The Trial of the Ancestors league in Path of Exile introduces an auto-battler inspired mechanic, where players engage in matches against teams of Warriors. Success in this league depends on strategically assembling a powerful team, utilizing Field Items and Equipment effectively, and overcoming Totems and enemies to win matches. The ultimate goal is to progress through the tournament ranks, gathering unique rewards like Skill Point Tattoos, which can significantly enhance your build. Mastery of various strategies, Warriors, and items is crucial to dominate matches and accrue valuable rewards, including PoE currency.
Understanding Matches and Tournaments
During the Trial of the Ancestors league, players will encounter Silver Coins, a tradable currency repurposed from the now-defunct Prophecy League. These coins are essential for participating in matches, with one Silver Coin granting entry to a single match. Each tournament is composed of several matches, and players must navigate these to advance.
Winning a match rewards players with lesser prizes, while emerging victorious in a tournament offers a choice of two special rewards. The tournament operates on a double-elimination basis, meaning you can afford one loss without penalty, but a second loss will eject you from the tournament, requiring you to start anew. Note that progression elements like Favour, Warriors, Field Items, and Equipment do not carry over between tournaments, making each new tournament a fresh start.
Ranking and Monster Level Dynamics
The difficulty and reward potential of a tournament is determined by your “Ranking,” visible in the lower right of the Match selection screen. Winning a tournament boosts your Ranking, with a larger increase for undefeated runs. This Ranking not only sets the Monster Level of your opponents but also affects the enemy Warriors’ strength, particularly past monster level 83. As your Ranking climbs, the rewards from both individual matches and overall tournament victories also increase. This progression system not only adds to the challenge but also provides opportunities for players to earn significant PoE currency and other rewards, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
In Trial of the Ancestors, strategic planning, efficient use of resources, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics are key to success. With each match and tournament, players have the opportunity to refine their strategies, earn valuable rewards, and experience the thrill of this unique league mechanic.
Choosing Your Next Opponent
At the match selection screen, you’ll see two key columns: Sponsors and Rewards. The Sponsors column indicates the types of Favour you’ll receive for winning the match, while the Rewards column details the specific prize for victory. Each Tribe offers unique rewards, including Uniques and Tribe-specific Tattoos, which can be valuable assets for trading on PoE trade platforms. Balancing the sponsor favour with desired rewards and strategic Tribe choices is essential for success.
Ancestral Totems and Match Goals
Each player and Warrior in the game is linked to an Ancestral Totem, serving as their spawn and respawn point. The primary objective in a match is to destroy all enemy team totems, effectively eliminating the opposition.
Death and Resurrection Mechanics
Warriors and players respawn at their Totem after a defeat, with the respawn time decreasing after each death. However, the respawn timer halts if their Totem is under the process of being banished. Importantly, there’s no XP penalty for dying during Trials matches, even for Hardcore players, making it a safe option for XP farming.
Banishing Totems
Totems are destroyed through a channeling process, slowly depleting their health. Players can initiate the channel by clicking next to the Totem, while Warriors will do so automatically based on their role. Flankers focus on Totem banishment, whereas Attackers and Escorts will channel Totems when no enemies are around. Interruptions during channeling can stun players and Warriors, with the former being stunned by a single hit and the latter requiring a certain percentage of damage.
When a Totem is fully banished, it instantly kills its Warrior or the player, preventing any further respawns for the match. If your Totem is banished, it’s up to your Warriors to secure victory.
For advanced strategies on selecting opponents, managing Totems, and winning matches, along with maximizing your gains through PoE trade or PoE trading, refer to the detailed sections “Farming Strategy” and “Winning Battles” in this guide. These strategies will not only enhance your gameplay but also provide opportunities for profitable exchanges in the world of PoE trading.
Mastering Warrior Positions in Trial of the Ancestors League
In Path of Exile’s Trial of the Ancestors league, strategically positioning your Warriors before a match is crucial for victory. This guide will help you understand the roles and optimal placements for different types of Warriors, enhancing your gameplay and increasing your chances of earning rewards, including valuable PoE currency.
Understanding Warrior Positions
- Attacker:
- Role: Primarily focused on hunting and knocking out enemy Warriors.
- Behavior: Attackers aggressively pursue and attempt to eliminate enemy Warriors, sometimes inadvertently protecting forward totems.
- Ideal Choice: Tanky Warriors to engage and distract enemy forces.
- Escort:
- Role: Accompanies the player, targeting and assisting in eliminating enemies.
- Behavior: Escorts follow and aid the player in combat.
- Ideal Choice: Warriors with high damage output or beneficial “on-kill” effects.
- Flanker:
- Role: Specializes in bypassing enemy Warriors to target enemy Totems.
- Behavior: Flankers avoid direct combat, focusing instead on banishing enemy Totems.
- Ideal Choice: Warriors with stealth, evasion, or ranged banishing abilities.
- Defender:
- Role: Positioned behind totems to defend against enemy attacks.
- Behavior: Defenders engage only when totems are under threat, otherwise remaining passive.
- Ideal Choice: Warriors with strong ranged damage or supportive skills/equipment.
Tribes and Favor Mechanics
- The league features 10 different tribes, each with unique Warriors and items.
- Winning matches earns Tribe-specific Favor, which can be spent on recruiting Warriors, and acquiring Field Items and Equipment.
- A balanced team composition from various Tribes is recommended for a well-rounded strategy.
Field Items, Equipment, and Selling Back
- Use Favor to buy Field Items and Equipment to boost your team’s capabilities.
- Field Items offer single-use beneficial effects, while Equipment provides stat boosts and unique abilities to Warriors.
- Unwanted Warriors, Field Items, and Equipment can be sold back to Favour Vendors for half their value, allowing you to reallocate resources effectively.
League-Specific Rewards
- Primary rewards include Skill Point Tattoos, which modify attribute-granting passive skills on the skill tree.
- Other rewards include Omens and Hinekora’s Lock, a crafting item that reveals crafting outcomes.
Stay tuned to this guide for more insights into the Trial of the Ancestors league. If you discover something interesting or have feedback, share it and let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Good luck, and enjoy your journey through the Trials of the Ancestors, where strategic gameplay can lead to substantial gains in PoE currency and other rewards.
