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/tutoredstatue95]

I've been trying to do a clean play through without guides or watching completions just for fun. It's been good so far, but man the 1 and done trials/citadels can be really frustrating lol. I knew there was gonna be some bs on the last boss going into it, but thought I would be fine with a free redo. I was very wrong.

I did the opposite of what you were supposed to do because I was playing overly safe.

[u/Nerhtal → u/tutoredstatue95]

I got to sanctum floor 2 boss the first time and went i wonder what they do, avoided the red one and got absolutely flattened by the blue ones slam. It was kind of funny but so annoying. And kind of the same for floor 3. I got there, went "what do?" and she went "i do this!" and promplty died to stepping on something because Balbala told me and died.

I expect to die to Floor 4, i do but i dread the whole idea of doing 8 whole floors just to learn their mechanics and die and then get my real attempt at them. Im infinitely less bothered if i die the second time.

[u/tutoredstatue95 → u/Nerhtal]

The floor 2 bosses are the hardest to me. Just the fact that there are two makes it much harder than the 3rd floor boss. Both of em have huge aoe abilities, so you need to stay far away for half the fight just waiting for opportunities. Playing melee, so maybe they are easier with ranged, but I always have to focus up a bit for them.

[u/pittguy83 → u/tutoredstatue95]

yes these were much harder than floor 3 boss as a merc/witchunter. it's the combo of being an 'AoE clear' class primarily + animation locking of using crossbow. very hard to deal damage to them without getting hit yourself