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 starting and completing 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 reaching Traitor's Passage. 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 near Traitor's Passage's 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, plus Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability. While not overly complex, mastering her mechanics may require a few attempts. Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counters:
- Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged. Save your Energy Shield for more dangerous 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 that detonates after 1.5 seconds. Dodging is crucial. Preceded by the voice cue "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!"
- Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge to avoid damage. Voice cue: "Atul!"
- Summon Shadow Clone: A Barya (coin) creates a yellow AoE. Step over it quickly to prevent a Balbala clone from spawning. Stepping on it triggers a teleport and slam attack.
- Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports, yells "Tithe!", and unleashes a fiery AoE. Dodge!
- Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes (voice cues: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") and summons poisonous mist. Find her quickly (circling counterclockwise from her last position helps) and attack to cancel the channeling. Discovery triggers a "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" slam AoE.
- Explosive Blade Rain: A prolonged fight triggers this attack—explosive daggers in a counterclockwise cone. Dodge accordingly.
- Blade Storm: Failing to quickly eliminate the Shadow Clone allows Balbala to summon a destructive blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.
Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, which you take to Zarka. She'll reveal the Trials of the Sekhemas.
Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas
From the Ardura Caravan, travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node (initially, you'll command the caravan's movement). Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala provides instructions.
The procedurally generated dungeon presents various challenges per room: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic for a boon.
You'll manage "Honor" and "Sacred Water":
- Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
- Damage reduces Honor; reaching 0 fails the Trial.
- Remaining Honor trades for Sacred Water after the Trial.
- Sacred Water buys chests (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
- Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor.
Each Trial section offers a boon and a curse. Trial types include:
- Chalice Trial: Defeat two bosses along a blood path.
- 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 beasts to deactivate portals.
- Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).
Balancing boons and curses while preserving Honor is key. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is particularly challenging. Maximize Fire Resistance and utilize stunning tactics.
Completing Ascent to Power
Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar, where you choose your first Ascendancy (permanent choice).
For Cruel difficulty, a workaround exists due to a bug:
- Talk to Zarka.
- Defeat Balbala in Cruel, obtaining a Barya indicating "Number of Trials 2."
- Return to Act 2 Normal, enter the Trials, and use the two-trial Barya.
- Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each, for two additional Ascendancy Points.
Remember, reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. The first Normal and Cruel runs grant 2 Ascendancy Points each; subsequent runs consume the Barya. You'll also need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points (total 8).
