Where to Find the Second Trial of Aql Guide – Dune Awakening

Rizwan Ahmad
Posted by June 14, 2025 June 14, 2025
Second Trial

The Second Trial of Aql in Dune: Awakening is a key quest in the “Find the Fremen” storyline, challenging you to locate a hidden cave and complete a test to unlock a useful tool. This guide will help you find the trial’s location and finish it, with tips for all players. You’ll need to solve a riddle and explore the desert to reach the trial.

How to Start the Quest

  1. Complete Prerequisites: Finish the “Moving On” quest in the Vermillius Gap questline and the “First Trial of Aql” in Hagga Basin South. These unlock the Second Trial.
  2. Check Your Journal: Open the Journey tab in your menu and select “The Second Trial of Aql.” Click “View Trial Location” to see a mural and riddle: “Para-southeast of the great hammer of Mirzabah… the shattered teeth of the gods… nestled between molar and incisor… a cavity revealed.”

Where to Find the Second Trial

Awakening

The Second Trial is in Eastern Vermillius Gap, inside a Moisture-Sealed Cave called The Deep Struggle, just east of the Wreck of the Actaeon and near the Hagga Basin border. Here’s how to get there:

  1. Head to Eastern Vermillius Gap: From Hagga Basin South, travel north to Vermillius Gap. If you have a base near the Wreck of the Actaeon, start there.
  2. Locate the Hammer Rock: Find the large, hammer-shaped rock formation in the center of Eastern Vermillius Gap, called Mirzabah’s Hammer.
  3. Go Para-Southeast: Move southeast from the hammer rock. Look for tall, jagged rock spires that look like broken teeth.
  4. Find The Deep Struggle Cave: Between two spires (the “molar and incisor”), spot a cave entrance with a purple icon, unlike the usual orange. This is The Deep Struggle. Cut the moisture seal to enter.
    • Tip: Watch for scavenger enemies patrolling the area. Sneak past or fight them with a melee weapon and bandages ready.

Also Read: Wrecking Crew Quest Guide – Dune Awakening

Completing the Second Trial

Inside The Deep Struggle, follow these steps to complete the trial:

  1. Reach the Spice Plate: Descend to the cave’s lowest level, jumping carefully from ledge to ledge to avoid fall damage. Find a plate of spice at the bottom.
  2. Inhale the Spice: Interact with the spice to start the trial, entering a hallucinatory challenge.
  3. Use the Static Compactor:
    • Pick up the Static Compactor tool in front of you.
    • Fire Bridge: Clear a burning path by aiming the Compactor at glowing fire spots to suck them up, creating a safe route. Don’t step in the fire, or you’ll restart the section.
    • Toxic Chambers: In two gas-filled rooms, aim the Compactor at metal vents emitting green poison fumes to clear them. The second room has broken floors, so watch your step.
    • Floating Platforms: Cross two chasms by shooting the Compactor at floating debris piles to form solid platforms. Jump across carefully, timing your shots to avoid falling.
  4. Reach the Altar: After the platforms, interact with the wall at the final altar to end the spice-dream and complete the trial.

Rewards

Finishing the Second Trial unlocks:

  • Static Compactor Schematic: Craft this tool at a General Fabricator using 10 Iron Ingots (from 40 Iron Ore) and 7 EMF Generators (looted from Moisture-Sealed Caves). It gathers Flour Sand and Spice outside the trial, making resource collection easier.
  • Progress toward the next Trial of Aql in the “Find the Fremen” questline.

Tips for Success

  • Prepare for the Trip: Bring a Stillsuit or Literjon of water to stay hydrated in the desert. Carry bandages and a melee weapon for scavenger fights.
  • Avoid Sandworms: Sprint across sandy areas or stick to rocky paths to dodge worms. Listen for rumbling sounds.
  • Gather Resources: Loot chests and ore deposits in The Deep Struggle for extra Iron or Polymers.
  • Team Up: If the trial feels tough, join other players to clear enemies or share the challenge.
  • Explore Nearby: After the trial, check Imperial Testing Station 10, east of the cave, for valuable loot like Plasteel.

Why This Quest Matters

The Second Trial of Aql advances your journey to connect with the Fremen and unlocks the Static Compactor, a handy tool for gathering Flour Sand to craft Silicone Blocks for gear upgrades. It’s a fun mix of exploration and puzzle-solving that teaches you to navigate Arrakis’ harsh deserts.