Path of Exile 2 Trial of Sekhemas: Complete Guide to Bosses & Rewards
Path of Exile 2 Trial of Sekhemas Guide
Ready to face the Maraketh’s ultimate challenge? This guide will walk you through the Trial of Sekhemas in Path of Exile 2, covering everything from unlocking the trial, surviving its treacherous rooms, defeating bosses, to maximizing your rewards in both the campaign and endgame. By the end, you’ll be fully prepared to conquer the Trial and claim powerful Ascendancy rewards.
Introduction
Greetings, Exiles! The Trial of Sekhemas is one of two thrilling Ascendancy trials found during the campaign’s three acts. Completing it unlocks the Maraketh Ascendancy subclass, offering powerful abilities and progression. Even after your first completion, the trial remains a challenging endgame activity with unique rewards and a progression system built around Honor, Relics, and special bosses.
Unlocking the Trial of Sekhemas PoE 2
To access the Trial:
Act 2 Side-Quest – Speak with Shambrin at the Ardura Caravan. He will send you to locate Balbala, the Traitor, imprisoned in the Traitor’s Passage.
Find Balbala – Follow the Decree of Imprisonment pillar to locate her.
Defeat Balbala – This challenging boss fight acts as a gatekeeper to the trial.
Balbala Boss Tips:
Fire Seal – Avoid standing in burning zones left behind by her attacks.
Invisibility – Track her location quickly; a poisoned cloud fills the arena when she disappears.
Spirit Summons – Watch out for additional adds that can overwhelm you.
Knife Attacks – She plants knives in the ground and launches multiple knives simultaneously.
Defeating Balbala grants her guidance, your Trial Coin, and unlocks the Trial of Sekhemas on the map.
Trial of Sekhemas Mechanics
Honor Bar
Honor acts as a secondary health bar. Damage to your character also reduces Honor.
If Honor reaches zero, the trial fails—even if you survive.
Restore Honor via Sacred Water fountains or Honor Orbala altars.
Djinn Boons
Collect boons from altars during the trial to gain bonuses like:
Sekhema’s Cloak – Revive once with full Honor upon reaching 0 Life.
Boons can also restore a portion of lost Honor.
Rooms and Challenges
Each trial consists of 8 rooms, each with unique objectives:
Escape Trial – Disable Death Crystals under a strict time limit while avoiding enemies.
Hourglass Trial – Survive continuous enemy spawns until the timer ends.
Ritual Trial – Shut down portals by defeating the monsters keeping them active.
Gauntlet Trial – Navigate traps and monsters to reach levers.
Chalice Trial – Fill a blood chalice by defeating elite enemies.
Boss Trial – Face the end-of-floor boss, usually Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker or duo bosses Hadi and Rafq.
Keys collected in each room unlock chests at the trial’s end. Choose rooms wisely based on difficulty, rewards, and Honor restoration opportunities.
Vendors and Currency
The trial features a Djinn vendor who trades using Sacred Water, a currency earned during runs. Items include:
Honor restoration
Additional boons
Debuff removal
Decide whether to spend Sacred Water on survival items or save it for key rewards.
Endgame Progression
Post-campaign, the trial expands into four floors with escalating challenges:
Each floor contains new rooms and mechanics.
Defeat bosses at the end of each floor for unique Relics and rewards.
Higher-level coins unlock new floors and tougher enemies.
Relics
Relics are items placed on the Relic Altar before starting a run. They grant special bonuses such as:
Reduced damage taken
Increased rewards
Additional Honor
Boss-specific effects
Examples:
Last Flame Incense Relic – Increases difficulty but guarantees drop of Temporalis from the final boss.
Plentiful Tapestry Relic of the Vanguard – Reduces boss damage and increases vendor options.
Seal Relic of Affluence – Small chance to double Sacred Water drops.
Annihilating Coffer Relic of Empowerment – Monsters deal more damage but restore Honor after boss kills.
Relics can be customized using currency like Orb of Augmentation for tailored strategies.
Trial Rewards
Upon defeating the trial boss:
Ascendancy Skill Points (first completion)
Keys for chests containing:
Bronze Cache
Silver Cache
Gold Cache
Special caches like Hoarder, Armour, Arcanist’s, or Mysterious Cache
Unique jewels for your passive tree
Endgame trials also offer rare Relics, crafting materials, and unique items like Temporalis.
Conclusion
The Trial of Sekhemas is the Maraketh Ascendancy trial that tests both skill and strategy. Honor management, room selection, boons, and relics are all crucial to success. Whether in the campaign or endgame, understanding the mechanics and optimizing your approach will ensure victory and unlock powerful rewards.
F.A.Q. Trial of Sekhemas PoE 2
What are the Trials of Sekhemas?
Ascendancy trials testing skill with unique mechanics like Honor, Djinn Boons, and complex rooms, culminating in bosses and rewards.
How to start the Trial of Sekhemas?
Trap a Djinn’s soul in a coin via the Act 2 side-quest and place it in the Relic Altar.
What rewards can you get?
Ascendancy skill points, unique jewels, chest keys, Relics, and endgame boss items like Temporalis.
How does Honor work?
Honor is a secondary health bar. If depleted, the trial fails. Restore it via Sacred Water or Honor Orbala altars.
What are Relics?
Special items providing bonuses like damage reduction, added rewards, or Honor restoration. Placed on the Relic Altar at the trial start, some unique Relics are consumed after use.