Trial of the Sekhemas – Path of Exile 2 Guide
Key Takeaways:
- The Trial of the Sekhemas is critical for character ascension and unlocking powerful mechanics, but it’s brutally challenging.
- Success depends on proper preparation, understanding the Honour system, and mastering stage mechanics.
- Balbala and Rattlecage are formidable opponents, but with the right strategies, you can overcome them to ascend to greater power.
The Trial of the Sekhemas is a monumental milestone in Path of Exile 2. This grueling challenge serves as a gateway to your character’s ascension, offering game-changing benefits that can elevate your build to new heights. However, the trial is no cakewalk. It requires mastering intricate mechanics, navigating deadly traps, and overcoming powerful enemies all while managing a unique “Honour” system that serves as both your lifeline and your downfall. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down every step you need to take to conquer the Trial of the Sekhemas, from preparation to defeating Balbala and Rattlecage.
Preparing for the Trial of the Sekhemas
Before diving headfirst into the trial, preparation is key. Even with a solid build, the challenge demands precise planning and strategic thinking.
Unlocking the Trial
The journey begins by defeating Balbala, the Traitor, located in the Prison of the Disgraced in Traitor’s Passage. You’ll notice paper seals lining the walls of the passage follow them to reach Balbala’s chamber. To free her, you must remove her bindings, which triggers an intense boss fight.
Balbala isn’t your average foe; she uses teleportation, deadly knife attacks, and a poison cloud that lingers until you find her location in the arena. After defeating her, you’ll acquire Balbala’s Barya, the key to unlocking the Trial of the Sekhemas. Note that this coin is a quest item, granting unlimited retries for your first attempt. Future attempts will require additional tokens that are consumed on use.
Level and Gear Recommendations
- Ensure your character is around level 22 to match the enemies within the trial.
- Focus on building survivability and damage output. Consider skills that enhance mobility, such as Flame Dash or Leap Slam, to navigate traps and avoid taking unnecessary hits.
- Equip Relics that enhance your ability to manage Honour, such as those with stats like:
- Honour Resistance
- % Maximum Honour
Relics are crucial as they can significantly reduce the risk of failure, particularly for melee builds or first-time runners.
Understanding the Honour System
The Honour system is the backbone of the Trial of the Sekhemas. Unlike your Life pool, Honour cannot be restored with flasks. Starting with 646 Honour, you’ll lose a portion each time you take damage. If Honour hits zero, the trial is over, regardless of your remaining Life.
Honour acts as a secondary health bar, but it’s arguably more critical. Every hit you take be it from traps, poison, or enemies reduces Honour, so minimizing damage is paramount. Strategies like keeping your Honour above 400+ before the final boss fight against Rattlecage can ensure a safer run.
Navigating Trial Mechanics
The Trial of the Sekhemas consists of seven randomized rooms followed by a climactic boss fight. Each room presents unique challenges, rewards, and penalties, making decision-making critical.
Types of Rooms
- Escape Trials: Timed challenges where you must activate crystals to proceed. Failing to do so within the timer results in heavy Honour loss.
- Gauntlet Trials: Combat-focused rooms filled with enemies. You’ll need to eliminate foes and activate levers to unlock the exit.
- Ritual Trials: Destroy ritual casters to stop their magic and advance. These can become overwhelming if not handled quickly.
- Hourglass Trials: A survival mode where you must endure waves of enemies until the timer expires.
- Portal Trials: Monsters continuously spawn from portals. Your goal is to destroy the portals to stop the flow of enemies.
Stage Prioritization
To maximize your chances of success, focus on the following room types in order of importance:
- Honour Replenishment: Rooms with fountains or merchants that restore Honour are top priority.
- Sacred Water Fountains: Safe stages without debuffs offer Sacred Water, which can be spent at merchants.
- Merchant Rooms: Merchants trade Sacred Water for buffs or Honour replenishment.
- Key Rewards: Stages offering Bronze, Silver, or Gold keys for treasure at the trial’s end.
Avoid Debuff Stages at all costs, as they impose lasting penalties that can ruin your run.
Boss Battles
How to Beat Balbala the Traitor
Balbala is a fast-paced boss who keeps you on your toes with her unpredictable movements and powerful attacks. Key strategies include:
- Constant Movement: Balbala’s poison clouds and knife attacks make staying stationary a death sentence.
- Watch for Teleports: When she disappears, quickly locate her to avoid surprise attacks.
- Dodge AoE Abilities: Look out for spinning fire tornadoes and glowing knife barrages.
Once defeated, she drops the coin needed to enter the Trial of the Sekhemas.
How to Beat Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker
Rattlecage is the final test of your skills. This massive boss uses slow but devastating attacks, making positioning crucial.
Key Mechanics to Watch For:
- Ground Punch: Rattlecage smashes the ground, creating small explosions of lava.
- Lava Cracks: His second punch splits the ground, releasing lava that burns anyone caught in it.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Lava-spewing volcanoes can limit movement and trap you in dangerous areas.
- Lava Rain: At 50% health, lava begins raining from the sky. Since there are no visual indicators, constant movement is essential to avoid damage.
Winning Strategy:
- Keep your distance and focus on long-range attacks if possible.
- Use the arena’s layout to kite Rattlecage and stay out of his reach.
- Manage your Honour carefully having 400+ Honour left when entering this fight will give you a buffer for mistakes.
Ascension and Rewards
Successfully defeating Rattlecage grants you access to the Altar of Ascendancies, where you can choose between two Ascension classes to boost your character’s abilities. Each Ascension path opens new skill points and powerful bonuses that can transform your build.
To gain more Ascendancy skill points, you can repeat the Trial of the Sekhemas. Each subsequent run increases in difficulty, adding new floors and challenges. Remember, failing a trial means losing the token, so plan your attempts carefully.
FAQ Section
Q: What level should I be to attempt the Trial of the Sekhemas?
A: Level 22 is recommended to match the enemies in the trial.
Q: How do I get more tokens for the Trial of the Sekhemas?
A: Tokens can be earned through gameplay, drops, or specific quests.
Q: What happens if I lose all my Honour during the trial?
A: Losing all Honour results in instant failure, regardless of your remaining Life.
Q: Can I retry the trial if I fail?
A: Yes, but you’ll need another token for subsequent attempts.
Q: Are melee builds viable for the trial?
A: Yes, but melee builds may face more challenges due to traps and the Honour system. Using mobility skills and equipping Honour-boosting Relics is recommended.
