TL;DR
- NTE has two types of Character Trials: Prologue Story Trials and Limited Banner Trial Events.
- Prologue trials happen automatically during the opening story — you play as Lacrimosa, Skia, and Fadia before unlocking your main roster.
- Banner trial events let you test the current limited character (like Nanally) before deciding to pull.
- Access the banner trial event through the Event button in the upper right corner of the screen, or via the Menu.
- Completing a character trial event rewards Annulith and other items — always worth doing even if you already own the character.
- Trial events are time-limited and tied to the current banner — they expire when the banner ends.
What Are Character Trials In NTE?
In Neverness to Everness, Character Trials refer to two separate but related systems that let you play as characters temporarily — either as part of the story or as part of a limited event tied to the current gacha banner.
Understanding both types matters. The prologue trials are mandatory and happen as part of the opening story sequence. The banner trial events are optional but rewarding, and they give you a real feel for a banner character before you spend any pulls. This guide covers both types in full so you know exactly what to expect and how to get the most out of each.
Type 1 — Prologue Character Trials
The first time you encounter Character Trials in NTE is during the opening prologue, titled Prologue I: Unforeseen Yet Foretold. Before you even create your own Appraiser or access the main roster, the game walks you through combat using three established characters: Lacrimosa, Skia, and Fadia.
How The Prologue Trials Work
These trials happen automatically as the story progresses. There is no menu to access or button to press — the game simply transitions you into each character’s combat section as part of the Episode 0 narrative. Here is the order:
- Lacrimosa — The first character you control. Follow the on-screen tutorial and battle freely. A cutscene plays after you fight for a while.
- Skia — After the cutscene with Lacrimosa ends, you switch to controlling Skia. Continue fighting as before.
- Fadia — After the Skia section ends, you switch to controlling Fadia for the final prologue trial segment.
After all three trials are complete and the cinematic cutscene plays, you head toward Nelly in the back area, take the elevator, and eventually arrive at the Director’s Office where you are prompted to enter your player name. After naming your character, the full combat tutorial begins and you take control of your own Appraiser.
What Are The Prologue Trials For?
These trials serve as an introduction to NTE’s combat system. Each character has a distinct playstyle, and rotating through all three gives you a feel for how character switching, Basic Attacks, and Redirect Skills work before the main game throws harder challenges at you. You also get a quick look at Lacrimosa’s ability-copying kit, Skia’s mobility, and Fadia’s support playstyle — all characters that appear later in the game as part of your potential roster.
Nothing from the prologue trials carries over to your main save in terms of stats or resources. They are purely for learning and storytelling.
Type 2 — Limited Banner Character Trial Events
The second type of Character Trial is an ongoing event system tied to the current limited gacha banner. Each time a new limited character banner launches in NTE, a corresponding Character Trial Event is added to the Events page. This lets all players temporarily play as the featured character in a set challenge stage, regardless of whether they own that character or not.
In Version 1.0, the Character Trial event features Nanally, who is the limited S-Class character on the current The Ichi-daime banner. This trial runs alongside the banner from April 29 to May 13, 2026.
Why Do The Banner Trials Exist?
The main purpose is to let you test a character before pulling. NTE’s gacha system, called Scarborough Fair, does not have a free demo mode inside the banner itself. The Character Trial Event fills that gap by giving you a dedicated combat stage where you can play the featured character in full. You can get a genuine feel for their kit, animation style, skill timing, and how they interact with the Break system before spending any Annulith or Dice.
Beyond the test-before-you-pull benefit, completing the trial also grants free rewards including Annulith. This makes the event worth doing even if you already pulled Nanally or have no plans to. Never skip a trial event — the rewards alone justify the few minutes it takes. You can use that Annulith toward the gacha or save it for future banners. For a full look at the gacha system and how to pull efficiently, check our NTE Scarborough Fair gacha system guide.
How To Access The Character Trial Event In NTE
There are two ways to reach the Character Trial event page:
- Method 1: Tap the Event button located in the upper right corner of the main screen while in the city. The Events page opens and you will see the Character Trial event listed among the active events.
- Method 2: Open the Menu and navigate to the Event section from there.
Once on the Events page, look for the Character Trial entry tied to the current limited banner. Select it to open the trial details, then launch the combat stage from within the event.
How To Complete The Character Trial Event
Once inside the trial stage, you control the featured limited character — currently Nanally — with a preset build and loadout provided by the game. You do not need to own the character or have her built yourself. The game equips her for the trial automatically.
Your goal is to clear the combat challenge in the stage. The trial is designed to showcase the character’s core abilities: for Nanally, this means using her Skill to enter the Ichi-daime’s Authority state, landing her Ultimate, and following up with Basic Attacks to trigger her follow-up attack passive. The trial teaches you her rotation naturally by putting you in combat with enemies that reward using her kit correctly.
After completing the stage, the reward screen appears and you can claim your Annulith and any other completion rewards.
What Do Character Trial Events Reward In NTE?
Completing a Character Trial event grants Annulith as the primary reward, along with potentially other items depending on the current version’s event structure. Annulith is one of the most valuable currencies in NTE — it is used to purchase Fabricated Dice or Solid Dice for gacha pulls on the banners.
Every bit of Annulith adds up, especially early in the game when you are working toward your first guaranteed pull or saving for an upcoming limited banner. Do not overlook this event simply because it looks optional. It is one of the easiest free Annulith sources in the entire game and takes only a few minutes to complete. Check our NTE redeem codes page for more quick free rewards you can stack on top of trial event Annulith.
What Happens In The Nanally Character Trial (Version 1.0)?
