Mastering Ascendancy: A Comprehensive Guide to Earning All Ascendancy Points in Path of Exile

The Ascendancy system is a cornerstone of character progression in Path of Exile (PoE), providing access to powerful subclasses that drastically alter your character’s playstyle and capabilities. Obtaining all Ascendancy points is crucial for maximizing your character’s potential. Here’s how you do it: you earn Ascendancy points by completing the Lord’s Labyrinth. There are four different versions of the Labyrinth, and completing each one for the first time on a character rewards you with two Ascendancy points, totaling eight.

The Labyrinth: Your Path to Ascendancy

The Lord’s Labyrinth, often called simply “Lab,” is a challenging dungeon filled with traps, puzzles, and enemies. Navigating it successfully is key to unlocking your chosen Ascendancy class and claiming those valuable Ascendancy points.

The Four Labyrinths

There are four distinct Labyrinth difficulties, each offering two Ascendancy points upon completion:

• The Labyrinth (Normal): Available from Act 3 onward. This is the first Labyrinth you’ll encounter and serves as an introduction to the mechanics.
• The Cruel Labyrinth: Requires completing the Normal Labyrinth and reaching a suitable level (typically around level 55).
• The Merciless Labyrinth: Requires completing the Cruel Labyrinth and reaching a higher level (typically around level 65).
• The Eternal Labyrinth (Uber Lab): This is the most challenging Labyrinth, unlocked after completing the Merciless Labyrinth and requires Offerings to the Goddess, which are obtained by completing map trials.

Trials of Ascendancy

Before you can access each Labyrinth, you must complete Trials of Ascendancy. These trials are found in various zones throughout the campaign and in maps. Each trial is a self-contained challenge focused on specific trap mechanics.

• Normal Trials: Found in Acts 1-3. Completing these unlocks the Normal Labyrinth.
• Cruel Trials: Found in Acts 5-7. Completing these unlocks the Cruel Labyrinth.
• Merciless Trials: Found in Acts 8-10. Completing these unlocks the Merciless Labyrinth.
• Map Trials: These are found randomly in maps (Tier 6 or higher). Completing six different map trials and using their respective Offerings to the Goddess in the map device opens the Eternal Labyrinth.

Navigating the Labyrinth

The Labyrinth is procedurally generated daily, meaning its layout changes every day. This keeps the content fresh and challenging. Here are some tips for navigating the Labyrinth:

• Pay attention to traps: Traps are the main obstacle in the Labyrinth. Learn their patterns and timing to avoid taking damage.
• Look for secrets: Hidden passages and treasure chests are scattered throughout the Labyrinth.
• Use buffs wisely: Izaro, the Labyrinth’s boss, gains buffs based on your actions throughout the Labyrinth. Avoid triggering these buffs if possible.
• Consider a Labyrinth build: Some builds are specifically designed for running the Labyrinth efficiently. These often focus on movement speed, trap avoidance, and boss damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of obtaining Ascendancy points in Path of Exile:

1. At what level can I start doing the Labyrinth? You can attempt the first Labyrinth (Normal) as soon as you reach Act 3 and have completed the necessary trials. The Cruel Labyrinth is typically attempted around level 55, Merciless around level 65, and the Eternal Labyrinth around level 70 or higher.

2. What happens if I die in the Labyrinth? If you die in the Labyrinth, you are sent back to town, and the current run ends. You must start over from the beginning.

3. How do I find the Trials of Ascendancy? Trials of Ascendancy appear randomly in specific zones throughout the campaign. Keep an eye out for the distinctive Trial entrance. Map trials can be found in maps Tier 6 or higher.

4. Can I redo the Labyrinth for more rewards? Yes, you can repeat the Labyrinth as many times as you like. However, you only receive Ascendancy points the first time you complete each difficulty on each character. Repeating it grants other rewards, such as items and experience.

5. How do I unlock my Ascendancy class? After completing the Normal Labyrinth for the first time, you can choose your Ascendancy class from the available options for your base class.

6. What are the best builds for doing the Labyrinth? Builds with high movement speed, trap avoidance, and good single-target damage are generally effective in the Labyrinth. Some popular choices include Juggernauts, Pathfinders, and Deadeyes, depending on the league and meta.

7. Are there any guides for the Labyrinth? Yes, many online resources, including videos and written guides, provide detailed walkthroughs of the Labyrinth, including trap layouts and boss strategies.

8. How much does it cost to reset my Ascendancy points? Resetting Ascendancy points requires five refund points per point. Refund points are earned through quests and leveling up.

9. Can I trade Offerings to the Goddess? Yes, Offerings to the Goddess are tradable items. This allows you to purchase them from other players if you’re having trouble finding map trials.

10. What is the Monster Level of the Eternal Labyrinth? The Eternal Labyrinth has a monster level of 75.

11. What level should I be for Eternal Labyrinth? It is recommended to be at least level 68 before attempting the Eternal Labyrinth, but most players find it more manageable at level 70 or higher.

12. What is the best class in Path of Exile? There is no single “best” class in Path of Exile. The Scion class is the most flexible class in the game, however, your class choice depends entirely on your preferred playstyle and build. Each class has strengths and weaknesses, and the optimal choice varies depending on the specific build and league meta.

13. Is Path of Exile pay to win? No, Path of Exile is not a pay-to-win game. While you can purchase cosmetic items and stash tabs with real money, these purchases do not provide any gameplay advantages.

14. What is the maximum number of skill points I can get in Path of Exile? The maximum number of skill points a character can obtain in Path of Exile is 123.

15. Where can I learn more about games and learning? You can learn more about games and their educational potential at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society offers a wealth of research and resources on the intersection of games and education, highlighting the ways games can foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity.

Conclusion

Earning all eight Ascendancy points is a vital step in optimizing your Path of Exile character. By understanding the structure of the Labyrinth, completing the Trials of Ascendancy, and utilizing helpful resources, you can successfully navigate this challenging content and unlock the full potential of your chosen Ascendancy class. Good luck, Exile!