Within the dark continent of Wraeclast lies a challenge divorced from its monster-infested shores: the Lord's Labyrinth. More than a mere dungeon, the Labyrinth is a deadly, trap-filled puzzle-box designed by the mad god Izaro. Successfully navigating its shifting halls and defeating its guardians is the key to **Ascendancy**, the process that elevates an exile from a mere mortal into a specialized archetype of immense power. This rite of passage is not optional; it is fundamental to defining a character's late-game identity and unlocking their true potential.

The Labyrinth must be conquered four times, at increasing difficulty levels (Normal, Cruel, Merciless, and Eternal). Each run is a test of patience, pattern recognition, and combat skill. The layout changes daily, filled with spinning blades, crushing pistons, and sawblade corridors that can kill a character as quickly as any boss. Izaro himself is fought in three separate encounters throughout the labyrinth, each time gaining new powers and mechanics. A single death sends you back to the beginning, making each run a tense, high-stakes ordeal. This design demands a different kind of skill from mapping—caution, observation, and precise execution over clearspeed.

Victory in each labyrinth grants two **Ascendancy** points and access to a subclass-specific skill tree. This is where the system's genius shines. Each of the seven base classes has three **Ascendancy** classes to choose from, each offering a wildly different specialization. Choosing an Ascendancy is the single most defining choice for a **build**. A Marauder can become a Juggernaut (a nearly unkillable tank), a Berserker (a self-harming damage machine), or a Chieftain (a totem and fire specialist). A Witch can specialize as a Necromancer, an Elementalist, or an Occultist. These trees are small but incredibly potent, offering unique mechanics, powerful keystones, and transformative passives that enable entire playstyles.

This choice creates immense diversity. Two players starting as the same Shadow can end up as completely different entities: one an Assassin focused on critical strikes and poisons, the other a Trickster who manipulates energy shield and casts spells while moving. The Ascendancy defines the character's role, survivability strategy, and damage scaling methods. It provides the final, crucial piece of the **build**-crafting puzzle, allowing players to hyper-focus on a singular, powerful fantasy. The power spike from completing a labyrinth and spending those points is palpable, a rewarding culmination of a difficult challenge.

The Labyrinth and Ascendancy system solve the problem of class homogeneity. They ensure that even within a single base class, the paths diverge dramatically. The Labyrinth itself, while often criticized for its punishing nature, serves as a memorable rite of passage—a gauntlet that separates the cautious from the corpses. It ties profound character power not to simple leveling, but to the overcoming of a unique, strategic challenge, making the title of "Ascendant" feel truly earned. In POE 1 Currency, you don't just level up; you ascend.