PoE 2 Trial of Sekhemas: Complete Guide & Tips

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) has completely revamped the Ascendancy Trials to make them more engaging, challenging, and rewarding. One of the first trials you'll encounter is the Trial of the Sekhemas, a roguelike dungeon crawl that serves as your gateway to unlocking powerful Ascendancies. If you're struggling with this trial or want to optimize your run, this guide has you covered.

What is the Trial of the Sekhemas in PoE 2?

The Trial of the Sekhemas is an Ascendancy trial found in the second act of Path of Exile 2. This trial introduces a new progression system where you must navigate dangerous rooms, defeat powerful enemies, and manage a unique honor system to survive. Successful completion of the trial will grant you access to the Ascendancy class, which will enhance your build with powerful new passive skills.

How to Unlock the Trial of the Sekhemas

Before you can begin the Trial of the Sekhemas, you must first defeat Balbala the Traitor, the boss in Traitor's Pass. This fight isn't particularly difficult, but it does require quick reflexes as Balbala disappears into invisibility and floods the arena with poison gas. Keep moving, use AoE attacks, and track her position to mitigate the damage.

After defeating her, she will drop Balbala's Barya, a key item needed to activate the Trial of the Sekhemas. Take this item to the Trial of Sekhemas node, place it on the altar, and you'll gain access to the trial itself.

How to Complete the Trial of the Sekhemas

Understanding the Honour System

The Trial of the Sekhemas is unique because of its honor system. You start with a limited amount of honor, which decreases each time you take damage. If you lose all of your honor or die, you will be forced to restart the trial.

To maintain your honor, you can

• Avoid taking unnecessary damage

• Complete rooms efficiently

• Collect Sacred Water, which restores Honour at designated stations

Trial Mechanics: Navigating the Rooms

The trial consists of six rooms leading up to the final boss. Each room presents a different challenge and offers different rewards. The key is to choose your path wisely, avoiding excessive debuffs while maximizing buffs and resources.

Here are the types of rooms you'll encounter:

Trial Type	Description
Chalice	Defeat all rare monsters to progress.
Escape	Disable all Death Crystals before time runs out.
Ritual	Kill summoners while they continuously spawn enemies.
Gauntlet	Solve a puzzle with levers while avoiding traps and enemies.
Hourglass	Survive waves of enemies until the timer expires.

After completing each room, you'll see a preview of the next available rooms so you can strategize your route. Some rooms offer buffs, while others impose afflictions that act as debuffs.

Trial of Sekhemas Boss: Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker

After surviving the trial rooms, you'll face Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker, the final boss. He has a mix of heavy-hitting AoE attacks and environmental hazards:

• Three types of slam attacks deal devastating melee damage.

• Volcanic eruptions that create persistent AoE hazards.

• Triple explosive burst, which expands with each phase.

• Falling debris that triggers when Rattlecage’s HP drops below 33%.

Strategy to Defeat Rattlecage

• Stay mobile: Keep moving to avoid slam attacks.

• Bait his abilities: Use quick dodges to make him waste his high-damage attacks.

• Manage Honour: Enter the fight with as much Honour as possible for a safety buffer.

How to Get More Ascendancy Skill Points in PoE 2

In Path of Exile 2, you can earn up to eight Ascendancy points. These are earned by completing multiple levels of the Trial of the Sekhemas and other trials such as the Trial of Chaos.

The Trial of the Sekhemas has four levels that scale in difficulty and require you to collect keys from high-level areas:

• Tier 1: Level 35+

• Tier 2: Level 45+

• Tier 3: Level 60+

• Tier 4: Level 75+

Alternative: The Trial of Chaos

The Trial of Chaos, found in Act 3, is a faster but riskier alternative. Unlike Sekhema, this trial inflicts Tribulations (debuffs) instead of offering both buffs and debuffs. It has 10 rooms, with bosses appearing in rooms 4, 7, and 10.

Which Trial Should You Choose?

Trial of the Sekhemas: Best for Roguelike Enjoyment

• Longer and more tactical, offering a roguelike experience.

• Rewards careful planning by letting you avoid bad afflictions.

• Allows strategic use of buffs and resources.

Trial of Chaos: Faster but Harsher

• A shorter trial with only debuffs instead of buffs.

• Faster-paced, making it ideal for players who prefer quick runs.

• Rewards aggressive gameplay, as you must power through the challenges.

Conclusion

The Trial of the Sekhemas in PoE 2 is a fantastic addition to the game's Ascendancy system, combining strategic decision-making with high-intensity combat. Whether you're navigating deadly traps, choosing the best paths, or facing off against Rattlecage the Earthbreaker, this trial will test your skills and reward you with the power you need to build an unstoppable character.

With four difficulty levels, different trial types, and a unique honor system, mastering the Trial of the Sekhemas is essential for players looking to unlock the full potential of their Ascendancy class. Choose your path wisely, stay alert, and claim your well-deserved rewards!