If you thought Hogwarts Legacy would let you coast through the countryside without stumbling into magical mischief, think again. Scattered across the world are over 90 Merlin Trials , each a small puzzle teasing your wits and rewarding your curiosity. For those aiming to complete the game 100%, unlock Merlin Trials , and expand your gear slots, these challenges are not optional—they're essential.

This guide breaks down every Merlin Trial type, shares solutions and strategies, and provides a map-based structure for how to find Merlin Trial locations fast. Whether you're in Hogwarts Valley , North Ford Bog , or scaling the cliffs near the Bell Tower Courtyard , you’ll walk away knowing how to complete the trials with ease.

Merlin Trials are ancient puzzles scattered throughout the map of Hogwarts Legacy. They were created by the famed wizard Merlin himself to test young witches and wizards. These trials become accessible after you begin the Trials of Merlin quest , which is triggered early in the game.

How to Unlock Merlin Trials

Before you can start solving anything, you’ll need to meet a curious scholar named Nora Treadwell . She’ll introduce you to the first trial and give you Mallowsweet , a required herb that activates Merlin Trial sites.

Tip: Always carry Mallowsweet. You can grow it in the Room of Requirement or purchase it from vendors in Hogsmeade.

Once you place the Mallowsweet on the circular stone plate, the trial activates. Each one presents a different kind of magical puzzle—some requiring finesse, others brute spellwork.

Here’s a breakdown of all known trial formats and how to solve them:

1. Pillar Destruction

Use Confringo or Incendio to destroy stacks of rocks.

2. Ball into Socket

Use Accio or Wingardium Leviosa to pull a nearby ball into a shallow stone socket. If the ball starts touching the ground but won’t go in, reposition carefully.

3. Moth Lumos Trial

Cast Lumos to attract glowing moths and guide them into magical pillars.

4. Stone Platforms Trial

Hop across stone platforms without touching the ground. Don’t fall off!

5. Stone Ball Rolling

Use magic to guide a large orb into a bowl-like depression. These often appear in Hogwarts Valley .

6. Symbol Rotation Puzzle

Use Flipendo to rotate cube-like structures until the symbols align.

7. Parkour Ring Run

Jump through all glowing hoops in sequence before time runs out. Watch out for aerial ones near legacy Merlin Trials .

8. Start Sinking into the Ground Puzzle

Sometimes, standing on platforms will start sinking into the ground , triggering nearby runes. Step off when the glowing pattern activates.

The Trials of Merlin quest begins after your first encounter with Nora Treadwell . She’ll guide you through an introductory puzzle and explain the basics.

To complete the quest:

1. Activate the first trial using Mallowsweet.

2. Solve it using the suggested spell.

3. Report back to Nora.

Once completed, you'll unlock access to all other Merlin Trials across the map.

Note: You do not need to return to Nora after every trial. She simply introduces the mechanic.

Here’s a regional breakdown of trial hotspots to help you chart your adventure.

North Ford Bog

• Swampy terrain makes orb trials tricky.

• Look for ruins and use Wingardium Leviosa to guide balls.

Hogwarts Valley

• High number of symbol puzzles.

• Explore near bridges and waterfalls.

Bell Tower Wing

• Some trials near Bell Tower Courtyard require Alohomora to access.

• Don’t forget to check behind locked doors or gates.

South Hogwarts Region

• Includes moth and sink-platform types.

• Travel by broom to locate isolated stone circles.

Hogsmeade Valley

• Ball-in-socket puzzles are common.

• Watch for high cliffs and ledges.

• Stack Your Mallowsweet : Always keep at least 5–10 on hand.

• Batch by Region : Clear all trials in a region before moving on.

• Use the Floo Flame Network : Fast travel to the nearest trial clusters.

• Plan During School Events : Some areas are easier to access at certain times.

• Tackle During Clear Weather : Fog and rain can obscure visual cues.

Completing the Merlin Trials isn’t just about expanding your gear slots—it’s a way to immerse yourself deeper into the magical world. From guiding moths to smashing boulders with fire, each challenge echoes the creativity of ancient magic.

So gather your Mallowsweet, cast Lumos to attract your next puzzle piece, and complete the trials spread across Hogwarts Castle . Whether you're pushing stone balls uphill or rotating cubes till sunrise, every solved trial brings you one step closer to mastering the legacy Merlin left behind.

The next time you see a circle of stones in a field, don’t pass it by. You’re standing at the edge of something truly enchanted.