TL;DR
- Complete three main trials across Acts 2-4 to earn Ascendancy Points for your character
- Each trial features unique mechanics: time challenges, combat waves, puzzles, and trap navigation
- Higher-level trials (60+ and 75+) require specific items and offer pinnacle boss fights
- Strategic preparation and movement skills are crucial for overcoming trial challenges
- Ascendancy Class selection permanently shapes your character’s build and playstyle
In Path of Exile 2, Ascendancy Points serve as the cornerstone for developing your character’s ultimate capabilities. These specialized points are exclusively obtained through conquering the Trials of Ascendancy, which represent demanding encounters strategically positioned throughout Wraeclast. Every successful trial completion awards you with Ascendancy Points that unlock transformative passive skills within your chosen Ascendancy tree, fundamentally altering how your character performs in combat.

Path of Exile 2 features three primary Trials of Ascendancy, each situated in distinct game acts. Overcoming these trials not only provides the coveted Ascendancy Points but also enables you to select an Ascendancy Class—a decision that profoundly influences your character’s development path and combat approach. Your Ascendancy Class choice creates permanent specialization that defines your playthrough experience.
The trial progression follows this structured path:
1. Trial of the Sekhemas (Act 2)
2. Trial of Chaos (Act 3)
3. Trial of the Unknown (Act 4)
How to Unlock Ascendancy Points
Trial of the Sekhemas (Act 2)
• Location: This initial trial emerges in Act 2 through a questline involving Balbala’s Barya, typically found in the central desert regions.
• Challenges: The trial incorporates five distinct challenge types that test different player skills: Escape Trial, Ritual Trial, Hourglass Trial, Chalice Trial, and Gauntlet Trial.
• Escape Trial: Deactivate all Death Crystals before the countdown expires—prioritize movement speed and area coverage.
• Ritual Trial: Eliminate all Ritual Casters to close the summoning portals; focus high-damage bursts on casters first.
• Hourglass Trial: Endure successive enemy waves until time depletion; positioning near choke points maximizes survival.
• Chalice Trial: Interpret and follow directional cues from the mystical chalice to locate and defeat rare monsters; audio cues often provide critical directional information.
• Gauntlet Trial: Manipulate levers systematically to unlock doors while navigating treacherous trap sequences; observe trap patterns before advancing.
• Rewards: Conquering this foundational trial grants your first 2 Ascendancy Points, enabling initial specialization choices.
Trial of Chaos (Act 3)
• Location: This intermediate trial appears in Act 3 via a quest involving the Chimeral Inscribed Ultimatum, usually located in chaotic wilderness areas.
• Challenges: The trial presents escalating chaotic encounters that rigorously evaluate combat proficiency and survival instincts under pressure.
• Combat Challenges: Vanquish waves of progressively formidable adversaries; conserve cooldowns for later waves when enemies become significantly tougher.
• Puzzle Challenges: Decipher complex environmental puzzles to advance through trial stages; often requires interacting with multiple mechanisms in specific sequences.
• Rewards: Successfully completing this trial awards the subsequent 2 Ascendancy Points, raising your cumulative total to 4 points for enhanced customization.
Common mistakes include underestimating the puzzle complexity and exhausting key abilities too early in combat sequences. Advanced players recommend scouting each arena first to identify puzzle elements before engaging enemies.
Higher Level Trials
To access the remaining Ascendancy Points, you must undertake enhanced versions of the Trials of Ascendancy. These superior trials present substantially increased difficulty and mandate specific entry items.
• Level 60+ Trials: Conquer either the Trial of the Sekhemas or Trial of Chaos with amplified challenge parameters. These versions typically require 15-25 minutes to complete depending on your build efficiency.
• Trial of the Sekhemas: Demands a Level 60+ Djinn Barya inscribed with “Number of Trials: 3” designation, comprising three progressively difficult floors.
• Trial of Chaos: Necessitates a Level 75+ Inscribed Ultimatum marked with “Number of Trials: 10” specification, involving ten demanding rounds.
• Level 75+ Trials: Overcome the ultimate boss encounters within either trial.
• Trial of the Sekhemas: Requires a Level 75+ Djinn Barya with “Number of Trials: 4” indication (four challenging floors) culminating in its Pinnacle Boss Fight.
• Trial of Chaos: Mandates defeating the Pinnacle Boss Fight secured behind sealed doors requiring all three fate fragments: Cowardly Fate, Deadly Fate, and Victorious Fate.
Tips for Completing Trials
• Preparation: Verify your character possesses appropriate gear and sufficient level before attempting advanced trials; aim for at least 10% increased resistances over base requirements.
• Movement Skills: Employ mobility skills strategically to traverse trap-laden areas and evade damage; skills with short cooldowns provide consistent survival benefits.
• Focus on Objectives: Emphasize completing trial objectives promptly to prevent being overrun by enemy reinforcements; objective completion often triggers beneficial environmental changes.
• Trade for Keys: Should you encounter difficulty acquiring necessary access items, explore player trading networks; the economy often offers reasonably priced entry items during league peaks.
Advanced optimization includes pre-stocking movement speed flasks and allocating passive nodes that enhance survivability during timed segments. Many experienced players complete practice runs on standard versions before attempting high-level trials to internalize mechanics.
Conclusion
Mastering the Trials of Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2 proves indispensable for unleashing your character’s complete capabilities. By implementing this comprehensive guide and ensuring thorough preparation, you can secure all Ascendancy Points and dramatically enhance your character’s combat effectiveness. The strategic choices you make during these trials will resonate throughout your entire gameplay experience. For comprehensive character development guidance, explore our Class Guide to optimize your Ascendancy Class selection.
Remember that your Ascendancy decisions create lasting impact on how your character engages with Wraeclast’s challenges. Whether you’re building for speed, power, or versatility, the right Ascendancy combination can transform your gameplay. Best of fortune on your journey, Exile!
Action Checklist
- Complete Trial of Sekhemas in Act 2 to earn first 2 Ascendancy Points
- Conquer Trial of Chaos in Act 3 to reach 4 total Ascendancy Points
- Acquire Level 60+ Djinn Barya or Inscribed Ultimatum for advanced trials
- Complete Level 75+ pinnacle boss fights for maximum Ascendancy Points
- Optimize Ascendancy passive tree based on your chosen class specialization
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