Path of Exile 2: Conquer Darkness's Grip

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 conquer this quest, including the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Starting Ascent to Power

In Act 2, after accessing the Ardura Caravan and exploring two location nodes, speak with Zarka before reaching Traitor's Passage. 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 Balbala's prison. Disarm three seals to initiate the encounter.

Defeating Balbala the Traitor

Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, plus Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability.

Here's a breakdown of Balbala's attacks and counters:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
• Throwing Attack: Ranged attack; dodge or block. Each dagger inflicts Poison.
• Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with an AoE explosion (1.5-second delay). Dodge only; cannot be blocked. 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 prevent a Balbala clone from spawning. A teleport and slam attack follows if you step on the AoE.
• Teleport Slam: After summoning a clone, Balbala teleports and slams, creating a fiery AoE. Dodge. Voice cue: "Tithe!"
• 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 this. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" upon being found, followed by an AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: (Late-game) Conical pattern of explosive daggers; dodge in the opposite direction.
• Blade Storm: (If the Shadow Clone isn't quickly eliminated) A swirling blade storm; prioritize eliminating clones.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, to be given to Zarka, unlocking the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

From the Ardura Caravan, navigate to the Trials of the Sekhemas node. Note: The first time, you'll need to direct the caravan to the Sekhemas map. Unlock the Waypoint and approach the altar where Balbala provides instructions.

The Trials are procedurally generated dungeons with various challenges: timed challenges, traps, and elite enemies. Before entering, use a Relic for a boon.

The Trials utilize "Honor" and "Sacred Water":

• Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used to buy boons, keys, and recover Honor.
• Taking damage reduces Honor.
• Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial.
• Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water at the end.
• Sacred Water buys keys for chests.

Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor. Energy Shield builds are advantageous.

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 summoned beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Balance boons and curses to preserve Honor. Rattlecage is particularly challenging; prioritize Fire Resistance.

Finishing Ascent to Power

Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar, where you choose your first Ascendancy (permanent choice).

For Cruel difficulty:

• Talk to Zarka, defeat Balbala (ensure the coin shows "Number of Trials 2").
• Return to Normal Act 2 and access the Trials using the coin.
• Complete two Trials consecutively, defeating a boss in each, for 2 additional Ascendancy Points. (Note: This is a workaround for a current bug).

Reaching 0 Honor fails the Trial. Only the first Normal and Cruel difficulty runs grant Ascendancy Points (2 each). Complete the Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points (total 8).