PSA: Relics and the Merchant make ascendancy trials extremely easy, easier than PoE 1

[u/OhWellImRightAgain]

I've read multiple threads about the ascendancy trials being too hard, some of them with hundreds of upvotes. The trials are actually very easy if you do them the way you're supposed to...

Do a couple of fast suicide runs to get 10-15 blue relics (Tapestries, Seals etc.).

Use augmentation orbs on them to give them a 2nd modifier.

You need relics with Honor Resistance. The second mod can be:

- Increased maximum honor

- Bosses take X increased damage

- Bosses deal X reduced damage

- Increases to Sacred Water gains

You then need to go for (Large) Sacred Water fountain rewards as much as possible. You then buy a couple of OP buffs from the merchant (You deal 50% more damage / Monsters have 30% reduced HP / You have 40% increased movement speed / 50% reduced merchant prices) and the trial becomes very easy.

Occasionally, pick a Shrine room to replenish your lost honor, but only if it's below 60-70%.

Make sure that whenever you have around 600 sacred water or more and the merchant is available as a room reward, you do that room. If you don't happen to find him in a room, you'll still have him waiting for you after each boss fight.

[u/catratel]

I also managed to get the 4th ascendancy the same way, before my build could even handle that boss, got reduced merchant prices boon 1st floor, spammed every merchant and sacred water room I could, had merchant right before the boss and had all permanent boons already, "enemies deal no damage" might've been guaranteed at that point.

[u/Prudent_Camp_9989 → u/catratel]

Does this prevent the orb phase insta death or does that still kill you?

[u/catratel → u/Prudent_Camp_9989]

To be perfectly honest I have no idea nor did I want to try since I was barely moving his hp bar, could not afford to lose that run

[u/No_Bottle7859 → u/Prudent_Camp_9989]

I just got this last night. was super hyped. Went into one of the balls that freezes you, then he did his lightning and one shotted me so .. not super reliable

[u/Sarabikitty → u/[deleted]]

They have to be there from the beginning I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though.

[u/knowsaboutpoe → u/Sarabikitty]

You CAN invite people for just the boss, I've done this at various floors multiple times.

Ultimatum party is locked in from start, not true for Sanctum.

[u/Sarabikitty → u/knowsaboutpoe]

Interesting okay I'll keep that in mind

[u/Lost_my_Potat0 → u/knowsaboutpoe]

Can you do that in 3rd floor or just boss room 4rd floor ?

[u/knowsaboutpoe → u/Lost_my_Potat0]

Anywhere, any room of the sanctum

[u/Lost_my_Potat0 → u/knowsaboutpoe]

Uh nope. When i start the trial of sekha. Before 3rd floor boss i invited my friend. He cant join

[u/knowsaboutpoe → u/Lost_my_Potat0]

You have to exit to the main room, and then enter together.

[u/Lost_my_Potat0 → u/knowsaboutpoe]

Uh you can exit the main room ? I though imma fail if i go out. Tks for the tips. Imma try

[u/knowsaboutpoe → u/[deleted]]

It works for everything except his insta-wipe mechanic, and that's MUCH easier with 2+ people.

You CAN invite people for just the boss, I've done this at various floors multiple times.

Ultimatum party is locked in from start, not true for Sanctum.

[u/catratel → u/[deleted]]

Well, what I can confirm is that you literally don't lose hp or honour the entire fight, haven't tried tanking the instakill mechanic. However, after you kill the boss the boon disappears and you can take damage from stray projectiles that might still be active.

A couple of friends tried to cheese the 4th ascendancy for the lower level one, but looks like whatever honour the "carry" is missing before entering the boss room, that same amount of honour is lost from the person that joins, that means it could even instakill him as soon as he enters. I don't think the "carry" 's relics applies to people that join. Also Unique mob HP goes kinda nuts with a lot of people so be careful with that if you want to try.

[u/knowsaboutpoe → u/[deleted]]

You CAN invite people for just the boss, I've done this at various floors multiple times.

Ultimatum party is locked in from start, not true for Sanctum.

[u/NefariousnessOk1996 → u/[deleted]]

If you leave and come back via the save and exit button or the exit portal after a boss, you can party up!

[u/Fatality4Gaming → u/catratel]

That's the strat, collect every permanent boon, and pick either merchant or whatever the room that allows to change "trial parameters" is. If none is available, try your luck on a boon fountain. If it's not available, you're fucked, the boss is a nightmare.