PoE2 First Ascendancy: Trial of the Sekhemas Guide

The Trial of the Sekhema in Path of Exile 2 is a pivotal challenge that unlocks your character's first ascension, taking your class to new heights of power. Whether you're a Warrior aiming to become a Warbringer or exploring other ascendancy paths, this guide will walk you through beating the trial on your first attempt—flawlessly. With practical strategies and insider tips, you'll navigate this ascension trial with confidence. For more Path of Exile 2 resources and to gear up with premium currency or rare items, consider bookmarking our site and exploring our Path of Exile 2 Shop for top-tier gear to enhance your journey.

Unlocking the Trial of the Sekhema

To access the Trial of the Sekhema, you first need to defeat Balbala the Traitor in the Traitor's Passage. This boss drops a green level 22 Djinn barya, which you'll use at the relic altar to initiate the trial. However, don't rush in just yet. Complete the three steps of the act to dispel the sandstorm, which involves crafting a mammoth horn. This ensures you're fully prepared to enter the trial.

For an extra edge, detour to The Shrine and complete a quick side quest (2–3 minutes) to earn two passive points. Similar to rewards from Act 1 (like defeating Crowwell or finding Una's loot), this quest involves locating a body, retrieving a letter, and returning it to town for those valuable points. These will boost your character's strength before tackling the trial.

Mastering the Trial: Key Strategies

The Trial of the Sekhema revolves around preserving your honor, a unique mechanic that functions as a secondary health bar. Unlike life or energy shield, honor is depleted by any form of damage—whether from monsters, traps, or environmental hazards. If your honor pool reaches zero, the trial ends in failure.

To succeed, you must minimize damage intake through smart movement, room selection, and tactical avoidance. Here are key tips to master the honor system:

Avoid Unnecessary Combat

Unlike typical Path of Exile 2 encounters, the trial isn't about mowing down enemies. Fighting risks honor loss, so only engage when unavoidable. Use dodge rolling and sprinting to evade monsters. Hit-and-move tactics are your best friend—strike quickly, then retreat to avoid taking hits.

Choose the Right Rooms

The trial consists of multiple rooms, each with distinct tasks. You'll select your path after each room, and choosing wisely is critical. Here's a ranking of room types from safest to riskiest:

1. Escape Room: The easiest option. Simply click crystals to progress without fighting. This minimizes honor loss and is ideal for a flawless run.

2. Hourglass Room: Survive for one minute without engaging enemies. Run, dodge, and avoid combat to preserve honor. Ignore the temptation to kill rare monsters for a faster timer—focus on survival.

3. Ritual Room: Requires fighting, but it's manageable. Quickly target mages casting portals to stop monster spawns. Speed is key to avoiding honor damage.

4. Gauntlet Room: Navigate a trap-filled room. While combat isn't required, traps can chip away at honor if you're not careful. Avoid unless necessary, as it involves backtracking and levers.

5. Chalice Room: The riskiest, requiring you to defeat multiple rare monsters. Avoid this unless it's your only option, as fighting increases the chance of honor loss.

When selecting rooms, prioritize those with boons (buffs like 25% movement speed) and avoid rooms with random afflictions. Afflictions can cripple your build—for example, nullifying armor or energy shield, which directly impacts honor. If a room explicitly lists a harmful affliction (e.g., reduced movement speed), skip it. Always check room descriptions before choosing.

Using Relics

If you've failed the trial before, you may have relics in your inventory. Equip relics that boost honor resistance to reduce honor damage. These are especially helpful for repeat attempts, but for a first-try victory, you can succeed without them by following these strategies.

Defeating the Final Boss

The trial culminates in a boss fight that's surprisingly straightforward if you know the trick: stay behind the boss. Here's how to secure a flawless victory:

• Avoid the Initial Slam: When you awaken the boss, it performs a powerful opening attack. Stay at a distance to avoid massive honor damage.

• Positioning is Key: Never stand directly in front of the boss, as its slam attacks hit hard. Melee players should dodge to the boss's back and strike from there. Ranged players can maintain distance for safety.

• Watch for Telegraphed Attacks: The boss signals its big moves, like fire rings, by turning red. Move away when you see this cue, then return to attack from behind.

By sticking to these tactics, you'll defeat the boss without losing honor, securing your ascension.

FAQs About the Trial of the Sekhema

What happens if I lose all my honor in the trial?

If your honor depletes, you fail the trial and must restart. Focus on avoiding damage by dodging and choosing safe rooms.

Can I retry the trial if I fail?

Yes, you can retry by obtaining another coin from Balbala the Traitor. Use honor resistance relics if you've failed before.

Which class is easiest for the trial?

Ranged classes have an easier time maintaining distance from enemies and the boss, but any class can succeed with proper dodging and room selection.

Should I fight monsters in the trial?

Avoid combat unless absolutely necessary. Focus on evasion to preserve honor.

What's the best boon to pick?

The 25% movement speed boon is ideal, as it helps you dodge enemies and navigate rooms faster.

Thanks for Reading

Beating the Trial of the Sekhema on your first try is entirely achievable with the right approach. By avoiding unnecessary fights, picking the safest rooms, and mastering the boss's patterns, you'll unlock your ascension and gain a significant power boost. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more Path of Exile 2 tips and tricks to elevate your game!