Ascend to Power in the Vast World of Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate Ascendancy system is crucial for character progression. 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 generally found near the end of "Traitor's Passage." Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Disarm three seals to trigger the encounter.

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 counter strategies:

• 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 an AoE explosion after 1.5 seconds. Dodge only; cannot be blocked. Preceded by "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!"
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge only. Preceded by "Atul!"
• Summon Shadow Clone: Balbala throws a Barya (coin), creating a yellow AoE. Quickly step over it to prevent clone summoning. Stepping on it triggers a teleport and slam attack.
• Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports and yells "Tithe!", creating a fiery AoE. Dodge.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist. Quickly find and attack her to interrupt. Counterclockwise circling from her last position helps. Discovery triggers "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!", an AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counterclockwise conical pattern. Dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated, Balbala summons a swirling blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, to be given to Zarka. She'll then reveal the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node (initially accessed via the Ardura Caravan). 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" (a resource bar) and "Sacred Water" (currency).

• 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 (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
• Honor is preserved between Trials (important for Cruel difficulty).
• Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor.

Each Trial section offers boons and curses. Examples of Trial types:

• 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 summoned beasts to deactivate portals.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Balancing boons and curses, preserving Honor, and prioritizing safe paths is key. Rattlecage, in particular, requires significant Fire Resistance.

Finishing "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 (Barya should show "Number of Trials 2").
2. Return to Act 2 Normal, enter the Trials using the "Two Trials" Barya.
3. Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each.
4. This grants 2 additional Ascendancy Points.

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