A short while after the completion of the Third Trial of AQL, you’ll be asked to locate the fourth Trial of AQL. This one is a little harder, with the location itself part of the initial challenge.
As with The Second Trial and Third Trial of AQL, it doesn’t give you a waypoint like the first one did. Instead, you’ll need to solve a riddle and study a clue from your journal.
To start, go to your Journey tab and click on The Fourth Trial of AQL. Hit "View Trial Location" to bring up a painted mural and a short clue:
“The Iron Hammer that beats the dead who cannot enter paradise. The head of the hammer awaits.”
Fourth Trial of AQL Location
We are heading back into the Eastern Vermillius Gap, near the border with the Western Vermillius Gap. In fact, we’re heading directly to the giant hammer rock that we were first told about when we entered the zone. As you can see above, the location is very easy to spot.
As shown below, the Fourth Trial of AQL is located inside the largest rock formation on the map. However, rather than being inside a cave like in previous trials, we needed to climb this time.
Approach the giant hammer rock formation from the east side. If you approach from the west, just overshoot the actual hammer a little. Now, we need to climb the massive rock face. You can climb anyway you like, but be prepared, this is not an easy climb.
Make sure to bring a Suspensor Belt with a good power pack; stamina alone is not going to be enough here. If you want to make life easy, look for the location below; this is the official start location of the climb towards the Fourth Trial of AQL.
If you use the official route, it will be a lot easier, and honestly, you can avoid the Suspensor Belt. If you choose to go your own way (like we did), then make sure to get lots of rest.
You’ll know when you’ve found the right place because you’ll start to see bodies, rocks with ropes, and rune carvings. Follow the path until the quest progresses, and follow as normal. Before you enter the large room with the spice, make sure to grab the radio device for some added lore.
Fourth Trial of AQL Puzzle Guide
The trial here is the first time combat really comes into question, and where we’ll get our first look at Spice. Follow the trail until you pick up the dagger and start the encounter.
Minor spoilers ahead so, do the quest first before reading on if you wish:
It’s time to fight. Waves of enemies will approach you, and you need to take them out. Eventually, on about wave 7 or 8, you will start to get three or four enemies attacking you at once. At this stage, it’s ok to lose.
Now we get our first look at Spice and how it will impact combat. You’ll get a few abilities here, which finally start to make melee combat feel more alive. Complete the combat trial and move on to the end.
As usual, answer the questions and leave the trial. Now it’s time to prepare for the Fifth Trial of AQL, and we’ll have a guide for that up as soon as possible.
Pro tip: Once you leave the trial, continue up the path to the left for some top-tier loot. You will find one small box, but if you continue to the top of the hammer, you will be greatly rewarded.
