Explorer Trial Walkthroughs

Overview

The Explorer profession is mentored by Zephyria at the Explorer Club. It covers combat, dungeon exploration, and the entire Moonlit Forest progression. Each tier takes you deeper into the dungeon, culminating in the Luna Deer mount at Expert rank.

Apprentice Explorer

Certification: Defeat the Runebird

1. Visit Zephyria at the Explorer Club to begin the profession.

2. Zephyria gives you the Slingshot weapon blueprint and some starter ammo. Craft the Slingshot at your workbench.

3. Head to the Moonlit Forest entrance and use the Slingshot to break through the Damaged Door by aiming at the yellow weak spots between the cracks.

4. Enter the Evernight Forest area and track down a Runebird. This is your first real combat encounter.

5. Defeat the Runebird by circle-strafing to dodge its attacks while firing Slingshot pellets. Keep moving and aim for its body.

6. Collect the Runebird Fragments it drops.

7. Return the Runebird Fragments to Zephyria to complete the certification.

Trial: Shiny Paint

1. Accept the Shiny Paint request from the Bulletin Board near the Community Center.

2. Enter the Moonlit Forest and find a Luminfrog (appears in tight spaces within the forest).

3. Defeat the Luminfrog (approximately 5 hits with the Slingshot) and collect the Sparkling Pigment it drops.

4. Deliver the Sparkling Pigment to Momo to complete the bulletin board quest.

Rewards

• Apprentice Explorer Certificate

• Regular Bait Blueprint

• Bait Holder Blueprint

• Lamb Skewers cooking recipe (useful for health restoration in combat)

Junior Explorer

Certification: Defeat the Crystalith

Progress through Dreamfall Garden to reach the Crystalith Hideout past Azure Bay.

1. Catch 5 Luminwing Butterflies using a Bug Net. They appear between 6 AM and 6 PM on Sunny or Snowy days, near Moondew Shrooms in Dreamfall Garden.

2. Submit the 5 Luminwing Butterflies at the Luminpath console to unlock the path forward.

3. Continue deeper into the Moonlit Forest until you reach the Crystalith Hideout.

4. Defeat the Crystalith boss:

Crystalith Boss Strategy

1. After defeating the Crystalith, return to Zephyria with proof of your victory.

Rewards

• Plume Bow Blueprint (upgrade from the Slingshot)

• Arrow Blueprint and Bomb Arrow Blueprint

• Blast Pellet Blueprint and Stink Bomb Blueprint

• Golden Slingshot recipe (1 Slingshot + 3 Gold Ore)

• Moonflower Tea cooking recipe

Intermediate Explorer

Certification: Sharpshooter Challenge and Glintortle

1. Speak to Zephyria about the Intermediate Certification Trial. He gives you the Right Ruin Key.

2. Zephyria tells you to speak to Bruce (a small child in a yellow tracksuit). Bruce asks you to prepare materials for his Sharpshooter Stall: 3 Alloy and 3 Starflare Cores.

3. Deliver the materials to Bruce and complete the Sharpshooter challenge: shoot 35 balloons before time runs out.

4. Obtain the Left Ruin Key from a wooden chest near the Azure Bay elevator (descend to the lower level and open the round wooden chest).

5. Use both Ruin Keys to open the Bronze Gate in Mural Valley.

6. Defeat the Glintortle boss on the other side:

Glintortle Boss Strategy

1. After defeating the Glintortle, collect rewards from the chest beyond the boss room.

2. Return to Zephyria to complete the certification.

Rewards

• Water Arrow Blueprint (makes branches and roots grow, creating bridges over gaps)

• Fire Arrow Blueprint (burns branches away, clearing blocking vines and roots)

• Pristine Orb Blueprint

• Mountain & Sea Skewers cooking recipe

• Mushroom Basket cooking recipe

Senior Explorer

Certification: Waterwheel and Healing Formula

1. Head to the temple on the hill and speak to Youfang.

2. Youfang asks you to collect two plants to create a Healing Tonic formula:

1. Deliver the Eldergrain and Echobean to Youfang.

2. Repair the Waterwheel elevator mechanism. You need:

Mining requires the Impact Hammer (blueprint available at the General Store).

1. Install the repaired parts and press the Waterwheel Button at the top to activate the mechanism.

2. Pick up the small sheet of paper at the foot of the waterwheel.

3. Follow the quest markers to complete the investigation.

4. Return to Zephyria to complete the certification.

For full details on the waterwheel puzzle, see the Darkwater Shore article.

Rewards

• Gale Arrow Blueprint

• Wood Arrow Blueprint

• Eldergrain Roll cooking recipe

• Flaming Ice Dumplings cooking recipe

• Access to Grain Haven and deeper Moonlit Forest areas

Expert Explorer

Certification: Defeat the Ruin Guard

1. Progress through the deepest sections of the Moonlit Forest to reach the Moonlit Meadow area.

2. Set up camp at the Moonlit Meadow campsite and prepare for the final boss.

3. Defeat the Ruin Guard, the toughest boss in the game:

Ruin Guard Boss Strategy

The Ruin Guard's only weak point is the top of its head, exposed only during certain attacks. Do not waste ammo on its body.

When enough damage is dealt, the Ruin Guard immobilizes itself and its head drops to the center of the arena. This is the critical damage window: dump your strongest charged Bomb Arrows into its skull.

Recommended gear: Crossbow or Bow, 60+ Bomb Arrows, healing food (like Grilled Chicken Wings), and Sentry Bots.

Claiming the Luna Deer

1. After defeating the Ruin Guard, a broken altar appears in the arena.

2. Obtain a Prayer item from Zephyria (speak to him before or after the fight).

3. Repair the altar by slotting in the following materials:

1. Place all items on the altar to summon and claim your Luna Deer mount.

2. Return to Zephyria to receive your Expert Explorer Certificate and remaining rewards.

Rewards

Tips

• Upgrade from the Slingshot to the Plume Bow as soon as you unlock it after the Junior trial. The Bow is far more effective against later bosses.

• Always bring plenty of Bomb Arrows to boss fights. Standard arrows deal much less damage and will make fights drag on.

• Carry healing food in your hotbar during Moonlit Forest runs. Lamb Skewers, Moonflower Tea, and later recipes restore health during boss fights.

• Deploy Sentry Bots during every boss encounter. They draw aggro and give you safe windows to deal damage.

• Invest Starsand Points in the Ammo Recycle Workpedia perk early. It gives a chance to recover ammo after hitting a target, which is invaluable for long boss fights.

• The Victory Siphon Workpedia perk gives a chance for double treasure from chests in the Moonlit Forest, making exploration much more rewarding.