Trial of the Sekhemas - Path of Exile 2

Zarohk, the Temporal, is one of the most challenging pinnacle bosses in Path of Exile 2, encountered at the climax of the Trial of the Sekhemas. Master of time and manipulation, Zarohk's complex mechanics require precise movement, reactive positioning, and solid preparation. This guide breaks down how to reach him, how to survive the fight, and what kind of rewards await victorious exiles.

How to Reach Zarohk

To face Zarohk, you'll need to battle through four grueling floors of the Trial of the Sekhemas. Each floor pits you against increasingly difficult enemies, randomized modifiers, and three other mini-bosses before you reach the final stage. Your available boons, afflictions, and honor carry over through each floor, so managing them wisely is key to surviving the final confrontation.

Recommended Preparations:

Choose boons wisely: Prioritize those that enhance damage output, movement speed, or honor resistance.

Best Boon: Hare's Foot - Increases movement speed by 40%, which is critical for dodging Zarohk's projectile barrages and navigating time-based mechanics.

Avoid afflictions that lower armor, evasion, or elemental resistances-Zarohk may not hit hard, but survivability is all about attrition.

Equip relics that boost boss damage, damage over time, or movement utility like phase runs or blink skills.

How to Defeat Zarohk

Zarohk is a formidable opponent, boasting 17 million Life and strong elemental resistances. However, he has no resistance to physical or Chaos damage, making those types the best for taking him down efficiently. If your build revolves around elemental damage, you'll need to apply resistance-shredding mechanics (e.g., curses, exposure, or penetration).

Key Mechanics:

Voice Lines & Attack Cues: Zarohk rarely uses clear telegraphs, and his voice lines often don't correspond precisely to his attacks. You must rely on observation and fast reflexes.

Notable voice lines and what they trigger:

"You are not in control" - Launches an energy orb surrounded by a slow field. Avoid the field to prevent getting bogged down.

"The hour grows late" - Zarohk teleports to the center and releases radial lightning bursts. Retreat to the room corners to stay safe.

The "Sands of Time" Phase:

Triggered at 66% and 25% health.

Zarohk disappears and leaves a glowing light at the center. Step into it to initiate a timed challenge.

The arena transforms into a giant clock, and you have 15 seconds to run across six randomly placed orbs while gradually slowing down.

Failure ends the fight instantly, so route planning and speed buffs (like Hare's Foot) are essential.

Additional Mechanics by Health Threshold:

Below 50% - Summons spinning pylons that roam the battlefield.

Below 40% - Spawns slow zones (bubbles); avoid them to maintain mobility.

Below 33% - Drops clockfaces under you that serve as teleport anchors-after 4 seconds, you reset back to them.

25% - Triggers another "Sands of Time" phase.

Combat Tips:

Play defensively: Honor is your true lifebar in this fight. Every hit chips away at it, so minimize mistakes rather than taking risks.

Damage over Time skills are excellent here. Apply them during brief windows to keep his Energy Shield down while dodging.

Conserve Honor early on, so you can afford to be more aggressive once Zarohk's health drops below 33%, when the arena becomes increasingly chaotic.

Zarohk's Rewards

Zarohk drops randomized high-end loot alongside specific rewards based on the relics you placed at the altar before the trial began. These may include:

Unique Relics

Time-themed gear or skill gems

Boss-exclusive cosmetics or effects (to be confirmed post-launch)

Potential materials or items related to endgame crafting or progression systems

Make sure to plan your relics before the trial starts to influence potential rewards.

Final Thoughts

Zarohk isn't just a test of raw DPS-he tests your awareness, positioning, and time management. Players who take their time learning his mechanics and enter the fight with a flexible, mobile build will have a much higher chance of success.

Having a solid stockpile of Path of Exile 2 currency and Path of Exile 2 items allows you to tailor your gear specifically for bosses like Zarohk, emphasizing mobility, survivability, and damage types that bypass his resistances. Whether you farm, trade, or craft, smart currency management and itemization are just as important as raw skill in mastering the Trial of the Sekhemas.