~9 MIN
Intro
The Trial of Chaos is an intense gauntlet in Path of Exile 2, offering high stakes and rewarding players who master its deadly challenges. From Soul Cores to exclusive unique items like Zerphi’s Genesis and Glimpse of Chaos, the rewards justify the risk. Available from Act 3 onward, this Ascension Trial is a critical step for players looking to push their builds to the limit.
Partner with Onlyfarms to optimize your Path of Exile 2 Trial of Chaos runs. Our expert services can help you conquer modifiers, earn Soul Cores, and secure rare items, saving you time and frustration.
1. How to Access the Trial of Chaos
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find an Inscribed Ultimatum – Dropped by monsters in Act 3+ and used to unlock the trial. |
| 2 | Activate the Ultimatum – Grants access to a Trial with rounds based on the item’s level: |
| • Level 39–59: 4 rounds for 2 Ascendancy points. | |
| • Level 60–74: 7 rounds for 2 more Ascendancy points. | |
| • Level 75+: 10 rounds for the final 2 Ascendancy points. |
Players looking to complete the endgame boss challenge (The Trialmaster) will need to collect all required Fates. Let’s dive into the trial basics next!
2. Trial Basics
| Round | Objective |
|---|---|
| 1 | Defeat all Monsters. |
| 2 | Survive until the Timer Expires. |
| 3 | Escort the Statue or Collect all Soul Cores. |
| 4 | Defeat the Boss. |
| 5 | Defeat all Monsters or Survive until Timer Expires. |
| 6 | Sacrifice Monsters to the Altar or Collect all Soul Cores. |
| 7 | Defeat the Boss. |
| 8 | Defeat all Monsters or Survive until Timer Expires. |
| 9 | Sacrifice Monsters to the Altar or Escort the Statue. |
| 10 | Defeat the Boss. |
Boss rounds (4, 7, 10) guarantee Soul Cores, with the Round 10 boss dropping one of the Fates needed to challenge the Trialmaster. Farming the 10-round version maximizes rewards and profits.
3. Modifiers in Trial of Chaos
Before each round in the Path of Exile 2 Trial of Chaos, players must select one of three negative modifiers, each impacting the rest of the run. While these modifiers add risk, they also increase rewards. If you’ve already secured valuable loot in earlier rounds, consider stopping to lock in gains.
| Modifier | Rank | Effect | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stormcaller Runes | 1-3 | Deadly Lightning storms appear; higher ranks increase rune size and danger. | Ensure 75% Lightning Resistance; manageable at lower ranks. |
| Vaal Omnitect | 1-3 | Ancient Vaal machination attacks intruders with escalating attack power. | Avoid the middle of the arena, especially with bosses. |
| Stalking Shade | 1-3 | Inflicts Ruin with melee and projectile hits; fail the trial at 7 Ruin. | Rank 1 easy to manage; ranks 2-3 highly dangerous. |
| Burning Turrets | 1-2 | Fire projectiles or barrages are launched periodically. | 75% Fire Resistance mitigates damage effectively. |
| Shocking Turrets | 1-2 | Lightning projectiles or waves are launched. | With 75% Lightning Resistance, danger is minimal. |
| Pyramid Beams | 1-2 | Rotating lasers inflict Corrupted Blood on hit. | Dodge roll through beams; avoid standing in their path. |
| Impending Doom | 1-2 | Growing rings explode for high physical damage. | Avoid if lacking physical mitigation. |
| Heart Tethers | 1-2 | Slowing tethers stun or make you vulnerable when broken. | Avoid breaking tethers at Rank 2 to prevent vulnerability. |
| Reduced Recovery | 1-2 | 40-75% reduced recovery rate of Life, Mana, and Energy Shield. | Avoid if possible; greatly affects survivability. |
