Unlocking the full breadth of Final Fantasy XIV’s epic trials is a quest in itself-beyond the main storyline battles lie hidden challenges that test your skills and teamwork to the extreme. From secret side quests to elusive NPCs scattered across expansions like A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, and Dawntrail, these extra trials offer fierce boss fights, rare mounts, and legendary loot. Ready to uncover where and how to unlock every extra and extreme trial on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox? Dive into our comprehensive guide and prepare for battles that push your limits in Eorzea’s most thrilling encounters.
The ones locked behind side quests still have substantial rewards, as a chunk of them do have “Extreme” versions, where you can earn mounts and other special loot upon clearing. Most expansions had an extra trial or two, while adding three fights as part of a lengthier side quest that expands heavily on the lore of characters or areas in the game. In Endwalker, the usual three trials was actually folded into the main scenario quests, so there’s only one optional trial.
Below, we list where to unlock the normal versions of all optional trials in FFXIV.
Where to unlock A Realm Reborn’s extra trials
To unlock the extra trials in A Realm Reborn, players need to complete specific questlines beyond the main scenario. Key trials are unlocked through the ARR Relic Weapon questline starting with “The Weaponsmith of Legend” in Vesper Bay, the Hildebrand questline beginning with “The Rise and Fall of Gentlemen” in Ul’dah, and the Odin trial unlocked via the quest “Fear and Odin in the Shroud” from Scarlet in New Gridania. Additionally, extreme versions of many trials are unlocked by speaking to Urianger in the Waking Sands and completing a quest chain starting with “Primal Nature.” These quests unlock a series of challenging boss battles with valuable rewards such as mounts and weapons.
There are three sets of side quests to do to unlock the optional trials for A Realm Reborn. There’s the ARR relic weapon, which has two trials behind it, the Hildebrand quests, which has three trials behind it, and then there’s Odin, who is just one trial and one side quest.
All of these quests require you to at least complete the main scenario quest “The Ultimate Weapon.”
Where to unlock ’A Relic Reborn: The Chimera’ and ’A Relic Reborn: The Hydra’
You can unlock it by starting the “The Weaponsmith of Legend” questline in Vesper Bay (Western Thanalan) from Nedrick Ironheart:
The quest that gives out the trials is the next quest, called “A Relic Reborn.” You will need to complete a few relic weapon steps (as the game will instruct you to) in order to get these trials.
Where to unlock ’Battle on the Big Bridge,’ ’The Dragon’s Neck,’ and ’Battle in the Big Keep’
These three fights unlock from the Hildebrand quests, which starts with “The Rise and Fall of Gentlemen” in Ul’dah from Wymond:
You’ll have to do quite a few of these quests to get to the point where you unlock the trials, but I recommend doing all of the Hildebrand quests. It’s required to make your Endwalker relic weapon, and there’s additional trials in Stormblood and Endwalker that is also locked behind these quests.
This line of side quests unlocks the trials as follows:
- “The Three Collectors” – “Battle on the Big Bridge” (Gilgamesh)
- “The Coliseum Conundrum” – “The Dragon’s Neck” (Ultros and Typhon)
- “Her Last Vow” – “Battle in the Big Keep” (Gilgamesh, again)
Where to unlock ’Urth’s Fount’
Odin is locked behind the questline the starts with “Primal Fear,” which is given out by Urianger in The Waking Sands (Western Thanalan):
Where to unlock Heavensward’s extra trials, the Warring Triad
To unlock the Warring Triad trials, you must first complete the main scenario quest “Heavensward”. Then, in The Pillars (Ishgard), talk to Torsefers (X:11.7, Y:11.5) to start the side quest “Gods of Eld”. After completing “Gods of Eld” and the MSQ “As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness”, you can accept “When the Bough Wakes” from Unukalhai in The Rising Stones (X:6.1, Y:5.2). Complete each trial and return to Unukalhai to continue the questline. Completing these quests will unlock the normal versions of the Sephirot, Sophia, and Zurvan trials, and unlocking the normal versions is required to unlock the Extreme versions.
After completing the main scenario quest “Heavensward,” you can talk to Torsefers in The Pillars (Ishgard) to start the side quest “Gods of Eld.”
After doing so, you’ll unlock a few quests – some which unlock the Extreme versions of the Heavensward story trials. The quest you’ll want to complete to unlock the Warring Triad is “When the Bough Wakes.”
