How to Unlock Ascendancy Classes In Path of Exile 2

In Path of Exile 2, Ascendancy classes act as powerful subclasses, allowing each character type to specialize in unique playstyles. These Ascendancies provide access to skills and passives that significantly enhance your build, adding depth and variety to character customization.

Unlocking an Ascendancy class isn’t as simple as allocating Passive Skill Points—it requires completing specific tasks to earn this critical upgrade. The skills and bonuses tied to Ascendancies often result in substantial power spikes, making them a key milestone in your progression.

In this guide, we’ll explain the steps you need to follow to unlock your first Ascendancy class and start unleashing its full potential. Let’s dive in!

How to Unlock an Ascendancy Class in Path of Exile 2

To unlock your first Ascendancy class in Path of Exile 2, you’ll need to complete the Trial of the Sekhemas in Act 2. Before accessing the trial, however, you must defeat Balbala, a formidable boss located in Traitor’s Passage, which leads to the Halani Gates.

Defeating Balbala

Balbala is a challenging encounter, especially for under-geared characters. If you’re struggling to defeat her, consider progressing further into Act 2 to collect stronger gear and allocate additional skill points. Once you’re better prepared, return to her location and take her down more easily.

Trial of the Sekhemas

The Trial of the Sekhemas is a gauntlet-style challenge filled with hazards and traps designed to test your skill and patience. Within the trial, you’ll encounter:
• Debuff-inflicting rooms: These weaken your character temporarily, adding another layer of difficulty.
• Honour bar: Acting as a secondary health bar, your Honour decreases with each hit taken. If it’s depleted, you’ll fail the trial and need to start over.

Successfully completing the trial grants access to a reward room containing valuable chests, which can be unlocked using keys found during the challenge. The most important reward, however, is the altar located at the end of the trial. Interacting with the altar unlocks your first Ascendancy class and grants two Ascendancy Points, enabling access to specialized and powerful passive skills.

Preparation Tips for the Trial

To increase your chances of success:
• Farm better gear: Focus on improving your character’s survivability and damage output before attempting the trial.
• Upgrade your skills: Allocate Passive Skill Points to key areas that enhance your build’s strengths.
• Stock up on flasks: Having enough healing and utility flasks can make a big difference in surviving the trial’s challenges.

Completing the Trial of the Sekhemas is a major milestone in Path of Exile 2, unlocking your character’s Ascendancy class and providing access to game-changing upgrades. With preparation and persistence, you’ll conquer the trial and take your build to the next level.

How to Earn More Ascendancy Points in Path of Exile 2

After obtaining your first two Ascendancy Points from the Trial of the Sekhemas, you can earn two more by completing the Trial of Chaos in Act 3. To access this trial, you’ll need an Ultimatum, a special item similar to Balbala’s Barya. The first Ultimatum drops from Xyclucian the Chimera, the area boss of the Chimeral Wetlands.

Trial of Chaos Overview

The Trial of Chaos is a more challenging variant of the Trial of the Sekhemas, with some key differences:
• No Honour Bar: Unlike the previous trial, you won’t have to manage an Honour bar, allowing you to focus entirely on surviving and clearing enemies.
• Linear Progression: The trial features straightforward paths without branching routes, making navigation simpler.
• Room Rewards: Each room offers rewards, which you can claim after completing the trial or by surrendering at specific checkpoints.

Completing the Trial of Chaos for the first time grants you an additional two Ascendancy Points, further unlocking the power of your Ascendancy class.

How to Earn Even More Ascendancy Points

Once you’ve completed the main trials on Normal Difficulty, you can earn additional Ascendancy Points by finishing them again on Cruel Difficulty, unlocked after completing the first three acts of Path of Exile 2. This provides a total of four additional points to further enhance your build.

Note that as Path of Exile 2 continues development, these mechanics may be subject to change in future updates.

Mastering these trials is crucial for maximizing the potential of your Ascendancy class. Prepare thoroughly, improve your gear, and take on these challenges to unleash the full power of your character.

Conclusion

Unlocking Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2 is a pivotal step in maximizing your character’s potential. The process, from defeating Balbala in Traitor’s Passage to completing the Trial of the Sekhemas, tests your preparation and skill, rewarding you with powerful upgrades that dramatically enhance your build.

By unlocking your Ascendancy class and earning Ascendancy Points, you gain access to specialized passives that can define your playstyle and make your character significantly stronger. With proper preparation and persistence, these trials become milestones in your journey through Wraeclast, setting the foundation for even greater challenges ahead.