Explore the Path to Power in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate class system hinges 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 conquer this quest, including the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Starting "Ascent to Power"

Once you unlock the Ardura Caravan in Act 2, explore the available location nodes. Before visiting "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 boss fight.

Defeating Balbala the Traitor

Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, alongside Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability. While not overly complex, Balbala's mechanics require practice.

Balbala's Attacks and Counters:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged. Save your Energy Shield for more potent attacks. May 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. Unblockable, but dodgeable. 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. Step over it to prevent a Balbala clone. Stepping on it triggers a teleport and slam attack.
• Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports, yelling "Tithe!", creating a fiery AoE. Dodge it.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist. Find and attack her to cancel this. She'll then yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!", using an AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counterclockwise conical pattern. Dodge in the opposite direction.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone survives, Balbala unleashes a swirling blade storm. Quickly eliminate the clone to prevent this.

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

From the Ardura Caravan, navigate to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. Initially, you'll need to command the caravan's movement. 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, offer a Relic for a boon.

Key Mechanics:

• Honor: A resource bar depleted by damage. Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial.
• Sacred Water: Earned by killing enemies; used to buy boons, keys, and restore Honor.
• Keys: Obtained from remaining Sacred Water; open chests for rewards.

Energy Shield drain doesn't reduce Honor. Energy Shield builds have an advantage. Each Trial section grants a boon and a curse.

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 their summoned beasts to deactivate portals.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, and Zarokh.

Balance your choices to preserve Honor and mitigate curses. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a significant challenge. High Fire Resistance is crucial.

Finishing "Ascent to Power"

After defeating Rattlecage, choose your first Ascendancy at the final altar. This choice is permanent.

Cruel Difficulty: To gain two extra Ascendancy points in Act 2 Cruel difficulty, complete these steps:

1. Talk to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala (Barya should indicate "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Act 2 Normal Difficulty and access the Trials using the Barya.
4. Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each.
5. You'll gain two additional Ascendancy points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug.)

Remember, reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. The first Normal and Cruel difficulty 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.