Overview: The Forbidden Sanctum was a Path of Exile challenge league. The primary mechanic consisted of navigating through The Forbidden Sanctum. The Sanctum has four floors, and each floor is a series of rooms ending with a boss. However, the choice of rooms to pick throughout each floor is up to the player - with respect to the information available to the player (e.g., room type, reward, and what rooms lie ahead). In addition, the player has an ongoing resolve independent of their hit points (HP), and depleting the resolve bar is also a failure condition. The league started on 20221209 and ended 20230404.
20221209:
Started Poisonous Concoction, and transitioned to Seismic Trap Saboteur (with Exsanguinate).
Gameplay Log:
20221204 AM Hours: Prior to the league start, I practiced leveling with Orb of Storms and Mines in Standard (stopping somewhere in Act 2)
20221208 AM Hours: Prior to the league start, I practiced leveling with Poison Concoction in Standard (stopping somewhere in Act 2)
20221209: It's the first day of the league. I switched to Seismic Trap in Act 9. I realized the importance of 100% chance to poison. It does feel a little weak, meaning I switched prematurely. Fighting Act 9 boss felt like it took longer than it would have to fight if I had stayed with Poison Concoction. By the end of the long session (~16 hours of play) I made it to Act 10.
20221222: Reached level 90. Played 2 days, 14 hours, 22 minutes; died 89 times; killed 163523 monsters. Done 82/115 map bonus objectives. The other day I fought the Infinite Hunger and died. Today I defeated it without getting sucked into the other area. That's a major spike in power.
20221230: Reached level 94. Played 4 days, 2 hours, 0 minutes; died 115 times; killed 246837 monsters. Couldn't defeat Cortex.
20230105: Reached level 95. Played 4 days, 21 hours, 13 minutes; died 127 times; killed 302877 monsters. Today, I completed 40% of the experience (XP) bar from 94 to 95 in 5.1 hours - initially by running tier 14 maps and then eventually switching to ilevel 81 Heist contracts. ilevel 81 Heist contracts are equivalent to tier 14 maps, but the Heist maps feel easier to deal with. I was getting between 2.5% and 3% XP progress with each contract.
20230115: Reached level 96. Played 6 days, 6 hours, 49 minutes; died 131 times; killed 368846 monsters.
20230122: Thanks to Kirac, I was able to finish all the map bonus objectives. So I have 115/15 map bonus objectives.
20230207: Reached level 97. Played 7 days, 12 hours, 47 minutes; died 147 times; killed 498625 monsters. Note that this character now ties for highest leveled character; it is tied with Joalla (Scourge Arrow Pathfinder), Vortexada (Vortex Cold Snap Occultist), and Amexplada (Explosive Arrow Elementalist). My go to character in Standard is Vortexada, though I recall an equally great time playing the EA build.
20230210:
Tried Ziz Sanctum HCSSF Class Gauntlet (Spark Templar) but after playing for about an hour I returned to The Forbidden Sanctum.
Gameplay Log:
20230214: I gathered 10 crescents for a Maven's Writ, but I failed the fight. I did some upgrades. Bought a Maven's Writ for 1 divine, but I failed the fight again. I don't remember Maven being this difficult.
20230313-20230319:
During this time I played the Ruthless with Gold event. By the end I had reached Act 5.
20230320-20230321:
I played SSF Ruthless Sanctum.
 |
| Seismic Trap Saboteur |
20221209:
Started Poisonous Concoction, and transitioned to Seismic Trap Saboteur (with Exsanguinate).
Gameplay Log:
20221204 AM Hours: Prior to the league start, I practiced leveling with Orb of Storms and Mines in Standard (stopping somewhere in Act 2)
20221208 AM Hours: Prior to the league start, I practiced leveling with Poison Concoction in Standard (stopping somewhere in Act 2)
 |
| Sanctum |
20221209: It's the first day of the league. I switched to Seismic Trap in Act 9. I realized the importance of 100% chance to poison. It does feel a little weak, meaning I switched prematurely. Fighting Act 9 boss felt like it took longer than it would have to fight if I had stayed with Poison Concoction. By the end of the long session (~16 hours of play) I made it to Act 10.
20221222: Reached level 90. Played 2 days, 14 hours, 22 minutes; died 89 times; killed 163523 monsters. Done 82/115 map bonus objectives. The other day I fought the Infinite Hunger and died. Today I defeated it without getting sucked into the other area. That's a major spike in power.
20221230: Reached level 94. Played 4 days, 2 hours, 0 minutes; died 115 times; killed 246837 monsters. Couldn't defeat Cortex.
 |
| Defeated Lycia |
20230105: Reached level 95. Played 4 days, 21 hours, 13 minutes; died 127 times; killed 302877 monsters. Today, I completed 40% of the experience (XP) bar from 94 to 95 in 5.1 hours - initially by running tier 14 maps and then eventually switching to ilevel 81 Heist contracts. ilevel 81 Heist contracts are equivalent to tier 14 maps, but the Heist maps feel easier to deal with. I was getting between 2.5% and 3% XP progress with each contract.
20230115: Reached level 96. Played 6 days, 6 hours, 49 minutes; died 131 times; killed 368846 monsters.
20230122: Thanks to Kirac, I was able to finish all the map bonus objectives. So I have 115/15 map bonus objectives.
20230207: Reached level 97. Played 7 days, 12 hours, 47 minutes; died 147 times; killed 498625 monsters. Note that this character now ties for highest leveled character; it is tied with Joalla (Scourge Arrow Pathfinder), Vortexada (Vortex Cold Snap Occultist), and Amexplada (Explosive Arrow Elementalist). My go to character in Standard is Vortexada, though I recall an equally great time playing the EA build.
20230210:
Tried Ziz Sanctum HCSSF Class Gauntlet (Spark Templar) but after playing for about an hour I returned to The Forbidden Sanctum.
Gameplay Log:
20230214: I gathered 10 crescents for a Maven's Writ, but I failed the fight. I did some upgrades. Bought a Maven's Writ for 1 divine, but I failed the fight again. I don't remember Maven being this difficult.
20230313-20230319:
During this time I played the Ruthless with Gold event. By the end I had reached Act 5.
20230320-20230321:
I played SSF Ruthless Sanctum.
 |
| Choosing Sanctum rewards. |
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