Unlocking the Mysteries: The Key in the Town Hall of Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
The key found within the Town Hall in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is a crucial item, specifically a Trial Key, that grants access to the challenging Trials of Gnomus. This key is your gateway to a unique set of trials designed to test your skills and reward you with coveted items and progress in the game. The Trials of Gnomus are accessed through a large, ornate door within the Chamber of Gnomes, which is a secret area located in the sewers underneath the Backyard Battleground. The Trial Key allows players to unlock and participate in specific, color-coded trials within the hub.
Obtaining the Trial Key
Acquiring a Trial Key requires a bit of strategic planning and resource management within the game. The primary method involves visiting the Town Hall during a Mystery Portal event. These events typically occur from Thursday through Sunday on any week that isn’t hosting a Community Challenge. During these events, you’ll find a Mysterious Seagull within the Town Hall. This feathered merchant is where you’ll exchange your game currency.
The Mysterious Seagull’s Trade
The seagull acts as your key broker. He offers two distinct trades:
- Trial Key Acquisition: He will trade a Trial Key for 25 normal stars. Normal stars are earned through regular gameplay, completing missions, and playing various game modes. This is the primary way to get a Trial Key.
- Rainbow Star Exchange: Additionally, he will trade 7 normal stars for 1 rainbow star. This provides an alternative method to obtain rainbow stars, which are needed for other items, like unlocking the Torchwood character.
The 50-Rainbow Star Chest
Another guaranteed source for a Trial Key is the 50-Rainbow Star chest found within the Town Hall. This chest respawns each new portal event, ensuring you have a reliable way to obtain a key even if you’re struggling to accumulate normal stars. Opening this chest will always grant you a Trial Key, but it will cost you 50 Rainbow Stars, so consider if the expense is worth it for you.
DLC Alternative
If you purchased the Torch and Tail upgrade DLC, you will also have access to Trial Keys, offering a shortcut to the Gnomus trials, bypassing the grind of stars.
Using the Trial Key: Navigating the Gnomus Trials
Once you have your hands on a Trial Key, you’ll need to journey into the Chamber of Gnomes, a secret area accessed through the sewers beneath the Backyard Battleground. Finding the gnome door requires completing the gnome door code, which has to be solved to continue.
Unlocking the Gnome Door
The gnome door leading into the Trials hub is locked and requires a specific sequence of symbols to unlock. The blank tiles from which to enter the code are shown in the images below, enter the icons in this order: pot, fence, boot, flamingo, watering can, shovel, lawn mower, and wheelbarrow. Pull the lever and the door will unlock.
The Trials of Gnomus Door
Inside, you’ll find a giant door leading into the Trials of Gnomus. This door is where your Trial Key comes into play. It opens to reveal four colored doors within the trials hub. One of the four doors will match the color of your key, allowing you to enter the specific trial. Each Trial Key is single use and you must acquire more keys to play additional trials.
Trials of Gnomus Rewards and Significance
The Trials of Gnomus aren’t just about challenging gameplay; they’re also a pathway to valuable rewards and unlocking additional content:
- Rainbow Stars: Each successful completion of a trial yields Rainbow Stars, a currency used to unlock special character classes and customizable items.
- Gnome Underworld Access: The Trials are part of the larger Gnome Underworld system which provides players with further challenges and rewards.
- Unlocking the Torchwood: Completing the four trials are required to unlock the Torchwood character class, along with spending 75 Rainbow Stars to unlock all of the five Torchwood locks on the chest.
The Town Hall’s Significance
The Town Hall itself serves as a hub for special events, currency exchange, and access to the Trials of Gnomus. Its functionality is crucial for progress and unlocking many of the game’s most unique features. Keep an eye out for when the Town Hall is open, which is typically once a month for about two weeks, starting on the second Tuesday of the month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly are the Trials of Gnomus?
The Trials of Gnomus are a series of unique and challenging gameplay modes accessible through a special portal. They test players’ skills and provide valuable rewards, such as Rainbow Stars and access to the Gnome Underworld.
2. How often does the Mystery Portal in the Town Hall open?
The Mystery Portal and the Town Hall typically open from Thursday to Sunday each week, excluding weeks featuring a Community Challenge. However, the Town Hall as a location only opens once a month for about 2 weeks, starting on the second Tuesday of the month.
3. What are Rainbow Stars used for in PvZ GW2?
Rainbow Stars are a special currency used to unlock character variants, chests, and unique cosmetic items. Specifically, they are used in the Town Hall and within the Trials of Gnomus.
4. How do I get more Rainbow Stars besides doing trials?
The main way to earn more Rainbow Stars is through playing the Mystery Portal events, where you can earn between 3 to 5 Rainbow Stars for losing or winning the event respectively. You can also exchange 7 normal stars for 1 rainbow star from the seagull in the Town Hall.
5. What is the 200-star chest in the Chamber of Gnomes?
The 200-star chest in the Chamber of Gnomes contains the Everlasting Crown, a legendary hat that can be equipped by any character except the Torchwood and Hover Goat-3000.
6. How do I unlock the Torchwood character?
To unlock the Torchwood character, you need to unlock all 5 locks on his chest with 75 Rainbow Stars, and complete the four Trials of Gnomus.
7. What is the purpose of the Chamber of Gnomes?
The Chamber of Gnomes is a secret area in the game, that contains the main entrance to the Trials of Gnomus hub. It is also where the 200 star chest is, which rewards players with the Everlasting Crown.
8. What is the Gnome Underworld?
The Gnome Underworld is a hidden area accessible through the Trials of Gnomus, offering further challenges and rewards.
9. How many Golden Gnomes are there in PvZ GW2?
There are a total of 54 Golden Gnomes hidden throughout the game.
10. What reward do you get for collecting all the Golden Gnomes?
Collecting all 54 Golden Gnomes opens a secret door leading to three chests. The main reward being access to the chest that contains the Everlasting Crown.
11. What is Infinity Time?
Infinity Time is a game mode triggered when the Gnome Floatie is destroyed. It involves surviving waves of enemies for as long as possible, with the goal of obtaining as many stars as possible before being defeated.
12. What does the bacon item do in PvZ?
In PvZ, the bacon item initially does nothing. However, Crazy Dave will offer to purchase the bacon at a higher price after each level, making it a way to earn extra coins.
13. Where can I find the Ghost Pepper plant?
The Ghost Pepper plant is unlocked by obtaining its seed packets, which are acquired through world quests or purchasing directly from the store.
14. What happens if I fail in the Trials of Gnomus?
Failing in the Trials of Gnomus won’t remove rewards you have acquired, but you will have to purchase more Trial Keys to have another attempt.
15. Is the Unicorn Chomper the rarest Chomper in the game?
Yes, the Unicorn Chomper is considered the rarest Chomper variant in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2.