The Final Trial in The Witcher 3: Lambert, the Circle of Elements and How to Get Past the Trolls
Witcher 3 The Final Trial: the route with Lambert, sneaking past Old Speartip, the peaceful way past the rock trolls, and the Circle of Elements torches.
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Updated October 2026. The Final Trial is Lambert's part of Ugly Baby: a trip to the Circle of Elements to charge a phylactery Yennefer needs for Uma. It's the longest of the three Kaer Morhen tasks, with harpies, a water hag, an optional cave monster and three rock trolls on the way. The trolls are the one real choice, and the peaceful way pays off somewhere you might not expect.
Quick answer
Route: follow Lambert, cross the lake by boat, go through the cave and up the mountain path to the Circle of Elements.
Old Speartip: in the cave you can sneak past him along the ledges or fight him.
The trolls: stop Lambert, put your swords away and talk your way through, or fight. Peaceful also counts as a clue in Skellige's Most Wanted.
At the Circle: light the torches with Igni and put the phylactery on the altar.
The Final Trial Walkthrough
1. Follow Lambert
Find Lambert in the great hall of Kaer Morhen and agree to go with him; you can also finish other business first. Harpies attack on the way. Cross two bridges to a hut by the lake.
2. Lambert's Boat
Lambert's boat is by the lakeside hut, but drowners and a water hag are in the way. Kill them, then sail across the lake with Lambert. When you land you hear a boy crying for help. You can check it out (it's three foglets, not a boy) or skip it and go into the cave.
3. The Cave and Old Speartip
The cave is dark; a Cat potion helps you see. Old Speartip sleeps inside. You can climb the ledges quietly and slip past without waking him, or fight him. Clear any rock blockages with Aard, then climb up to the tunnel that leads outside.
4. The Rock Trolls
Follow the mountain path. Trolls throw boulders at you; run for the next tunnel. Clear the boulder blockage with Aard and climb to a ravine where three rock trolls block the way.
| Choice | How | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Peaceful | Stop Lambert from starting a fight, put your swords away and talk to the trolls | They let you through. This also counts as evidence in Contract: Skellige's Most Wanted. |
| Fight | Agree with Lambert and attack | You fight three rock trolls. |
Lambert asks later how you handled the trolls, so your choice comes up again in conversation.
5. The Circle of Elements
Go south to the Circle of Elements. Follow Lambert's instructions: light the torches around the altar with Igni and put the phylactery on the altar. While it charges, talk to Lambert; he opens up about his past. Take the phylactery and, if you left your swords with the trolls, pick them up again. Then fast travel back with Lambert, or stay and explore the north end of the lake.
Rewards and What's Next
| Quest | Reward | Next |
|---|---|---|
| The Final Trial | XP and a charged phylactery | Once Disturbance and To Bait a Forktail are done too: No Place Like Home |
Video: The Final Trial
Frequently Asked Questions
QShould I fight the trolls in The Final Trial?
You don't have to. Stop Lambert, put your swords away and talk; they let you pass. The peaceful way also counts as evidence in Skellige's Most Wanted.
QIs the boy crying for help real?
No. It's three foglets. Checking it is optional.
QDo I have to fight Old Speartip?
No. You can sneak past along the ledges, or fight him if you want.
QHow do I light the torches at the Circle of Elements?
Use the Igni sign on each torch around the altar, then place the phylactery.
QI left my swords with the trolls. Where are they?
Go back to the trolls after the Circle and pick them up.
Part of: Ugly Baby. More: all Witcher 3 quests.
Sources: in-game quest text and journal; steps and the troll choice checked against the Witcher Wiki and Fextralife pages for The Final Trial. Screenshots: gameplay frames from YouTube walkthroughs by Jason's Video Games Source and Daisy of Saint Snow.
Kai Mercer covers game news, free games, release calendars and guides for xGamerss.
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