Path of Exile 2: 'Ascent to Power' Guide Released

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power

Path of Exile 2's intricate Ascendancy system is crucial for character progression. This guide details how to initiate and complete the "Ascent to Power" quest, unlocking your first Ascendancy in Act 2. We'll cover starting the quest, defeating Balbala the Traitor, navigating the Trials of the Sekhemas, and optimizing your strategy for maximum Ascendancy points.

How to Start Ascent to Power

Once you unlock the Ardura Caravan in Act 2, explore the available location nodes. Before reaching "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 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.

How to Defeat Balbala the Traitor

Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, along with Poison and Ignition. Exploit her Cold Damage vulnerability for optimal results.

Here's a breakdown of her attacks and counters:

• Slash Attack: A basic attack; easily blocked or dodged.
• Throwing Attack (Ranged): Similar to the slash attack; dodge or block. Each dagger causes Poison buildup.
• Whirling Dash: A fast lunge with AoE explosions; dodge only. 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 clone summoning. Failure results in a teleport slam attack.
• Teleport Slam: After clone summoning; voice cue: "Tithe!" Dodge the fiery AoE.
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes (voice cues: "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!"), summoning poison mist. Find and attack her to cancel the channeling. She'll then yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" before a slam attack.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counterclockwise pattern; dodge accordingly.
• Blade Storm: If the Shadow Clone survives, Balbala summons a blade storm. Prioritize clone elimination.

Defeating Balbala yields Balbala's Barya, which you'll give to Zarka, revealing the Trials of the Sekhemas.

How to Complete the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node (initially requiring caravan movement). Balbala will act as an NPC, explaining the trial mechanics.

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

Key mechanics:

• Honor: A resource bar depleted by damage. Reaching 0 Honor fails the trial.
• Sacred Water: Earned by killing enemies; used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Keys: Earned from remaining Sacred Water; open chests for rewards.

Energy Shield drain doesn't affect Honor. Energy Shield builds have an advantage.

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

Balancing boons and curses, and prioritizing Honor preservation, is crucial. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a significant challenge; prioritize Fire Resistance.

Completing Ascent to Power

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

Cruel Difficulty: A bug currently requires a workaround to obtain additional Ascendancy points:

1. Talk to Zarka (Cruel).
2. Defeat Balbala (Cruel; ensure "Number of Trials 2" on the Barya).
3. Return to Normal difficulty and enter the Trials using the "Two Trials" Barya.
4. Complete two Trials runs to gain 2 additional Ascendancy points.

Only the first Normal and Cruel difficulty 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 (totaling 8). Remember, reaching 0 Honor means failure, but the first attempt doesn't consume the Barya. Subsequent attempts do.

This comprehensive guide ensures you're well-prepared to conquer the Ascent to Power quest and unlock the full potential of Path of Exile 2's Ascendancy system.