Path of Exile 2: Master Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate class system hinges 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 due to PoE2's procedural generation, but she's generally found at Traitor's Passage's end. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Disarm three seals to trigger the boss fight.

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 Balbala's attacks and counters:

• Slash/Throwing Attacks: Basic attacks causing Poison or Burning. Block or dodge.
• Whirling Dash: A fast lunge with AoE explosions. Dodge; the cue is "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!".
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Teleports and throws daggers creating AoE. Dodge; the cue is "Atul!".
• Summon Shadow Clone: Throws a Barya (coin) summoning a clone. Quickly step over the yellow AoE to avoid the clone and a teleport slam.
• Teleport Slam: After summoning, she teleports and slams with a fiery AoE. Dodge; the cue is "Tithe!".
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poison mist. Find and attack her to cancel; she'll counter with an AoE ("Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!").
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise pattern. Dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the clone isn't eliminated quickly, she unleashes a devastating 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

From the Ardura Caravan, navigate to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. Initially, you'll need to command the caravan to move. Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala will explain the trials.

The Trials are procedurally generated, each room presenting unique challenges: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic for a boon.

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

• Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Taking damage reduces Honor.
• 0 Honor means failure.
• Remaining Honor converts to Sacred Water.
• Sacred Water buys chests.

Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor, providing an advantage. Each completed 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 beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, or Zarokh.

Balancing boons and curses, and preserving Honor, is crucial. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a challenging boss; prioritize Fire Resistance.

Completing Ascent to Power

After defeating Rattlecage, choose your first Ascendancy at the altar. The choice is permanent.

To gain additional Ascendancy points in Cruel difficulty (currently bugged):

1. Talk to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala in Cruel (Barya should show "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Normal Act 2 and enter the Trials.
4. Use the two-trial Barya for Cruel difficulty.
5. Complete two Trial runs, defeating a boss in each.
6. You'll gain 2 additional Ascendancy Points.

Remember, reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. The first Normal and Cruel runs grant 2 Ascendancy Points each. Complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points (total 8).