Grinding Gear Games has long been known for weaving brutal trials, labyrinthine challenges, and character-defining milestones into Path of Exile. In Path of Exile 2, one of the most intriguing new additions comes in the form of the Trial of the Sekhemas, a series of challenges that test not only mechanical skill but also a player's adaptability, build strength, and resourcefulness. Much like the Labyrinth of the first game, the Trials serve as both a rite of passage and a way of unlocking powerful rewards. However, they've been reimagined for the sequel, with new mechanics, lore integration, and progression systems.

 

This guide will break down all Trial of the Sekhemas challenges, their unique mechanics, and the rewards players can expect upon completion. Whether you're aiming to breeze through them on your way to the endgame or savor the lore-rich experience behind each challenge, this article will help you prepare.

 

What Are the Trials of the Sekhemas?

The Trials of the Sekhemas are a series of thematic encounters spread across the world of Path of Exile 2. Lore-wise, they are tied to the Sekhema clans, warrior matriarchs who embody the harsh lessons of survival and strength in Wraeclast. Each trial represents the philosophy of a different Sekhema, translated into dangerous arenas filled with traps, enemies, and puzzle-like mechanics.

 

Unlike the original Path of Exile Labyrinth trials, which mostly focused on traps and Izaro's arena, the Sekhema Trials blend combat challenges, endurance mechanics, and build-specific tests. Each one is designed to expose a weakness in your character-whether it's lack of mobility, weak defenses, poor crowd control, or bad resource management. Overcoming them not only demonstrates mastery but also unlocks permanent account-wide and character-specific rewards.

 

Structure of the Sekhema Trials

The Trials are spread across Acts and unlock gradually as you progress through the campaign. Early Trials serve as introductory mechanics, while later ones become grueling gauntlets meant to push even the best builds to their limits. Each trial has three layers of completion:

 

Basic Clear - Completing the encounter for the first time.

 

Perfect Clear - Meeting special optional objectives, such as taking no trap damage or defeating bosses under time limits.

 

Endgame Variant - Once you've reached maps, Trials can reappear as corrupted or intensified versions with additional modifiers, offering greater rewards.

 

All Trial of the Sekhemas Challenges

 

The Trial of Endurance (Sekhema Deshret's Path)

This first trial introduces you to survival under constant pressure. You're placed in a shifting arena filled with rolling traps, spiked walls, and waves of enemies that spawn endlessly. The goal is not to kill everything but to survive a set duration.

 

Challenge Mechanics: Fire damage over time zones, rolling boulders, and swarms of ranged enemies.

 

Key Weakness Tested: Defensive layers and movement skills.

 

Optional Objective: Complete without being hit by traps.

 

The Trial of Ferocity (Sekhema Lunaris' Path)

This trial emphasizes aggressive combat and burst damage. You're faced with elite champions who regenerate life rapidly unless killed in quick succession.

 

Challenge Mechanics: Enemies gain stacking buffs if not killed fast enough.

 

Key Weakness Tested: DPS checks and boss-burst ability.

 

Optional Objective: Defeat the champions within one minute.

 

The Trial of Endurance and Wisdom (Sekhema Solari's Path)

This trial blends puzzles with combat. Players must activate ancient seals while surviving waves of enemies. Activating seals requires staying within glowing circles long enough to charge them, forcing you to balance offense and defense.

 

Challenge Mechanics: Timed objectives under enemy pressure.

 

Key Weakness Tested: Area control and sustain.

 

Optional Objective: Activate all seals without leaving the circle once.

 

The Trial of the Hunt (Sekhema of the Wilds)

This encounter mimics a predatory chase. Players must track and defeat a massive beast through multiple zones while being stalked by smaller packs. If too much time passes, the beast regenerates health and repositions.

 

Challenge Mechanics: Pursuit-based combat and map traversal.

 

Key Weakness Tested: Mobility and sustained DPS.

 

Optional Objective: Kill the beast without letting it regenerate.

 

The Trial of Unity (Sekhema of the Clans)

This trial introduces allies-NPC warriors from rival clans-who fight alongside you but can be killed if not protected. Enemies target them heavily, and if all allies die, you fail.

 

Challenge Mechanics: Escort mission with fragile NPCs.

