Merlin Trials are the key to carrying more gear in Hogwarts Legacy-but many are cleverly tucked away behind cliffs, ruins, and hidden paths. This guide pinpoints every trial on the map, explains what each puzzle type expects from you, and helps you squeeze the maximum inventory space out of your adventure.
In Hogwarts Legacy, you’ll find a ton of gear that’ll quickly fill up your inventory. You’ll have to make many trips to Hogsmeade to clear up some space only for it to fill up again. One way to solve this issue is to complete the Merlin Trials around the Highlands. (Fair warning: There are 95 of them.) Continue reading to find the locations of every Merlin Trial and learn how many you have to complete to max out your inventory space.
How to unlock Merlin Trials in Hogwarts Legacy
To access Merlin Trials, players must first complete the main story mission “The Girl from Arnshire,” where they meet Nora Treadwell and learn how these ancient puzzles work. After this quest, Mallowsweet becomes the key ingredient needed to activate each trial. These trials are scattered throughout the Highlands and typically appear as stone circles. Solving them not only provides a fun challenge but also expands gear inventory space, making exploration far more rewarding.
After completing the main story quest “Trials of Merlin,” you’ll unlock the ability to start any Merlin Trial around the Highlands as long as you have mallowsweet – a plant you can grow in your Room of Requirement or purchase at Dogwood and Deathcap in Hogsmeade.
How Merlin Trials work in Hogwarts Legacy
Merlin Trials are puzzle challenges scattered across the Highlands that require players to use their spells, items, and environmental clues to complete specific tasks. Each trial has a unique setup, such as lighting braziers, moving boulders, or guiding orbs into stone trays. Completing these trials increases the number of gear slots available in a player’s inventory, making exploration and loot management much easier as you progress through the game.
When you’re looking at the Hogwarts Legacy map, you may notice multiple leaf icons scattered around the Highlands. These leaf icons indicate that there is a Merlin Trial at the location. Head over to the marked location to find a stone circle on the floor, but make sure you have some mallowsweets to start the trial. There are nine different types of Merlin Trials, with each type requiring specific spells to complete. The trial itself will be in the immediate area, so use Revelio and look for anything highlighted in blue if you’re having a hard time finding out what the challenge is.
How to solve each type of Merlin Trial
Each Merlin Trial follows a distinct puzzle design that tests observation and spell use. Break stone orbs with Confringo, roll large balls into nearby pits using Accio or Depulso, and light standing braziers before the flame fades. Some trials need you to jump across platforms or trace patterns on the ground with Lumos to guide moths back to their crystals. Others involve destroying statues or flipping rune blocks into the correct position with Flipendo. Solving each type expands your gear capacity, so completing them steadily improves inventory management throughout the game.
Flaming Pots (type #1)
Light the three braziers on fire with Confringo or Incendio before they sink into the ground to successfully complete the trial. The pots will have varying heights which indicates how long they will stay lit. Start at the pot furthest from the ground and make your way down to the pot that is closest to the ground.
Stone Pillars (#2)
Destroy all of the stone pillars in the area with Confringo. There is usually a hidden pillar in the area, so make sure to use Revelio to easily spot it.
Square Symbol Blocks (#3)
You’ll see three pillars marked with symbols and a cube on top that is also covered in symbols. You have to use Flipendo to rotate the cube so that the markings on the cube match the markings on the pillar. To easily complete this trial, match the symbol on one side (the orientation doesn’t have to match), then move to an adjacent side of the pillar and use Flipendo until the orientations align.
Large Rolling Stone (#4)
In this trial, you’ll need to move a big stone ball from its starting position to a bowl-shaped platform. The ball will usually start out at a higher elevation where you can cast Depulso to push it to the platform below you. However, you can easily solve these trials by using Wingardium Leviosa and simply carrying the ball to the platform.
Moth Moonstone Pillars (#5)
Use Lumos to lure the moths to the stone pillars with moonstones inside them. The moths and pillars can be hard to spot, so use Revelio and search for anything highlighted in blue.
Piles of Stone Balls (#6)
Transfer three piles of stone balls to nearby platforms using Accio or Wingardium Leviosa. To easily complete this trial, use Revelio to spot the platforms which will always have a pile of stone balls nearby.
Broken Statues (#7)
As you start the trial, three nearby statues will break and fall to the ground. Use Reparo to repair the three statues and complete the trial.
