Conquering the Test of Cunning Barya: Tips for Success

Tackling the Test of Cunning Barya in Path of Exile 2 demands a mixture of sharp reaction, clever build choices, and careful planning. This challenge, filled with hazardous traps and a tough boss encounter, is a true test of both your character and your game knowledge. Here’s how to beat it with confidence.

Build and Gear Preparation

Prioritize Mobility:

Movement skills such as Leap Slam, Vaulting Impact, or Blink are invaluable. They allow swift dodging of traps like fire plates and quicksand, which are the hallmarks of the trial.

Stack Survivability:

Boost life, energy shield, and Honour resistance. Defensive stats like evasion, block, and elemental resistances further cushion mistakes and reduce Honour loss.

Emphasize Ranged or Hit-and-Run Play:

Using ranged attacks or skills that allow kiting keeps you out of harm’s way. Damage-over-time effects—like poison or burning—are effective for both enemies and the boss, letting you focus on avoidance.

Strategic Trial Tips

Study Trap Patterns:

Take time to observe the timing and placement of traps on each floor. Learning when and where hazards appear will save Honour and reduce resets.

Map Out Your Path:

Always plot routes that minimize hazardous rooms and afflictions. Prioritize rooms with Honour fountains and avoid challenging enemy modifiers when possible.

Smart Relic Choices:

Before you begin, select relics that boost Honour recovery or resist trap damage. These can make a critical difference, creating more margin for error during tricky segments.

Monitor Your Honour:

Honour functions as a secondary health bar—be meticulous about restoring it at shrines and avoiding unnecessary hits. Losing all Honour means a failed run.

Avoid Overextending in Combat:

Don’t rush into mobs or try to brute-force through traps. Patience and deliberate movement win more runs than speed alone.

Boss Fight: Ashar the Sand Mother

Keep Moving:

Ashar employs complex attacks and summons adds. Constant movement, especially in a circular or zigzag pattern, helps dodge her hardest hits.

Capitalize on Damage Windows:

Wait for safe openings—such as after a big attack or during add phases—to burst her down. Use your highest-damage abilities when it’s safe.

Crowd Control and Burst:

Skills that offer area control or quick enemy clearing make the add phases manageable, reducing pressure and keeping the focus on Ashar.

Practical Room and Boon Selection

Pick Beneficial Boons:

Favors like trap damage reduction, increased Honour, or movement speed can turn the tide. Avoid major afflictions and stack minor boons that help your playstyle.

Batch Your Progress:

Salvage and heal Honour before big encounters, and avoid committing to dangerous routes unless rewards justify the risk.

Approach each attempt as a learning experience—the layout, trap patterns, and boss mechanics are consistent between runs.

Use Sacred Water and Honour rest points strategically.

Adapt your approach—if your build struggles with one aspect, alter your path or relics to compensate.

By maximizing movement, survivability, and strategic room picks, you’ll greatly improve your odds of conquering the Test of Cunning Barya and claim its rewards. Stay patient and persistent—success is well within reach.