The Fifth Trial of Aql is located within the Hagga Rift zone, which is on the distant eastern side of the Dune: Awakening map. It is located at the bottom of a vast cave complex and is easily visible due to its size and the surrounding environment. In order to reach the trial entrance safely, it’s best for you to outfit a Suspensor Belt to drop without falling damage and a Shigawire Claw to ascend when you’re done with the trial.
Unlike some of the trials that have come before, which were all about combat or survival, the Fifth Trial is actually a puzzle-platforming course centred around one of Arrakis’ most deadly native predators: the sandworm.
Fifth Trial of Aql Location
The trial is designated as The Hidden Test on the game map, located to the east of the Eastern Vermillius Gap, near the edge of the map. The name will only show up after you enter the cave and get to the bottom level, so it is all about exploring.
To make navigation easier, bring a Survey Launcher and Survey Probe. These tools will help you reveal the local map and make it easier to track your location.
Before you enter the cave, you will have to fight a minor group of NPC enemies that are keeping guard at the entrance. Inside, proceed along the twisting paths in the cave. You can find optional side rooms along the way that hold lootable chests. Keep going down until you find the spice altar, where the trial will begin.
Fifth Trial Walkthrough
The goal of this trial is to cross several rooms without placing foot on sand because stepping on sand will trigger the presence of a sandworm. Timing and navigation are essential here—use raised platforms, wreckage, and ledges to safely move from one end of each room to the other.
In the final section of the trial, you’ll come across a Thumper, a device used by the Fremen to attract sandworms. Pick up the Thumper and place it in the sand near the nearby vehicle. Once it’s deployed, immediately run up the stairs on your left to reach safety. Moments later, a sandworm will emerge from beneath the surface and devour the vehicle, signalling the end of the trial.
Fifth Trial Reward
Doing the Fifth Trial of Aql rewards you with the Thumper Crafting Schematic. This enables you to construct Thumpers, which you can deploy on open sand to summon a sandworm to a specific location intentionally. These can be employed strategically, either to dispose of threats or create distractions during exploration and combat.
