Exile's Ascendancy Unraveled in Path of Exile 2 Guide

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power Quest

Path of Exile 2's intricate Ascendancy system significantly impacts gameplay. Unlocking your first Ascendancy requires completing the Ascent to Power quest in Act 2. This guide details how to initiate and conquer this quest, including the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Initiating Ascent to Power

Once you unlock the Ardura Caravan in Act 2, explore the available location nodes. Before reaching "Traitor's Passage," speak with Zarka. 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 typically found near the end of Traitor's Passage. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Defuse three seals to trigger the boss fight.

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.

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

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged. Save your Energy Shield for more dangerous attacks. Can inflict Burning or Poison.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged version of the slash attack; dodge or block. Each dagger causes Poison buildup.
• Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with an explosive AoE detonation after 1.5 seconds. Cannot be blocked, but is dodgeable. Preceded by a voice cue ("Face Me!" or "Na'kai!").
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodging is crucial. Voice cue: "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: Balbala throws a Barya (coin), creating a yellowish AoE. Step over it quickly to prevent a Balbala clone from spawning. Stepping on it triggers a teleport and slam attack.
• Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports and yells "Tithe!", creating a fiery AoE that must be dodged.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes (voice cues: "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!", followed by a dodgeable AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise conical pattern. Dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated promptly, Balbala summons a swirling blade storm. Prioritize eliminating clones.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, which you give to Zarka, unlocking the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node from the Ardura Caravan (note that you may need to initially direct the caravan's movement). Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala provides instructions.

The Trials are procedurally generated. Each room presents challenges: timed events, traps, or elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic for a boon.

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

• Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Taking damage reduces Honor.
• Reaching 0 Honor results in failure.
• Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water.
• Sacred Water buys chests (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
• 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: Find and kill summoners and their beasts.
• Boss Trial: Face Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, or Zarokh depending on the tier.

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

Finalizing Ascent to Power

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

For Cruel difficulty, a workaround exists due to a bug:

1. Talk to Zarka, defeat Balbala (ensure the coin shows "Number of Trials 2").
2. Return to Act 2 Normal, enter Trials, then use the coin for Cruel difficulty.
3. Complete two Cruel Trials to gain 2 additional Ascendancy Points.

Remember, reaching 0 Honor means failure. Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy Points (2 each). You'll need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points.