So, you’re standing in the Map Chamber, the portraits are whispering, and Professor Fig is looking at you with that expectant "let's save the wizarding world" gaze. It’s time for the Charles Rockwood trial.
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re searching for this, you’re probably either stuck on a pillar puzzle that makes zero sense, or you’re tired of getting flattened by a giant stone guardian with a glowing orb. It happens. Honestly, this second trial in Hogwarts Legacy is where the game stops holding your hand and starts demanding you actually pay attention to the environment.
Most people call it a "trial," but it’s basically a gauntlet of dimensional gymnastics. You aren't just fighting statues; you're fighting your own perspective.
The Long Road to Rookwood Castle
Before you even step foot in the trial, you’ve got to deal with the family drama. Charles Rookwood—the Keeper with the regal mustache and the slightly judge-y vibe—left his legacy in a castle that is currently crawling with his less-than-stellar descendant, Victor Rookwood.
Getting into the castle isn't just a walk in the park. You've got Ranrok’s Loyalists and Victor’s lot having a bit of a tiff outside. My advice? Don't just charge in. Use Disillusionment. Sneak around the back. You'll hear some interesting dialogue between the goblins and the dark wizards if you don't go in wands blazing immediately.
Once you’re inside the cellar and find the portrait, the real work begins. You’ll need to interact with a pool of Ancient Magic to open the floor, descending into a world of white stone and blue light.
The Dimensional Portal Mechanic (The Part Everyone Hates)
This is the "aha!" moment of the Charles Rockwood trial. You’re going to see these massive ancient gateways.
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Walk through one side, and the room looks one way. Walk through the other, and it changes. It’s not just visual. A pillar that exists in the "blue" world might be a flat floor in the "red" world.
How to handle the first big puzzle
You’ll come across a room with a bridge and a circular grate. Here is the trick:
- Hit the spinning switch on the wall to rotate the gateway.
- If you can't reach a chest or a ledge, look through the gateway without passing through it.
- Sometimes you need to move a crate through the gate to turn it into a usable platform.
Basically, if you’re stuck, stop moving. Look at the gate. If the gate is red, things are different than when it’s blue. It sounds simple, but when you're three rooms deep, it’s easy to lose your mind.
Combat: Why Those Sentinels Keep Disappearing
Have you ever been mid-fight, dodging a massive stone sword, only for the enemy to turn into a ghost you can't hit?
That’s the trial being cheeky.
In the Charles Rockwood trial, enemies are often tethered to one "side" of the gateway. If you are standing in the blue dimension but the Sentinel is in the red one, you can see his outline, but your spells will pass right through him.
Pro-tip: Use the gateway as a tactical shield. If things get too hairy, roll through the gate. Half the enemies won't be able to follow you or hit you until you cross back over.
Facing the Pensieve Guardian
The boss at the end of the Charles Rockwood trial is a step up from the first one. He’s got two health bars and a very annoying habit of charging up a massive orb of energy.
If you see a yellow orb, hit it with a yellow spell (like Levioso). If it’s violet, use Accio or Depulso. If it’s red... well, you get the idea. Matching the color "pops" the orb and stuns him. If you don't pop it, you’re going to lose about 70% of your health. Honestly, just keep your Wiggenweld potions hot-keyed. You’re going to need them.
The Memory: Why This Actually Matters
After you’ve smashed the guardian and inhaled enough ancient dust to cough for a week, you get the reward: a Pensieve memory.
This isn't just fluff. This is where we see Charles Rookwood and the other Keepers interacting with Isidora Morganach. We see the tension. We see that Charles wasn't just a powerful wizard; he was terrified of what Isidora was doing with the "pain" she was extracting.
It sets the stakes for the rest of the game. It’s the moment you realize the Keepers might be hiding as much as they're revealing.
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What to do next
- Check your gear: Before leaving the trial area, make sure you didn't miss the "hidden" chests. There’s one in the second puzzle room that requires you to pull a block through the gate to turn it into a chest.
- Talent Points: If you struggled with the combat, now is the time to invest in "Basic Cast Core" or "Wiggenweld Potency."
- Visit the Map Chamber: You need to talk to Percival and the newly awakened third Keeper, Niamh Fitzgerald.
- Prepare for Winter: Completing this trial triggers the seasonal change in the game. If you have side quests that feel "autumnal," finish them up now because the snow is coming.
Focus on mastering the "dimension swap" logic now, because the trials only get weirder from here.