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Path Of Exile 2has one of the most complex and fun-to-play class systems in ARPGs, but it isalso quite reliant on the Ascension system. To unlock the first Ascendancy, players need to complete theAscent To Powerquest during Act 2.
For those who are a little lost as to where and when this quest starts, here’s a comprehensive guide on all the details players need to know to start this mission, as well as the best advice on how to complete the Trials of the Sekhemas.
How To Start Ascent To Power In Path Of Exile 2
When players unlock theArdura CaravanduringAct 2, they will be able to explore two location nodes. Right before visiting the third location named Traitor’s Passage, players should talk to theNPC named Zarka, and she will tell them to seekBalbala, theDjinnthat has been trapped there to acquire more power.
As most of themaps in PoE2 are procedurally generated, the location of the Boss players need to face and defeat to proceed will be randomized, but it will be more or less atthe end intersection between Traitor’s Passage.
Players need to look for theAncient Seal Door, which will then lead them toBalbala The Traitor’s prison. Once there, to start the encounter, players will need to defuse three seals and wait for the cutscene before stepping into a boss fight.
How To Beat Balbala The Traitor In Path Of Exile 2
To beat Balbala in Path Of Exile 2, players need to be aware thatshe resists Fire Damageanddeals Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage. She can also causePoisoningandIgnitionwith her attacks.
The best way to beat her is touse Cold Damage, since she is vulnerable to that element.
Balbala is a boss that is not extremely complicated, but it might take one or two tries before players get the hang of her mechanics. Here areBalbala the Traitor’s main abilitiesand how to counter them:
Upon being defeated, Balbala will drop theBalbala’s Barya,which needs to be taken to Zarka. Once done Zarka will reveal the location of theTrials of the Sekhemas, thenext step in the Ascent to Power Quest.
How To Complete Trials Of The Sekhemas In Path Of Exile 2
With the activated Djinn Barya in hand, travel from the Ardura Caravan to the Trials Of The Sekhemas node on the map. It is important to mention that the first time, players will have to command the caravan to move from the Sekhemas' map located in the front of the wagon.
Once there, players will be able to unlock the Waypoint and approach an altar where Balbala will receive them as an NPC, roughly explaining what they need to do to complete the trial.
The map is a procedurally generated dungeon, and each room will have its own challenge. Some rooms have timed challenges, others will have traps players need to avoid, and others will have Rare (Elite) enemies they need to defeat to proceed further. The important mechanic is that prior to entering the Trial, players will be able to use aRelic to perform an offering, granting them a boon.
At the start of eachTrial of the Sekhemas run, players will notice they have anew resource bar called ‘Honor’and anew currency called Sacred Waterthat they will be using in several ways throughout the Trials. These mechanics work in the following way:
Energy Shielddrain will not remove Honor proportional to the damage. Players using a build that consists of Energy Shield have agreater advantagewhen they participate in the Trials, so keep this in mind before attempting a run.
At the start of each Trial, a map with several pathways opens at each of the altars. Players need to clear one map and its requisites before accessing a backroom with boons, merchants, or Fountains to recover Honor and gain more Sacred Water.Each time players complete one section, they will receive a boon and a curse.
Boons have positive effects, and Curses have negative effects.
Different Trials will pop up in every node. Here’s a detailed list of them and what to do in each case:
To complete the Trials of the Sekhemas and attain Ascension, players will have to balance out these andchoose the safest path that helps them preserve Honor, preventing certain Curses that can greatly decrease their chances of completing the Trials. A boss named Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker awaits at the end of several sections, and they arequite complicated.
The most straightforward way to win against him is to bring Fire Resistance in the form of Charms, Rings, and any boon that increases the mentioned Elemental Resistance in all the pieces of equipment players can get their hands on.
Then, avoid the lava cracks he summons, andbring him down by stunning him. Rinse and repeat to complete this tiresome battle and attain ascension.
How To Complete Ascent To Power In Path Of Exile 2
Once players defeat Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, they will gain access to the last part of the Trials of the Sekhemas: the rewards. There’s analtarthere that players need to interact with to select their first ascendancy. Each class hastwo different ascendant paths to pickfrom, but once they pick one, their decision will be permanent, so choose carefully.
Some players are also confused about Ascent To Power in Cruel difficulty, buthere’s what players need to doto earn another2 extra ascendancy points during Act 2 Cruel Difficulty:
Keep in mind that this is not the intended way it should be completed, but at the time of writing, the Quest in Cruel difficulty is bugged, and this is the only way to bypass it and access the Cruel Difficulty Trials of the Sekhemas.
Remember that reaching 0 Honor means failing the Trial. This won’t consume the Djinn Barya the first time, as it is considered a Quest Item, so players have as many tries as necessary before finally completing the Ascent to Power Quest.
Subsequent Tries and the Cruel Difficulty ones will consume the Djinn Barya, and players will need to find another to complete another run. Only the first run on Normal and Cruel Difficulties will grant 2 Ascendancy Points each.
The players will also need tocomplete the Trial of Chaosin Act 3 Normal and Cruel to earn the remaining 4 Ascendancy Points for a total of 8 points.
