Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power Quest – A Comprehensive Guide
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 conquer this challenging quest, including the Trials of the Sekhemas.
Starting the Ascent to Power Quest
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 PoE2's procedural generation, but she's usually found near Traitor's Passage's end. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to Balbala's prison. Disarm three seals to trigger the encounter.
Defeating Balbala the Traitor
Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, also causing Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability. While not overly complex, Balbala's mechanics might require a few attempts to master. Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counter-strategies:
- 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 hit causes Poison buildup.
- Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with an explosive AoE detonating after 1.5 seconds. Dodging is crucial. Preceded by a 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: Balbala throws a Barya (coin), creating a yellow AoE. Quickly step over it to prevent clone summoning. 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 immediately.
- Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Balbala vanishes (voice cues: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!"), summoning poisonous mist. Quickly locate and attack her to cancel the channeling. She'll then yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" and perform 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 devastating 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
From the Ardura Caravan, navigate 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 procedurally generated. Each room presents a unique challenge: timed challenges, traps, or elite enemies. Before entering, 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.
- Reaching 0 Honor results in failure.
- Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water after the Trial.
- Sacred Water buys chests.
- Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor.
Each Trial section offers boons and curses. 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: Tier 1: Rattlecage; Tier 2: Terracotta Sentinels; Tier 3: Ashar; Tier 4: Zarokh.
Balancing boons and curses while preserving Honor is key. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is particularly challenging. High Fire Resistance is recommended.
Completing Ascent to Power
After defeating Rattlecage, choose your first Ascendancy at the altar. This choice is permanent.
In Cruel difficulty, a bug requires a workaround to obtain additional Ascendancy points:
- Talk to Zarka.
- Defeat Balbala in Cruel, obtaining a Barya indicating "Number of Trials 2."
- Return to Normal difficulty and enter the Trials using the Barya.
- Complete two Trial runs to gain two additional Ascendancy points.
This workaround is only necessary due to the current bug. Remember, reaching 0 Honor means failure. Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy points. You'll also need to complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points.
