Path of Exile 2: Trial of the Ancestors Quest Guide
Path of Exile 2 is filled with hidden side quests, optional areas, and permanent character rewards that can easily be missed if you only follow the main story path. One of the most rewarding of these is the Trial of the Ancestors, a Chapter 4 side quest that grants players powerful permanent attribute and resistance bonuses through Tattoos. This questline also provides valuable lore and culminates in an intense battle against Yama the White. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to find, start, and complete the Trial of the Ancestors in Path of Exile 2.
How to Unlock Trial of the Ancestors
The Trial of the Ancestors is not automatically part of the main story. Instead, it is tied to exploration of the Isle of Kin, which you can only reach through the Forgotten Bounty quest in Chapter 4. This quest requires you to gather Torn Map Pieces, and one of them is located in this optional zone. If you venture into the Volcanic Warrens dungeon on the Isle of Kin, you'll encounter Krutog, Lord of Kin. Defeating him triggers the start of the Trial of the Ancestors questline.
Once Krutog is defeated, you'll find Matiki in a nearby cage. Freeing her begins the multi-step journey that will carry you across new zones, through dangerous dungeons, and into encounters that test your strength, endurance, and adaptability.
Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough
Here's a breakdown of the full quest progression:
1. Speak to Matiki - Free her from the cage near Krutog.
2. Speak to Matiki on the boat - She joins you as a guide.
3. Travel to the Eye of Hinekora - Sail to a new location.
4. Meet up with Matiki - Speak with her again upon arrival.
5. Peer into the Well of Passing - Gain approval to begin the trials.
6. Complete the Tests of Mettle - Face Kaomi, Maata, and Rakiata's challenges.
7. Locate the Halls of the Dead - Explore the dungeon further.
8. Optional: Pay Your Respects - Gain +5% Maximum Mana.
9. Explore the Halls of the Dead - Take on the next set of trials.
10. Defeat Yama the White - Battle the boss at the end.
11. Enter the portal to meet the Mother - Unlock story dialogue.
12. Speak to Navali - Claim your final reward.
The Tests of Mettle
After gaining access through the Well of Passing, you'll need to complete three Tests of Mettle. Each trial consists of several waves of enemies followed by a named miniboss with unique mechanics. The named foes may vary, but typically include:
·Kaomi's Mettle - Enemies protected by Magma Barrier.
·Maata's Mettle - Miniboss that always inflicts Poison.
·Rakiata's Mettle - Uses Mana Drain, Lightning Damage, and Fire trails.
Completing these tests rewards you with permanent Tattoos that provide +5 Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence. These are significant boosts early in the game and can help optimize your build.
Tip: These challenges can be tough without solid gear. Many players choose to upgrade their build by farming or buying Path of Exile 2 Items before attempting the Trials.
The Halls of the Dead and Tattoo Rewards
After the Trials of Mettle, your journey continues into the Halls of the Dead, where you can earn even more powerful Tattoos. Here, you'll complete additional trial rooms, defeat waves of enemies, and interact with Hinekora Totems that grant Blank Tattoos. These can be exchanged for either attributes or elemental resistances.
Here's a breakdown of the rewards:
·Tawhoa's Test - Blank Tattoo of Tawhoa: +5 Dexterity or +5% Lightning Resistance.
·Tasalio's Test - Blank Tattoo of Tasalio: +5 Intelligence or +5% Cold Resistance.
·Ngamavu's Test - Blank Tattoo of Ngamavu: +5 Strength or +5% Fire Resistance.
For min-maxing purposes, these rewards are invaluable. Many players pair them with PoE2 Currency to balance attributes and resistances for endgame content.
Optional Reward: Pay Your Respects
Within the Silent Hall subsection of the Halls of the Dead, you may encounter a glowing green pool. Interacting with this allows you to Pay Your Respects, granting a permanent +5% Maximum Mana increase. This is one of the most worthwhile optional rewards in the entire questline, so make sure to explore thoroughly and unlock it.
Final Boss: Yama the White
The last major challenge of the Trial of the Ancestors quest is Yama the White. While not the deadliest boss in Path of Exile 2, he can be very disruptive with his constant projectiles and dive bomb attacks.
His most dangerous mechanic is a time-stop ability that spawns clones of your character. To avoid massive area damage, identify the clone that is channeling a large AoE attack and move next to it. Staying close will minimize the damage taken.
Once Yama is defeated, a portal will appear, leading you to meet the Mother. Here, you'll also reunite with Navali, who provides your final reward.
Final Reward: Hinekora's Tattoo
The Trial of the Ancestors concludes with Hinekora's Tattoo, one of the most valuable Tattoos in Path of Exile 2. This reward grants +2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points, offering significant build flexibility and scaling potential for advanced characters.
Why You Shouldn't Skip Trial of the Ancestors
Even though it is an optional side quest, Trial of the Ancestors provides some of the strongest permanent bonuses in the game, including:
·+5 Attribute Tattoos.
·Up to +5% Elemental Resistances.
·+5% Maximum Mana.
·+2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points.
In addition, the lore around Hinekora, Matiki, and Navali ties deeply into the broader narrative of Path of Exile 2, making it rewarding from both a gameplay and storytelling perspective.
Final Thoughts
The Trial of the Ancestors quest in Path of Exile 2 is one of the most rewarding hidden side quests in the game. While entirely optional, it offers permanent stat upgrades, resistance boosts, mana increases, and unique Tattoos that enhance character progression. If you're aiming to maximize your build or simply want to experience all of the game's hidden content, don't miss out on this Chapter 4 gem.
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