Ascendancy Trials in Path of Exile 2 serve as gateways to subclass power, replacing PoE 1's labyrinths with flexible, randomized dungeons accessed via quest keys in Acts 2 and 3. Sekhemas emphasizes Honour management through multi-floor clears, while Chaos focuses on escalating Tribulations in the Trialmaster's temple. Beyond campaign versions, endgame iterations scale with level requirements, unlocking all 8 ascendancy points for specialized passive trees that define builds.
Trial of the Sekhemas Breakdown
Found in Act 2's Traitor's Passage via Balbala's Barya quest, this trial uses a Djinn Barya key for entry. Navigate 1-4 floors of rooms like Rituals (clear enemies and summons), Hourglasses (survive timed waves), Escapes (disable Death Crystals), Chalices (boss rushes), and Gauntlets (speed endurance). Honour mechanic governs success: gain from kills (especially rares), lose on damage—zero Honour fails the run. Boons buff survival, afflictions curse, and keys unlock end treasures like Vaal Orbs. First clear unlocks your ascendancy (e.g., Warrior to Titan) with 2 points; level 60+ keys (3 floors) grant points 5-6.
Trial of Chaos Mechanics
Act 3's Vaal Jungle hides the Temple of Chaos, where Trialmaster provides Chimeral Inscribed Ultimatums as keys. No Honour here—instead, endure 7-10+ rounds of modifiers scaling enemy power, bosses, and choices. Pick safe Tribulations early (e.g., avoid damage amps), prioritize adds, and use Trialmaster trades for buffs. Randomized bosses demand kiting: Rattlecage earth slams, Xyclucian breaths, scorpion tails. Base clears yield points 3-4; level 75+ Ultimatums (10 rounds) or pinnacle fates deliver 5-8 points. Flexible for skipping Sekhemas, though early power favors Act 2.
Progression to All 8 Points
Combine trials: Sekhemas first (points 1-2), Chaos second (3-4), then higher tiers interchangeably. Endgame drops yield advanced keys—area level dictates viability. Cap at 8 points; allocate into notables for DPS, tankiness, or utility like Ancestral Empowerment. Parties share Honour/revives, easing solos.
Key Differences and Tips
Sekhemas suits sustain builds farming Honour in Rituals; Chaos favors burst for quick Tribs. Overlevel 5-10, stack chaos resist 50%+, leech, and mobility. Reset bad RNG, flask constantly, path maps left-to-right. Relics from merchants boost Honour gain.