Exploring the expansive open world of Hogwarts Legacy brings players face-to-face with numerous ancient puzzles created by Merlin himself. Scattered across the Highlands, these environmental challenges offer both engaging gameplay and essential character upgrades. Understanding where to find them and how to reap their benefits is key to a smooth wizarding journey.
How Merlin Trials Function Across the Map
Players first encounter these environmental puzzles during the main story after meeting Nora Treadwell near Lower Hogsfield. To activate any of the 95 trials spread across the world map, you must sprinkle Mallowsweet leaves onto the central stone platform. Once activated, players must utilize specific spells to solve the nearby puzzle, ranging from destroying stone pillars to guiding moths.
Key regions such as Hogwarts Valley, Hogsmeade Valley, and the Feldcroft Region contain high concentrations of these activities. Utilizing your broomstick alongside the Revelio spell makes identifying trial markers and hidden puzzle components significantly easier. Players can track their overall regional progress directly from the world map interface.
Unlocking Maximum Gear Capacity as Rewards
The main incentive for completing these world puzzles is expanding your character's gear inventory capacity. By default, carrying gear is heavily restricted, forcing frequent trips to vendors to sell off unwanted equipment. Completing milestone tiers in the Exploration Challenges tab grants extra inventory slots, increasing capacity from 20 up to 40 slots.
You only need to complete 52 out of the 95 available trials to reach the maximum inventory capacity bonus. Solving additional trials beyond this threshold grants experience points to help level up your character. Completing every single trial on the map also awards the coveted Merlin's Beard achievement for completionists.
Essential Spells for Solving Every Trial Type
Overcoming these challenges requires a versatile spell loadout to handle the nine distinct puzzle mechanics. Spells like Incendio and Confringo are necessary for lighting timed braziers or shattering cracked stone structures. Meanwhile, Accio, Depulso, and Wingardium Leviosa allow you to roll heavy stone spheres into designated basins.
For other variations, Lumos is needed to attract glowing moths back to stone pillars, while Reparo restores broken statues. Additionally, Flipendo helps align symbol blocks, and basic jumping skills handle parkour platforming sections. Keeping a steady supply of Mallowsweet leaves ensures you can activate any trial the moment you discover it.