Stone Ball Targets (#8)
Destroy a series of stone ball targets on top of these columns around the start of the Merlin Trial. Any damaging spell can be used, but we recommend to use either the Basic Cast or Confringo because of its long range and short casting animation. Some of the targets may be hard to spot, so use Revelio to find them.
Stone Jumping Puzzle (#9)
Jump from platform to platform without falling off to complete this trial.
Merlin Trial locations
Merlin Trials are scattered throughout the Highlands, challenging players to complete small puzzles that expand their inventory capacity. Each region features several trial markers marked by stone circles or ancient ruins, requiring the use of specific spells or items to activate. From forested valleys to rocky cliffs, these trials encourage exploration of nearly every corner of the map. Completing them rewards players with valuable gear space expansions, making them a key activity for adventurers eager to carry more items on their journey through Hogwarts Legacy.
There are a total of 95 Merlin Trials that can be found around the Highlands. Each of the Merlin Trials are associated with a number – which corresponds to the list of Merlin Trial types above – on the annotated maps below. Use the maps below to find the locations of all of the Merlin Trials and see what trial you’ll face at the specified location.
North Ford Bog
There are four Merlin Trials inNorth Ford Bog: one stone pillar trial (2), one square symbol block trial (3), one stone jumping puzzle trial (9), and one large rolling stone trial (4).
Forbidden Forest
There are three Merlin Trials in theForbidden Forest: one stone jumping puzzle trial (9), one moth moonstone pillar trial (5), and one flaming pot challenge (1).
Hogsmeade Valley
There are five Merlin Trials in the Hogsmeade Valley: one stone pillar trial (2), one flaming pot trial (1), one large rolling stone trial (4), and two moth moonstone pillar trials (5).
North Hogwarts Region
There are five Merlin Trials in the North Hogwarts Region: one square symbol block trial (3), one flaming pot trial (1), one broken statue trial (7), one moth moonstone pillar trial (5), and one stone ball target trial (8).
South Hogwarts Region
There are 15 Merlin Trials in the South Hogwarts Region: one stone ball target trial (8), one stone ball target trial (9), one flaming pot trial (1), three large rolling stone trial (4), four moth moonstone pillar trials (5), two stone pillar trials (2), and two piles of stone balls trials (8).
Hogwarts Valley
There are 16 Merlin Trials in Hogwarts Valley: two piles of stone ball trials (6), two stone ball target trials (8), two flaming pot trial (1), two moth moonstone pillar trials (5), three large rolling stone trials (4), three stone jumping puzzles (9), one stone pillars trial (2), and one broken statue trial (7)
Feldcroft Region
There are 16 Merlin Trials in the Feldcroft Region: four stone pillar trials (2), one square symbol block trial (3), two stone jumping puzzles (9), three stone ball target trials (8), two flaming pot trials (1), one broken statue trial (7), one large rolling stone trial (4), and one moth moonstone pillar trial (5).
South Sea Bog
There are two Merlin Trials in the South Sea Bog: one moth moonstone pillar trial (5) and one stone ball target trial (8).
Poidsear Coast
There are ten Merlin Trials in Poidsear Coast: one stone jumping puzzle (9), one flaming pot trial (1), two moth moonstone pillar trials (5), one stone pillar trial (2), one square symbol block trial (3), one piles of stone balls trial (6), two large rolling stone trials (4), and one broken statue trial (7).
Marunweem Lake
There are four Merlin Trials in the Marunweem Lake region: one moth moonstone pillar trial (5), one stone jumping puzzle (9), one large rolling stone trial (4), and one square symbol block trial (3).
Manor Cape
There are five Merlin Trials in Manor Cape, one flaming pot trial (1), one square symbol block trial (3), one large rolling stone trial (4), one moth moonstone pillar trial (5), and one stone pillar trial (2).
Cragcroftshire
There are five Merlin Trials in Cragcroftshire: one moth moonstone pillar trial (5), one stone pillar trial (2), one flaming pot trial (1), one stone ball target trial (8), and one stone jumping puzzle trial (9).
Clagmar Coast
There are five Merlin Trials in Clagmar Coast: one moonstone moth pillar trial (5), one square symbol block trial (3), one stone ball target trial (8), one broken statue trial (7), and one stone pillar trial (2).
