Test of Time Barya remains a specialized coin used to influence and access the Trial of the Sekhemas, which is a core path to Ascendancy progression in PoE2. Here’s a practical guide to understanding its rewards and what you should aim for when using it.
What Test of Time Barya typically influences
Trial access and difficulty: Placing the Barya at the Relic Altar initiates a trial run with floor-by-floor progression, Boss encounters, and environmental challenges. The coin can tilt the trial’s pace and difficulty in your favor.
Trial rewards: Completing trials yields Ascendancy Points and other rewards that directly impact your build’s power curve, such as exclusive passives or gear compatibility bonuses. The exact bonuses vary by trial and coin type, but the general aim is to improve survivability, damage, or utility for your chosen ascendancy path.
Unlocking specific paths: Some Baryas are associated with particular trial flavors that align with certain ascendancy goals (e.g., more offense, more defense, or more utility). Using the right coin at the right time can accelerate progression toward your preferred playstyle.
What you should aim for with Test of Time Barya
Early clear of high-impact ascendance points: Prioritize coins that unlock ascendancy nodes you will actively use soon. This accelerates your power spike and opens up your build’s core mechanics earlier.
Balance risk and reward: Some trials offer bigger rewards but come with tougher rooms and bosses. If time is limited, opt for trials that give solid ascendance gains with manageable difficulty to keep progression steady.
Synergy with gear and gems: Choose trials whose rewards better align with your current gear, skill gems, and flask setups. This alignment reduces the need for extra upgrades later and keeps you moving forward efficiently.
ROI awareness: Track how much time and resource each trial costs versus the power it unlocks. Drop trials that no longer advance your build goals as efficiently as possible.
Community guidance: Leverage route guides and player feedback to identify which Trial-of-the-Sekhemas paths consistently deliver the most valuable Ascendancy Points for your class and playstyle.
Practical steps for using Test of Time Barya smartly
Plan your ascent: Before starting, list the Ascendancy Points you want most and identify which trials provide those points most reliably.
Pre-check readiness: Ensure your build has solid defenses, reliable sustain, and enough damage to comfortably complete the trial’s floors, minimizing wasted runs.
Monitor progression: After each trial, reassess which points remain high-priority and adjust your next route to maximize cumulative gains.
Budget management: If Baryas are scarce, mix selective trial runs with farming or trading to maintain a steady supply without stalling progress.