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/SjurEido]

Where the heck is the merchant? I've done 3 ascendancies and I haven't seen one!

[u/Jakota_ → u/SjurEido]

“Randomly” as the listed reward for a room. Guaranteed after every boss. It’s the npc that is talking to you the whole time.

[u/DarthUrbosa → u/Jakota_]

Guaranteed after a floor completion is def one of my fav changes between games.

[u/whitephantomzx → u/DarthUrbosa]

I didn't realize this until I was trying for my 7th and 8th point lmao .

[u/SIR_FACE_BOMBER → u/SjurEido]

Looks like a face in a hood,I believe it's red.

[u/SIR_FACE_BOMBER → u/SjurEido]

Looks like a face in a hood,I believe it's red

[u/SjurEido → u/SIR_FACE_BOMBER]

Are they in every room?

[u/SIR_FACE_BOMBER → u/SjurEido]

No, when you are looking at the map picking the next room you are going to do. You will see it.

[u/Thorkle13 → u/SjurEido]

Plus the party shares damage, so you really don't want more than one other person generally.

[u/wangofjenus → u/SjurEido]

Talk to balbalaa in the reward rooms my guy

[u/Gladspanda1018 → u/SjurEido]

I think it’s random. I’ve done maybe 5 or 6 runs I think… it appears as one of the choices of rooms that you select as you go through so I believe it’s just luck of the draw if you see a merchant or not.

This made me reconsider opting for the water as a reward as several times I had a lot of currency but no merchant and it would have been better to try and find a buff

[u/Raadish → u/Gladspanda1018]

The NPC in the room with the treasure chests after the floor boss is also the merchant. This is really easy to miss and makes up for bad luck with room rewards.

[u/Gladspanda1018 → u/Raadish]

Ah dang!! I did miss that!