Exploring the vast Highlands in Hogwarts Legacy reveals dozens of ancient environmental puzzles left behind by the legendary wizard Merlin. Learning how to locate, trigger, and solve these challenges is essential for any witch or wizard looking to expand their inventory space. This complete guide outlines everything you need to know to complete Merlin Trials quickly and efficiently.
Unlocking and Activating the Merlin Trials
Before you can interact with any trial markers on the map, you must complete the main story quest called Trials of Merlin. During this quest, you meet a researcher named Nora Treadwell near Lower Hogsfield who introduces you to the mechanics of these ancient sites. She will explain how Mallowsweet leaves are used to activate the stone circles scattered around the open world.
To start any trial you encounter, simply step onto the central stone pillar platform and sprinkle a Mallowsweet leaf. You can grow your own supply in the Room of Requirement or purchase seeds and leaves from shops in Hogsmeade. Having a steady stock of this herb is crucial before setting off on long exploration trips across the map.
Common Puzzle Types and Required Spells
While there are 95 trials spread across the region, they all fall into a few distinct categories that test your spellcasting abilities. Some challenges require basic destruction spells like Confringo or Incendio to destroy stone pillars or small spheres hidden nearby. Other puzzles rely on utility magic, such as using Lumos to guide swarms of glowing moths back to stone pillars.
You will also encounter heavy physics puzzles where you must roll giant stone spheres into carved ground basins using Depulso or Wingardium Leviosa. For cube rotation challenges, you will need to cast Flipendo repeatedly until the symbols on the top block match the base. Platforming trials simply require jumping across sequential pillars without touching the ground.
Claiming Rewards and Expanding Gear Capacity
Solving these environmental puzzles is directly tied to your progression in the Exploration Challenges tab. Every time you reach a specific completion milestone, you earn additional gear inventory slots that prevent your gear capacity from filling up. However, the extra inventory space is not added automatically; you must manually claim each tier in your main menu.
Completing all available challenges across every region grants the maximum possible carrying capacity for gear and equipment. This allows you to collect and hold significantly more items while exploring dangerous dungeons without constantly having to return to vendors. Keeping track of completed sites on your world map makes hunting down every remaining trial straightforward.
