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Path of Exile 2 boasts a captivating class system, but its complexity hinges on the Ascension system. Unlocking your first Ascendancy requires completing the Ascent to Power quest in Act 2. This guide details how to start and complete this quest, including conquering the Trials of the Sekhemas.
How To Start Ascent To Power In Path Of Exile 2
After unlocking the Ardura Caravan in Act 2, explore the first two location nodes. Before visiting Traitor's Passage, speak with Zarka. She'll direct you to seek Balbala, a trapped Djinn, to gain power.
Balbala's location is randomized due to procedural generation, but she'll generally be found near the end of Traitor's Passage. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Defuse three seals to trigger the encounter and initiate the boss fight.
How To Beat Balbala the Traitor In Path Of Exile 2
Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, along with Poison and Ignition. Exploit her weakness: Cold Damage.
While not overly difficult, mastering Balbala's mechanics may take a few attempts. Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counters:
- Slash Attack: A basic attack easily blocked or dodged. Energy Shield works, but save it for more dangerous attacks. May inflict Burning or Poison.
- Throwing Attack: Ranged version of the slash attack. Dodge or block; each dagger inflicts Poison.
- Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with an explosive AoE detonating after 1.5 seconds. Unblockable, but dodgeable. Preceded by a voice cue ("Face Me!" or "Na'kai!").
- Teleport Dagger Attack: Balbala teleports and throws daggers creating an AoE. Dodge only. Voice cue: "Atul!"
- Summon Shadow Clone: Balbala throws a Barya (coin), creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to avoid summoning a Balbala clone. Stepping on it triggers a teleport and slam attack.
- Teleport Slam: After the summoning circle, Balbala teleports and yells "Tithe!", creating a fiery AoE. Dodge.
- Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes (voice cues: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!") summoning poisonous mist. Find and attack her to cancel the channeling. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a slam attack.
- Explosive Blade Rain: (Late-fight) Conical pattern of explosive daggers. Dodge in the opposite direction.
- 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, which you take to Zarka. She'll reveal the location of the Trials of the Sekhemas.
How To Complete Trials Of The Sekhemas In Path Of Exile 2
Travel from the Ardura Caravan to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. Initially, you'll need to command the caravan to move to the Sekhemas' map. Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala will explain the trial.
The Trials are a procedurally generated dungeon with various challenges in each room: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before entering, you can use a Relic for a boon.
The Trials introduce "Honor" and "Sacred Water":
- Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used to buy boons, keys, and recover Honor.
- Taking damage reduces Honor.
- 0 Honor means failing the Trial.
- Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water.
- Sacred Water buys keys for chests.
- Energy Shield drain doesn't reduce Honor.
Each Trial section offers 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).
Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a significant challenge. Maximize Fire Resistance (charms, rings, boons) and focus on stunning him.
How To Complete Ascent To Power In Path Of Exile 2
Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar where you choose your first Ascendancy. This choice is permanent.
Cruel Difficulty: To gain two additional Ascendancy points in Act 2 Cruel Difficulty (currently bugged):
- Talk to Zarka.
- Defeat Balbala in Cruel (ensure the coin shows "Number of Trials 2").
- Return to Act 2 Normal and enter the Trials using the two-trial coin.
- Complete two Trial runs, defeating a boss in each.
- This grants two additional Ascendancy points.
Note: Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy points. Subsequent runs consume the Djinn Barya. Complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 Normal and Cruel for the remaining 4 Ascendancy points (total 8). Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial but doesn't consume the Djinn Barya on the first attempt.