 

Key Weakness Tested: AoE clear, aggro management, and defense.

 

Optional Objective: Complete with no allies dying.

 

The Trial of Sacrifice (Sekhema's Final Test)

The last campaign-level trial is a culmination of all mechanics introduced before. It features traps, elite bosses, timed objectives and ally defense combined in one gauntlet. At the end, you face the Avatar of the Sekhemas, a multi-phase boss that uses trap mechanics and summons empowered champions.

 

Challenge Mechanics: Hybrid encounter requiring mastery of mobility, burst damage, sustain, and awareness.

 

Key Weakness Tested: Overall build balance.

 

Optional Objective: Complete without dying once.

 

Endgame Sekhema Trial

Once you reach maps, you'll encounter Corrupted Sekhema Trials. These are remixed versions of the original encounters with added affixes similar to map modifiers. Examples include "All traps deal 100% more damage," "Enemies cannot be stunned," or "Trial lasts 50% longer." These trials are significantly harder but drop Sekhema Relics, powerful crafting items and charms that slot into your character's Sekhema Altar-a new progression system unique to Path of Exile 2.

 

Additionally, there are Rotating Sekhema Grand Trials, weekly endgame challenges where modifiers are stacked to extreme levels. Completing them places you on global leaderboards and grants cosmetics as well as league-specific rewards.

 

Rewards from the Sekhema Trials

The rewards are a big motivator for taking on the Trials. Here's what players can expect across different levels of completion:

 

Basic Trial Rewards - Each Trial grants passive points tied to the Sekhema Altar system. These are permanent upgrades that enhance your build in subtle ways, such as improving defenses against trap damage, increasing aura effects, or granting bonuses to specific weapon types.

 

Perfect Clear Rewards - Unlock exclusive Sekhema Charms, socketable trinkets that grant unique buffs such as "Gain Frenzy Charges when avoiding trap damage" or "Summoned Allies gain +30% damage."

 

Endgame Relic Rewards - Corrupted Trials drop Sekhema Relics. These are powerful crafting bases that can be modified to grant extremely strong bonuses, often comparable to high-tier uniques. You can also exchange what you want in the Path of Exile 2 Trade system.

 

Leaderboard Rewards - The Grand Trials offer exclusive cosmetics like Sekhema armor skins, hideout decorations, and limited microtransactions. These don't affect gameplay but are highly sought after by prestige hunters.

 

Perhaps most importantly, completing all six Trials during the campaign is required to unlock certain advanced Ascendancy choices for your character. Much like the Labyrinth of Path of Exile 1, Sekhema Trials serve as a gateway to specialized power.

 

Strategies for Success

To prepare for the Trials of the Sekhemas, it's crucial to design your build with flexibility in mind. Here are some tips:

 

Mobility is King: Every trial incorporates traps, timed events, or chase mechanics. Movement skills like Dash, Blink, or Flame Warp are essential.

 

Balance Your Build: Pure glass cannons may struggle in endurance and escort missions, while pure tanks might fail DPS checks. Aim for hybrid strength.

 

Gear for Sustain: Life regeneration, flask recovery, and resistances help counter the environmental damage common in Trials. You can buy Path of Exile 2 Currency to get them.

 

Learn the Patterns: Much like Labyrinth traps, Sekhema mechanics have predictable patterns. Study them instead of brute-forcing.

 

Save Consumables: Flasks and situational gems like Vaal Grace can make the difference in higher-difficulty variants.

 

Final Thoughts

The Trials of the Sekhemas are one of Path of Exile 2's most exciting innovations. They tie lore, combat, and progression together in a way that challenges players to grow beyond their comfort zones. Every Sekhema trial represents a different philosophy of survival, and mastering them all requires true adaptability.

 

The rewards, ranging from passive bonuses to powerful relics and exclusive cosmetics, make them more than worth the effort. For completionists, conquering every Trial-including their corrupted endgame versions-will feel like a badge of honor. For casual players, they serve as an exciting break from regular mapping and a flavorful dive into the harsh teachings of Wraeclast's warrior matriarchs.

 

If you're gearing up for your journey in Path of Exile 2, the Trials of the Sekhemas will be milestones you won't forget-tests that demand everything from your build and reward you with power, pride, and prestige.