Path Of Exile 2: Ascent To Power Walkthrough

Mastering Path of Exile 2's Ascension: A Comprehensive Guide to Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate class system heavily relies 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 within Traitor's Passage is randomized due to procedural generation, but she's generally found 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.

Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counters:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
• Throwing Attack (Ranged): Similar to the slash attack; dodge or block. Each dagger causes Poison buildup.
• Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with explosive AoE; dodge only. Preceded by "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!"
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Teleports and throws daggers creating AoE; dodge only. Preceded by "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: Throws a Barya (coin) summoning a clone; quickly step over the yellow AoE to prevent summoning. A teleport slam follows if you step on it.
• Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, she teleports and slams, creating a fiery AoE; dodge. Preceded by "Tithe!"
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist; quickly find and attack her to cancel. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a slam AoE.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counterclockwise cone; dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated quickly, she summons a blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, which you must take to Zarka. She'll reveal the location of the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node from the Ardura Caravan (note: you may need to command the caravan's movement). Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala will explain the trial.

The Trials are procedurally generated. Each room presents unique challenges: timed challenges, 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 at the end.
• Sacred Water buys keys for chests.

Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor. Energy Shield builds are advantageous.

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: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Balance choices to preserve Honor and mitigate curses. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, requires significant Fire Resistance. Stun him and avoid lava cracks.

Completing Ascent to Power

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

Cruel Difficulty: To gain two additional Ascendancy points in Act 2 Cruel, follow these steps (due to a current bug):

1. Talk to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala in Cruel (ensure the Barya indicates "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Act 2 Normal and enter the Trials using the two-trial Barya.
4. Complete two Trial runs, defeating a boss in each.
5. Gain two additional Ascendancy Points.

Remember, reaching 0 Honor means failure. The first Normal and Cruel runs grant 2 Ascendancy Points each. You'll also need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 Normal and Cruel for the remaining 4 points (total 8).