Merlin Trial Solutions And Locations In Hogwarts Legacy
Merlin Trials are curious stone puzzles in Hogwarts Legacy, which you can solve in return for XP and challenge rewards. After solving a certain number of these trials in Hogwarts Legacy, you can gain increased inventory space, a necessary perk if you're a Harry Potter hoarder and like to collect all the gear you possibly can in the game.
To find out more about these trials left by the iconic wizard himself, read here. We'll go through all Merlin Trial locations, solutions by spell type, and how to first unlock them.
- For more Hogwarts Legacy tips, check out our guide on how to get Mandrake in the game. A useful combat tool that can stun enemies.
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We’d implore you to read our explainer of the controversy so far, and consider supporting trans rights charities where possible.
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Hogwarts Legacy: How To Unlock The Merlin Trials
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The first Merlin Trial you come across will unlock fairly early in the game, after your first trip into Hogsmeade. If you travel to Lower Hogsfield (one of the hamlets outside of Hogwarts), you'll encounter Nora Treadwell, a researcher who is investigating a series of runes said to be a challenge left behind by Merlin. (Lower Hogsfield is also where Natty will instruct you to meet her after your trip to Hogsmead, to start her questline).
After speaking with Nora, she will tell you to place Mallowsweet on the seal on the ground. Complete this task and look around for three stone braziers near the seal. One will be behind Nora, the other two are close to the lake.
Use Incendio or another fire spell to set them alight and complete the trial. You'll know you have been successful when a cutscene triggers, featuring a vine-covered gazebo raising from the stone seal on the ground.
This will set you off on your journey to discover other Merlin Trials in the wild. Not all trials will require Incendio to complete. Many will require you to choose the correct spell to solve the puzzle.
Hogwarts Legacy: Merlin Trial Locations
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Once you've solved your first Merlin Trial, the rest will be updated on your map. Simply look for map markers that appear as a leaf symbol. There is a multitude of Merlin Trials scattered around the world map amongst the Hogwarts hamlets. These trials all follow a similar pattern to solving.
Once you have solved several trials you can navigate to the 'Challenges' menu and select the 'Exploration' screen to see if you have unlocked any rewards. Usually, you will get expanded inventory space in return for completing trials.
- To get to grips with the full scale of the map, check out our guide to the Hogwarts Legacy map size here.
Hogwarts Legacy: Merlin Trial Solutions
All Merlin Trials can be divided into categories depending on the spells needed to complete them. Several different kinds of trials follow a similar format, and all require Mallowsweet to be placed on their seals before starting.
The different types of Merlin Trials are:
The Incendio Merlin Trial
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This is the first trial type (mentioned above) and requires you to find three stone braziers near the seal and light them with Incendio. Take care to light them one after another in a timely fashion as they may 'time out' and the braziers will rise back up from the ground if you are not quick enough.
The Accio Merlin Trial
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If the Merlin Trial seal is surrounded by three similar seals on the ground, take a closer look. If the seals all have four holes in the centre, this means you need to place boulders inside to trigger them. The boulder piles can be found by casting Revelio near them, they are always usually near the seals and will require you to use Accio to drag them to the centre of each seal.
As they come close, they will pile up in the centre and trigger the main Merlin seal. There will be three piles of boulders and three stone seals on the ground to place them on.
The Lumos Moth Merlin Trial
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If there are three square stone blocks near the seal, this may be the Lumos trial. The blocks should have a hollowed-out square in each centre. Look around for clouds of blue moths, approach a group of them and cast Lumos.
Then, lead the moths to a stone and let the spell drop. The moths should swarm inside the hallowed out square and vines will sprout over the stone. Repeat the process for all three stone blocks to complete the Merlin Trial.
The Stepping Stones Merlin Trial
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This trial will have a seal placed near a collection of boulders, each in a line and larger than the last. This trial is slightly different from the others as all it requires is courage, rather than a spell. You must climb onto the smallest boulder and jump across to the largest one. Each boulder you step on will ding and spring vines.
When you have crossed the line of boulders the seal will unlock.
Destroy The Spheres Merlin Trial
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This trial will have several statues surrounding it. The statues are pillars with spheres on top (with the spheres resembling bowling balls). The aim of this trial is to destroy all the spheres, you can do so with a simple spell cast.
The real trick to this trial is finding them as they may be placed at higher levels or hidden. You'll know when you’ve found them all when the trial cutscene commences. Use Revlio to help you find them, it may be worth it to invest a Talent point into Revlio to increase its range.
The Wingardium Leviosa Merlin Trial
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This trial will show a large spherical boulder nearby and a large crater engraved with swirls. You simply need to place the boulder into the crater with Wingardium Leviosa, you'll notice that other spells such as Accio are not strong enough to lift it. Use Revlio if you have difficulty finding the crater in which to place the boulder.
The Confringo Merlin Trial
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This trial will have several large standing stones around the seal on the ground. These boulders will have green markings on them, resembling something close to a green Celtic knot. You must cast Confringo or Bombarda to destroy them. Another damage-dealing spell or fire spell like Incendio will not be strong enough to break them.
Where To Get Mallowsweet in Hogwarts Legacy
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Mallowsweet is needed to activate the Merlin Trials before you complete them. You can buy Mallowsweet leaves at The Magic Neep in Hogsmeade. You can also buy Mallowsweet seeds there and grow them in the Herbology classroom as Mallowsweet only needs a small planter to grow in. Once you have bought Mallowsweet seeds you will have a constant supply of them.
To do so, you must have attended your first Herbology class. This usually triggers after the main quest 'Secrets of the Restricted Section'.
If you have the Room of Requirement unlocked, you can also grow Mallowsweet there to keep yourself in constant supply as you journey through the Merlin Trials.
- If you'd like to know more, we have a guide on how to unlock the Room of Requirement in Hogwarts Legacy here.
