swiftly, making it effective to circle the room or unleash large-area abilities in open spaces.
Once Balbala is defeated, she drops the item called Balbala’s Barya. Delivering this item to the Trials of Sekhemas node and placing it at the altar will summon the now-friendly NPC Balbala. She will then assist you in navigating the trial and guide you toward unlocking your Ascendancy.
Completing the Trial of the Sekhemas
The Trials of Sekhemas can be daunting initially, but they become more manageable as you learn the mechanics. First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the Honour system. When the trials commence, you start with a specific amount of Honour, which diminishes with each hit you take. Losing all Honour or dying will cause you to restart the trial. Honour can only be restored at the conclusion of certain rooms by exchanging the trial currency, Sacred Water, which you earn by completing rooms and defeating specific enemies.
At the start, you can select a limited number of relics that grant you bonuses for your trial run.
Once the Trials begin, you’ll need to conquer at least six rooms before facing the final boss. Each room presents a distinct trial and provides different rewards, which may include keys for chests, Sacred Water, boon buffs, or structures to restore Honour. Upon completing a room, you can view the next challenges available and their respective rewards. However, take note that each room will inflict a debuff that persists throughout the trial. Here are the types of rooms you might encounter:
| Trial | Description |
|---|---|
| Chalice | Defeat all rare monsters spawned in the room. |
| Escape | Race around the room, disabling all death crystals before time runs out. |
| Ritual | Defeat the casters while they continuously summon new enemies. |
| Gauntlet | Locate the exit by opening doors with various levers while evading traps and enemies. |
| Hourglass | Survive a room filled with all-but-unstoppable enemies until time is up. |
After progressing through the trials, you will reach the boss room, which will feature Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, for the initial trial. This boss fight isn’t excessively complex, but it can be punishing, especially since you must manage two resources. Rattlecage has three slamming attacks, with one long-range move that creates mini volcanos which last for a certain duration—this is the attack to watch out for. The most significant threat is an explosive attack that occurs three times, increasing in size with each iteration. This fight becomes even more hazardous once Rattlecage drops below 33% health, as rocks will start falling from the ceiling.
How to Obtain More Ascendancy Skill Points
Currently, it appears you can gain up to eight Ascendancy points in total. This can be achieved in a couple of ways. The first method involves completing the Trial of the Sekhemas across all four of its Ascension tiers. The keys to access these higher tiers can be found in levels 45+, 60+, and 75+ areas, respectively.
Another option is the Trial of Chaos, found in Act 3. However, the keys required for these trials—apart from the first one dropped by the Chimera boss—are harder to obtain, as they are located in 60+/75+ areas exclusively. These trials can also be mixed and matched for points, but each tier will only reward points once.
In conclusion, these trials present a challenging yet rewarding avenue to enhance your character’s capabilities and ascend class builds, such as the top Witch build in PoE 2. While they can be unforgiving at times, overcoming the challenges they present is part of the enjoyment. This guide should help you successfully navigate the Trial of the Sekhemas and earn Ascensions in Path of Exile 2.