This line of side quests unlocks the trials as follows:
- “When the Bough Wakes” – “Containment Bay S1T7” (Sephirot)
- “Balance unto All” – “Containment Bay P1T6” (Sophia)
- “The Last Pillar to Fall” – “Containment Bay Z1T9” (Zurvan)
Where to unlock Stormblood’s extra trials
Most of Stormblood’s extra trials, including their extreme versions, are unlocked by completing the main scenario quest “Stormblood” and then speaking with the Wandering Minstrel in Kugane. Players must complete the quest “Songs in the Key of Kugane” by informing the Minstrel about their achievements in the normal trials. Additionally, some extra trials are unlocked through side quests such as “The Four Lords” and the Hildebrand questline. After unlocking these trials, players can trade totems earned from them with Eschina in Rhalgr’s Reach or Rowena’s Representative in Kugane for rewards, including the exclusive Kamuy mounts.
There are a few extra trials in Stormblood. There’s the three trials locked behind “The Four Lords” side quest, a fight locked behind Hildebrand (as mentioned in the ARR section), and a Monster Hunter collaboration fight with Rathalos.
For all of theses fights, you will need to have at least the main scenario quest “Stormblood” completed.
Where to unlock ’The Jade Stoa,’ ’Hells’ Kier,’ and ’The Wreath of Snakes’
After completing the main scenario quest “Hope on the Waves” (which is past “Stormblood”), you can unlock the Four Lords trials (though there are only three trials – you fight one of the lords during an instance as part of the side quests).
To start this side quest, you’ll need to talk to Soroban in The Ruby Sea to start the quest “An Auspicious Encounter:”
This quest actually will unlock an otherwise optional dungeon, “Hells’ Lid,” as well before you can unlock the trials. The line of side quests unlocks the trials as follows:
- “An Auspicious Encounter” – “The Jade Stoa” (Byakko)
- “The Fire-bird Down Below” – “Hells’ Kier” (Suzaku)
- “Surpassing the Samurai” – “The Wreath of Snakes” (Seiryu)
Where to unlock ’The Great Hunt’
Talk to the Hearty Hunter in Kugane to start the quest “The New King on the Block:”
This quest will unlock Rathalos for you, as well as give you a cute Palico minion upon completion.
Where to unlock ’Kugane Ohashi’
In order to unlock this Hildebrand trial, you have to complete all of the previous Hildebrand quests, starting from the one we list in our ARR section. They do not stand alone. If you’re caught up to Stormblood and don’t know where this expansion’s Hildebrand quests start, then you can start them from the “Conspicuously Inconspicuous Man” NPC in Kugane:
After completing quite a few of these quests, you’ll be able to unlock “Kugane Ohashi” from the quest “The Past is Never Past.”
Where to unlock Shadowbringers’ extra trials, the Sorrow of Werlyt Weapons
To unlock the Sorrow of Werlyt weapon trials in Shadowbringers, players must first complete the main scenario quest “Old Enemies, New Threats.” Afterward, head to The Lochs and speak with the Resistance Officer to begin the quest “Ruby Doomsday,” which starts the Sorrow of Werlyt questline and unlocks the series of weapon trials: Cinder Drift (Ruby Weapon), Castrum Marinum (Emerald Weapon), and The Cloud Deck (Diamond Weapon). For the Extreme versions of these trials, speak to the Warmachina Fanatic in The Lochs after progressing through the questline. Completing these battles not only offers challenging content but also rewards unique weapons, mounts, and other special loot.
After completing the main scenario quest “Old Enemies, New Threats,” you can talk to the Resistance Officer in The Lochs to start the quest “Ruby Doomsday:”
This quest line will pit you against the weapons (inspired by the ones from Final Fantasy 7). The line of side quests unlocks the trials as follows:
- “Ruby Doomsday” – “Cinder Drift” (Ruby Weapon)
- “Blood of Emerald” – “Castrum Marinum” (Emerald Weapon)
- “Duty in the Sky with Diamond” – “The Cloud Deck” (Diamond Weapon)
Where to unlock Endwalker’s extra trial, the Gilded Araya
To unlock Endwalker’s extra trial, The Gilded Araya, you must first complete the entire Hildibrand questline, spanning from A Realm Reborn through Endwalker. After finishing the main Endwalker campaign and all previous Hildibrand quests, head to Radz-at-Han (X:11.4, Y:11.5) and speak to Delion to begin the new quests added in Patch 6.55: “Of Duplicity and Duplication” and then “Gentlemen at Heart.” Progressing through these quests will grant you access to The Gilded Araya trial, where you’ll face Asura in an eight-player battle. The trial becomes available in the Duty Finder once you reach the appropriate point in the questline.
