Trial of Ascendancy

The ancient Azmerians constructed complex Trials, to test aspiring leaders; body, mind and soul. To select candidates for his Labyrinth, Emperor Izaro revived this tradition with his own sinister designs.

Description on the official Path of Exile website

The Trials of Ascendancy are areas to be discovered as the player travels through Wraeclast. Each trial showcases a specific type of trap, acting as a form of tutorial for the Labyrinth. Only when all trials are completed will the player be able to enter the Labyrinth of the specified difficulty. Cruel, Merciless, and Endgame Labyrinth's also require completion of the previous Labyrinth in addition to completion of the specified trials below. Progress through the Trials of Ascendancy is shared between all of a player's characters in each league.

The trials are always located within the listed zones, but have a variable location within the zone.

List of trials

File:Trial Plaque.png

Trial Plaque

Provides access to the Normal Labyrinth:

• Trial of Piercing Truth, showcasing Spike traps located in Act 1, The Lower Prison
• Trial of Swirling Fear, showcasing Spinning blades located in Act 2, The Crypt Level 1
• Trial of Crippling Grief, showcasing Sawblades located in Act 2, The Chamber of Sins Level 2
• Trial of Burning Rage, showcasing Furnace traps located in Act 3, The Crematorium
• Trial of Lingering Pain, showcasing Blade sentries located in Act 3, The Catacombs
• Trial of Stinging Doubt, showcasing Dart traps located in Act 3, The Hedge Maze

Provides access to the Cruel Labyrinth:

• The Prison (Act 6), showcasing Spike traps located in Act 6, The Lower Prison
• The Crypt (Act 7), showcasing Spinning blades located in Act 7, The Crypt
• The Chamber of Sins Level 2 (Act 7), showcasing Sawblades located in Act 7, The Chamber of Sins Level 2

Provides access to the Merciless Labyrinth:

• The Bath House (Act 8)
• The Tunnel (Act 9)
• The Ossuary (Act 10)

Endgame trials

Endgame Trial Plaque

The endgame trials randomly appear in maps and showcase a new type of trap, the Sentinel trap. Completing a trial rewards the player with an Offering to the Goddess. After all six endgame trials have been completed, these items can be used in the map device to open a portal to the endgame Labyrinth. The Dream Trial prophecy can be used to help discover trials in maps.

Version history

Version	Changes
2.3.0	Progress through the Trials of Ascendancy is now shared between all your characters in the league.
2.2.2	Fixing various placement issues related to Strongboxes, Perandus chests and Rogue Exiles, where they could spawn inside Trial of Ascendancy traps.
2.2.0	Introduced to the game.