Candidate Trials

Candidate Trials

Type

Instance

Zone

Labyrinthine Cliffs
(Maguuma Jungle)

Loading screen

“

Enter into the Candidate Trials alone or with a group in support of your chosen candidate. You'll test your battle skills by facing off against waves of Aetherblade pirates – hold out for as long as you can to earn Support Tokens and loot! The challenge is great, but so are the rewards – you may even earn a rare chance at an Aetherized weapon!

— Official Website

Candidate Trials is a challenge mission activity introduced in Cutthroat Politics. There are two entrance for the trials, one for Captain Ellen Kiel and another for Captain Evon Gnashblade. An Aetherblade airship has crashed after plundering Lion's Arch and they are attempting to reclaim the treasure on-board. Players fight alongside each captain's first mate to protect this treasure.

Getting there

Start from the Sky Docks Waypoint in Labyrinthine Cliffs and head northwest (towards Kookoochoo's Stage). On your minimap you will see a pair of icons which will take you to the Candidate Trials. There is an icon above each entrance that identifies which candidate the trial is supporting.

Objectives

Ellen Kiel

• Work with Kiel's crew to secure the downed airship's treasure cache. (80)
  • Speak to First Mate Fidus Foecrush.
  • Follow First Mate Foecrush to the airship site.

Evon Gnashblade

• Work with Gnashblade's crew to secure the downed airship's treasure cache. (80)
  • Speak to First Mate Ashe Voegard.
  • Follow First Mate Voegard to the airship site.

Both candidates

• [Challenge Event] Hold out against the Aetherblade pirates. (Tier I) (80)
  • Protect the treasure from incoming pirate waves. Kill 25 for silver, 50 for gold.
  • Treasure remaining: 5,000
  • Time remaining: 5:00
  • Aetherblade pirates killed: 0

• [Challenge Event] Hold out against the Aetherblade pirates. (Tier II) (80)
  • Protect the treasure from incoming pirate waves. Kill 25 for silver, 50 for gold.
  • Treasure remaining: 4,000
  • Time remaining: 6:00
  • Aetherblade pirates killed: 0

• [Challenge Event] Hold out against the Aetherblade pirates. (Tier III) (80)
  • Protect the treasure from incoming pirate waves. Kill 25 for silver, 50 for gold.
  • Treasure remaining: 3,000
  • Time remaining: 7:00
  • Aetherblade pirates killed: 0

• [Challenge Event] Hold out against the Aetherblade pirates. (Tier IV) (80)
  • Protect the treasure from incoming pirate waves. Kill 25 for silver, 50 for gold.
  • Treasure remaining: 2,500
  • Time remaining: 8:00
  • Aetherblade pirates killed: 0

Rewards

Successfully completing a trial will reward players with a normal event reward based on the number of Aetherblades they killed during the trial.

During the trial, killing Aetherblade pirates cause additional bags of loot to appear, containing a random combination of:

• Broken Lockpick (3-4)
• Large Bag of Booty (1-2)
• Support Reminder (0-1)
• Support Token (0-1)
• Aetherized weapons (0-1)

Walkthrough

Tiers

As players complete the trials, additional tiers with higher difficulties are unlocked (up to four). Tier 1 is able to be completed solo and the difficulty rises up to Tier 4 where a group is usually needed.

When picking the tier, the options are presented in reverse order with the highest available tier at the top. If there are 2 options, the top one will be tier 2 and the second one will be tier 1. If there are four, the top will be tier 4 and the remaining options will be tiers 3, 2, and 1 in that order.

Desired Tier	No Tiers completed	Tier 1 completed	Tier 2 completed	Tier 3 completed	Tier 4 completed
Tier 4				Let's take it up a notch!	Let's get 'em!
Tier 3			Let's take it up a notch!	Let's do that again!	Let's take it down a notch.
Tier 2		Let's take it up a notch!	Let's do that again!	Let's take it down a notch.	Whoa! Let's take it down a couple notches.
Tier 1	Let's get 'em!	Let's do that again!	Let's take it down a notch.	Whoa! Let's take it down a couple notches.	Let's not push our luck.