There is only one extra trial in Endwalker and it’s also part of the Hildebrand quests. Once again, you need to do all the aforementioned quests to unlock this, as well as the main scenario quest “Endwalker.” You can start the Endwalker Hildebrand quests from the “Excitable Youth” NPC in Radz-at-Han if you’ve caught up to that point:
After completing a few quests, the quest “Gentleman at Heart” will unlock “The Gilded Araya” trial.
If you’re just starting out in the massive world of Final Fantasy 14, we have tons of guides to help you. We have a beginner’s guide to get you started, along with guides detailing when you’ll get your mount and which Grand Company you should join.
Where are the hidden side quests to unlock all FFXIV trials
Hidden side quests to unlock all extra trials in Final Fantasy XIV are scattered across the expansions, often requiring players to seek out optional quests beyond the main scenario. Many of these trials are unlocked through side quests that delve deeper into the lore or challenge content, rewarding players with access to Extreme versions and special loot. For example, in expansions like Heavensward and Shadowbringers, extra trials are unlocked by completing specific side quests tied to characters or regions, while Endwalker integrates most trials into the main story, leaving only one optional trial unlocked through a side quest. Locations for these quests include hubs like Old Sharlayan, Radz-at-Han, and Thavnair, where NPCs such as the Wandering Minstrel or House Manderville Manservant offer quests that unlock trials like The Minstrel’s Ballad series or Mount Ordeals. These side quests not only unlock trials but often provide rich narrative experiences and unique rewards.
Which side quests reveal the hidden trials in each FFXIV expansion
Hidden Side Quests Unlocking Trials in Each FFXIV Expansion
Below is a breakdown of the key side quests that reveal hidden trials in each Final Fantasy XIV expansion:
A Realm Reborn (ARR)
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Relic Weapon Trials: Two trials are hidden behind the “The Weaponsmith of Legend” questline, started by Nedrick Ironheart in Vesper Bay (Western Thanalan).
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Hildebrand Quests: Three trials are unlocked via the Hildebrand questline, beginning with “The Rise and Fall of Gentlemen” from Wymond in Ul’dah.
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Odin Trial: Unlocked by the quest “Fear and Odin in the Shroud” from Scarlet in New Gridania.
Heavensward
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The Warring Triad: After finishing the main scenario quest “Heavensward,” speak to Torsefers in The Pillars (Ishgard) to start “Gods of Eld” and unlock the Warring Triad trials.
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Extreme Trials: Each boss (e.g., Bismarck, Ravana) is unlocked via specific quests such as “Diabolical Bismarck” and “Thok Around the Clock,” often picked up in Mor Dhona or Ishgard.
Stormblood
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The Four Lords: Three trials are locked behind “The Four Lords” side questline, available after completing the main scenario quest “Stormblood.”
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Hildebrand Trial: One trial is part of the Hildebrand questline.
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Monster Hunter Collaboration: The Rathalos trial is unlocked via a special event quest.
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Extreme Trials: Speak to the Wandering Minstrel in Kugane for the “Songs in the Key of Kugane” quest to unlock Extreme versions.
Shadowbringers
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The Sorrow of Werlyt: After “Old Enemies, New Threats,” talk to the Resistance Officer in The Lochs to start “Ruby Doomsday,” leading to the Sorrow of Werlyt weapon trials.
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Extreme Trials: Unlocked by talking to the Minstrelling Wanderer in the Crystarium.
Endwalker
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Only one optional trial, tied to the Hildebrand questline, is available. Start from the “Excitable Youth” NPC in Radz-at-Han after completing the main scenario quest “Endwalker”.
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Extreme Trials: Speak to the Wandering Minstrel in Old Sharlayan for “I Wandered Sharlayan as a Minstrel”.
Dawntrail
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Complete the main story quest “Dawntrail.” Afterward, a new NPC (Wandering Bard) appears in Tuliyollal to unlock the new Extreme trials.
These side quests are essential for unlocking hidden and Extreme trials, offering additional lore, unique rewards, and challenging battles across each expansion.
