The Trials of Aql are a critical part of the main story in Dune: Awakening. This complete Trials of Aql guide explains the location, walkthrough, and rewards for all eight trials. This Dune: Awakening walkthrough has everything you need — including schematic unlocks, tool usage, and tips for completing each trial easily and fast.
Dune: Awakening Trial 1 Aql Guide & Walkthrough – Mihna Cavern (Hagga Basin South)
Mihna Cavern – First AQL Location
Trial Location
The Mihna Cavern is located in the southern section of Hagga Basin. Follow the cliffside path leading upward until you find a cave entrance marked by large stones.
How to Complete the Trial
After entering, walk through the linear tunnel to the altar and inhale spice. You’ll be tested on movement in shadow while avoiding a searching eye:
- Only move while the eye is closed to avoid detection
- Use crouching and sprinting to reach shaded zones safely
- You can retry this as many times as needed
Trial Rewards
- Scavenger Steel Suit schematic unlocked
Dune: Awakening Trial 2 Aql Guide & Walkthrough – The Deep Struggle (Eastern Vermillius Gap)
The Deep Struggle – Second AQL Location
Trial Location
This trial is north of Aren’s Post in the Eastern Vermillius Gap. Look for a sealed stone entrance set into a cliff near ancient ruins.
How to Complete the Trial
Use a knife to break the seal, descend into the cavern, and inhale the spice to unlock the Static Compactor. This trial focuses on interacting with the environment:
- Clear fire blocking your path
- Neutralize poison bottles
- Use the Compactor on sand vortices to create floating platforms
Trial Rewards
- Static Compactor schematic unlocked
Dune: Awakening Trial 3 Aql Guide & Walkthrough – Cave of the Lost Pilgrim (Western Vermillius Gap)
Cave Of Lost Pilgrim – Third AQL Location
Trial Location
This cave sits in the southwest of Western Vermillius Gap, close to the Wreck of the Pallas. Hidden behind rocky terrain.
How to Complete the Trial
Fight through hostile Scavenger enemies. There’s no altar here — instead, find the Shavai recording and interact with it to complete the trial.
Trial Rewards
- No schematic unlocked
- Progresses the Find the Fremen storyline
Dune: Awakening Trial 4 Aql Guide & Walkthrough – The Hollow Hammer (Eastern Vermillius Gap)
The Hollow Hammer – Fourth AQL Location
Trial Location
This challenge takes place atop a giant hammer-shaped rock in Eastern Vermillius Gap. You can reach it by climbing stamina-resting ledges or using a Suspensor Belt.
How to Complete the Trial
At the summit, enter the tunnel and inhale spice to trigger a combat arena challenge:
- Defeat waves using the Crysknife
- Enter Prescient State mid-fight for enhanced attacks
- Use parries and AoE skills to survive
Trial Rewards
- Crysknife schematic unlocked
- Gain your third ability slot
- Unlock Spice-enhanced combat mode
Dune: Awakening Trial 5 Aql Guide & Walkthrough – The Hidden Test (Hagga Rift)
The Hidden Test – Fifth AQL Location
Trial Location
Located in the southern Hagga Rift, southeast of the Wreck of the Kytheria. Look for a deep vertical pit requiring a Suspensor Device or hover gear.
How to Complete the Trial
This is a survival and traversal challenge:
- Jump over collapsing bridges and quicksand gaps
- Evade Sandworms by staying on stone paths
- Use a Thumper to lure the worm away while escaping
Sand to Cross in Aql Trial
Trial Rewards
- Thumper schematic unlocked
Dune: Awakening Trial 6 Aql Guide & Walkthrough – Devil’s Eye Cavern (Jabal Eifrit Al-Sharq)
Devil’s Eye Cavern – Sixth AQL Location
Trial Location
Found in the northeast map corner, Jabal Eifrit Al-Sharq, near the Slavers’ Camp. Light enemy resistance outside.
How to Complete the Trial
This is a non-combat exploration trial:
- Enter cave and avoid poison traps
- No altar — instead, interact with the Shavai recording at the end
Trial Rewards
- No schematic unlocked
- Advances Find the Fremen main quest
Dune: Awakening Trial 7 Aql Guide & Walkthrough – The Red Maw (Hagga Rift)
The Red Maw – Seventh AQL Location
Trial Location
Located in the northern Hagga Rift, near glowing red tunnels along the cliffs above Hagga Basin.
How to Complete the Trial
A mixed combat and environmental hazard trial:
- Fight enemies between Stilltent shelters
- Hide in Stilltents when the sandstorm hits
- Time movements between safe zones carefully
Stilltent in Aql Trial
Trial Rewards
- Stilltent schematic unlocked
Dune: Awakening Final Trial Aql Guide & Walkthrough – Footsteps of the Fremen (Sietch Ta’lab)
Footsteps of the Fremen – Eighth AQL Location
Trial Location
Held in Sietch Ta’lab, northeast of Mysa Tarill. Requires a Cutter to bypass blocked areas.
How to Complete the Trial
This is the most complex trial, with multiple puzzle phases and final combat:
- Solve door quiz with the following answers:
– Nilotic al-Ourouba
– Poritrin
– Salusa Secundus
– Bela Teguese
– Rossak
– Thurgrod
– Harmonthep
Ornate Door Quiz
- Match ecology symbols (use the buttons in the middle to match the symbols on the wall):
-
- Bind – Dune – Grass
- Planting – Shelter – Downwind
- Animal – Aerate – Soil
Ecology Symbols Puzzle Solution
-
- Rotate puzzle rings: Inner x3, Middle x1, Outer x2 (see the solution on the image below)
Rotating Ring Puzzle
- Use your blood to activate the Deathstill
- Survive elite wave combat
Final Trial Rewards
- Fremen schematic
- Deathstill schematic
- Iris Pistol
Dune: Awakening – What to Do After Completing the Final Aql Trial
After the final challenge, return to a safe zone to complete Find the Fremen. You’ll then receive a message from Ari guiding you to Harko Village for the next main questline.
- Start Fremen faction arc
- Engage in diplomacy and desert exploration missions
Dune: Awakening Trials of Aql – FAQ
Where is the first trial in Dune: Awakening?
Where is the second trial in Dune: Awakening?
Where is the third trial of Aql in Dune: Awakening?
Where is the fourth trial of Aql?
Where is the fifth trial in Dune: Awakening?
Where is the sixth trial of Aql?
Where is the seventh trial of Dune: Awakening?
Where is the final trial of Dune: Awakening?
How many trials are there in Dune: Awakening?
