In the dark, unforgiving world of Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), where every decision can mean the difference between survival and defeat, players are constantly on the hunt for items that can tip the scales in their favor. Among the many treasures and relics scattered across Wraeclast, one stands out as both a blessing and a curse: The Last Flame Incense Relic. This unique item, used in the challenging Trial of the Sekhemas, is a coveted asset for players looking to secure powerful rewards, particularly the Temporalis Silk Robe. However, its high risk and rarity make it one of the most elusive and debated items in the game. In this article, we'll dive deep into the mechanics, effects, acquisition methods, and strategic considerations of The Last Flame, while also exploring its role within the broader context of POE 2 Currency and the game's economy.

What is The Last Flame Incense Relic?

The Last Flame is a Unique Incense Relic in Path of Exile 2, designed specifically for use in the Trial of the Sekhemas, a multi-floor gauntlet filled with deadly enemies and complex mechanics. Relics in PoE 2 are special items that players can place on the Relic Altar at the start of a trial run to apply unique modifiers that alter the trial's difficulty and rewards. Unlike standard relics, which often provide bonuses to ease the trial, The Last Flame introduces a high-stakes challenge by imposing severe restrictions on the player while guaranteeing a specific, highly valuable drop.

The relic's explicit modifiers are as follows:

Zarokh, the Temporal drops Temporalis: Ensures that defeating Zarokh, the final boss of the Trial of the Sekhemas, drops the Temporalis Silk Robe, a unique body armor prized for its ability to significantly reduce spell cooldowns.

Damage taken cannot be Absorbed: Prevents the use of absorption effects like Guard, Encased in Jade, and Sorcery Ward, stripping away key defensive mechanics.

Maximum Honour is 1: Limits the player's Honour to 1, meaning a single hit from any enemy results in immediate failure of the trial.

Cannot be used with Trials below level 80: Restricts its use to high-level trials, increasing the baseline difficulty.

This item is destroyed when applied to a Trial: The Last Flame is a single-use item, consumed regardless of whether the player succeeds or fails.

These modifiers make The Last Flame a double-edged sword. While it guarantees the Temporalis, one of the most powerful uniques in the game, it demands near-perfect execution, as even a single mistake can end the run.

The Role of The Last Flame in the Trial of the Sekhemas

The Trial of the Sekhemas is a cornerstone of Path of Exile 2's endgame, consisting of four progressively harder floors filled with unique challenges, traps, and bosses. The final boss, Zarokh, the Temporal, is a formidable foe, and defeating him under normal circumstances can yield valuable rewards, including unique relics and Djinn Barya, an exclusive currency used within the trial. However, The Last Flame elevates the stakes by forcing players to undertake a "no-hit" run, where any damage taken results in instant failure. This restriction, combined with the inability to use absorption-based defenses, makes the trial a true test of skill, build optimization, and preparation.

To use The Last Flame, players place it on the Relic Altar at the start of the trial, activating its modifiers for the entire run. The reward for success-a guaranteed Temporalis drop-is a game-changer for many builds, particularly those relying on rapid spellcasting, such as the Chayula Monk or Sorceress Spark Stormweaver.

Acquiring The Last Flame

Obtaining The Last Flame is no small feat, as it is among the rarest unique relics in Path of Exile 2. There are two primary methods to acquire it:

Random Drop from Zarokh, the Temporal: The Last Flame can drop as a random reward when defeating Zarokh in a regular Trial of the Sekhemas run (requiring a minimum of level 75 Djinn Barya). Its drop rate is estimated to be around 1% or less, making it an exceptionally rare find. Players can increase their chances by stacking relics with the modifier "Increased Quantity of Relics Dropped by Monsters" and using the Enchanted Urn Minor Boon, which boosts non-unique relic effects by 30%. With optimal setups, players have reported getting multiple unique relic drops per run, though The Last Flame remains the rarest of the six unique relics Zarokh can drop.

Trading with Other Players: Given the low drop rate, many players opt to purchase The Last Flame through the in-game trading market, accessible via the official Path of Exile 2 website. The relic's value is astronomical, often fetching prices as high as 100–250 Divine Orbs, reflecting its rarity and the power of the Temporalis it guarantees. For comparison, less valuable unique relics like The Burden of Leadership trade for significantly less, often around 10 Divine Orbs. Trading requires a substantial investment of POE 2 Currency, and players must weigh the cost against the time and effort needed to farm the relic themselves.

Strategic Considerations and Builds

Using The Last Flame requires meticulous preparation, as the no-hit condition and lack of absorption defenses demand builds that can either avoid damage entirely or kill enemies before they can attack. The most successful builds for this challenge include:

Chayula Monk (Darkness-based): This build leverages Darkness as a defensive mechanic, allowing players to stay out of harm's way while dealing consistent damage.

Sorceress Spark Stormweaver: A ranged build that focuses on off-screen damage, turning the trial into a DPS race while minimizing exposure to enemy attacks.

Both builds require extensive practice to navigate the trial's trap rooms and manage the RNG of boons and curses. Players must also optimize their gear for high mobility, damage, and resistance to survive Zarokh's attacks. The trial's difficulty is further compounded by the need to choose detrimental mods before each room, some of which can make the run nearly impossible if poorly selected.

For players looking to farm The Last Flame itself, focusing on relic quantity modifiers and completing full trial runs is key. Efficient farming involves clearing the trial quickly, defeating all floor bosses, and maximizing relic drops from Zarokh. This process often requires significant investment in Djinn Barya and other currencies to sustain runs and optimize loot filters to prioritize valuable drops.

The Last Flame in the PoE 2 Economy

The Last Flame's value extends beyond its in-game utility, playing a significant role in Path of Exile 2's player-driven economy. The relic's high trade value makes it a prime target for currency farmers and traders. Players can flip The Last Flame for profit, using Divine Orbs to acquire it and then selling it for a higher price or trading it for other high-value items like the Mirror of Kalandra.

Conclusion

The Last Flame Incense Relic is a pinnacle of risk and reward in Path of Exile 2, embodying the game's philosophy of challenging players to push their skills and builds to the limit. Its ability to guarantee the Temporalis Silk Robe makes it a must-have for dedicated players, but its rarity, high cost, and unforgiving mechanics ensure it remains a rare prize. Whether you choose to grind for it through countless Trial of the Sekhemas runs or invest in the trading market to buy Path of Exile 2 Orbs and secure it, The Last Flame is a testament to the depth and complexity of PoE 2's endgame. For those brave enough to wield it, this relic offers a chance to conquer one of Wraeclast's greatest challenges and claim a reward that can redefine their journey.