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 challenging 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 Traitor's Passage's end. 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.
- Throwing Attack: Ranged version of the slash attack. Dodge or block. Each dagger inflicts Poison.
- Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with an explosive AoE. Dodge; the voice cue ("Face Me!" or "Na'kai!") precedes this attack.
- Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge only. Voice cue: "Atul!"
- Summon Shadow Clone: Balbala throws a Barya, creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent clone summoning. A teleport and slam attack follows if you step on the AoE.
- Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports ("Tithe!") and performs a fiery AoE slam. Dodge.
- Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist. Quickly find and attack her to cancel the channeling. She'll then yell ("Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!") and perform an AoE slam.
- Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise cone. Dodge accordingly.
- Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated quickly, Balbala summons a devastating blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.
After defeating Balbala, take Balbala's Barya to Zarka, unlocking the Trials of the Sekhemas.
Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas
From the Ardura Caravan, travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. You may need to reposition the caravan initially. Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala provides instructions.
The Trials are procedurally generated dungeons with various challenges: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before each trial, 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.
- Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial.
- Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water after completion.
- Sacred Water buys chests.
- Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor.
Each Trial 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: Kill Summoners and their summoned beasts.
- Boss Trial: Face various bosses (Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, Zarokh).
Balancing boons and curses while preserving Honor is crucial. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is particularly challenging. High Fire Resistance is recommended.
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:
- Talk to Zarka.
- Defeat Balbala in Cruel difficulty (ensure the coin shows "Number of Trials 2").
- Return to Act 2 Normal difficulty and access the Trials using the coin.
- Complete two Trials to gain 2 additional Ascendancy Points.
Remember, only the first Normal and Cruel difficulty runs grant Ascendancy Points. You also need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 Normal and Cruel for the remaining 4 points (total 8). Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial, but the first attempt doesn't consume the Djinn Barya.
