Ultimate Guide to Conquering The Ancient One's Trial in Once Human (2026 Edition)

Hey everyone! So, you've heard about this crazy event in Once Human called The Ancient One's Trial, right? It's that wild public event where you're literally shooting balloons from the back of a flying plane high up in the sky of Chalk Peak. I've been grinding this trial for a while now, and let me tell you, it's a total game-changer for racking up Stellar Planula, Gas, and that sweet, sweet Stardust Source. It's like the devs took the concept of a carnival shooting gallery, strapped it to a jet, and said, 'Go nuts!' In this guide, I'm gonna break down everything—from the exact path to get there to the secret weapon effects that'll make you a scoring machine. Trust me, by the end of this, you'll be popping balloons like a pro and farming those rewards like there's no tomorrow. Let's get into it! 🎈✈️🎯

What Is The Ancient One's Trial? A Sky-High Challenge!

First things first, what even is this thing? The Ancient One's Trial is a recurring world event, and it's one of the most visually spectacular and fun activities in the game. You spawn on top of a massive, airborne aircraft, soaring through the breathtaking skies of the game world. Your mission? Simple yet addictive: shoot and pop as many colorful balloons as you can to build up a massive point total.

Think of it as a high-stakes, aerial target practice session. The better your score, the juicier the loot you walk away with. It's not just about mindless shooting, though; there's a real strategy to maximizing your points, which we'll dive deep into later. This event perfectly blends the survival mechanics of Once Human with pure, chaotic fun.

Your Journey to the Summit: How to Reach the Trial

Alright, adventurers, time for the trek. You can't just fast-travel directly to the plane (how cool would that be, though?). You gotta earn your wings. Here's the step-by-step pilgrimage to the skies:

1. Teleport to the Tower: Your starting point is the Teleportation Tower at coordinates (2709, -5662) in the Chalk Peak region. Make sure you've unlocked this tower on your map!

2. The Ascent Begins: From the tower, face the massive mountain to the east. Your goal is the summit. Start by driving or running straight towards it. You'll find a winding, snaking trail that's pretty vehicle-friendly at first.

3. The Rocky Gauntlet: About halfway up, the path gets gnarly. The terrain turns rocky and steep, forcing you to ditch your ride and continue on foot. Don't worry, the path is clear and easy to follow—just a bit of a leg workout! 💪

4. The Final Push: Once you clear the rocky section and reach a certain plateau, you can hop back into your vehicle for the final stretch upwards. Keep climbing until you see... the prize.

Activation Protocol: Getting on That Plane!

You've made it to the top! Now, look for the centerpiece: a gigantic, grounded airplane at coordinates (2355, -5300). This isn't your average wreckage.

Here's the fun part to start the event:

• Look for swirling, colorful updrafts of wind near the plane. Jump into them! They'll launch you high into the air, right onto the back of the aircraft.

• Once you're on the plane's fuselage, locate the glowing, pulsating red sphere. This is your trigger.

• Walk up to it and press the interact key (default 'F'). The trial will initiate, and a countdown will begin. Get ready for liftoff! 🚀

Masterclass Strategy: How to DOMINATE the Trial & Max Your Score

This is where we separate the balloon poppers from the balloon masters. The countdown before launch is your prep time. Use it wisely!

Loadout & Weapon Choice (The Meta)

• Ammo Conservation is Key: Don't waste your high-tier ammo here! Equip your guns with Copper Ammo. The balloons have very low health, so copper does the job perfectly and saves your rarer ammo for real threats.

• God-Tier Weapon Effects: Not all guns are created equal for this event. You want weapons with specific perks:

  • 🎯 Bounce Effect: This is arguably the S-Tier choice. Your bullets ricochet, allowing a single shot to pop multiple balloons in a line or cluster. It's a point multiplier!

  • 💥 Unstable Bomber Effect: Another fantastic option. Your shots cause small explosions. Even better, if you have Bounce and Unstable Bomber? The explosions can also ricochet, creating insane chain reactions of popping balloons. Pure chaos (the good kind).

Balloon Priority & Scoring System

Not all balloons are created equal! Know your targets:

Your primary goal is to hunt for BLACK BALLOONS. Popping one is like setting off a fireworks show of points—it clears the surrounding sky and gives you a huge score boost. After that, snipe those high-value Yellows and Reds. Don't waste time meticulously shooting every single white balloon; let the black ones and your Bounce/Unstable Bomber effects handle them.

Execution & Mindset

• Stay Mobile: Don't just stand in one spot. The balloons spawn all around the plane. Move, strafe, and get a good angle on clusters.

• Listen for Audio Cues: The game often gives subtle sounds for special balloon spawns.

• It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint: The trial lasts for a set duration. Stay focused, maintain your target priority, and the points will pile up.

The Grand Reward: What You're Fighting For

After the timer runs out, you'll be gracefully (or not) teleported back to solid ground. Your performance is instantly graded. Your final score directly translates into your loot bundle, which includes:

• Stellar Planula (Essential for high-tier crafting and upgrades).

• Gas (Crucial for vehicle operation and some crafting).

• Stardust Source (A premium currency used for special blueprints and items).

The higher you score, the more of each resource you get. It's absolutely worth repeating this trial whenever it's up to stockpile these vital materials.

Final Pro-Tips & Recap

• Check the World Event Timer: The trial is on a public cooldown. Team up with friends or other players in the area for a more lively (and competitive) session!

• Practice Makes Perfect: Your first few tries might be chaotic. Focus on learning balloon patterns and getting comfortable with the weapon bounce mechanics.

• The Path is Key: Memorize the route to coordinates (2355, -5300). The faster you get there, the more attempts you can squeeze in.

So there you have it, folks! The Ancient One's Trial is more than just a silly minigame; it's a strategic, rewarding, and incredibly fun pillar of the Once Human endgame loop. Grab your bounciest gun, load up on copper, and go paint the sky with popped balloons. See you at the summit, and may your score be ever in your favor! 😎👍

What's your highest score so far? Got any other secret strategies? Drop your thoughts below!