Path of Exile 2: Trial of the Ancestors quest guide

Trial of the Ancestors is a side quest in Path of Exile 2 Chapter 4 that players could completely miss out on. It’s not one that’s advertised and is only seen if you explore the Isle of Kin, which doesn’t have any of the main story content on it. The only part of Chapter 4 that leads you here is the Forgotten Bounty quest. One of the Torn Map Pieces you need will be found here. If you decide to enter the Volcanic Warrens, you can begin this quest.

There are four Tattoos from the Trial of the Ancestors that give your character permanent bonuses. However, if you complete this quest with a Standard League character from 0.2 or earlier that had already beaten the old Cruel Acts, you won't get these bonuses.

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How to complete Trial of the Ancestors quest in Path of Exile 2

While on the Isle of Kin in Path of Exile 2, you can begin the Trial of the Ancestors by defeating the boss of the Volcanic Warrens dungeon, Krutog, Lord of Kin. The quest will automatically trigger, and the first step will be made available: Talk to Matiki.

It all kicks off here, in the Volcanic Warrens (Image via GGG)

Here are all the steps you’ll need to undertake:

• Speak to Matiki.
• Speak to Matiki on the boat.
• Head to the Eye of Hinekora.
• Meet up with Matiki/Speak with Matiki.
• Peer into the Well of Passing.
• Complete the Tests of Mettle (Kaomi's, Maata's, Rakiata's).
• Locate the Halls of the Dead.
• Optional: Pay Your Respects (Gained 5% Maximum Mana).
• Explore the Halls of the Dead.
• Defeat Yama the White.
• Enter the portal to meet the Mother.
• Speak to Navali

You can speak to Matiki by opening the cage near the boss. That will lead you to talk to them again on the boat itself. When you’re ready, you can now set sail for a new destination, Eye of Hinekora. Upon arriving in that area, look for Matiki again and speak to them.

After speaking with Matiki, peer into the Well of Passing to get the approval to take on the Trial of the Ancestors in Path of Exile 2. You’ll head through the next part of the dungeon, which will have you complete three Tests of Mettle.

It’s a more or less straightforward dungeon. There are a few branching paths, but they don’t go far. When you get to each Test of Mettle, you’ll battle a few waves of enemies before fighting a named enemy at the end. Your named enemies could vary, but in my case, I had to deal with the following:

• Kaomi's Mettle: Few enemy waves, Magma Barrier named enemy
• Maata's Mettle: Few enemy waves, Always Poisons named enemy
• Rakiata's Mettle: Few enemy waves, Mana Drain/Lightning Damage/Trail of Fire named enemy.

The Tests of Mettle aren't too hard. A few groups of enemies and a named foe (Image via GGG)

Each of these tests should reward you with a Tattoo that will give you +5 to Strength, Intelligence, or Dexterity, depending on the Tattoo. As I already completed the game on Cruel on this character, I did not unlock these. After you beat all three, you’ll need to locate The Halls of the Dead. Explore the dungeon until you find this, and dive into the next area.

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All Tattoos and bonuses from Halls of The Dead in PoE2

Make sure to do all three rooms with these Totems (Image via GGG)

In the Halls of the Dead, you'll yet again need to thoroughly explore, because there's a whole set of permanent bonuses. Similar to the last area, there are three sets of horde-fighting rooms here, with the Hinekora Totems dropping a Blank Tattoo once you complete it. Interacting with these three quest items will give you a choice between Attribute points and +5% Resistance towards an Element.

• Tawhoa’s Test - Blank Tatto of Tawhoa: +5 Dex / +5% Lightning Resistance
• Tasalio’s Test - Blank Tattoo of Tasalio: +5 INT / +5% Cold Resistance
• Ngamavu’s Test - Blank Tattoo of Ngamavu: +5 STR / +5% Fire Resistance

There’s another optional reward in Path of Exile 2’s Trial of the Ancestors. If you find a green pool, you’ll have the option to Pay Your Respects. This grants a permanent +5% to your max Mana Pool, so it is definitely worth exploring every nook and cranny of this dungeon.

You can never have too much mana (Image via GGG)

You will find this in the The Silent Hall subsection of the map, and you will speak to Navali here. Interact with the green pool for your reward. From here, you’ll just keep exploring until you reach the end of this incredibly lengthy dungeon. Yama the White is the boss, which we’ve covered here.

He’s not a deadly boss; lots of annoying projectiles and dive bomb attacks are his go-to. When he stops time, though, you’ll see some clones of you running away. Look for the one that’s channeling a big AOE and get right next to them to avoid big-time damage. From here, just enter the portal to meet the Mother and speak with Navali.

You’ll learn a bit more about your character and then receive your final reward: Hinekora's Tattoo, which grants +2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points, and concludes Path of Exile 2’s Trial of the Ancestors quest.

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Check out our other Path of Exile 2 guides and features

• Path of Exile 2: What to do with the Shark Fin (Tribal Medicine)
• Path of Exile 2: Diamora Song of the Deep boss guide
• Path of Exile 2: Great White One boss guide
• Path of Exile 2: Scourge of the Skies boss guide