Path Of Exile 2: Ascent To Power Walkthrough

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 complete this quest, including conquering 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; block or dodge. May inflict Burning or Poison.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged attack; dodge or block. Each dagger causes Poison buildup.
• Whirling Dash Attack: Fast lunge with explosive AoE; dodge. Preceded by "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!"
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Teleports and throws daggers creating AoE; dodge. Preceded by "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: Throws a Barya, creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent clone summoning. Followed by a teleport and slam if you step on the AoE.
• Teleport Slam: After clone summoning, teleports and yells "Tithe!", creating a fiery AoE; dodge.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes, yelling "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!", summoning poisonous mist. Find and attack her to cancel. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a dodging AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise cone; dodge in the opposite direction.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated quickly, she summons a destructive blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, to be given to Zarka, revealing 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 Trials are procedurally generated. You'll use 'Honor' and 'Sacred Water':

• Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Damage reduces Honor; reaching 0 fails the trial.
• Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water after the trial.
• Sacred Water buys chests.
• Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor.

Each trial section offers boons and curses. 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 beasts to deactivate portals.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Successfully completing the Trials, especially defeating Rattlecage (use Fire Resistance), grants access to the final altar where you choose your first Ascendancy.

Ascent to Power in Cruel Difficulty

To gain two additional Ascendancy points in Cruel difficulty Act 2:

1. Talk to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala in Cruel (Barya should indicate "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Normal Act 2 and access the Trials using the "Two Trials" Barya.
4. Complete two Cruel Trials, defeating a boss in each.
5. You'll gain two additional Ascendancy Points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug.)

Remember, reaching 0 Honor fails the trial. Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy points. You'll need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points (total 8).