Unlocking Ascension Classes in Path of Exile 2: A Complete Guide

As you set foot on the sandy shores at the beginning of Path of Exile 2, your journey of character progression instantly begins. Through scavenging for enhanced gear and acquiring Skill Gems, your character’s capabilities will grow continuously through gameplay.

Among the myriad ways to evolve your character, unlocking an Ascension Class stands out as a pivotal moment. This aspect of gameplay distinctly influences how your character develops and plays during the latter stages of the game.

Each character class in Path of Exile 2 offers two unique Ascendancy options, available during the early access phase. Your choice of Ascendancy will fundamentally shape your character’s build, affecting gameplay all the way to the endgame.

When you unlock an Ascension class, you gain access to a fresh set of passive abilities and skills, setting the foundation for your character’s evolution.

It is worth noting that the process of selecting an Ascendancy Class is not immediate. In this guide, we delve into the intricacies of Ascension classes and the steps required to unlock them in Path of Exile 2.

Understanding Ascension Classes in Path of Exile 2

Ascension classes serve to enhance your character’s specialization in Path of Exile 2. These classes provide unique abilities and skills, allowing for a more tailored gameplay experience.

For instance, if you choose the Warrior class, you can select from two Ascendancies: The Titan and The Warbringer. The Titan focuses on augmenting damage and health, while The Warbringer is designed to significantly boost defensive capabilities.

It’s crucial to note that selecting one Ascendancy restricts access to the skills of the other class. This contrasts with the early game experience in Path of Exile 2, where players can freely explore and utilize different class skills and passive abilities. Once you choose an Ascendancy, your abilities will be confined to that class.

Upon ascending, players will be able to unlock various abilities unique to their selected Ascension class. These choices will likely lay the groundwork for your endgame setup, influencing which skills and equipment you select.

Thus, the decision to choose an Ascension class is significant, as it can redefine the trajectory of your character in Path of Exile 2.

To unlock Ascension abilities, you will need to gain Ascendancy Points, which can be earned by completing Trials within the game. Currently, the early access phase limits the number of Ascendancy Points a character can collect, although future updates may modify this restriction.

For an exhaustive overview of all class Ascendancies, refer to the table below:

Class	Ascendancies
Warrior	The Titan, The Warbringer
Witch	Infernalist, Bloodmage
Monk	Invoker, Acolyte of Chayula
Sorceress	Stormweaver, Chronomancer
Ranger	Deadeye, Pathfinder
Mercenary	Witchhunter, Gemling Legionnaire

Unlocking Your Ascension Class

The gateway to unlocking your Ascension class in Path of Exile 2 is through completing specific Trials. In the early access phase, you have access to two Trials: the Trial of Sekhemas and the Trial of Chaos.

The Trial of Sekhemas directly leads to your Ascension class selection, while the Trial of Chaos offers opportunities to earn additional Ascendancy Points.

You can initiate the Trial of Sekhemas while progressing through Act 2 during the “Ascent to Power”quest, after defeating the Balbala, the Traitor boss.

If you encounter difficulties defeating Balbala, rest assured that you can advance through Act 2 without initially defeating him. Strengthening your character through subsequent encounters can prepare you for a later attempt to conquer the boss and unlock the Trial of Sekhemas.

Navigating the Trial of Sekhemas

During the “Ascent to Power”quest, your task will be to finish the Trial of Sekhemas, which entails navigating through a dungeon filled with enemies and a formidable final boss.

A key element of the Trial of Sekhemas is managing a resource known as Honor. Starting with a full gauge, if your Honor depletes entirely, your character dies, forcing a restart of the trial.

This Trial features permadeath elements; once you die, there are no checkpoints for respawning.

Your most significant threat within the trial is the potential loss of Honor. This resource diminishes every time you sustain damage, though the decrease is gradual.

You can enhance your chances by equipping a Relic at the start, which can mitigate Honor loss. Other items may also assist in preserving your Honor during the trial.

To maximize your chances of success, it’s crucial to avoid damage whenever possible. Steer clear of combat situations unless absolutely necessary, as the dungeons can be overcrowded with enemies, posing a constant challenge.

The first floor of the Trial comprises various rooms, and each time you enter a new area, you’ll need to strategize your next move using a map. Movements can be left, right, or even diagonally to adjacent rooms.

Upon reaching the end of the first floor, you will confront a boss. Defeating this final opponent grants you the ability to select your Ascension class from an altar. Remember, this choice is irreversible and should be made with careful consideration.

Once you have cleared the first floor, you can continue navigating through the remainder of the Trial of Sekhemas. Completing the entire trial is essential for progressing beyond and unlocking further challenges in Path of Exile 2. Successful navigation will reward you with valuable items and offers practice with your new Ascension class.

The Trial of Chaos becomes accessible in Act 3, granting you opportunities to utilize the Ascendancy Points you’ve earned earlier.

Source & Images