Proving Grounds Secrets Guide

The Proving Grounds in Remnant 2’s The Forgotten Kingdom DLC represents one of the most intense challenges yet, blending platforming precision, pattern recognition, and combat into a vertical gauntlet of death. Nestled within the lush yet treacherous jungles of Yaesha, this dungeon tests your reflexes and patience as you descend through flooded chambers filled with poison darts, shifting pillars, and relentless buzzsaws. But perseverance pays off with exclusive gear that can define your build. This guide breaks down every step, secret path, and reward to ensure you claim them all without frustration.

Navigating the Dungeon’s Core Layout

Proving Grounds unfolds across multiple floors connected by a central flooded atrium. Checkpoints punctuate each major section, offering respawn points after inevitable deaths. Water levels drop progressively as you pull levers at the end of each floor, revealing new areas and loot. Expect procedural elements typical of Remnant 2, but the core trap sequences and secrets remain consistent.

• Entry Point: From the Ziggurat dungeon, locate the statue-flanked wall between waterfalls to enter Proving Grounds.
• Vertical Descent: Progress downward via trap rooms, using levers to drain water and unlock paths.
• Key Mechanic: Pressure plates activate mechanisms—step wisely to avoid instant death.

Preparation is key: equip gear with high mobility, poison resistance, and quick heal options. Archetypes like Hunter or Challenger shine here for dodge prowess and crowd control.

Conquering the Poison Dart Gauntlet

The opening trial immerses you in a submerged chamber riddled with automated dart launchers. These fire in sequenced patterns from walls, making direct paths suicidal. Success demands observing firing cycles and using floating platforms as safe zones.

1. Enter the flooded room and hug the left wall to the first checkpoint.
2. Spot three pressure plate sections ahead. Each deactivates one dart set while activating the next.
3. Section 1: Leap to the initial platform’s plate. Darts from the front cease; side darts activate. Sidestep left or right, timing your jump as overhead darts pass.
4. Section 2: Repeat with reversed directions. Position against the wall opposite incoming darts, then sprint-jump forward.
5. Section 3: Final push mirrors prior patterns but faster. Precise timing is crucial—practice the rhythm.

Reach the far lever, pull it to drain initial water, and drop to a submerged ledge. Here lies your first major secret.

Unlocking Battle Armor Set

Post-drainage, scour the dried floor for a skeletal corpse amid debris. It clutches the Battle Set—a durable armor ensemble boosting melee damage and resilience, ideal for close-quarters brawls. Don’t miss this; it’s submerged initially and easy to overlook.

Mastering the Pillar Ascension Puzzle

From the second checkpoint, veer right into a pillar-dominated arena. Pot-like stone foes spawn, hurling projectiles—eliminate them swiftly. Red pressure zones control massive pillars that rise and fall rhythmically.

This sequence demands pixel-perfect jumps. Falling restarts the room, but checkpoints mitigate rage quits.

Secret Floodlit Diamond Ring Path

In this pillar room hides an illusory wall for the Floodlit Diamond Ring, enhancing gem damage output. From the first lowered pillar, face the rear wall. As it nears the ceiling, back-jump into the seemingly solid surface. Phase through to a hidden corridor ending in a sarcophagus. Loot the ring—perfect for jewel-focused builds.

Surviving the Buzzsaw Massacre

The finale spans three buzzsaw-infested rooms, each more sadistic. Circular blades whirl in predictable patterns across narrow paths. Checkpoints per room allow iterative learning.

• Room 1: Step on entry plate to raise exit barrier. Weave through initial saws, following safe gaps. Progress to next plate.
• Room 2: Red plate opens forward path. Buzzsaws overlap horizontally—crouch under low ones, dash high gaps. No secrets here; pure survival.
• Room 3: Culmination of patterns. Time every step meticulously to reach the final lever.

Audio cues help: listen for whirring pitch changes signaling safe windows. Mods like Hot Shot aid quick repositioning.

Gladiator Mutator Acquisition

Buzzsaw gauntlet complete? Face The Fractured, a hulking boss wielding brutal melee. Dodge its charges and overhead smashes. Upon defeat, claim the Gladiator Mutator for melee weapons—increases damage after critical hits, stacking ferociously.

Dark Sea Armada Crest Ring Secret

On the fourth floor (post-second lever), trigger the pressure plate but detour right instead of forward. This “reset” path conceals the Dark Sea Armada Crest Ring, granting naval-themed buffs like improved water traversal and minor DPS boosts. Follow the alternate corridor to a chest.

Final Prize: Ceramic Flask and Completion

Ultimate lever pull drains all water, unveiling the deepest chamber. Battle remaining foes and locate the Ceramic Flask—a crafting material for the Flying Bomb Trap Weapon Mod. This mod deploys explosive drones, synergizing with range builds for crowd devastation.

With all levers activated, exit via the now-accessible main path, dungeon conquered.

All Rewards Overview

Tips for First-Time Clear

• Practice patterns offline if possible; record runs for timing review.
• Use cohorts for boss distractions.
• Stack dodge speed and iframe mods.
• World rerolls if generation blocks secrets (rare).

Common Pitfalls and Fixes

Mistimed Jumps: Slow-motion replays post-death reveal errors. Illusory Miss: Must jump from pillar peak—earlier/later clips wall. Buzzsaw Overwhelm: Memorize 2-3 cycles before attempting full run.

Build Synergies

Battle Armor pairs with Gladiator for melee gods. Rings enhance Engineer (Flying Bomb) or Alchemist (poison immunity vs darts). Full clear optimizes multiple archetypes.

FAQ

Do Proving Grounds secrets change per run?

No, layouts and rewards are fixed despite Remnant’s procedural nature.

What’s the hardest part?

Buzzsaw Room 3—pure pattern mastery required.

Can I solo it?

Yes, but duos ease boss and pots.

Missable items?

All tied to main path except illusory ring—backtrack if needed.

DLC requirement?

The Forgotten Kingdom only.