All Trial of the Sekhemas Challenges and Rewards in Path of Exile 2
Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved action RPG Path of Exile, introduces many new features, mechanics, and challenges to keep the players engaged. One of the most intriguing additions in the new game is the Trial of the Sekhemas—a set of challenges that not only push the limits of your skills but also offer valuable rewards for those who can conquer them. These trials are part of the endgame content in PoE 2, offering a series of progressively difficult encounters that are tied to the broader narrative of the Sekhemas, an ancient and mysterious order in the game's lore.
In this guide, we will dive deep into all the Trial of the Sekhemas challenges, explaining the mechanics of each trial, what you'll face, and the rewards you can earn by completing them. Whether you're a veteran of the original Path of Exile or a new player entering the PoE 2 world, understanding these trials is essential to progressing through the game and unlocking some of the best loot in the game.
What Is the Trial of the Sekhemas?
The Trial of the Sekhemas is a series of progressively difficult trial challenges that players will encounter as they progress through Path of Exile 2. These challenges test both your combat prowess and your understanding of the game's mechanics, requiring not just gear and item strength but also strategic thinking, quick reflexes, and adaptability.
These trials are divided into different stages or tiers, with each stage presenting unique challenges that require you to overcome various environmental hazards, combat scenarios, and enemy waves. The Sekhemas themselves are part of the overarching storyline, related to an ancient civilization whose knowledge and power can be harnessed by players who succeed in the trials.
How to Unlock the Trial of the Sekhemas
The Trial of the Sekhemas is typically unlocked as you advance through the main storyline in Path of Exile 2. You will encounter the trial mechanics after reaching a specific point in the game, usually involving an encounter with an NPC or a quest that opens up the challenge gates. Once unlocked, the Sekhemas trials become part of your endgame activities, offering a continuous stream of increasingly difficult challenges to tackle.
While the precise requirements to unlock the trials may vary with updates, the general process is as follows:
Progress through the main storyline until the relevant quest or NPC is introduced.
Complete introductory trial challenges to learn the basics of Sekhemas mechanics.
Engage in higher-tier trials as you grow stronger.
All Trial of the Sekhemas Challenges
The Trial of the Sekhemas challenges are not simple skirmishes-they are multifaceted encounters that test different aspects of your character's strength, including gear, skill, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Below, we'll break down each challenge, its mechanics, and the type of rewards it offers.
1. Trial of the Sekhemat: The Path of Endurance
The first challenge in the Sekhemas trials is focused on endurance. This challenge requires players to endure waves of enemies in a set time while dealing with specific environmental hazards. The mechanics of this trial test your ability to avoid traps, manage your health and energy shields, and deal with the pressure of multiple enemies coming at you from all directions.
Key Mechanics:
Waves of enemies that progressively increase in number and strength.
Environmental hazards like spikes, traps, and timed events.
Limited healing options, forcing you to manage your resources carefully.
Reward:
Completion of this trial unlocks the Sekhemas Reward Chest, which may contain rare POE 2 Currency items, gems, and a Tier 1 Sekhemas Ring that boosts your elemental resistances.
2. Trial of the Sekhem: The Path of Wisdom
This challenge is designed to test your knowledge of the game's mechanics, puzzles, and strategy. In the Trial of the Sekhem, you'll encounter a series of puzzles or obstacles that require you to use specific gear, flask abilities, or mechanics to solve. It could involve finding the right items to interact with, activating switches, or surviving timed sections with specific conditions.
Key Mechanics:
Puzzle mechanics that require you to use in-game tools and items creatively.
Timed puzzles that add pressure and require quick thinking.
Special interactions with the environment that test your adaptability.
Reward:
A Sekhemas Amulet that provides additional bonus stats to resistances, or a gem socket slot for one of your skill gems, allowing more customization for your build.
Rare alchemy orbs that can help craft your gear.
3. Trial of the Sekhemka: The Path of Reflection
The Path of Reflection is a challenge that involves facing off against enemies who reflect damage or abilities back at you. This trial introduces mirror mechanics, where enemies can copy your actions or abilities, requiring you to adapt your strategy and playstyle to avoid being overwhelmed.
Key Mechanics:
Enemies that reflect spell damage, physical damage, or both.
Limited mana regen and flask cooldowns, making resource management essential.
Mirror-like environmental mechanics where certain actions cause the environment to mirror your moves.
Reward:
A Sekhemas Shield that grants increased block chance or damage reduction, offering defensive utility for those who survive this challenging encounter.
Divination Cards that offer a chance to earn high-tier items, such as cheap POE 2 Exalted Orbs.
4. Trial of Sekhmet: The Path of Purity
The Path of Purity trial requires players to cleanse the area from a pervasive poison or disease that contaminates the environment. This trial challenges players to avoid poison clouds, dispel curses, and navigate areas filled with hazardous effects. The difficulty lies not just in combat but also in managing your exposure to debuffs.
Key Mechanics:
Poison clouds, curses, and other environmental debuffs that diminish your stats or health.
A focus on keeping cleanse abilities or purity-based affixes on your gear.
Requires players to avoid debuff areas while managing hordes of enemies.
Reward:
A Sekhemas Ring of Purity, which grants resistance to poison or curses.
A special gem related to elemental purity or debuff removal, adding utility for certain builds.
5. Trial of Sekhmara: The Path of Destruction
In this trial, players face off against massive waves of enemies, but what sets this trial apart is the environment itself. The Path of Destruction takes place in an area filled with destructive hazards, like firestorms, earthquakes, and falling debris. To survive, players must not only be able to withstand large amounts of damage but also adapt quickly to constantly changing conditions.
Key Mechanics:
Constant environmental hazards like falling rocks, fireballs, and earthquakes that deal massive damage.
Timing your movements and positioning is essential to avoid damage from the environment.
Requires high movement speed and defensive skills to survive.
Reward:
A Sekhemas Cloak of Shadows that grants you increased movement speed and dodge chance.
A special Sekhemas Key, which opens high-tier endgame content or leads to exclusive loot areas.
6. Trial of Sekhmetar: The Final Trial
The final trial, Sekhmetar, is a culmination of everything you've learned and experienced in the previous trials. This challenge involves multiple mechanics—ranging from combat prowess to puzzle-solving to avoiding deadly environmental hazards. It's designed for seasoned players, and you'll need to use every trick at your disposal to survive.
Key Mechanics:
A multi-phase encounter that includes combat against Sekhemas Guardians, environmental hazards, and timed puzzles.
Requires excellent management of resource pools (health, mana, and flasks) and quick reflexes to counter enemy attacks.
Final waves have boss encounters that may test specific build mechanics.
Reward:
Legendary Sekhemas Armor that gives you a substantial boost to your defensive stats and global resistances.
The rare Sekhemas Artifact, an item that unlocks an exclusive skill tree or passive bonuses in the game.
Conclusion
The Trial of the Sekhemas in Path of Exile 2 is one of the most challenging and rewarding endgame activities in the game. These trials not only test your combat abilities but also your understanding of the game's mechanics, your gear choices, and your adaptability. With multiple layers of difficulty, each trial presents a unique challenge, culminating in the Sekhemas Artifact as the ultimate reward for those who can conquer all the trials.
Completing these challenges is not only a test of skill but also a rewarding experience for players who want to push their builds to the limit and earn some of the most powerful items in the game. If you're ready for the challenge, dive into the Trial of the Sekhemas, and prepare yourself for a journey of epic proportions.