The Test of Cunning Barya in Path of Exile 2 is a rigorous challenge that pushes both skill and strategy. Even experienced players fall into classic pitfalls that threaten their success.
1. Rushing Through Traps and Hazards
Mistake:
Charging ahead without learning trap patterns leads to frequent Honour loss and failed runs.
How to Avoid:
Take time to observe and memorize the timing and placement of traps such as fire plates, quicksand, and moving blades.
Use movement skills like Leap Slam or Blink to cross hazardous zones with precision.
Practice patience—go slow on first attempts to minimize unnecessary losses.
2. Ignoring Honour Management
Mistake:
Neglecting the Honour meter or forgetting to restore it at fountains and rest points can abruptly end your run.
How to Avoid:
Treat Honour as a critical secondary health bar.
Prioritize routes that offer Honour fountains or restoration opportunities.
Heal Honour frequently, especially after hazardous rooms or before the boss fight.
3. Poor Relic and Boon Selection
Mistake:
Randomly picking relics and boons without considering your build or the gauntlet’s dangers reduces survivability and flexibility.
How to Avoid:
Choose relics that enhance movement, Honour recovery, or trap damage mitigation.
Prioritize boons that fit your weaknesses (for example, more mobility if you struggle with traps).
Plan your relic and boon strategy before and during each run.
4. Overlooking Route and Room Planning
Mistake:
Taking overly risky routes or entering rooms stacked with harmful afflictions and hazards.
How to Avoid:
Assess every floor and plan a path that maximizes safety while offering boons and Honour restoration.
Avoid unnecessary affliction stacking and dangerous modifiers.
Have a backup plan for safe retreats or alternative routes.
5. Engaging Enemies Recklessly
Mistake:
Fighting mobs and bosses without regard for positioning, resulting in unnecessary Honour and health loss.
How to Avoid:
Use ranged skills or hit-and-run tactics to deal with enemies safely.
During boss encounters (like Ashar the Sand Mother), focus on constant movement and learn attack patterns.
Clear add waves quickly with area-of-effect skills, and only commit to sustained damage when it’s safe.
6. Failing to Adapt to Setbacks
Mistake:
Repeating the same failed strategies or not adjusting gear, skills, or tactics after losses.
How to Avoid:
Treat each run as an opportunity to learn trap layouts and enemy patterns.
Adjust your build, skills, or relics based on observed weaknesses.
Don’t hesitate to respec passive points or swap out skills between attempts.
7. Neglecting Mobility and Honour Resistance
Mistake:
Entering the trial without sufficient movement options or Honour resistance on gear.
How to Avoid:
Equip and upgrade gear enhancing movement speed and Honour resistance.
Always have at least one reliable movement skill on your hotbar.
By recognizing and actively avoiding these common pitfalls, you can dramatically increase your odds of conquering the Test of Cunning Barya. Focus on strategy, resource management, and adaptability—those who do become true masters of the trial.