Patch 0.5 “Return of the Ancients” introduced a lot of changes to Path of Exile 2, but one of the most quietly powerful additions is a room reward in the Trial of the Sekhemas known as Fickle Blessings of the Wind POE 2 Orbs.

At first glance, it doesn’t look like much. The description is vague, the effects aren’t explained, and you only see a short line telling you it grants a “Shrine that bestows the fickle Blessings of the Wind.” In a mode where one mistake can end your entire run, that lack of clarity can feel risky.

But once you understand what it actually does, it becomes one of the best rewards you can roll in the Trial.

What Fickle Blessings of the Wind Actually Does
When you activate this shrine, it triggers three effects at once:
Removes a minor Affliction
Grants a minor Boon
Restores a small amount of Honor

The important part is that all of these effects are randomized within their categories. You don’t choose what gets removed or what boon you receive.

Why It Matters in the Trial of the Sekhemas
The Trial is one of the most punishing systems in POE 2. Your success depends on managing Honor, avoiding dangerous Afflictions, and surviving multiple room encounters before reaching the boss.

That’s why this shrine stands out. Even though it’s random, it directly interacts with the three things that decide whether your run survives or collapses:
Afflictions that weaken your build
Boons that give you extra power
Honor, your secondary life bar

In many cases, just removing one bad affliction can completely stabilize a run that was starting to fall apart.

How You Activate It
When you select a room with this reward, the shrine isn’t given immediately.

To use it, you must:
Clear all enemies in the room
Reach the reward area
Interact with the shrine
Spend 5 Sacred Water

Sacred Water is earned from:
Enemy drops
Chests
Dedicated Sacred Water fountain rooms
Boss encounters

Why It’s More Valuable Than It Looks
On paper, the effect seems small. In practice, it can completely change the outcome of a run.

The real value comes from its ability to remove problematic minor afflictions, such as:
Reduced merchant effectiveness
Hidden trial information
Negative shrine interactions
Random penalty modifiers tied to shrine usage

These effects don’t always kill a run instantly-but they slowly stack pressure until your build can’t keep up. Removing even one can make a noticeable difference.

On top of that, the shrine also counts as a Maraketh Shrine, which means it can trigger additional synergy effects from other boons that activate on shrine use. That makes it even more efficient than it first appears.

Should You Take It?
In most cases, yes.

The Fickle Blessings of the Wind is one of those rewards that has no real downside. The randomness is the only drawback, but all possible outcomes are useful in a system where survival matters more than optimization.

If you’re pushing deeper into the Trial of the Sekhemas, this room is usually worth prioritizing over safer but less impactful options.

Final Thoughts
The Trial of the Sekhemas is built around small advantages adding up over time. Fickle Blessings of the Wind fits that design perfectly-it doesn’t guarantee anything, but it consistently tilts the odds back in your favor.

Sometimes it removes a useless affliction. Sometimes it saves a run that was about to collapse. And sometimes it just gives you enough breathing room to push forward one more room deeper buy Exalted Orb. In a system where every bit of Honor matters, that’s often all you need.