The Trials of Ascendancy in Path of Exile are a series of trap-filled mini-dungeons that players must complete to unlock the Labyrinth and gain access to powerful Ascendancy classes and points. These Trials are scattered throughout the main campaign acts and are essential for character progression, especially when starting a new league or character PoE 1 Currency.

Overview of Trials of Ascendancy
There are three main sets of Trials corresponding to the Labyrinth difficulties: Normal, Cruel, and Merciless. Each set contains multiple Trials located in specific zones across Acts 1 through 10. Completing all Trials in a difficulty unlocks access to that Labyrinth, where players face challenging puzzles and bosses to earn Ascendancy points that enhance their character’s subclass.

Normal Labyrinth Trial Locations (Acts 1-3)
1. Act 1: The Lower Prison (also called The Prison, Lower Level) — features spike traps.
2. Act 2: The Crypt Level 1 — known for spinning blade traps.
3. Act 2: The Chamber of Sins Level 2 — contains sawblade traps.
4. Act 3: The Crematorium — furnace traps are prevalent here.
5. Act 3: The Catacombs — guarded by blade sentries.
6. Act 3: The Imperial Gardens — filled with dart traps.
These six Trials can all be completed by the end of Act 3, allowing players to access the Normal Labyrinth and choose their Ascendancy class.

Cruel Labyrinth Trial Locations (Acts 6-7)
1. Act 6: The Prison — spike traps again.
2. Act 7: The Crypt — spinning blades.
3. Act 7: The Chamber of Sins Level 2 — sawblade traps.
Completing these three Trials unlocks the Cruel Labyrinth, which offers additional Ascendancy points for further specialization.

Merciless Labyrinth Trial Locations (Acts 8-10)
1. Act 8: The Bath House — furnace traps.
2. Act 9: The Tunnel — blade sentries.
3. Act 10: The Ossuary — contains dart traps.
Finishing these Trials grants access to the Merciless Labyrinth, the final campaign Labyrinth difficulty for earning Ascendancy points.

The Eternal Labyrinth (Uber Labyrinth)
Unlike the previous Labyrinths, the Eternal Labyrinth (also called Uber Labyrinth) does not require completing Trials in the campaign. Instead, players must collect “Offering to the Goddess” items by running high-tier maps and defeating bosses. The Uber Lab is the most challenging Labyrinth, offering endgame rewards and the highest Ascendancy point gains Poe 1 Divine Orb.

How to Identify and Complete Trials
Trials are identified by unique door and lever icons in their respective zones. Because Path of Exile uses procedural level generation, the exact location of each Trial within a zone varies each playthrough, so exploration is necessary. Each Trial is a trap puzzle that tests players’ timing and movement skills. Completing all Trials in a difficulty unlocks the corresponding Labyrinth entrance in Act 3 town, Sarn.