To maximize efficiency during Test of Time Barya runs in Path of Exile 2, follow these proven strategies:
1. Build for Speed and AoE Damage
The Test of Time Barya adds time-limited rooms where objectives require quick completion. Equip your character with fast-clearing, high area-effect damage skills to rapidly finish rooms before time runs out.
Skills like Lightning Arrow, Explosive Shot, or AoE spells excel here.
2. Prioritize Honour Preservation
Honour is your trial “life” bar that depletes with damage and doesn’t regenerate from flasks. Avoid unnecessary damage by:
Positioning carefully and kiting.
Using movement skills to dodge attacks.
Picking boons that reduce damage or provide invulnerability frames (e.g., Ahkeli’s Guard).
Purchase boons that restore Honour on room completion or entering boss rooms to replenish your pool.
3. Choose Rooms Based on Your Strength
Select more combat rooms if you deal fast high damage.
Choose puzzles, traps, or time trials carefully—avoid if your build struggles with trap mechanics or timed challenges.
Use map knowledge to pick rooms with boons or favourable afflictions.
4. Utilize Boons and Relics Effectively
Invest currency in buying major and minor boons that boost survivability, damage, and Honour restoration.
Place relics on the altar for additional bonuses such as Honour regen or revives.
Some important boons include “Imperial Seal” (trap disable), “Earned Honour” (restore Honour on completion), and “Orbala’s Leathers” (one revive).
5. Efficient Shrine and Sacred Water Management
Sacred Water boosts healing at shrines. Boons can increase Sacred Water found or its effectiveness.
Prioritize shrine visitation to restore Honour and buff yourself during longer trial runs.
6. Practice Boss Fight Mechanics
Prepare for Zarohk, the Temporal at the final floor by learning his attack patterns, staying mobile, and saving defensive cooldowns.
Efficiently managing Honour during boss fights ensures success without restart.
7. Optimize Pathing for Maximum Reward
Keep runs short and safe; don’t overextend on risky rooms.
Use Trial maps and knowledge of trial layout to plan an optimal path minimizing damage while maximizing rewards.
8. Play with Others When Possible
Trial runs in a group help share damage load, crowd control, and faster clears, reducing Honour loss.
Coordinate boons and team strategies to improve efficiency.
Maximizing efficiency in the Test of Time Barya runs requires a fast AoE damage build, excellent Honour management through dodging and boons, careful room selection, strategic boon and relic usage, and deep familiarity with Shrine and boss mechanics. Combining these tactics ensures swift completion of time-limited rooms and greater rewards from the Trial of the Sekhemas.