Trials of Sekhemas is arguably one of the most challenging parts of Path of Exile 2. It features a system similar to the Forbidden Sanctum mechanic in PoE 1. The Trials and Boons are randomized per run, so gamers must optimize their choices to ensure they reach the end and get rewards. Here are the best and easiest ways to increase your chances of completing a Trial of Sekhemas runs.
Essential Tips for Sekhemas Info
- Honor scales with HP and Energy Shield, while Evasion and Armor do not increase their flat value.
- You need two Sacred Waters on Floors one and two.
- Honor Resistance is the best stat for any run, so focus on % Honor Max. However, if you're running a class that doesn't have much HP or Energy Shield, you should mix both Honor Resist and % increased Defenses to increase Eva."
Best Room/Trials Types
Your current room type will likely impact your run's success. You should consider very carefully whether a specific trial is worth putting effort into. Here are the Room-types ranked from easiest to hardest:
- Hourglass: Kill All Rare Monsters – This is the best one to take, especially if Rare Mobs have a chance to drop Keys
- Chalice: Survive
- Ritual: Destroy Ritual Portals
- Escape: Disable All Crystals
- Gauntlet: Find Exit Through Traps – This is the worst one because it takes too long to finish.
Best Major Boons
- Akheli's Guard
- All-Seeing Eye
- Dekhara's Necklace
- Garukhan's Favor
- Holy Water
- Crystal Shard
- Imperial Seal
- Raincaller
Best Minor Boons
- Enchanted Urn
- Hare Foot
- Ornate Dagger
- Sanguine Vial
- Silver Tongue
- Black Pearl
- Flooding Rivers
- Scrying Crystal
- Adrenaline Vial
- Fright Mask
- Glowing Orb
- Lustrous Pearl
Note: For both Major and Minor Boons, you'd want to take ones that increase your Honor Restore in the early games of Trial of Sekhemas. However, once your resistances build up, you want to venture out to other boons, like the ones that increase the chance of relic drop.
Best Afflictions
By best, we mean the ones that will least likely brick your game. These afflictions are the ones to take because they won't deter your run completion.
- Chains of Binding
- Sharpened Arrowhead
- Dishonored Tattoo
- Spiked Exit
- Suspected Sympathizer
- Death Toll
How to Beat Specific Bosses and Content
You'll need to learn the mechanics for specific challenges beforehand to ensure you succeed each run. We'll note the most notable mechanics to watch out for in each boss. Here's how to defeat each:
Balbala, the Traitor
- Balbala's golden throwing knives count as boomerangs, so they return to her after reaching the intended destination.
- She summons a Grim Reaper type of minion, which you should take down immediately.
Rattlecage, the Earthbreaker
- Rattlecage ground slams always trigger an additional ability, which either results in small explosions of lava or a split that causes burning lava to seep through.
- At 50%, the Rattlecage continuously rains down lava, and there aren't any clear telegraphs, so avoid them.
