Path of Exile 2: Conquer Power

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 complete this quest, including tackling 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 procedural map generation, but she's generally found near the end of Traitor's Passage. 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, along with Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability.

Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counters:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged attack; dodge or block. Each hit applies Poison.
• Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with AoE explosions; dodge only. Preceded by "Face Me!" or "Na'kai!".
• Teleport Dagger Attack: Teleports and throws daggers creating AoE; dodge only. Preceded by "Atul!".
• Summon Shadow Clone: Throws a Barya (coin) summoning a clone. Quickly step over the yellow AoE to avoid the clone and a following slam attack.
• Teleport Slam: After clone summoning; a fiery AoE after teleporting and yelling "Tithe!".
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes ("Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poison mist. Find and attack her to cancel. She'll then yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a slam attack.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counter-clockwise pattern. Dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone isn't eliminated quickly, Balbala summons a blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, which you must take to Zarka. She'll then reveal the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel from the Ardura Caravan to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. The first time, 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 a challenge: timed challenges, traps, or 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.
• Taking damage reduces Honor.
• 0 Honor results in failure.
• Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water.
• 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: Find and kill summoners and their beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Balance your choices to preserve Honor. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a challenging boss; prioritize Fire Resistance.

Finishing "Ascent to Power"

Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar where you choose your first Ascendancy. This choice is permanent.

For Cruel difficulty, the quest is currently bugged. To obtain additional Ascendancy points:

1. Talk to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala in Cruel (Barya should indicate "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Normal difficulty and access the Trials using the two-trial Barya.
4. Complete two Trials to gain 2 Ascendancy Points.

Remember, reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy Points (2 each). You'll need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points (total 8).

Remember that the image links remain unchanged.