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Explorer Trial Walkthroughs - Version 12 vs Version 13
May 23, 2026, 02:49 PM
Removed duplicate in-body wikilinks
Jun 10, 2026, 02:43 PM
Added wikilinks to new crafting material pages
11Overview22The 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.44TierMoonlit Forest ZoneBossApprenticeEvernight Forest / Gate of LifeRunebirdJuniorDreamfall Garden / Crystalith HideoutCrystalithIntermediateAzure Bay / Mural ValleyGlintortleSeniorHarvest Yard / Darkwater ShoreNone (puzzle focus)ExpertMoonlit MeadowRuin Guard66Apprentice Explorer77Certification: Defeat the Runebird99Visit Zephyria at the Explorer Club to begin the profession.Zephyria gives you the Slingshot weapon blueprint and some starter ammo. Craft the Slingshot at your workbench.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.Enter the Evernight Forest area and track down a Runebird. This is your first real combat encounter.Defeat the Runebird by circle-strafing to dodge its attacks while firing Slingshot pellets. Keep moving and aim for its body.Collect the Runebird Fragments it drops.Return the Runebird Fragments to Zephyria to complete the certification.1111Trial: Shiny Paint1414Accept the Shiny Paint request from the Bulletin Board near the Community Center.Enter the Moonlit Forest and find a Luminfrog (appears in tight spaces within the forest).Defeat the Luminfrog (approximately 5 hits with the Slingshot) and collect the Sparkling Pigment it drops.Deliver the Sparkling Pigment to Momo to complete the bulletin board quest.1616Rewards1818Apprentice Explorer CertificateRegular Bait BlueprintBait Holder BlueprintLamb Skewers cooking recipe (useful for health restoration in combat)2020Junior Explorer2222Certification: Defeat the Crystalith2424Progress through Dreamfall Garden to reach the Crystalith Hideout past Azure Bay.2626Catch 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.Submit the 5 Luminwing Butterflies at the Luminpath console to unlock the path forward.Continue deeper into the Moonlit Forest until you reach the Crystalith Hideout.Defeat the Crystalith boss:2828Crystalith Boss Strategy3030DetailInfoAppearanceLarge stone golem with an orange glowing abdomenAttack PatternsBoulder throws, smash attacks that send damage-dealing ripplesWeak SpotThe bright yellow/orange abdomen (deals double damage when hit)Best WindowWhen the Crystalith draws power from the central crystal between attacksAmmo NeededApproximately 50 to 60 rounds of Slingshot ammoTipDeploy Sentry Bots to draw aggro and create openings3232After defeating the Crystalith, return to Zephyria with proof of your victory.3333Rewards3535Plume Bow Blueprint (upgrade from the Slingshot)Arrow Blueprint and Bomb Arrow BlueprintBlast Pellet Blueprint and Stink Bomb BlueprintGolden Slingshot recipe (1 Slingshot + 3 Gold Ore)Moonflower Tea cooking recipe3737Intermediate Explorer3939Certification: Sharpshooter Challenge and Glintortle4141Speak to Zephyria about the Intermediate Certification Trial. He gives you the Right Ruin Key.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.Deliver the materials to Bruce and complete the Sharpshooter challenge: shoot 35 balloons before time runs out.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).Use both Ruin Keys to open the Bronze Gate in Mural Valley.Defeat the Glintortle boss on the other side:4343Glintortle Boss Strategy4545DetailInfoWeaponBow with Bomb Arrows (Slingshot is no longer effective at this tier)Ammo20 to 30 Bomb Arrows + 50 standard ArrowsWeak PointGlowing crystal on top of the shell (exposed only when the turtle becomes dazed)DodgeJump over waves; run perpendicular to water beamsDouble DamageHit the crystal when it glows blue after major attacksTipDeploy Sentry Bots to draw aggro away from you4747After defeating the Glintortle, collect rewards from the chest beyond the boss room.Return to Zephyria to complete the certification.4848Rewards5050Water Arrow Blueprint (makes branches and roots grow, creating bridges over gaps)Fire Arrow Blueprint (burns branches away, clearing blocking vines and roots)Pristine Orb BlueprintMountain & Sea Skewers cooking recipeMushroom Basket cooking recipe5252Senior Explorer5454Certification: Waterwheel and Healing Formula5656Head to the temple on the hill and speak to Youfang.Youfang asks you to collect two plants to create a Healing Tonic formula:5858ItemDescriptionEldergraintall wheat-like plants found near the Waterwheel device in the Harvest YardEchobeanbright-colored bean plants found in the Homeward Trial area6060Deliver the Eldergrain and Echobean to Youfang.Repair the Waterwheel elevator mechanism. You need:6161MaterialQuantityWhere to FindPrimorite5Mine in Mural ValleyMagnetite5Mine in deeper Moonlit Forest areasGold5Gold nodes beyond Crystalith HideoutWaterwheel Bearing1Obtained from Zephyria when you start the Senior Explorer trial6363Mining requires the Impact Hammer (blueprint available at the General Store).6464Install the repaired parts and press the Waterwheel Button at the top to activate the mechanism.Pick up the small sheet of paper at the foot of the waterwheel.Follow the quest markers to complete the investigation.Return to Zephyria to complete the certification.6666For full details on the waterwheel puzzle, see the Darkwater Shore article.6868Rewards7070Gale Arrow BlueprintWood Arrow BlueprintEldergrain Roll cooking recipeFlaming Ice Dumplings cooking recipeAccess to Grain Haven and deeper Moonlit Forest areas7272Expert Explorer7474Certification: Defeat the Ruin Guard7676Progress through the deepest sections of the Moonlit Forest to reach the Moonlit Meadow area.Set up camp at the Moonlit Meadow campsite and prepare for the final boss.Defeat the Ruin Guard, the toughest boss in the game:7878Ruin Guard Boss Strategy8080The Ruin Guard's only weak point is the top of its head, exposed only during certain attacks. Do not waste ammo on its body.8282AttackDodge StrategyCounter-Attack Window?Green Charge SliceStrafe constantly; it fires a slicing projectileNoSpin SliceRun immediately when it starts twisting; it spins across the arenaNoFire BeamMaintain distance and strafe sidewaysYes (head exposed)Flying OreDodge the projectilesYes (head exposed)Green Charge VinesDodge the extended vines (longest attack opening)Yes (head exposed)8484When 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.8585Recommended gear: Crossbow or Bow, 60+ Bomb Arrows, healing food (like Grilled Chicken Wings), and Sentry Bots.8787Claiming the Luna Deer8989After defeating the Ruin Guard, a broken altar appears in the arena.Obtain a Prayer item from Zephyria (speak to him before or after the fight).Repair the altar by slotting in the following materials:9191MaterialQuantityMoonstone3Spirit Berries3Prayer item (from Zephyria)19393Place all items on the altar to summon and claim your Luna Deer mount.Return to Zephyria to receive your Expert Explorer Certificate and remaining rewards.9494Rewards9696RewardDetailsLuna Deermount (permanent rideable mount for fast travel across the island)CrossbowBlueprint (the most powerful ranged weapon; exclusive quest reward, not purchasable)Time ArrowBlueprintMystic Egg cooking recipe--Spirit Salad cooking recipe--9898Tips9999Upgrade 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.
