Updated: 2025-06-01
I play Path of Exile 2 a lot, and I’ll be direct: the Ascendancy Trials changed how you level and plan builds. In my experience the trials put timing and positioning above raw gear. I’ve noticed people who sprint through thinking they can out-gear everything will fail the Honor checks more often than steady players. Honestly, that surprised me the first week I tried them.
What changed and why it matters
Trials are now part of the campaign. You don’t run a separate labyrinth. You face traps, rooms, and bosses that drain an Honor resource when you mess up. Why does that matter? Because Honor forces you to learn mechanics instead of tanking through them. This doesn’t always work for every build—depends on your niche—but it makes fights feel more skillful (think chess, not brawl).
Here’s the funny part: players who spam movement skills can lose more Honor than careful ones. Want an easy win? You won’t get one if you ignore telegraphs. Why? Telegraphed attacks punish predictably; avoiding them saves Honor and time.
Trial of the Sekhemas — short walkthrough
I ran this in Act 2 on 2025-05-10 and found the layout predictable once you learn patterns. The trial has three parts: Antechamber, Sanctum, Boss arena. (Yes, there’s a checkpoint mid-run.)
| Section | Honor cost | Key threats | Tactic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antechamber | -10/hit | Spikes, flame pillars | Step with the pattern; don’t panic |
| Sanctum | -15/hit | Rotating blades, darts | Use one reliable movement skill |
| Boss | -20/hit | AOE waves, summons | Kill adds fast; watch slam telegraphs |
Optimal path (simple):
- Watch spike cycle.
- Dash during gap.
- Stop in safe zone.
- Move with timing through flames.
- Grab checkpoint.
The Sekhema Guardian hits in phases. Phase one is melee. Phase two is area waves. Phase three spawns adds. If you stand in the red circle, you lose Honor fast. Between us, I’ve seen tanks die to the last phase because they ignored adds.
Trial of Chaos — what to expect
Act 3’s Chaos trial mixes room randomness with harder mechanics. I’ve noticed four room types repeat: void, temporal, chaos pools, mirror illusions. They hurt Honor differently, so adapt. You can’t memorize a single route anymore; you must react. Oddly enough, that’s why dodge and control matter more than raw DPS here.
Controversial point: the random rooms punish experimentation. Some players say it’s fair; I say it’s frustrating when a new layout ruins a build you planned for. Is that intended challenge or poor design? You decide.
Chaos Guardian — quick notes
Core idea: collect orbs to stop explosions, avoid mirror copies, don’t touch chaos rifts. Counterintuitive tip: sometimes lowering burst damage helps because you keep control of add timing. Yes, lower DPS can win you the fight.
“If you treat trials like puzzles rather than HP races, you’ll clear more reliably.” — a practical rule I use
Ascendancy points and picks
There are eight Ascendancy points available through campaign and endgame trials: each major trial typically gives two points. Pick early nodes that fix weak spots—defense or mobility—then branch into damage once your foundation is solid. Why? Because if you lock in a risky damage node too early, you’ll redo trials to respec; that wastes time.
Popular beginner picks (simple guidance):
- Warrior: Titan for survivability.
- Ranger: Deadeye for consistent damage and easier playstyle.
- Witch: Infernalist for clear speed and AoE.
Practical tips — short list
- Learn telegraphs; pause when unsure.
- Carry one movement skill you trust.
- Use checkpoints to plan next section.
- Respec costs time; plan your Ascendancy route ahead.
By the way, a quick code-like checklist I use before each run:
1. Flask up
2. Movement skill bound
3. Party buffs on
4. Know the fail-state
There are exceptions: some builds can cheese content (minions, certain totems). That’s fine. Just be honest with your goals. If you want speed runs, optimize differently than for safe progression.
One last, slightly awkward confession: I once forgot to rebuy flasks and died in the Sanctum. It happens. Practice helps. And if you fail, try a different tactic; repetition teaches better than theory.
Want specific help for your class? Tell me your build and level—I’ll point out which Ascendancy nodes to take first and why they matter. Seriously, ask.
Good luck — keep your Honor high and your timing higher! 🔥
