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 complete this quest, including conquering the Trials of the Sekhemas.
Initiating 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, typically near the end. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Defuse 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.
Balbala's Attacks and Counters:
- Slash Attack: Basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
- Throwing Attack: Ranged attack; dodge or block. Each hit applies Poison.
- Whirling Dash Attack: Fast lunge with AoE explosion (1.5-second delay). Cannot be blocked, but dodgeable. 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), creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent summoning a Balbala copy. Teleport Slam follows if stepped on.
- Teleport Slam: After summoning, teleports and slams with AoE. Voice cue: "Tithe!"
- Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes (voice cues: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!"), summoning poisonous mist. Find and attack her to cancel. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" upon discovery, followed by an AoE slam.
- Explosive Blade Rain: (Late-game) Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise cone. Dodge accordingly.
- Blade Storm: (Shadow Clone not eliminated) Destructive blade storm; eliminate clones quickly.
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, travel 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. Each room presents challenges: timed events, traps, or elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic for a boon.
Key Mechanics:
- Honor: Resource depleted by damage. Reaching 0 fails the Trial.
- Sacred Water: Obtained by killing enemies; used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
- Keys: Obtained with remaining Sacred Water; open chests.
Energy Shield drain doesn't reduce Honor, giving Energy Shield builds an advantage.
Each Trial section offers boons and curses. Examples 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: Find and kill summoners and their beasts.
- Boss Trial: Tiered bosses (Rattlecage, Terracota Sentinels, Ashar, Zarokh).
Successfully completing the Trials, including defeating Rattlecage (use Fire Resistance), allows you to choose your first Ascendancy at the final altar.
Ascent to Power in Cruel Difficulty
To gain two additional Ascendancy points in Act 2 Cruel difficulty:
- Talk to Zarka.
- Defeat Balbala (Barya should indicate "Number of Trials 2").
- Return to Act 2 Normal, enter Trials using the "Two Trials" Barya.
- Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each.
- Gain two additional Ascendancy Points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug.)
Remember, reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy points. You'll need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 Normal and Cruel for the remaining four points (total of eight).
