In Path of Exile 2, getting your 3rd Ascendancy is pretty confusing. This process revolves around two main trials: the Trial of Sekhemas and the Trials of Chaos. Before you get into the trial, make sure to upgrade your gear, hoddle some spirit, and farm some gold and XP. Here’s everything you need to know to achieve your 3rd Ascendancy.
POE2 Trial of Sekhemas: The Preferred Starting Point To Get Ascendancy 3 in Path of Exile 2
The Trial of Sekhemas become accessible once your character reaches level 60. While it’s tempting to dive in as soon as possible, it’s advisable to take your time. Gear up, fine-tune your build, and aim to overlevel the content slightly. Attempting this trial too early can lead to frustration, especially if you struggle with survivability or damage output.
Ideally, you should find a lower-level Djinn Barya with a lower number of trials or floors. For example, this Djinn Barya is Level 69 and has 3 Trials or floors. After it’s all said and done, insert the Djinn Barya into the Relic Altar.
This trial involves three floors, culminating in a final boss. While it’s considered easier in terms of mechanics compared to the Trials of Chaos, the time investment is significant. A failed attempt—especially on the final boss—can cost you upwards of 30 to 40 minutes. To maximize your chances, focus on improving your Honor resistance and overall movement speed, as these factors heavily influence success in the Trial of Sekhemas to get your 3rd Ascendancy or Ascendancy 3 in Path of Exile 2.
POE2 Trials of Chaos: A Later Alternative
The Trials of Chaos offer another route to unlock to get your third Ascendancy or Ascendancy 3 in Path of Exile 2, but requires more time to unlock. This trial only becomes viable once you reach level 70 or higher, as it involves collecting and completing 10 specific trials. Each trial drops a unique note that contributes to the overall progress. While the Trials of Chaos are less time-intensive per attempt, they demand greater preparation due to the randomized nature of note drops.
If you’re considering this path, be patient and focus on farming for the necessary notes. This trial suits players who prefer shorter, more segmented challenges over extended dungeon-style gameplay.
Preparing for Trial of Sekhemas in Path of Exile 2: Honor and Resistance
The Trial of Sekhemas revolve around a unique resource called Honor, which functions as both a health bar and a survival mechanism. Managing Honor effectively is the key to success. Here’s how you can enhance your Honor:
Honor Resistance: This reduces the amount of damage your Honor takes, effectively extending its capacity. Aim to stack at least 60-75% Honor resistance using modifiers on your gear or consumable items found within the trials. You can stack Amphora Relics and Steadfast Seal Relics as shown in the image.
Sacred Water and Boons: Collect Sacred Water early in the trial to restore Honor and gain valuable buffs. Look for boons that enhance movement speed, damage output, or survivability.
Invest in gear that supports these mechanics. For instance, boots with high movement speed (30% or more) and items with modifiers to Honor resistance are invaluable. Trading for optimal gear on the in-game market is often worth the investment, especially if your build lacks natural mobility or tankiness.
Watch out for the abysmal Hourglass Trial which debuffs you significantly. If the odds are really bad, your best bet is to reroll.
Navigating the Floors: Prioritizing Nodes and Avoiding Debuffs in POE2
Each floor in the Trial of Sekhemas presents a series of nodes with varying effects. Some nodes grant boons, while others apply debilitating debuffs.
Visibility: Choose paths that offer better visibility of subsequent nodes, allowing you to plan your route more effectively.
Avoid Severe Debuffs: Debuffs, like reduced damage output or evasion, can severely hinder your progress. If you encounter an unfavorable set of nodes, consider rerolling or restarting the trial rather than pushing forward with significant disadvantages.
By the time you reach the final floor, your pathing choices and collected buffs will significantly impact your success. Sacrificing Sacred Water or skipping minor rewards in favor of better survivability is often the smarter choice.
Boss Fights: Managing Mechanics and Damage
Each floor ends with a boss encounter, and the final boss is the culmination of the Trial of Sekhemas. Here are some critical tips for these battles:
Floor 2 Boss: Focus on eliminating both bosses simultaneously to avoid their merging into a stronger entity. For ranged characters, maintain distance and exploit movement speed to dodge attacks.
Final Boss: Be cautious of traps and environmental hazards, such as sand pits or pressure plates that trigger additional challenges. Melee characters may face difficulty due to the boss’s mobility, so prioritize burst damage to minimize the duration of the fight.
Overleveling (e.g., attempting at level 78 for a level 69 trial) and upgrading your gear for maximum DPS and survivability will make these encounters much smoother.
Conclusion
That’s a brief guide to unlocking or getting your third Ascendancy or Ascendancy 3 in Path of Exile 2. Path of Exile 2 through the Trial of Sekhemas or the Trials of Chaos requires preparation, patience, and strategic decision-making. While Trials of Sekhemas are generally preferred for their accessibility, Trials of Chaos may suit players looking for a more segmented progression. Focus on optimizing your gear, stacking Honor resistance, and planning your routes.