Ascension trials

The Altar of Ascendancy.

Ascension Trials are encountered scattered throughout the campaign required to unlock Ascendancy class and ascendancy skill points. Each ascension trial is associated with a major culture from Wraeclast. Thus, there are many ways to ascend - if the player does not enjoy a particular option, they may ascend through another.

At the end of any trial, the exile may access the Altar of Ascendancy. For exiles who reach it for the first time, the Altar of Ascendancy allows them to choose an ascendancy class as early as Act 2. Ascendancy points can be obtained at certain progression points during the campaign and endgame.

Ascension breakpoints

Trial Type	Ascension 1	Ascension 2	Ascension 3	Ascension 4
Trial of the Sekhemas	Quest token OR Floors: 1	Area Level 45+ Floors: 2 OR any other Ascension 1	Area Level 60+ Floors: 3	Area Level 75+ Floors: 4 Defeat Zarokh, the Temporal
Trial of Chaos	Quest token OR Number of Trials: 4	Area Level 55+ Number of Trials: 7 OR any other Ascension 1	Area Level 65+ Number of Trials: 10	Defeat The Trialmaster

Each time the player completes an Ascension Trial condition, the player can receive two additional Ascendancy Skill Points, up to a total of 8 points. These points can be obtained in any Ascension Trial, as long as they meet the requirement. It is possible to repeat the same trial for all 8 points. It is also possible to earn multiple sets of points in a single run as long as each condition is satisfied.

To change your ascendancy class, you must complete an Ascension Trial of at least the highest difficulty you've already completed (Ex. if you have 4 Ascendancy points, you need to complete a Trial of Sekhemas with 2 floors or a Trial of Chaos with 7 trials), then use the Altar of Ascendancy with all your Ascendancy passives unallocated. Passives can be unallocated during the trial by speaking with Balbala, the Advisor or The Trialmaster.

Trial of the Sekhemas

Main page: Trial of the Sekhemas

The Sekhema is the highest position in Maraketh culture, and all who want to attain it must pass the trial. The Trial of the Sekhemas is extremely similar mechanically speaking to a combination of the Path of Exile 1 Forbidden Sanctum and Labyrinth.

First, the exile must defeat Balbala, the Traitor and trap their soul in a coin. Then, the coin may be placed within the Relic Altar to begin the trial.

The trial is composed of several progressive rooms within a floor. Each room will have an objective to accomplish before the room is passed, and the floor is ended by a boss. Every room will have a reward - for example, they may reward a Bronze Key, Silver Key, or Golden Key, which may be used to open their respective caches at the end of the trial.

Damage taken during the Trial of the Sekhemas will also damage your Honour, which cannot be recovered by normal means. Running out of honour will fail the trial.

The exile may be supported or impeded by Boons and Afflictions, special buffs and debuffs that persist throughout the trial. Sacred Water may be traded with Balbala, the Advisor for boons and relics.

Trial of the Chaos God

Main page: Trial of Chaos

The Temple of Chaos was once used by the Vaal civilization to test their high priests, when they worshipped the entity Chaos. Entrance to the trial requires an Inscribed Ultimatum, given by the Trialmaster. The Temple of Chaos is extremely similar to mechanically speaking to the Path of Exile 1 Ultimatum mechanic.

Before each chamber of the trial, the Trialmaster will offer a reward, as well as three tribulations. The exile must choose one to affect them for the rest of the trial. Each room will have an objective to complete to progress through the trial. After each room, the exile will be given an ultimatum - take the rewards earned so far, and leave, or continue with items on the line and take more risk. If the exile dies at any time, the trial is failed and rewards lost.

The first boss will be encountered after the first three chambers. There are multiple possible bosses and the order of the bosses is random. The Altar of Ascendancy will be accessible after defeating the boss. For exiles who reach it for the first time, The Altar of Ascendancy grants two ascendancy points and allows them to choose an ascendancy class.

Trial of the ???

The third Ascension Trial (themed around the Karui) has not yet been released. However, it has been suggested that it may be similar to The Trial of the Ancestors.

Version history

Expand

Version	Changes
0.2.0f	Redoing an Ascendancy Trial now allows you to respec which Ascendancy Class you have chosen at the Ascension device, but only if the Trial would grant you the number of points you already have. In order to respec your Ascendancy class, you must have zero points allocated in it, but you can now talk to Balbala or The Trialmaster to Refund Passive Points. Trials of Chaos that have 7 chambers and thus grant up to 4 Ascendancy Passive Skill Points now can be attempted from level 55, down from 60. Trials of Chaos that have 10 chambers and thus grant up to 6 Ascendancy Passive Skill Points can now be attempted from level 65, down from 75.
0.1.0d	Inscribed Ultimatums and Djinn Baryas now display whether you will obtain Ascendancy Skill Points upon completing the Trial of Chaos or Trial of the Sekhemas respectively. Added "Ascendancy Skill Points" as a keyword, which details how sets of Ascendancy Points are obtained.
0.1.0	Introduced to the game.