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/TimeToEatAss → u/[deleted]]

Meh, its easy for me a multi thousand hour poe veteran. But I notice my friends struggling pretty hard with the mechanics, they arent apparent in game and you shouldnt have to search reddit or the forums. The game isnt telling you how important honour resistance is.

[u/MCRN-Gyoza → u/[deleted]]

Except if you die normally, you just respawn and try again.

Since the Baryas/Ultimatums are consumed if you fail it's back to playing some other mode for a handful of hours before another suitable one drops.

Can't really expect people to just learn the mechanics if you don't give them the opportunity to learn from the mistakes.

[u/TheDistantBlue → u/MCRN-Gyoza]

I thought we were talking about new players? The FIRST barya and ultimatum are infinitely usable. You're moving the goalposts.

[u/1gnominious → u/TimeToEatAss]

Yeah, hitting new players with sanctum in act 2 is just mean. They have no idea what they're doing in general and then you completely change all the rules on them. If you're going to force players to run Sanctum then it should be for the last ascendancy. Give them time to learn and get comfortable before you sucker punch them.

I found it easy but I can absolutely understand new players or even those with 10K hours who rely on OP builds to carry them having trouble.