The actual words do not correspond to a specific tier, they only describe the relative difference between that option and the top available tier.

NPCs

Allies

• Captain Ellen Kiel
• Captain Evon Gnashblade
• First Mate Ashe Voegard
• First Mate Fidus Foecrush
• Gnashblade Supporter
• Kiel Supporter

Services

• Porgim (80)

Foes

All tiers

• Aetherblade Plunderer

Tier 1-2

• Aetherblade Taskmaster
• Aetherblade Swashbuckler
• Aetherblade Thumper
• Aetherblade Thug

Tier 2-4

• Aetherblade Striker
• Aetherblade Grenadier

Tier 3-4

• Veteran Aetherblade Grenadier
• Veteran Aetherblade Striker

Tier 4

• Veteran Aetherblade Swashbuckler

Objects

• Aetherblade Mortar
• Crate of Flamethrowers
• Crate of Frost Mines
• Crate of Asuran Fire Grenades

Dialogue

Captain Ellen Kiel version

When approaching Ellen and Fidus

Captain Ellen Kiel: Thank you for answering my summons. I just learned that an Aetherblade airship loaded with plunder from Lion's Arch went down nearby.

First Mate Fidus Foecrush: It's our lucky day. What are your orders, Cap'n?

Captain Ellen Kiel: Those pirates will want their loot back. When they come for it, we'll be there to greet them. Go secure that treasure so we can return it to its rightful owners.

First Mate Fidus Foecrush: Wait, to its rightful...Cap'n, begging your pardon, but wouldn't your campaign be better served if we used that–

Captain Ellen Kiel: Belay that talk, mister. I won't build our campaign on the backs of victims.

Captain Ellen Kiel: Now, I'm ordering you to protect those valuables at all cost. I'll send relief soon.

Talking to Fidus Foecrush with no tier competed

Ahoy. You heard the Cap'n! We need to protect that treasure, "So's it can be returned." I can't believe we're doing that, but oh well. Let me know when you're ready, and we'll get started.

Let's get 'em! (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Talking to Fidus Foecrush with one tier completed

Rough seas, but my former shipmates are at it again. They're bound to have learned from our last skirmish. Ye want to do more or do more of the same?

Let's take it up a notch! (Tier 2)

Let's do that again! (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Talking to Fidus Foecrush with two tiers completed

By the Mists, them Aetherblades are ready for another round. Best bring our full crew to this next fight. Have ye got what it takes?

Let's take it up a notch! (Tier 3)

Let's do that again! (Tier 2)

Let's take it down a notch. (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Talking to Fidus Foecrush with three tiers completed

The enemy's comin' for the treasure again, and they're bringing everything they got. This'll test the mettle of any sea dog. Ye ready to prove yourself, swabbie?

Let's take it up a notch! (Tier 4)

Let's do that again! (Tier 3)

Let's take it down a notch. (Tier 2)

Whoa! Let's take it down a couple notches. (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Talking to Fidus Foecrush with four tiers completed

The enemy's comin' for the treasure again, and they're bringing everything they got. This'll test the mettle of any sea dog. Ye ready to prove yourself, swabbie?

Let's get 'em! (Tier 4)

Let's take it down a notch. (Tier 3)

Whoa! Let's take it down a couple notches. (Tier 2)

Let's not push our luck. (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Starting event

First Mate Fidus Foecrush: There's the booty! Hold this ground. Captain Kiel is relying on us, and I don't intend to let her down!

During event

Aetherblades: (laugh)

First Mate Fidus Foecrush: Look out! More Aetherblades incoming!

Completing event

Captain Ellen Kiel: Report, sailor. What's the situation?

First Mate Fidus Foecrush: It was hairy, Cap'n! Those Aetherblades threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at us!

