Trials

Trials are challenges that are unlocked in Ninja Gaiden 4 after completing the main story once. They are accessible from the Challenge Mode on the title menu and are place where players can test their skills on bosses or take on unique battles with special conditions. There are two type of trials: Boss Trials and Combat Trials.

Challenges can be played with either Yakumo or Ryu. In Boss Trials you have your full item loadout, while in Combat Trial, you are given a customized item loadout.

Boss Trials

In Boss Trials, you replay battles against formidable enemies (bosses) at the difficulty level of your choosing. There are a total of 14 Boss Trials. The first 13 are unlocked right away after completing the story. The final 14th one is only unlocked after defeating Oniwaka in his final form during New Game+ in Chapter 6.

Completing the challenges for the firs time will reward a certain amount of NinjaCoins. Completing challenges 1 to 13, will unlock the Dark Dragon Blade permanent use in the game. Completing challenge 14 will reward you Hayabusa Texts, Vol. 2.

• Boss Trial 1: D.D.O. Commander - Reward: 15000 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 2: D.D.O. Proto-Goliath - Reward: 15500 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 3: Sanzeon - Reward: 16000 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 4: Veilotl - Reward: 16500 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 5: D-1018 Chariot - Reward: 17000 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 6: Totyos - Reward: 15700 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 7: Kitsune Courtesan - Reward: 18000 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 8: Kurobo - Reward: 18500 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 9: Cetus - Reward: 19000 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 10: Kagachi - Reward: 19500 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 11: Achilles - Reward: 20000 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 12: Ryu Hayabusa - Reward: 21500 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 13: Dark Dragon (Phantom Form) - Reward: 21000 NinjaCoin
• Boss Trial 14: Oniwaka - Reward: Hayabusa Texts, Vol. 2 x1

Combat Trials

In Combat Trials, you fight against enemies under various special conditions at a set difficulty level. There are 18 challenges, however majority are locked and a new unlocks only after you complete an already unlocked challenge. Challenges 1 to 11 are on Normal difficulty, while Challenges 12 to 18 are on Hard difficulty.

Completing different trials for the first time will reward you either NinjaCoins or new Accessories.

• Combat Trial 1: "Defeat all enemies within the time limit" (05:00 min) - Reward: 10000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x5, Divine Life Elixir x3, Rejuvenation Elixir x1, Crimson Blood Pellets x1, Crimson Blood Balm x1, Senjin War Brew x1, Kongou Iron Brew x1, Incense of Rebirth x1
  • Strategy: This is pretty easy one. Use whoever you want with whatever you are comfortable.

• Combat Trial 2: "Health decreases over time" - Reward: 11000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x2, Crimson Blood Pellets x1, Crimson Blood Balm x1, Senjin War Brew x2, Kongou Iron Brew x3
  • Strategy: Have Leech of Obliteration Kills accessory. Play however you like, but keep on using Obliteration Kills to keep your health up.

• Combat Trial 3: "Health cannot recover" - Reward: 12000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: No Items
  • Strategy: Use accessories for Defense and Ki Gauge. Play as Ryu and use his Arts on the Tsukumos, and Berserk state on the final Tsukumo.

• Combat Trial 4: "Can only use Base Form" - Reward: 13000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x2
  • Strategy: Increase Defense or Attack (whatever you are more comfortable), Leech of Obliteration Kills and Major Orbs increase. Use Ryu and focus on Obliteration Kills, Ultimate Technique (holding Triangle) and Izuna Drops.

• Combat Trial 5: "Die in one hit; Always Berserk/True Dragon Sword but no Bloodbath Slaughter/True Dragon's Gleam" - Reward: 14000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Crimson Blood Pellets x2, Crimson Blood Balm x2, Senjin War Brew x1
  • Strategy: One of the more challenging trials. There are three easier strategies: Ryu with Arts, however you will need to survive between downtimes. Yakumo with Takeminakata and holding Square in Ravenblood form (along with Vaulting Stance attacks), will Bloodbath Kill enemies. However the easiest is: use Ki Gauge accessories. Then with Yakumo use Kage-Hiruko and hold Square in Bloodraven form to perform Bloodbath kills. You can easily Bloodbath Kill 3 groups before you even have to move on first wave. To activate the Bloodbath, you need to release Square when Yakumo flashes. On Second and Third waves, preferably be in a corner, then Bloodbath Kill everyone from there. Same for last wave. If you are surrounded, you can use Nocturnal Rain (jump and hold Square) to bomb the ground and Bloodbath Kill. This is useful for wave 1, 3 and 4.

