Path Of Exile 2: Ascent To Power Walkthrough

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ascent to Power Quest

Path of Exile 2's intricate Ascendancy system is crucial for character progression. This guide details the Ascent to Power quest, focusing on starting the mission, defeating Balbala the Traitor, and completing the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Starting Ascent to Power

In Act 2, after unlocking the Ardura Caravan and exploring two location nodes, speak with Zarka before visiting 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, typically found near the end. Locate the Ancient Seal Door leading to her prison. Defuse three seals to initiate the encounter.

Defeating Balbala the Traitor

Balbala resists Fire Damage and inflicts Physical, Chaos, and Fire damage, along with Poison and Ignition. Cold Damage is highly effective. 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 dagger inflicts Poison.
• Whirling Dash Attack: A fast lunge with explosive AoE; 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, creating a yellow AoE. Step over it to prevent clone summoning. A teleport and slam attack follows if you step on it.
• Teleport Slam: After clone summoning, teleports and slams with AoE; dodge. Preceded by "Tithe!"
• Summon Poison Mist/Vanish: Vanishes, preceded by "Visions of Jarah!" or "Mists of Sulamith!", summoning poisonous mist. Find and attack her to cancel. She'll yell "Sands of Wrath!" or "Darakatha!" upon being found, followed by an AoE slam.
• Explosive Blade Rain: Throws explosive daggers in a counterclockwise 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, to be given to Zarka, unlocking the Trials of the Sekhemas.

Completing the Trials of the Sekhemas

Travel to the Trials of the Sekhemas node via the Ardura Caravan (note: initial access requires caravan movement). Balbala will explain the trial mechanics. The dungeon is procedurally generated, with varied challenges in each room (timed challenges, traps, elite enemies). Before entering, use a Relic for a boon.

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

• Killing enemies drops Sacred Water, used for boons, keys, and Honor recovery.
• Damage reduces Honor; reaching 0 fails the trial.
• Remaining Honor is exchanged for Sacred Water at the end.
• Sacred Water buys chests (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
• Honor is preserved between trials (Cruel difficulty).
• 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 summoned beasts.
• Boss Trial: Rattlecage (Tier 1), Terracota Sentinels (Tier 2), Ashar (Tier 3), Zarokh (Tier 4).

Balance boon/curse choices to preserve Honor. Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, is a challenging boss; high Fire Resistance is recommended. Defeating Rattlecage unlocks the final altar to choose your Ascendancy.

Completing Ascent to Power (Cruel Difficulty)

To gain additional Ascendancy points in Cruel difficulty (currently bugged):

1. Talk to Zarka.
2. Defeat Balbala in Cruel (Barya shows "Number of Trials 2").
3. Return to Normal Act 2 and enter the Trials.
4. Use the "Two Trials" Barya to access Cruel difficulty Trials.
5. Complete two Cruel Trials, defeating a boss in each, for 2 additional points.
6. Complete Trial of Chaos in Act 3 (Normal and Cruel) for the remaining 4 points (8 total).

Remember, reaching 0 Honor fails the trial. Only the first Normal and Cruel runs grant Ascendancy points. Subsequent runs consume the Barya.