For players in Version 1.0, the active Character Trial features Nanally. Here is what to expect when you play her trial:
- Nanally is an S-Class Anima character and a Main DPS built around Basic Attack follow-ups.
- Her Redirect Skill, Colucci Howling Technique, deals damage and places her in the Ichi-daime’s Authority state, letting her run across walls and ceilings freely during the trial.
- Her Ultimate triggers a powerful follow-up attack loop — use it and immediately continue with Basic Attacks to see the full damage chain.
- The trial gives you her preset kit, so her Esper Abilities are already active and ready to showcase her Blossom-enhancing passive and her ATK buff mechanics.
- The stage is not particularly difficult. It is designed to be accessible so everyone can complete it and collect the rewards.
If you are deciding whether to pull Nanally after the trial, consider reading our Nanally build guide for NTE to understand how she fits into your team and what her full ceiling looks like when properly built.
Tips For Getting The Most Out of Character Trials In NTE
Treat The Trial As A Genuine Test Drive
Do not just button mash through the trial stage to collect rewards. Use the trial as an actual evaluation of whether you want the character. Try her rotation deliberately: Skill first, then Ultimate, then Basic Attack chains. See how her animations feel and whether her playstyle matches what you enjoy. This is exactly the information you need before spending pulls.
Complete It Early In The Banner Cycle
Character Trial events are time-limited. They expire when the associated banner ends. For the current Nanally trial, that is May 13, 2026. Do not wait until the last few days of the banner to run it. Complete it as soon as possible so you have time to make a considered decision about whether to pull and still have the banner available if you decide yes.
Do Not Skip It Even If You Already Own The Character
The trial rewards Annulith regardless of whether you already have the featured character. If you pulled Nanally on day one, still run the trial stage. The Annulith is free and the stage takes only a few minutes. This is a no-brainer from a resource efficiency standpoint.
Use The Trial To Learn The Kit Before Building
If you just pulled a character and have not built them yet, the trial gives you a fully equipped version to practice with. Use this to get comfortable with the rotation and key timing windows before your personal copy is ready for endgame content. The Parry timing, Ultimate activation points, and follow-up windows are all visible in trial conditions. For a deeper look at how combat timing works, see our NTE Parry Attack, Critical Dodge, and Riposte guide.
Check the Event Page Regularly For New Trials
Every new limited banner brings a new Character Trial event. Make it a habit to check the Event page each time a new banner launches. Missing a trial means missing free Annulith and a free test drive of the new character. Add the Event page check to your login routine alongside your other daily tasks.
How Character Trials Connect To Pulling Decisions
One of the smartest uses of Character Trials in NTE is using them to avoid pulling regret. The game does not have a free test mode inside the banner itself, so the trial event is your only structured opportunity to play a limited character before committing pulls. Players who run the trial and feel the character’s kit click naturally tend to be far more satisfied with their pull decisions than players who pull based on design alone.
If the trial feels awkward or the character’s mechanics do not suit your preferred playstyle, you can save your resources for future banners confidently. If the kit feels strong and enjoyable, you know you are pulling for a character you will actually use. Either way, the trial is the most informed basis for a decision you will have. Check our NTE character tier list alongside the trial to confirm where the featured character stands in the current meta before you decide.
Other Ways To Try Characters In NTE Without Pulling
Outside of trial events, there are a few other ways to get hands-on time with characters you do not own:
- Story Quests and Spinoffs — Some story content temporarily gives you control of characters as part of the narrative, similar to the prologue trials. Progress through Episodes and Spinoffs to encounter these segments naturally.
- Free Characters — NTE gives out multiple free characters through story progression, login bonuses, and City Tycoon milestones. Characters like Mint, Adler, Haniel, and Chiz are all free and let you experience different playstyles without spending any pulls. See our guide on every playable character and how to unlock them in NTE.
- Rerolling — If you are at the very start of the game and want to lock in a specific S-Class character, rerolling is an option. Our NTE reroll guide walks you through the fastest method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own the character to play the Character Trial event in NTE?
No. The Character Trial event gives you a preset version of the featured character to play with. You do not need to own them or have them built. Every player can access and complete the trial regardless of their roster.
How long do Character Trial events last in NTE?
Trial events are tied to the current limited banner. They expire when the banner ends. The Nanally trial in Version 1.0 runs until May 13, 2026, when The Ichi-daime banner closes.
What rewards do Character Trial events give?
Completing a Character Trial event rewards Annulith and potentially other items. The rewards are the same whether or not you already own the character, so always complete it for the free Annulith.
Where do I find the Character Trial event in NTE?
Tap the Event button in the upper right of the main screen, or go to Event inside the Menu. The Character Trial is listed among the active events during any limited banner period.
Are the Prologue Character Trials and the Banner Trial Events the same thing?
No. The Prologue trials happen automatically as part of the story during Episode 0, where you temporarily control Lacrimosa, Skia, and Fadia. Banner Trial Events are separate limited-time events in the Event menu where you test the current limited character. Both let you play characters temporarily, but they serve different purposes and are accessed differently.
Final Thoughts
Character Trials in NTE are more than a tutorial feature. The prologue trials ease you into combat before the full game opens up. The banner trial events give you a genuine, no-cost opportunity to test limited characters before pulling, and reward you with free Annulith just for completing them.
Always run the trial event when a new banner launches. It takes only a few minutes, costs nothing, and gives you both free resources and real information to make better pull decisions. For more on building your NTE account efficiently, check our NTE Break system guide, the daily and weekly routine guide, and our guide to getting all free S-Class Arcs in NTE.
Download NTE on Google Play or get it on the PlayStation Store.
