The Trials of Seo are one of the Ascendancy trials in Path of Exile 2, and they tend to take significantly longer than the Chaos Trials. However, unlike the Chaos Trials, you can enter directly and defeat the pinnacle boss, Zarok, without requiring fragments. This may make them seem shorter in a way, but in practice, they take longer to complete.
So why would we spend close to 19 hours grinding these trials? The answer, my fellow Exile, is The Last Flame.
The Chase for The Last Flame
For those unfamiliar, The Last Flame enables Zarok to drop the Temporales unique chest. Currently, this is one of the biggest chase uniques in Path of Exile 2, selling for around 420 divines at the time of recording. While it may take hundreds of runs to obtain, the journey is not without its rewards. Along the way, there are numerous ways to make POE 2 Currency, making this a viable farming method.
Profitability of the Trials of Seo
1. Relic Farming
Relics are among the most profitable drops from these trials. Using an optimized relic setup, they drop frequently, quickly filling up dump tabs. Some of these relics can sell for a significant amount of divines. The ones to focus on include:
- Ear Relics
- Seal Relics
- Anfora Relics
- Tapestry Relics (to a lesser extent)
You can ignore Incense, Vase, and Coffer Relics, except for The Last Flame, of course.
The Desperate Alliance Relic
Aside from The Last Flame, another valuable relic that Zarok drops is the Desperate Alliance Vase Relic. These allow players to farm the Against the Darkness jewel, currently selling for around 3 divines per relic. They drop far more consistently than The Last Flame, making them a solid secondary profit source.
2. Jewel Farming
The Trials of Seo are also an excellent way to farm jewels in bulk. Throughout my runs, I collected numerous jewels, some of which were incredibly valuable. These can either be crafted or sold as-is for a hefty profit.
3. Chest Room Rewards
After defeating Zarok, you’re rewarded with a room full of chests. To maximize your returns, prioritize chests that yield high-value items. These chests are unlocked using keys acquired throughout the trial.
The Best Build for Running Trials of Seo
Your run speed heavily influences your experience with these trials. The best builds for farming the Trials of Seo are those that maximize movement speed. Currently, Temporales-based builds or Queen of the Forest builds are the fastest options.
For my runs, I used a Poisonous Concoction Pathfinder, inspired by Per Flo’s build. Here’s why it’s an excellent choice:
- Fast movement speed: I modified the original build to use Queen of the Forest, stacking as much evasion as possible. This reduced my run time from an average of 35 minutes to 22 minutes.
- Negates negative afflictions: Many afflictions in the trial can cripple other builds, but this build mitigates them effectively.
- Over 100% increased rarity: While rarity does not affect Zarok’s drops or chests, it does improve general monster loot.
Blink and Frost Wall Strategy
To further optimize runs, I highly recommend incorporating Blink and Frost Wall into your build. This combo allows you to skip gauntlet rooms in seconds, drastically cutting down your runtime. Using a wand with cooldown recovery and Crest of the Ura in my weapon swap made a huge difference.
Optimizing Relic Setup
My strategy focused on stacking increased relic quantity and increased defenses for higher evasion. While this setup can be expensive, the investment is worthwhile. Here’s how to set up your relics:
Relic Selection
- Anfora Relics (x2)
- Merchant has 2+ additional choices (3 is ideal but costly)
- Honor Resistance to cap at 75%
- Enora Relics (x2)
- Merchant has 4–6 additional choices (more choices = faster boon selection)
- Seal Relics (x4)
- Increased quantity of relics dropped by monsters (aim for 20%)
- Increased defenses (for higher evasion → more movement speed with Queen of the Forest)
Why This Setup Works
With perfect rolls, this setup provides 120% increased relic quantity, further boosted to 150% with the Enchanted Ear Boon. This increases the number of unique relics dropped by Zarok, improving your odds of finding The Last Flame. The additional defenses enhance movement speed, reducing trial completion time.
General Strategy Inside the Trials
Floors 1 & 2: Prioritizing Sacred Water & Merchants
- Focus on collecting Sacred Water while maximizing Merchant encounters.
- Avoid as many afflictions as possible early on.
Floor 3: Prioritizing Boons
- By this stage, your build should be optimized for maximum speed and efficiency.
- Skip unnecessary fights to reach Zarok faster.
Floor 4: Final Boss & Chest Room
- Take down Zarok and maximize your chest rewards using acquired keys.
Is It Worth Running Trials of Seo?
After 50 runs, my verdict is: Yes, but only with an optimized setup.
- If you’re solely chasing The Last Flame, be prepared for a long grind. It’s an ultra-rare drop, and many runs may yield nothing.
- However, the secondary profits make this strategy viable.
High-value relics sell consistently.
Desperate Alliance Relics provide steady income.
Jewel farming offers additional profit streams.
Final Thoughts
For those looking for a long-term, sustainable farming method in Path of Exile 2, the Trials of Seo offer immense potential. With the right build and relic setup, they provide a steady stream of valuable items. While The Last Flame remains elusive, the journey itself is Path of Exile 2 Currency profitable and engaging.
So, Exile, will you take on the Trials of Seo? Let me know your experiences in the comments below!