• Combat Trial 6: "Health cannot recover. Can only use Magatsuhi/Dragon Sword" - Reward: Tremor Texts, Vol. 2
  • Item Loadout: Crimson Blood Pellets x1, Crimson Blood Balm x1, Senjin War Brew x2, Kongou Iron Brew x3
  • Strategy: Have Leech on Obliteration Kills and Ki Gauge. Use Ryu and Art of the Wind to deal with small enemies. Save Berserk state for the third wave with Tsukumo and Heavy Infantry. You can also use the consumable items to increase your defense.

• Combat Trial 7: "Health decreases over time. Can only use Takeminakata/Dragon Sword" - Reward: Cursed Texts, Vol. 2
  • Item Loadout: Crimson Blood Pellets x1, Senjin War Brew x1, Kongou Iron Brew x1
  • Strategy: Have Leech on Obliteration Kills and Ki Gauge. Use Ryu and Obliteration Kills to keep your health up, use his Gleam-form to cut limbs and defeat enemies more easily. When the flying enemies come at the end, you can use Art of the Inferno to defeat them. Also prioritize the Cannon soldiers when they spawn.

• Combat Trial 8: "Defeat all enemies within the time limit. Can only use Yatousen/Dragon Sword" - Reward: Twilight Texts, Vol. 2
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x2, Senjin War Brew x1, Kongou Iron Brew x1
  • Strategy: This one is easy. Just focus on the gates first and then defeat the enemies however you like. You can save your Berserk state for the Van Gelfs.

• Combat Trial 9: "Die in one hit. Can only use Kage-Hiruko/Dragon Sword" - Reward: Bloody Texts, Vol. 2
  • Item Loadout: Crimson Blood Pellets x1, Senjin War Brew x1
  • Strategy: Unlike Challenge 5, this one is quite easy as there aren't that many enemies. Use Ki Gauge accessories and Ryu. At the start use Art of the Inferno to defeat the two side enemies (you may also hit the third). Use shurikens to get close to him and then Obliterate Kill him if possible. On second wave, use Art of the Inferno again on the Tsukumo. If you use increase attack consumable, you may kill it in one use, but if not, then its two Arts. Defeat the remaining enemies with Obliteration Kills to fill your Berserk state. On final wave, be in the middle and use Berserk state. Then use Gleam-form, which will kill the Van Gelf. Keep using Square in Gleam-form until the Berserk state is almost over. This will take like 3/4 of the Proto-Goliath's health. Then use L3 and R3 to use the Berserk state attack to finish him off. If he is still alive, you can use Art of the Inferno. If you don't have Berserk state on the third wave, just use Art of the Inferno and keep your distance until it recharges again for you to use again.

• Combat Trial 10: "Defeat all enemies within the time limit. Bloodbind/Ki Gauge will not fill." (00:35 seconds) - Reward: 15000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x1
  • Strategy: A bit tricky due to the time limit. Have Major Red Orb drop and Increase Attack accessories. Use Ryu and at the start, head ahead and stand in front of the Goliath, then use Art of the Windblades. You will need a bit of luck here as the Goliath and majority of the enemies need to use limbs. Then use Obliteration Kills on all of them as the time stops while you perform an Obliteration Kill. As the last enemy dies, a Van Gelf and a Heavy Infantry will spawn. Quickly charge Ultimate Art and kill the Van Gelf, hopefully the Van Gelf will drop a blood orb, so you can charge and kill the Heavy Infantry. The next wave of enemies sort of spawns in a straight line in the middle, be sure to be in one of the sides, and facing the other side and activate Berserk state to kill all enemies. Alternatively, you can activate Berserk state on the Heavy Infantry and kill him with Gleam Form, and then line yourself for the final wave and use L3+R3.

• Combat Trial 11: "Health decreases over time. Always Berserk/True Dragon Sword but no Bloodbath Slaughter/True Dragon's Gleam" - Reward: 16000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Senjin War Brew x1, Kongou Iron Brew x1
  • Strategy: You can use Yakumo and Takeminakata, then mostly spam Bloodraven Form R1 + Triangle to kill groups of enemies. When the Commander shows up, focus on the mobs, but still try to hit the Commander with the Bloodbath Kills. You can also use your items when the Commander shows up. Alternatively, you can use Ryu with Art of the Inferno and Ultimate Arts. When the Commander shows up, use the increase attack item and Art of the Inferno to oneshot him.

• Combat Trial 12: "Health cannot recover. Defeat Cetus" - Reward: 17000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Crimson Blood Pellets x2, Crimson Blood Balm x2, Senjin War Brew x2, Kongou Iron Brew x2
  • Strategy: Use Gauge and Attack accessories. The use Ryu and just keep your distance and when you can use Art of the Piercing Void. You can also use the Pond Glider to surf around and move faster and avoid attacks more easily.

• Combat Trial 13: "Defeat all enemies within the time limit. Bloodbind/Ki Gauge fill rate increased." (01:55 min) - Reward: 18000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Divine Life Elixir x2
  • Strategy: Use Attack and Gauge accessories with Ryu. You are facing two bosses Commander and D-1018 Charriot. Just keep your distance and Art of the Piercing Void. For a quicker fight, try aligning the Art to hit both bosses, and aim at defeating the Commander first.