| Petrification Statues | 1-2 | Petrify players if facing statues too long. | Stay out of their gaze, especially with multiple statues. |
| Damaged Defences | 1-2 | Reduces Energy Shield, Armour, and Evasion by 40-75%. | Devastating for ES builds; manageable for high-Life characters. |
| Reduced Resistances | 1-2 | Lowers elemental resistances by 15-30% and max resistances by 10-20%. | High Life or mitigation helps; avoid Rank 2. |
| Blood Globules | 1-2 | Falling globules deal physical damage, creating dangerous ground at higher ranks. | Dodge roll to avoid; damage is not fatal if prepared. |
| Deadly Monsters | 1-2 | Monsters gain 300% crit chance or always crit. | Prepare for big hits; use crit mitigation. |
| Chaotic Monsters | 1-2 | Monsters gain extra Chaos damage (20-50%). | Chaos resistance or CI builds essential. |
| Toxic Monsters | 1 | Inflicts Bleeding and Poison. | Antidote and Staunching Charms can counteract. |
| Time Paradox | 1 | Buffs expire 3x faster; debuffs linger longer. | Dangerous with Bleeding, Poison, Stun, Petrify combos. |
| Resistant Monsters | 1 | Monsters gain +40% resistances. | Damage penetration or physical builds recommended. |
| Unstoppable Monsters | 1 | Monsters cannot be slowed or stunned. | Avoid if your build relies on CC. |
| Entangling Monsters | 1 | Inflicts Grasping Vines on hit, reducing movement speed. | Avoid hits or use ranged builds. |
| Enraged Bosses | 1 | Bosses deal more damage and take less. | Only take with strong builds or skip. |
| Lethal Rare Monsters | 1 | Rare monsters get extra mods and increased spawn. | High risk but offers better loot. |
| Volatile Fiends | 1 | Monsters explode into volatiles on death. | Dodge rolls and stagger kills recommended. |
| Escalating Damage Taken | 1 | Damage increases by 1% per second up to 50%. | Avoid for long encounters. |
| Lessened Reach | 1 | Reduces AoE and projectile speed by 50%. | Can make fights longer but not very dangerous. |
| Drought | 1 | No Flask or Charm charges from kills. | Flasks refill before bosses; manageable. |
| Monster Speed | 1 | Monsters’ skill speed increased by 20%. | Strong defenses needed, especially for bosses. |
4. Soul Cores and Fates in Trial of Chaos
The Trial of Chaos rewards players with Soul Cores, unique modifiers socketed into items instead of runes. These cores are essential for maximizing your build’s potential and pushing through challenging content.
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Soul Cores | Dropped by bosses in Rounds 4, 7, and 10. Each core offers powerful bonuses. |
| Examples | • Soul Core of Zalatl: +2% max mana, 2% mana recovery on kill. • Soul Core of Citaqualotl: +30% Elemental Damage with Attacks, +5% all Elemental Resistances. • Soul Core of Azcapa: +15 spirit, +10% item rarity. |
| Reforging | Combine 3 similar Soul Cores in a bench to create a random one. |
| Fates | Essential for unlocking the Trialmaster. Dropped by bosses in Round 10: • Cowardly Fate: Uxmal, the Beastlord. • Deadly Fate: Bahlak, the Sky Seer. • Victorious Fate: Chetza, the Feathered Plague. |
| Glimpse of Chaos | Rare and powerful unique drop from the Trialmaster. Use Onlyfarms to farm efficiently. |
5. Trial Strategy
Mastering the Trial of Chaos in Path of Exile 2 requires careful planning, the right build, and strategic decision-making, especially when modifiers stack up. Below are key tips to optimize your runs and maximize rewards like Soul Cores and Glimpse of Chaos.
