Mastering the Labyrinth: Trials of Ascendancy

[SilentRiver]

In the ruthless progression of POE 1 Currency, power is not granted solely through levels or loot, but is earned in a series of harrowing, isolated trials known as the **Labyrinth**. This unique dungeon, woven into the core of the game, offers a stark departure from the randomized maps and monster-slaying loops. It is a fixed, trap-filled gauntlet of puzzles and boss encounters that, upon completion, grants a character their **Ascendancy**—a transformative specialization that defines their ultimate potential and playstyle.

The path to the Labyrinth begins with the Trials of Ascendancy, six deadly trap rooms scattered throughout the main campaign. Each trial teaches a specific mechanic—spinning blades, dart traps, flame blasts—that will be encountered in the full run. Completing all six unlocks the Labyrinth itself, which exists in four escalating difficulties (Normal, Cruel, Merciless, and Eternal). Each run is a tense, methodical journey through a predetermined layout of rooms filled with devious traps, secret passages, and key-bearing guardians. Unlike the rest of PoE, speed is often secondary to caution; a single misstep into a trap sequence or an ill-timed engagement can mean death and a full restart, forfeiting all progress.

Success hinges on a blend of preparation, pattern recognition, and combat skill. The final boss of each Labyrinth is Izaro, a powerful warrior who grows stronger with each of his three phases if players fail to destroy the optional puzzle mechanics that empower him during the fight. Defeating him at the end of the final chamber grants access to the **Ascendancy** Altar. Here, players choose one of three specialized subclasses for their character, such as the Necromancer for the Witch or the Slayer for the Duelist. This choice grants access to a powerful, exclusive **Ascendancy** skill tree filled with potent notables and keystones that dramatically enhance a specific archetype, often enabling entire builds that would otherwise be non-viable.

The Labyrinth's influence extends beyond this single reward. Completing it also grants permanent passive skill points and enchantments that can be applied to helmets. These enchantments provide powerful bonuses to specific skills, creating a lucrative endgame grind for players seeking the perfect enhancement for their build. This makes the Labyrinth a recurring, aspirational challenge rather than a one-time obstacle.

More than a dungeon, the Labyrinth is a rite of passage. It tests a different set of skills than mapping: patience, precision, and boss mechanics mastery. The power of **Ascendancy** is the game's most significant character-defining reward, making the treacherous, puzzle-box journey to claim it a core and unforgettable pillar of the Path of Exile experience. In a world of chaos, the Labyrinth offers a structured, deadly, and immensely rewarding trial by fire.