• Combat Trial 14: "Can only use Base Form, Defeat Kagachi" - Reward: 19000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x3, Kongou Iron Brew x1
  • Strategy: You can equip some Attack accessories. Play with whoever you are more comfortable. Try using Ultimate Art as much as possible to deal with the first enemies. For Kagachi, always dodge and try sneaking in some attacks when you can. Also do some Ultimate Arts.

• Combat Trial 15: "Die in one hit. Always Berserk/True Dragon Sword but no Bloodbath Slaughter/True Dragon's Gleam" - Reward: 20000 NinjaCoin
  • Item Loadout: Crimson Blood Pellets x1, Senjin War Brew x1, Kongou Iron Brew x2
  • Strategy: Use Attack accessory with Ryu. This is one of the hardest challenges. At the start, go ahead and a bit to the left. The Commander will always come in front of you, so in few tries you will learn where exactly to stand, You don't need to be super close to him. Use items to increase your attack and use Art of the Inferno. This will oneshot the Commander. As you execute the Commander, before the animation is over, start dodging/blocking as there is a high chance a dog will attack and kill you, but this way you will always block/avoid it. Bloodbath Kill the High-Ilcanis, then slowly/safely pick the rest of the enemies (preferably dismember them and use Obliteration). On wave two, use Bloodbath Kill on each Heavy Infantry. Wave three is Totyos, you can fight him as he is kinda simple, but to be safe, keep your distance and keep using Piercing Void. Also use your items to recharge your Gauge faster.

• Combat Trial 16: "Defeat all enemies within the time limit" (03:15 min) - Reward: Medicine God's Orb
  • Item Loadout: Divine Life Elixir x3, Kongou Iron Brew x1
  • Strategy: This one is also a bit harder. Again, accessories for Gauge and Attack are good, along with Major Red Rob drop rate. Use Ryu and at the start use Piercing Void aimed at some Heavy Infantry, then move a bit to the left and use it again. This will hopefully spawn Red Orbs, so quickly then charge an Ultimate Art and kill the Heavy Infantry. If necessary charge it again to kill whatever remains. When Toytos and Sanzeon spawn, go to Sanzeon and stand behind him, use item for increased attack, then Art of the Inferno to oneshot his first form. Here gets a bit tricky, but try to have them close to each other, then use Berserk state and keep spamming Bloodbath Kills and at the end activate it with L3+R3. Its not fatal even if you do this to just one of the enemies. From here then, just keep your distance and run around the room, and use Piercing Void when you can (its also better to lock on Sanzeon). Best case is when the bosses do their unblockable attacks, to do major damage. If Sanzeon flies up, just wait for him to eventually land as he will do unblockable attack then, the moment he starts going down you can activate Piercing Void and it will hit him as he starts using his unblockable attack.

• Combat Trial 17: "Defeat Achilles within time limit" (04:00 min) - Reward: Shadow God's Orb
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x3, Divine Life Elixir x2
  • Strategy: This one is overall easy. Use Attack, Gauge and Red Orbs accessories. At the start, go to the enemies and use Art of the Windblades, then just Obliterate kill what you can and then charge 1-2 Ultimate Arts for the remaining enemies. One second wave, activate Berserk state and Obliterate Kill the two Tsukumo, then continue spamming Obliterate Kills on the Proto-Goliath, and finish with L3+R3 to do major damage that will take up to 2/3rds of his life. Then finish him normally or using Ultimate arts. For Achilles, he is overall quite easy, so just keep using Piercing Void and Ultimate arts and he will die in no time.

• Combat Trial 18: "Defeat Dark Dragon (Phantom Form) within time limit" (03:00 min) - Reward: Opulent Pipe
  • Item Loadout: Life Elixir x3, Divine Life Elixir x2
  • Strategy: This one is tricky due to the neverending enemies. Gauge, Attack and Red Orbs for accessories. Use Ryu and at the start, lock on the Dark Dragon. This is important, because otherwise its hard to track him among all the enemies. Then use Art of the Inferno to do some damage. There are usually two waits to fight him: keep your distance and use Arts like Piercing Void, but that can be annoying with all the enemies, or be in his face and non-stop attack him. For being in his face, go and fight him and use the Phoenix Art. Now just keep on staying up to him, dodging when needed, and keep on attacking. The Phoenixes are great here, they will not only attack the boss and do damage, but also attack all other enemies that try to hit you, thus keeping them mostly away from you, so you can just keep on attacking the boss. Keep activating the phoenix to keep them up. Also try keeping your Berserk state for second phase, then keep on spamming Bloodbath Kills and finish with L3+R3.