After setting up your base and getting your bearings in Arrakis, you’ll be pointed toward the first Trial of Aql in Dune Awakening. Completing this mission type is tied to the main narrative, unlocking essential tools, stations, equipment, and more. The game features eight Trials in total, all relatively straightforward in terms of their objectives. However, the real challenge lies in nailing down their locations, since you’ll only be given a tricky riddle to go off on. If you’re struggling to find these missions, here’s a guide on all Trial of Aql locations in Dune Awakening.
First Trial of Aql Location
The first Trial of Aql’s location in Dune Awakening is the easiest to find since the game highlights it using objective markers. After walking you through some of the base building and management systems, you’ll see the trial’s objective pop up in the top right corner of your screen.
This will be accompanied by on-screen indicators leading to the cave that houses the trial. For those wanting specifics, the first Trial of Aql is in the Mihna Cavern in Hagga Basin South.
The mission itself sees your character inhale a bunch of spice and tap into an alternate dimension. Here, you’ll be tasked with hiding from the glare of giant eyes by crouching behind rocks, walls, and platforms.
Second Trial of Aql Location
From the second trial onwards, you must decipher a riddle to pinpoint the location. In this case, the riddle is:
- “Para-southeast of the great hammer of Mirzabah… the shattered teeth of the gods… nestled between molar and incisor… a cavity revealed.”
The location referenced in the riddle is the Deep Struggle cave in the Eastern Vermilius Gap region. The ‘great hammer’ mentioned in the riddle is a nod to the actual hammer-like rock formation that sits at the heart of this area. This will likely be the first time you’ll travel away from the Hagga Basin region, so we highly recommend getting a Sandbike before making the trek.
The second trial is centered around the Static Compactor, a useful Fremen device that you’ll unlock after completing the mission.
Third Trial of Aql Location
The third Trial of Aql in Dune Awakening is among the easiest in the game, but sadly, it doesn’t offer any significant rewards. The riddle for its location is:
- “Para-west of the great hammer of Mirzabah… a table of stone for god’s feast… turn para-north from its bounty and seek the cave of the purple eye.”
Once again, there’s talk of a great hammer, but this time you’re asked to go west. The trial’s exact location is the Cave of the Lost Pilgrim in West Vermillius Gap. You’ll find this cave nestled near a rock formation. Head inside, defeat a few enemies, and make it to the main chamber to find an audio log. Listening to it will wrap up this mission.
Fourth Trial of Aql Location
The fourth trial can be tedious to get to, mainly because it involves climbing a tall rock spire. Its riddle is:
- “The iron hammer that beats the dead who cannot enter paradise. The head of the hammer awaits.”
“The head of the hammer awaits” is frankly a dead giveaway. To get to the cave, you’ll need to ascend to the top of the hammer-like rock formation that you’ve been using as a landmark so far. It sits right in the middle of the Eastern and Western Vermilius Gap regions, and climbing it is no easy feat. We highly recommend investing in some mobility skills to make the ascent easier, with the Shigawire Claw being the best example. Check out the best Dune Awakening skills here if you can’t seem to make a decision.
The fourth Trial of Aql requires you to fend off a few enemies in melee combat for some incredible rewards. At the end, you’ll receive the Unfixed Crysknife schematic, a third ability slot, and the Spice Presience combat state.
Fifth Trial of Aql Location
The fifth trial sits at a decent distance from the Vermilius Gap, but the mission itself isn’t complicated by any means. The riddle tied to it is given below:
- “Where earth has sundered…across the bridges of stone… where the great stones lean… always para-east.”
“Where earth has sundered” references the Hagga Rift region, an unstable area filled with deep pits, steep ravines, and gaping holes. “Across bridge of stone” is another crucial pointer since you’ll have to cross a land bridge to get to the eastern side of the rift. Once you’re there, look out for a purple symbol painted on the wall. Sitting near it is a pit that serves as the entrance to The Hidden Test. To avoid taking fall damage, you’ll need to use the Suspensor Belt.
In a similar vein to the second trial, which introduced players to the Static Compactor, the fifth trial is all about the Thumper. After a few parkour sections, the game will walk you through the Fremen device and how it can be used to call upon Sandworms. The tool is also the main reward for completing this quest.
Sixth Trial of Aql Location
Just like the third trial, the sixth Trial of Aql sees you defeat a bunch of enemies and listen to an audio log at the end. The riddle teasing its location is:
- “Follow your para-compass to the north and east… amidst the jinn’s towering spires—across the rift… seek the eyes among the stones.”
You’ll have to venture to the northeastern corner of the Hagga Rift and towards the Devil Eye’s Cavern to start the trial. As mentioned earlier, the bulk of the trial has you defeating enemies, with the only other obstacles being the poison mines scattered about.
Get past the enemies and enter the main chamber to find the audio log. Unfortunately, there’s no reward for completing this trial, but you can find some decent loot in an adjoining cave as compensation for your efforts.
Seventh Trial of Aql Location
The seventh Trial of Aql amps up the tempo in every way, offering up a tricky challenge and an even trickier riddle:
- “Red teeth… gaping maw… down, down in the depth… hunger hidden from storm and worm.”
The seventh trial is located deep in the Hagga Rift region, and near the bottom of a ravine. You’re looking for a cave called The Red Maw, which stands out due to its reddish glow. Getting here can be quite an ordeal without equipment, so make sure to bring along a Large Suspensor Belt and an Ornithopter if possible.
The quest itself introduces you to the Stilltent, a defensive device that offers protection from the Coriolis Storm. Naturally, the portable shelter device is also the main reward for this trial.
Eight Trial of Aql Location
The eighth and final Trial of Aql in Dune Awakening puts forward the ultimate test and asks players to complete three different tasks. Its riddle is given below:
- “The crevice that hides… the mountain that protects… the sands that provide. Home.”
The cave you’re looking for sits at an intersection point in-between the Eastern Shield Wall, Mysa Tarill, and Jabal Eifrit Al-Gharab regions. While its map location may appear to be at the top of a cliff, its actual site is at the base of the shield wall.
As always, the cave’s opening has an emblem sitting near it. However, the final trial is quite tricky, so watch out for your guide on it soon. But do know you’ll receive the Fremen Deathstill recipe as your final reward.
That wraps up our guide on all the trial locations in Dune Awakening. Which trial was the hardest to find in your experience? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
