As is frequent with games of this size, Hogwarts Legacy just released, and it seems like it hasn’t made its way into the hands of the public free of bugs.
I’m including a description of the bug for the sake of precision, but if you’ve come across this article, odds are that – like me a few hours ago – you’ve run into this bug on your game and are just looking to fix it. If that’s the case, skip the upcoming section, and we’ll meet up again on the next.
This article contains spoilers for the early game of Hogwarts Legacy. Nothing beyond the Trials of Merlin quest is mentioned here. Head back to our guides section if this quest name doesn’t ring a bell and you’re looking to steer clear of spoilers – otherwise, you’re safe!
The Trials Of Merlin and the Quest’s Bug
Trials of Merlin is a quest that gets initiated in the south of Hogwarts (you can find the overworld location on the picture above and the map location on the one below) during the “Live as a student until Professor Fig returns” chapter of the game, just after talking to Natty there and after she’s asked you why Ranrok and Rookwood were after you (Quest “The girl from Uagadou”).
Walking towards the river from that quest, you’ll come across Nora Treadwell, a yet-unknown older woman, as she’s faced with two Ashwinders asking about your whereabouts.
Approaching them triggers the Merlin’s Trials quest, which starts by requiring you to defeat the bandits.
However, what might occur to you is that you’ve taken down the two Ashwinders and… nothing takes place. The intense music continues, the quest messages are still there, no dialogue or effects happen, and leaving the area gives you a game over screen.
Fixing The Trials Of Merlin Bug
Normally speaking, another three bandits should appear after taking down the first two. Beating all five is what completes the quest and unlocks the Trials of Merlin (the trials themselves, not the quest). That’s why you’re stuck if nothing spawns after taking out the first Ashwinders.
If you encounter the Merlin’s Trials bug in Hogwarts Legacy, no “natural” methods will work to allow you to complete the quest.
Waiting, leaving the area and reloading the quest, abandoning and re-trying the quest, reloading the save, none of these methods work. Two fixes, however, have been found to do the trick.
Fix 1: Saving over a different file
- Beat the two Ashwinders.
- Save over a different file than the one you’re using.
- Walk out of range to abandon the mission.
- Select “Retry the quest”.
- Beat the two Ashwinders again.
- The next three enemies should spawn, defeat them to complete the quest.
Fix 2: Completing another quest
- Beat the two Ashwinders.
- Walk out of range to abandon the mission.
- Select “Abandon the quest”.
- Select another quest and complete it.
- Return to Nora Treadwell and restart the quest.
- The other enemies should spawn after beating the first two, defeat them to complete the quest.
Additional Notes – Optimizing
While you’re in this situation already, might as well make the best of it. Facing the Trials of Merlin bug in Hogwarts Legacy is frustrating, but it should have its advantages, right?
First, beating the first two Ashwinders already gives experience and counts towards the “Defeat Dark Wizards” challenge. So might as well get rid of them before abandoning the mission if you’re trying the second method.
Second, during this phase of the story, you’ve got Professor Hecat’s second assignment, whose conditions are to cast Incendio on 5 enemies and to successfully dodge 10 spells using rolls. You can use that fight – and its forced additional attempts – to clear those requirements.
Third, while walking out of range to abandon the mission, walk up on the beach (picture below). You’ll be able to find Moonstones and Leech Juice and harvest them before the end of the game over timer.
Wrapping Up The Trials Of Merlin Bug Guide
We hope this guide helped you no longer be stuck with that quest and that the road ahead in your Hogwarts Legacy playthrough will be smoother from here on out!
Also, given how new Hogwarts Legacy is and as the bug is fixed for good once it is fixed, it’s possible that there are other workarounds for this issue that I didn’t catch myself. So if you found another way to clear the Merlin’s Trials bug in Hogwarts Legacy in your own playthrough, let us know in the comments!
For now, feel free to check out any of our other guides, including our guide on how to find, solve, and open every puzzle door in Hogwarts Legacy!
