Choosing an Ascendancy is a crucial aspect of refining your character build in the second half of Path of Exile 2. In this intricate, action RPG influenced by Diablo, your success hinges on the effectiveness of your unique character setup (or one that you’ve discovered in an online PoE 2 guide). You’ll make decisions on everything from the class your character belongs to and the gear they equip, to the abilities they acquire and the passive bonuses that enhance all these elements. It may seem overwhelming at first, but that’s just a reflection of the game’s depth and the extensive customization options available for your character.
At some point during the second act of the game, you’ll get the chance to pick an Ascendancy class. This additional layer of character customization can be a bit confusing initially, but understanding it is essential for advancing your character’s abilities. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about acquiring and selecting an Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2.
What Are Ascendancies In Path Of Exile 2
How Ascendancies Function
In essence, an Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2 functions like a subclass. Each Ascendancy offers a set of unique skills and abilities that can only be unlocked using Ascendancy Points, which you gain through successfully overcoming various trials. While these points operate similarly to skill points—allowing you to unlock nodes on a tree—they are a distinct resource that requires effort to accumulate to access some of the most potent abilities available to your class.
As the game is currently in early access, each primary class features two specific Ascendancies, which are outlined in the table below. Additional options might be introduced before the game’s official release. If you find yourself uncertain about which to choose, examine the skills associated with each Ascendancy and select based on what aligns best with your desired PoE 2 build.
|
Class |
Ascendancies |
|---|---|
|
Sorceress |
Stormweaver, Chronomancer |
|
Warrior |
Titan, Warbringer |
|
Ranger |
Deadeye, Pathfinder |
|
Witch |
Blood Mage, Infernalist |
|
Mercenary |
Witchhunter, Gemling Legionnaire |
|
Monk |
Invoker, Acolyte of Chayula |
Despite its elaborate title, Ascendancy is relatively straightforward to grasp for anyone familiar with RPG classes. However, the nuances of unlocking and advancing this feature can be more challenging.
How To Ascend In PoE 2
The Trial Of Sekhemas
You will gain access to Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2 by completing the Trial of Sekhemas, a dungeon located in Act Two. Before this, you’ll need to defeat Balbala in Traitor’s Pass to earn Balbala’s Barya. This optional dungeon is found in The Ardura Caravan, and you’ll encounter Balbala in the Six Sisters section of the dungeon. To challenge her, you’ll first need to free her from the Prison of the Disgraced.
Balbala is a swift and agile boss, engaging you in a tight arena. Keep your dodge button handy and be ready to move when she teleports behind you. Evade her area-of-effect attacks and eliminate her summoned minions as soon as they appear. With determination, you’ll take down Balbala and acquire her Barya.
After overcoming Balbala, you will begin the quest titled “Ascent to Power.” This quest continues when you travel to the Trial of Sekhemas on the desert map and face this challenging dungeon. The key goal is to complete the entire dungeon without dying or losing all your Honor, a unique resource exclusive to this dungeon. For detailed strategies, refer to our Trial of Sekhemas guide.
Upon completing the dungeon, you’ll encounter the Altar of Ascension. Interact with it to unlock and select your Ascendancy class. As a result, you will gain two Ascendancy Points, which you can spend to activate two nodes on your chosen skill tree.
Trial Of Chaos
If you miss the Trial of Sekhemas or are simply looking for more Ascendancy Points, you can also unlock an Ascendancy by completing the Trial of Chaos in Act Three. To access this trial, you’ll need to defeat Xyclucian in the Chimeral Wetlands. After this, use the Chimeral Imbued Ultimatum you receive to unlock the Trial of Chaos in the same area. Even if you have completed the Trial of Sekhemas, you can still undertake the Trial of Chaos to acquire additional Ascendancy Points.
How To Obtain More Ascendancy Points
To further explore your selected Ascendancy skill tree, you’ll need additional Ascendancy Points. You can earn more points in PoE 2 by repeat runs of the Trial of Sekhemas and the Trial of Chaos, typically at increased difficulty and with more floors.
You can respec your Ascendancy Points at any time by speaking with the Hooded One, just like you would for regular skill points. However, note that respecing Ascendancy Points comes at a significantly higher cost.
To do this, you will need to collect additional Trial Coins to unlock the dungeons once more. These coins drop randomly in higher-level areas in the game, and there’s no known method for farming them at this time. Spend time defeating enemies and bosses in endgame zones, and a Trial Coin should drop before long.
Now that you have all the information, you’re ready to begin your Ascendancy journey. The tougher decision awaits: selecting the skills that will enhance your Path of Exile 2 build.
