Finishing the main story in Echoes of Aincrad feels like the end at first, but it’s actually where some of the best content in the game begins. One of the first things you’ll notice is a new set of endgame activities called Augite Dungeons. These are repeatable challenge dungeons that reward powerful Brooch gems, and they’re also tied to recruiting Kirito and the rest of the Aincrad cast as permanent partners.
The game doesn’t do the best job of explaining how everything works, though. I spent a while figuring out why some dungeons appeared automatically while others refused to show up, and it turns out a few of them require visiting hidden teleporters out in the world before they’ll become available.
If you’re trying to unlock every Augite dungeon, collect every Augite color, or recruit Kirito, Asuna, Klein, and everyone else, this guide covers everything you need.
Echoes of Aincrad Augite Dungeons Guide – Augite Quest, Recruit Kirito
Augite Dungeons are post-game challenge missions that unlock after completing the main story.
Instead of playing through fixed story maps, you’ll enter randomly generated dungeons made from different area themes across the game. One run might be filled with wolves and Blood Wolves, while another focuses on spiders, insects, mountain spirits, or other enemy families.
Each dungeon can be started at different difficulty levels ranging from Level 60 up to Level 150, increasing in steps of 10 levels. Raising the level doesn’t just increase enemy stats—it makes encounters noticeably tougher than enemies you’ll normally find wandering around the open world.
Even if your character is around Level 70 or 80, don’t assume a Level 60 Augite Dungeon will be easy. These enemies hit much harder than standard monsters.
Augite Gemstones.
The biggest reward is Augite gemstones.
Each dungeon rewards a specific colored Augite that can be inserted into your Brooch. Since Brooches have three slots, you can mix different gem colors together to create a build that fits your preferred playstyle.
They’re one of the easiest ways to improve your character after finishing the story, making Augite farming an important part of the endgame progression.
Augite Dungeon Runs
Every Augite Dungeon follows the same basic structure.
You’ll explore four randomly generated floors, defeating enemies, opening treasure chests, and collecting Spheres along the way.
At the end of each floor you’ll reach a checkpoint where you can:
- Save your progress
- Purchase temporary buffs using Spheres
- Fully heal your character for only 1 Sphere
The final checkpoint leads directly into a boss battle against a much stronger version of one of the game’s existing bosses.
Although the layouts are random, the overall progression stays consistent, so once you’ve learned the system you’ll know what to expect every run.
Best Temporary Buffs
The random buffs between floors can completely change how a run feels.
Some of the strongest effects include:
- Reduced Sword Skill cooldowns
- Lower SP cost for skills
- Healing after every enemy defeated
- Restoring all Healing Crystal charges
- Free consumable uses for your next several items
Not every buff appears every run, so it’s worth checking the shop before moving on to the next floor.
If you’re short on Spheres, prioritize buffs that improve survivability or reduce skill costs.
Items
One mistake many players make is treating Augite Dungeons like normal quests.
They’re much longer and considerably harder.
Before starting a run, I always make sure to bring:
- Bomb Stones
- Fire Stones
- Multiple Health Potions
- SP Potions
- Cleansing Crystal
- Might Crystal
Bomb Stones and Fire Stones are especially valuable because they open blocked treasure rooms containing extra chests and additional Spheres. More Spheres means more buffs before reaching the boss.
The Might Crystal is also worth saving until the final boss for a much easier finish.
How to Unlock Every Augite Dungeon
Five Augite Dungeons unlock automatically after completing the main story.
The remaining five stay hidden until you physically discover their teleporters somewhere in the world.
Simply reaching the location isn’t enough—you need to interact with the teleporter itself before that dungeon becomes permanently available.
Here’s every Augite Dungeon and how to unlock it.
| Augite Color | Dungeon | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Twilight Rift | Find the teleporter near Untrodden Forest Road during Secret Medicine of the Forest |
| Blue | Teardrop Cave | Automatically unlocked after finishing the story |
| Violet | Temple of Doors | Automatically available after story completion |
| Pink | Soldier’s Stronghold | Find the teleporter near Sorrowful Forest Road during Secret Medicine of the Forest |
| Red | Citadel Ruins | Automatically unlocked after finishing the story |
| Orange | Cati’s Sanctuary | Automatically unlocked after finishing the story |
| Yellow | Ancient Ritual Hall | Discover the teleporter near Rubas Highway during The Black Swordsman II |
| Green | Neveca’s Sanctuary | Automatically unlocked after finishing the story |
| Brown (Umber) | Demi-Human Lair | Automatically unlocked after finishing the story |
| White | Labyrinth | Find the teleporter in Eastern Primordial Sands during Seeking Hope |
If you’ve finished the story but still can’t access one of these dungeons, chances are you haven’t activated its hidden teleporter yet.
Hidden Teleporters You Need to Find
There are five hidden teleporters that players commonly miss.
These are required for unlocking the remaining Augite Dungeons.
Twilight Rift (Black Augite)
Travel from Untrodden Forest Road during Secret Medicine of the Forest and activate the hidden teleporter.
Soldier’s Stronghold (Pink Augite)
Found near Sorrowful Forest Road during Secret Medicine of the Forest.
Ancient Ritual Hall (Yellow Augite)
Accessible from Rubas Highway during The Black Swordsman II.
This is an important one because it’s also required for recruiting Kirito.
Labyrinth (White Augite)
Located in Eastern Primordial Sands during Seeking Hope.
Temple of Doors
Although this dungeon becomes available after the story, remember to activate the teleporter if you’re exploring the area for completion.
How to Recruit Kirito and Friends
One of the coolest rewards in the endgame is unlocking the main Sword Art Online cast as recruitable companions.
Every character requires completing three purple Event Quests.
These quests only become available after meeting each character’s story requirements, and a couple of them also require hidden dungeon teleporters.
Here’s what each character needs.
Kirito
Kirito takes the most preparation.
You’ll need to:
- Finish The Black Swordsman II
- Unlock the Ancient Ritual Hall teleporter
- Complete all three monster hunting Event Quests
Once those are finished, Kirito joins your roster.
Asuna
Unlock requirements:
- Complete The Black Swordsman I
- Help her gather upgrade materials for Wind Fleuret across three separate quests
Her quests are straightforward and mostly involve collecting materials.
Silica
Unlock requirements:
- Complete Violet Footsteps
- Finish three Event Quests centered around investigating mysterious monsters
Her questline is one of the more story-focused companion chains.
Lisbeth
Unlock requirements:
- Complete Seeking Hope
- Assist with Merchant Guild work three different times
Most objectives revolve around crafting and merchant-related activities.
Agil
Unlock requirements:
- Complete The Black Swordsman I
- Help the Snowy Thrush Innkeeper during three Event Quests
- Discover the Soldier’s Stronghold teleporter before the third quest becomes available
If Agil’s questline suddenly stops progressing, this hidden teleporter is usually what’s missing.
Klein
Unlock requirements:
- Complete Original Sin
- Finish three Event Quests involving Klein’s rather entertaining personal problems
- Discover the Twilight Rift teleporter before the second quest
Like Agil, Klein’s recruitment is tied to one of the hidden dungeon entrances.