Path Of Exile 2: Ascent To Power Walkthrough

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate Ascendancy system is key to 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 challenging quest, including strategies for 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 usually 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, along with Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability for optimal results.

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

• Slash/Throwing Attacks: Basic attacks causing Poison or Burning. Dodge or block.
• Whirling Dash: A fast lunge with an AoE explosion after 1.5 seconds. Dodge; the voice cue ("Face Me!" or "Na'kai!") precedes this attack.
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge ("Atul!" voice cue).
• Summon Shadow Clone: Balbala throws a Barya, creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent a Balbala clone from spawning. A teleport slam ("Tithe!") follows if you step on the AoE.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist. Quickly locate and attack her to interrupt this. She'll then attack with an AoE ("Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!").
• Explosive Blade Rain: A prolonged fight triggers this attack. Dodge the explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise pattern.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated promptly, Balbala summons a damaging blade storm. Focus on quickly eliminating the clone.

After defeating Balbala, take Balbala's Barya 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 via the Ardura Caravan (note: you may need to reposition the caravan). Balbala will provide instructions at the altar.

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

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

• Enemies drop Sacred Water, used to buy boons, keys, or restore Honor.
• Taking damage reduces Honor.
• Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial.
• Remaining Honor converts to Sacred Water at the end.
• Sacred Water buys keys to open chests.

Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor. Energy Shield builds are advantageous. 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.
• Ritual Trial: Kill summoners and their beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Balance boon/curse choices to preserve Honor. Rattlecage is particularly challenging; prioritize Fire Resistance. Stunning him is effective.

Finalizing "Ascent to Power"

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

Cruel Difficulty: To gain additional Ascendancy points in Cruel difficulty, you must:

1. Defeat Balbala in Cruel, obtaining a Barya indicating "Number of Trials 2."
2. Return to Normal difficulty, enter the Trials, and use the "Two Trials" Barya.
3. Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each. This grants 2 additional Ascendancy points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug.)

Completing the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) grants the remaining 4 Ascendancy points (8 total). Remember, reaching 0 Honor means failure, but the first Normal difficulty attempt won't consume your Barya. Subsequent attempts and Cruel difficulty runs will consume it. Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy points.