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Direct answers
How many points and how?
You can earn a maximum of 8 Ascendancy Points, granted in four pairs of 2. Each pair comes from completing one of the two Trials of Ascendancy. Either trial alone can grant all 8 points - you are not forced to do both.
Which trial first?
The Trial of Sekhemas unlocks in Act 2 after defeating Balbala in Traitor's Passage. The Trial of Chaos unlocks in Act 3 after defeating Xyclucian in the Chimeral Wetlands. Pick whichever you reach first; many players find Chaos smoother for the early points.
What changes after Act 3?
Points 5-6 need a level 60+ Djinn Barya (Sekhemas, 3 floors) or a 10-room Inscribed Ultimatum (Chaos). Points 7-8 need a level 75+ Djinn Barya with 4 floors plus Zarokh, or a 10-room Ultimatum plus three Fate fragments and the Trialmaster.
Trial system at a glance
Sekhemas vs Chaos
The two trials share the same reward ladder but play nothing alike. Choose based on your build's strengths.
A Sanctum-style gauntlet built around a separate Honour bar that drains whenever you take damage.
- Unlocked in Act 2: defeat Balbala, the Traitor in Traitor's Passage to get Balbala's Barya (a quest item with unlimited retries).
- Honour is a second health bar; if it hits 0 you fail even at full life. Manage Honour, not your life pool.
- Rooms include trap gauntlets, blood chalices, death crystals, mirror trials, and hourglass survival waves.
- Relics (chosen before the run) add buffs; prioritise Honour Resistance, Maximum Honour, and movement speed.
- Final bosses scale by floor: Rattlecage (floor 1) up to Zarokh, the Temporal (floor 4 on a 75+ Barya).
- Best for high-mobility, evasion, and ranged builds that avoid hits.
The 8-point ladder
Either trial alone can provide all 8 points. The right column shows the requirement for that point pair in each trial.
| Points | When | Trial of Sekhemas | Trial of Chaos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 2 | Act 2 / first trial | Defeat Balbala, use Barya, clear floor (Rattlecage) | Defeat Xyclucian, use Ultimatum, clear 4 rooms (Scourge of the Skies) |
| 3 - 4 | Act 3 / first endgame | Clear 7 rooms | Clear 7 rooms |
| 5 - 6 | Endgame (level 60+) | Djinn Barya, 3 floors | Inscribed Ultimatum, 10 rooms |
| 7 - 8 | Endgame (level 75+) | Djinn Barya, 4 floors + defeat Zarokh, the Temporal | Inscribed Ultimatum, 10 rooms + 3 Fate fragments + defeat the Trialmaster |
Campaign Barya and Ultimatum are quest items and can be retried infinitely. Endgame Djinn Baryas and Inscribed Ultimatums are tradeable but consumed on use - failing an endgame run destroys the key.
Where every key drops
Each trial is opened by a specific item. Here is where to get every version.
Balbala's Barya
Drops from Balbala, the Traitor in Traitor's Passage. A quest item, so it never disappears and can be retried until you ascend.
Chimeral Inscribed Ultimatum
Drops from Xyclucian, the Chimera in the Chimeral Wetlands. Also a quest item with unlimited retries.
Djinn Barya (level 60+ / 75+)
Found in level 60+ (3 floors) and 75+ (4 floors) zones. Tradeable, but consumed on use - a failed run loses the key.
Inscribed Ultimatum (10 rooms)
Found in level 75+ zones. Tradeable and consumed on use. Reaching 10 rooms unlocks points 5-6 and the Trialmaster path.
Fate fragments
Cowardly Fate (Uxmal, the Beastlord), Deadly Fate (Bahlak, the Sky Seer), Victorious Fate (Chetza, the Feathered Plague). Hold all three to challenge the Trialmaster for points 7-8.
Stuck on a trial?
Select your trial and the problem you are hitting. The tool gives the fix.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to do both trials?
No. Either the Trial of Sekhemas or the Trial of Chaos can grant all 8 points on its own. Most players specialise in the one their build handles better.
What happens if I fail an endgame trial?
Endgame Djinn Baryas and Inscribed Ultimatums are consumed on use, so a failed run destroys the key. You must farm or trade for another. Campaign quest keys are safe to retry forever.
Is there an Honour resistance cap?
Yes - 75%, mirroring the normal resistance cap. Reaching it dramatically improves Sekhemas survivability.
Which trial is easier for the first 4 points?
Many players report the Trial of Chaos as smoother for points 3-4 because it uses your normal health bar. Sekhemas favours mobile, hit-avoiding builds.
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