Path of Exile 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Path of Exile (PoE), a game that has become synonymous with deep character customization, complex mechanics, and an ever-expanding universe of monsters to defeat and loot to collect. One of the key features that Path of Exile is known for—and will undoubtedly be a cornerstone of Poe 2 trade—is the Ascendancy system.

Ascendancy is a pivotal feature in PoE that allows players to choose a specialized class that further refines their build, providing powerful bonuses, new abilities, and unique playstyles. It represents the pinnacle of character progression and offers an exciting avenue for min-maxing your character to fit a particular role or strategy. This guide will walk you through the Ascendancy system in Path of Exile 2, explaining how it works, how to ascend, and how to choose the best ascendancy for your build.

What Is Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2?

Ascendancy is a character progression system in Path of Exile (and Path of Exile 2) that lets you specialize in one of several sub-classes within the main class you've chosen at the start of the game. This system is tied to the Ascendancy skill tree, a special set of passive skills that unlock after you've completed certain story milestones.

In Path of Exile 2, Ascendancy will likely follow a similar structure to that of PoE 1, where players will make their choice after a key point in the story. Upon ascending, you'll gain access to powerful new passive nodes that significantly enhance your character's abilities, and in many cases, change the way you approach combat and skills. These subclasses provide both a mechanical and thematic identity to your character, often reflecting your character's alignment with a specific philosophy or deity in the game's universe.

Ascendancy Mechanics in Path of Exile 2

In Path of Exile 2, you'll progress through the standard passive skill tree until you reach a point in the game where Ascendancy becomes available. To ascend, you'll need to:

Complete the Story Progression: After reaching a certain point in the game (likely the final act of the game's first part or chapter), you will be able to access Ascendancy content. Much like in the original PoE, this may involve completing an end-game boss fight or a series of quests.

Access the Ascendancy Trials: As in the first game, you'll need to go through the Ascendancy Trials, which are a series of challenges that test your combat prowess and ability to handle specific in-game mechanics. These trials will be scattered across the world of Path of Exile 2, and completing them will unlock different Ascendancy choices.

Choose an Ascendancy Path: After completing the trials, you'll choose your Ascendancy class. This will grant you access to new passive nodes, as well as a unique skill or modifier that drastically changes how your character plays.

Ascend and Receive Bonuses: Once you choose your Ascendancy subclass, you'll unlock additional skill points in the Ascendancy tree, and your character's abilities will become more refined and focused on a specific combat style. You may also receive access to powerful abilities or bonuses that complement your existing build.

How to Ascend in Path of Exile 2: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the basic concept of Ascendancy, let's take a deeper dive into how to ascend your character in Path of Exile 2.

Step 1: Complete the Main Storyline

Before you can ascend, you must first complete the primary story content. In Path of Exile 2, this will involve progressing through the game's acts, which will eventually lead you to the point where Ascendancy becomes available. Once you finish the primary acts of the game, you'll enter the final stages where Ascendancy choices are unlocked.

In the first Path of Exile game, the Ascendancy trials were unlocked after completing the story up to the end of Act 10, with Path of Exile 2 likely following a similar path.

Step 2: Locate the Ascendancy Trials

The next step is to find the Ascendancy Trials. These trials are often scattered across the world, and each one has its own unique challenges that you must overcome. These trials may involve combat challenges, environmental hazards, or puzzles that require quick thinking.

Key Aspects of the Trials:

Challenge-based: Ascendancy trials are designed to test your understanding of the game mechanics and your ability to survive tough combat scenarios.

Location-specific: Each trial will be located in different regions of the game world, so be sure to buy POE 2 Chaos Orbs consult your journal for locations or follow the main quest markers that guide you toward these areas.

Increased Difficulty: The trials will progressively get harder as you go deeper into the game, so make sure your character is adequately leveled and equipped before attempting them.