| Aspect | Tips and Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Modifier Risk Assessment | Avoid hazardous combinations (e.g., Monster Speed + Escalating Damage + Enraged Bosses). Consider stopping early to secure rewards. |
| Common Modifier Tips | • Stormcaller Runes: High lightning resistance essential. • Petrification Statues: Avoid gaze to prevent immobilization. • Reduced Recovery: Weakens defense; avoid if possible. • Deadly Monsters: Ensure survivability against crit hits. |
| Boss Rounds (4, 7, 10) | Prioritize mobility and avoid damage zones. Watch for modifiers that amplify boss difficulty. |
| Soul Core Rounds | Quickly collect Soul Cores while avoiding enemies and hazards. Use movement skills strategically. |
| Farming Strategy | Aim for the 10-round version for maximum profits. Stop the run early if modifiers become too risky. |
| Preparation Tips | • 75% elemental resistance and high chaos resistance are essential. • Include recovery mechanics for sustained fights. • Equip gear with critical damage mitigation and evasion boosts. • Use flasks granting immunity to bleeding, poison, and corrupted blood. |
| Combat Strategy | Master dodge rolls to avoid hazards like Pyramid Beams and Volatile Fiends. Stay alert for overlapping modifiers. |
| Trialmaster Preparation | Collect all three Fates and unlock the Trialmaster’s Tower for the ultimate challenge. Remember, he drops rare items like Glimpse of Chaos and unique equipment! |
6. Zerphi’s Genesis
Zerphi’s Genesis is a highly sought-after unique amulet in Path of Exile 2, renowned for its powerful regeneration properties. This item drops from the Trialmaster in the Trial of Chaos.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Zerphi’s Genesis | Grants life and mana recovery based on damage taken over time, enabling sustained survivability in high-damage scenarios. |
| Drop Source | Exclusive drop from the Trialmaster at the end of a full Trial of Chaos run. |
| Strategy | Complete all 10 rounds with optimized builds to maximize chances. |
7. Mahuxotl’s Machination
This unique shield offers an unparalleled combination of defensive mechanics, ideal for chaos-focused or hybrid builds. Like Zerphi’s Genesis, it drops from the Trialmaster in the Trial of Chaos.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Mahuxotl’s Machination | Combines multiple defensive layers, including Chaos Inoculation and other mitigation. |
| Drop Source | Exclusive Trialmaster reward from a full 10-round run. |
| Strategy | Focus on survivability and balanced damage to reach and defeat the Trialmaster. |
8. Hateforge
A coveted pair of gloves that can drastically boost offensive capabilities in critical moments, Hateforge enhances burst damage potential for many builds.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hateforge | Grants explosive damage bonuses, especially effective in burst builds. |
| Drop Source | Rare drop from the Trialmaster at the end of Trial of Chaos. |
| Strategy | Prioritize offensive power and movement skills to defeat the Trialmaster. |
9. The Adorned
The Adorned is a unique item that combines cosmetic appeal with functional benefits, making it a desirable drop for collectors and min-maxers alike.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| The Adorned | Offers unique aesthetics and minor functional bonuses, making it a prized collection item. |
| Drop Source | Rare drop from the Trialmaster upon completing the 10th round. |
| Strategy | Consistent full-run farming increases drop chances. |
10. Glimpse of Chaos
Finally, Glimpse of Chaos deserves special mention. It’s a rare and powerful drop from the Trialmaster that can significantly impact endgame builds.
Conclusion
The Trial of Chaos in Path of Exile 2 presents a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for players seeking high-stakes combat and rare rewards. From navigating dangerous modifiers and collecting powerful Soul Cores to securing coveted unique items like Zerphi’s Genesis, Mahuxotl’s Machination, Hateforge, The Adorned, and the elusive Glimpse of Chaos, this endgame activity demands skill, preparation, and strategic play.
With Onlyfarms, you can streamline your journey through the Trial of Chaos. Whether you’re aiming to collect Fates for the Trialmaster, optimize runs with balanced modifiers, or secure rare unique items, our expert services ensure you achieve your goals efficiently and without the usual grind.
| Key Highlights |
|---|
| Access the Trial of Chaos from Act 3 onwards with Inscribed Ultimatums. |
| Master complex modifiers with clear strategies and movement skills. |
| Collect and reforge Soul Cores for powerful build enhancements. |
| Earn rare drops, including Glimpse of Chaos and four unique items from the Trialmaster. |
As Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve, the Trial of Chaos stands as a testament to the game’s challenging content and rewarding loot systems. Prepare your build, plan your strategy, and with Onlyfarms by your side, claim your place among the champions of Wraeclast.