Captain Ellen Kiel: Well, you're here, so you must have accomplished what I asked, yes?

First Mate Fidus Foecrush: (laugh) Even their worst sink wasn't enough to stop us. We managed to keep the lion's share of the booty.

Captain Ellen Kiel: Oh, you're so...excellent work. Excellent work, everyone. Let's get that back where it belongs, shall we?

Captain Evon Gnashblade version

When approaching Evon and Ashe

Captain Evon Gnashblade: Listen up. I'm getting reports that an Aetherblade airship crashed nearby. There's bound to be treasure on board.

First Mate Ashe Voegard: Right. And you want us to...blow up the ship?

Captain Evon Gnashblade: (sigh) No. I want you to drive off the pirates and plunder their plunder! My campaign could use the resources.

First Mate Ashe Voegard: I like the way you think, Captain.

Captain Evon Gnashblade: Hey, I'm a politician. He who lifts it, gets it. Hold out until I send backup your way.

Talking to Ashe Voegard with no tier competed

Ahoy. You heard the Cap'n! We need to protect that treasure, "So's it can be returned." I can't believe we're doing that, but oh well. Let me know when you're ready, and we'll get started. [sic]

Let's get 'em! (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Talking to Ashe Voegard with one tier completed

Rough seas, but my former shipmates are at it again. They're bound to have learned from our last skirmish. Ye want to do more or do more of the same?

Let's take it up a notch! (Tier 2)

Let's do that again! (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Talking to Ashe Voegard with three tiers completed

The enemy's comin' for the treasure again, and they're bringing everything they got. This'll test the mettle of any sea dog. Ye ready to prove yourself, swabbie?

Let's take it up a notch! (Tier 4)

Let's do that again! (Tier 3)

Let's take it down a notch. (Tier 2)

Whoa! Let's take it down a couple notches. (Tier 1)

Not just yet.

Starting event

First Mate Ashe Voegard: There it is–the treasure! Quickly, secure the premises! If you're feeling sword-happy, I won't stop you. Gnashblade needs these resources.

During event

First Mate Ashe Voegard: Gah! Damn Aetherblades have no regard for personal space!

Completing event

Captain Evon Gnashblade: You're back! And with good news from the look on your...purple face.

First Mate Ashe Voegard: A successful mission, sir! Nearly cost us our skins, but the pirates eventually retreated...with several bruises to their name.

Captain Evon Gnashblade: And to yours, I see. What of the treasure?

First Mate Ashe Voegard: We secured a fair amount of gold, but the pirates managed to snag some before they fled.

Captain Evon Gnashblade: So long as it covers expenses and turns a profit, it's a victory...and one step closer to the council seat. Well done, crew.

Notes

• If you already unlocked tiers by the other captain's trials, you can choose which tier to start. The first option when talking to the first mate is your highest tier, meaning the last option is T1, the second last T2, etc.

Bugs:

• The Achievement for completing a tier might not always be awarded to players
• Sometimes the event will fail even if the points have not reached 0
• Some players are having trouble entering trials as a group.

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Living World Season 1 storyline

Flame and Frost	New Friends, New Enemies → The Battle for Cragstead → Alliance Investigation → Molten Furnace → A Quiet Celebration
Sky Pirates	Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → No More Secrets → Aether Investigation → The Aetherblade Retreat → Case Closed
Clockwork Chaos	The Opening Ceremony → The Queen's Address → Clockwork Invasion → Scarlet's Playhouse → Picking Up the Pieces
Tower of Nightmares	The Nightmare Unveiled → Making the Antitoxin → The Tower of Nightmares → The Nightmare Incarnate → The Nightmare Ends → Awake and Allied
Battle for Lion's Arch	The Twisted Marionette → Connecting the Pieces → Escape from Lion's Arch → The Battle for Lion's Arch → Battle on the Breachmaker → Scarlet's End → After the Battle → Dawn of the Next Journey
← Previous: Personal story Next: Living World Season 2 →