Merlin Trial rewards
Completing Merlin Trials rewards players with additional inventory slots, allowing more gear to be carried without discarding valuable items. Each trial contributes to progress toward expanding the gear capacity, which is especially useful as stronger equipment becomes available. The more trials completed across the Highlands, the larger the inventory grows, making exploration and combat preparation much smoother.
As you complete Merlin Trials, periodically check the challenges sectionof your Field Guide. In the exploration tab, you can increase the size of your inventory, which allows you to carry more gear at once. Here’s a list of all the upgrades and how many Merlin Trials you need to complete to receive them:
- Solve two Merlin Trials to gain four gear storage slots.
- Solve six additional Merlin Trials to gain four gear storage slots.
- Solve ten additional Merlin Trials to gain four gear storage slots.
- Solve 14 additional Merlin Trials to gain four gear storage slots.
Now that you’ve completed all of the Merlin Trials, complete some of the other challenges in Hogwarts Legacy like finding all of the Demiguise statues or collecting all of the brooms.
On numerous occasions in recent years, billionaire and Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has taken public stances against inclusive transgender laws and trans rights, and has written fiction that has been condemned by LGBTQ organizations for its use of harmful anti-trans tropes. Hate crimes, as well as legislation that denies the rights of trans people, have become more prevalent in the U.K. since 2019, and, more recently, in the United States as well.
According to an FAQ from Hogwarts Legacy publisher Warner Bros. Interactive – the parent company of Avalanche Software, the game’s developer – Rowling is “not directly involved” with the creation of Hogwarts Legacy. Regardless, the sales and widespread attention generated by a AAA video game will benefit Rowling, and that has led some fans to decide not to buy the game. For a more in-depth explainer of the yearslong controversy leading up to Hogwarts Legacy‘s release, read AELGAMES’s breakdown.
How to solve burning pyres Merlin Trials
Burning pyres Merlin Trials in Hogwarts Legacy require lighting multiple braziers (usually three) in quick succession using fire spells before a timer expires. These are among the most common trial types and demand Incendio as a minimum spell, with Confringo ideal for range and speed.
Activation Steps
Place Mallowsweet at the stone swirl to start the trial, then use Revelio to highlight all pyres in the area, including hidden ones behind vines, rocks, or on elevated pillars. Clear any blocking spiderwebs or debris with Incendio first.
Solving Strategy
Light pyres from tallest to shortest pillars to minimize travel time, or prioritize closest ones while using Confringo for distant shots. Once lit, braziers sink into the ground to start the timer-Arresto Momentum can slow this descent if available, buying extra seconds.
Pro Tips
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Practice the route on foot or broom beforehand to optimize pathing.
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If a pyre won’t ignite, ensure no obstacles remain; some require burning vines first.
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Completing sets unlocks gear slots via the Challenges menu.
All burning pyres Merlin Trial locations
Burning pyres Merlin Trials in Hogwarts Legacy involve igniting three braziers quickly with Incendio or Confringo before they sink and a timer expires. These trials appear across all regions, often near landmarks like ruins, hills, or ponds, and require Mallowsweet to activate.
South Hogwarts Region
This region has several pyre trials, including the first one unlocked in the “Trials of Merlin” quest near Lower Hogsfield-light the three directly ahead. Others include #18 (pyres in front), with more scattered south of landmarks like Hogwarts Demolition Site.
North Hogwarts Region
Trial #13 features pyres at the central platform, up a hill to the right, and in castle ruins-light from center outward. Additional ones dot the northern hills.
Hogsmeade Valley & Hogwarts Valley
Look south of Upper Hogsfield or along riversides for riverside pillars; one is south of Central Hogwarts Valley. Multiple in Hogsmeade Valley (e.g., #8 nearby but butterfly-mixed).
Poidsear Coast & Beyond
Trial #68 requires lighting three braziers; others in Cragcroftshire (#88), Manor Cape (#81), Forbidden Forest (outside Jackdaw’s Tomb: south, north, northwest by lake), and Feldcroft. Coastal and bog areas like Poidsear have hidden ones behind crates or vines.
Quick Location Tips
Use Revelio to reveal all pyres post-activation, burn webs/rocks first, and scout via broom. Roughly 20-25 of the 95 total trials are pyre-based, spread to encourage exploration. Claim rewards in Challenges after batches.
