Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power Quest
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 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 within Traitor's Passage is randomized due to procedural generation, but she's generally found near the end. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to her prison. Defuse three seals to initiate 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. While not overly complex, her mechanics require practice.
Balbala's Attacks and Counters:
- Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
- Throwing Attack: Ranged attack; dodge or block. Each dagger causes Poison buildup.
- Whirling Dash: A fast lunge with AoE explosions after 1.5 seconds. Cannot be blocked, but can be dodged. Voice cue: "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!"
- Teleport Dagger Attack: Teleports and throws daggers creating AoE. Dodge only. Voice cue: "Atul!"
- Summon Shadow Clone: Throws a Barya (coin) summoning a clone. Step over the yellow AoE to avoid the clone's summoning. Balbala follows with a teleport and slam.
- Teleport Slam: After summoning, Balbala teleports and yells "Tithe!" creating a fiery AoE. Dodge.
- Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes, voice cue: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!" Poison mist appears; find and attack Balbala to cancel. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before an AoE slam.
- Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise conical pattern. Dodge accordingly.
- Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated quickly, Balbala summons a destructive blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.
Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya. Give it to Zarka to unlock the Trials of the Sekhemas.
Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas
Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node from the Ardura Caravan. The first time, you'll need to command the caravan to move to the Sekhemas map. Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala provides instructions.
The Trials are procedurally generated dungeons with varied challenges: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before entering, use 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 recover Honor.
- Keys: Earned from remaining Sacred Water; open chests for rewards.
Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor, giving Energy Shield builds an advantage.
Each Trial section offers boons and curses. Examples of Trials 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: Find and kill summoners and their summoned beasts.
- Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).
Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar where you choose your first Ascendancy. This choice is permanent.
Ascent to Power in Cruel Difficulty
To gain two additional Ascendancy points in Cruel difficulty Act 2:
- Talk to Zarka.
- Defeat Balbala in Cruel (ensure the Barya shows "Number of Trials 2").
- Return to Normal Act 2 and enter the Trials using the two-trial Barya.
- Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each.
- You'll receive two additional Ascendancy Points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug.)
Remember, reaching 0 Honor means failure. Only the first Normal and Cruel difficulty runs grant Ascendancy points. You'll need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 Normal and Cruel for the remaining 4 points (total 8).
