Summary
Hogwarts Legacytests players' puzzle-solving, spell-casting, and combat abilities in four Keeper Trials across the main story in the open-world action RPG. Keeper Trials are tests set by the game’s mysterious Keepers, whom players learn more about inHogwarts Legacy’s unfolding story. Their role becomes clearer as players learn more about their unique ability to wield Ancient Magic, which helps the game’s combat feel unique.
Each Keeper Trial tests players' abilities in various ways, including different kinds of enemies. Despite their differences, each trial tends to build up to a final boss battle. They include some ofHogwarts Legacy’s best puzzles, which might leave some players scratching their heads. Players will also face tricky tests of talents like stealth. Although there are only four Keeper trials inHogwarts Legacy, some are undoubtedly better and more memorable than others.
Updated May 28, 2025, by Gemma Johnson:Hogwarts Legacy includes several Keeper Trials that test a witch’s and wizards' skills in spell casting, combat, beast taming, and more. Set by the mysterious Keepers, eachHogwarts Legacy Trialchallenges players differently, whether needing to master specific spells to overcome boss fights or perfect mechanics like stealth. Some players working their way through the main story may also wonderhow many Trials are in Hogwarts Legacyand how they can begin them. While there are only a handful of Keeper Trials in Hogwarts Legacy, and fans of the game will no doubt have their preferences, some arguably stand out above the rest regarding things like design, lore, and difficulty. This list updates the current entries with additional information about each Keeper Trial in Hogwarts Legacy.
How To Start
Key Features
Access by completing the main story quest called ‘Complete the First Keeper Trial.’
Some tricky puzzle platforming involving portals, but otherwise straightforward. Fairly challenging Pensieve Protector boss battle.
The first trial is set by Percival Rackham, the first Keeper players come across. Although it’s an early trial in the game, some of theplatform and portal puzzlesinPercival Rackham’s Trialare challenging and test players' knowledge of spells likeAccioto solve them. However, most are relatively straightforward. In addition to the puzzles, players must fightPensieve ProtectorsandPensieve Sentinels, which are similar statue-like foes to the statue Guardians seen in the game’s opening quest.
At the end of Percival Rackham’s trial, players come across a giganticPensieve Guardianfor the first time, which can seem like a tricky boss fight at first. However, as soon as players know how to master the required spells, they can learnhow to breakHogwarts Legacy’sPensieve Guardian Orbsand win the battle pretty quickly. Using the right spells to match each orb color enables players to shatter them before they can do any significant damage, turning the tide on their foe. At the end of the trial, players view a cutscene through Percival Rackam’s memories in the Pensieve.
Altogether, Percival Rackham’s Keeper trial is a great introductory challenge, with a formidable boss battle at the end that sets the tone for the second trial. However, it’s understandably not the most memorable test of skill and is one of theeasiest ofHogwarts Legacy’s trials, placing it in the lowest position on the list. Of course, this makes sense considering its role as an introductory trial.
Interact with the Charles Rookwood painting at Rookwood Castle after completing ‘Back on the Path.’
Similar in design to the first trial. Higher difficulty, with some challenging portal gate puzzles and more Pensieve enemy battles in restricted spaces. Final Pensieve Guardian boss.
Hogwarts Legacy’s second trialbelongs toCharles Rookwood. Some of Charles' puzzles are much more challenging compared to the first trial, with moretricky portal gateandplatform puzzlesthat can seem confusing at times. For instance, there is a tricky order in which players must rotate archways to change their color and move objects using particular spells, likeWinguardium Leviosa.
There are also more challenging battles withPensieve Protectorsalong the way, which are some ofHogwarts Legacy’s hardest non-boss enemies. Battles with Pensieve Protectors and Guardians in Rookwood’s trial can feel more intense than the first trial, and the combat difficulty bar also leans higher with some invisible enemy varieties. As before, players see another cutscene at the end through the Pensieve, but this time of Charles Rookwood’s memories.
That said,Charles Rookwood’s Trialis similar to Percival Racham’s in some ways with several repeated mechanics, which could make it feel a bit repetitive for some players. However, the overall difficulty level is a bit harder. Some players might feel relieved that the remaining two challenges break away from this trial format, with the third and fourth trials offering several different features.
In the ‘Prepare for your O.W.L.S’ quest line, return to the Map Chamber after beating the main quest ‘Lodgok’s Loyalty.’ Afterward, head to the Cragcroft Shore Floo Flame to meet Professor Fig.
A stand-out, challenging fight to tame a Graphorn, followed by a thrilling ride across land. A player-choice moment where players choose where to kneel or attack the Graphorn. One of the shortest trials.
The fourth and final Keeper trial is a thrilling ride that narrowly misses the top spot amongHogwarts Legacy’s best trials.San Bakar’s Keeper Trialquickly takes players into a boss battle with a mightyGraphorncalled theLord of the Shore, one ofHogwarts Legacy’s strongest beasts. It’s a reasonably tough fight, and players will need all their skills to come out on top.
Players must fight the Graphorn to tame it and decide whether to kneel or attack it. Either way, players unlock theGraphorn mountand are in for an exciting ride back, using one ofHogwarts Legacy’s best mounts to roam the land. It’s arguably one of the game’s most spectacular moments, as players ram through blockades of Dark Wizards with ferocious ease. It’s only a shame that the trial is over somewhat too quickly. However, it is still a welcome break from the similar style of the first two trials.
Speak with Niamh’s portrait in the Headmaster’s Office in the ‘Stop Ranrok and Rookwood’ questline, after completing the main story quest ‘The Polyjuice Plot.’
A test of stealth against patrolling AI, including a giant Death figure. A lengthy, arena-style battle against multiple enemies using the Elder Wand, making it the most difficult trial.
In many ways, The Third Keeper Trial stands out above all theHogwarts Legacytrials for its engaging take onHarry Potter’sDeathly Hallows Tale,which many players will no doubt recall from theHarry Potterbooks and movies. It stands out for its stunning, creative monochrome visual style as if players just stepped into the pages of the tale itself.
Additionally, the art style used inNiamh Fitzgerald’s Trialis reminiscent of the animatedThe Tale of the Three Brothersstory told inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1,originally told inThe Tales of Beedle the Bard, which features the invisibility cloak, the Elder Wand, and the Resurrection Stone. In an adventure similar to the story, players must locate three items to complete the trial: themysterious cloak,mysterious wand, andmysterious stone. Using the Mysterious Wand is also a highlight, giving a feeling of absolute power and mastery of the craft.
When considering all theHogwarts Legacytrials, Niamh Fitzgerald’s contains the most varied balance of gameplay with a strong visual style, making it stand out above the rest. Players must use stealth carefully to hide from creepy, deadly shadow creatures with clever timing, not to mention the looming presence of Death. There’s also plenty of satisfying combat asHogwarts Legacy’s most difficult trial.Harry Potter’s Elder wandis incredibly overpowered and fun to use in an intense battle scene with Death’s minions in several waves of enemies, creating a challenging but satisfying conclusion.
