If you are searching for exactly how to get to Infected Cavern Eterspire, the path runs directly through the perilous depths of Sunfall Cave. Introduced in the massive Build 75.0 update, the Infected Cavern is the current pinnacle of Eterspire's PvE endgame. To access it, you must navigate the Sunscar Canyon region, locate the Sunfall Cave entrance, and survive the trek to the portal. Most importantly, you must meet the strict Level 160 requirement to step inside and face the Trials of the Plague.
Unlike earlier, more accessible dungeons, Stonehollow Workshop designed this zone exclusively for veteran players who have exhausted the base game's grind. Here is the definitive guide on locating the cavern, surviving the journey, and preparing for the brutal mechanics that wait inside.
Step-by-Step: How to get to Infected Cavern Eterspire
The path to the endgame is intentionally buried deep within the world of Aetera. As of the May 28, 2026 update, the developers unlocked this highly anticipated zone to expand the game's cooperative progression.
Here is the exact sequence to reach the entrance:
- Travel to the Sunscar Canyon Region: This mid-to-late game area (Levels 122–128) serves as the overarching hub for the eastern continent.
- Locate Sunfall Cave: From the canyon, enter the Sunfall Cave sub-zone. You will need to navigate through its winding, mob-infested tunnels.
- Find the Portal: Deep within the darkest reaches of Sunfall Cave, you will find the glowing warp portal leading directly to the Infected Cavern.
- Meet the Level Requirement: You cannot enter the cavern unless your character is exactly Level 160 or higher.
There are no previous endgame trial requirements to gatekeep you. You do not need to clear older remnant bosses first—if you have hit level 160, you have immediate access. This is a stark contrast to the casual side quests added in the same patch—such as Poor Unfortunate Soul in Bogtown (Level 78) or The Search for the Amulets in Firefly Grove (Level 31). The Infected Cavern is strictly the proving ground for Aetera's elite.
Navigating the Route: How to get to Infected Cavern Eterspire Safely
Finding the entrance is only half the battle; surviving the trek is another entirely. Sunfall Cave was introduced in the massive March 2026 Sunscar Canyon expansion (alongside Canyon Basin, Sunny Summit, and Redscar Canyon).
Designed primarily for players between levels 130 and 135, Sunfall Cave is a dense, multi-layered grinding zone. While a level 160 player might assume they can simply sprint through lower-level mobs to reach the portal, the game's "Enraged" mechanic makes this a dangerous gamble.
Certain mobs in Sunscar Canyon and Sunfall Cave can become Enraged upon gaining aggro. When this happens, they grow significantly in size, gain massively boosted stats and durability, and begin launching their own dodgeable AoE attacks. If you pull too much aggro while rushing blindly toward the Infected Cavern portal, a pack of Enraged mobs can quickly overwhelm and wipe you, sending you back to town. Take your time, clear the path methodically, and keep an eye out for hidden chests scattered throughout the cave system.
Inside the Safe Zone: Cavern Layout and NPCs
Once you step through the portal from Sunfall Cave, the immediate environment shifts. Surprisingly, the Infected Cavern itself is a designated "Safe Zone." You will not be immediately ganked by mobs upon loading in.
Annotated Diagram: Infected Cavern Safe Zone Layout
The area is a massive, grim underground chamber filled with mounds of plague-ridden corpses and towering skeletal remains. At the very center of this macabre hub stands Epher, the Sorcerer. Speaking to Epher is essential for lore enthusiasts, as he provides the dark history of the cavern, explaining the ancient origins of the corruption and the nature of the trials you are about to face.
From Epher's central position, the cavern splits off into three distinct wings, each guarded by a designated Trial Guide NPC:
- The Southern Wing: Leads to the entrance of the First Trial of the Plague.
- The Northern Wing: Contains the entrance to the Second Trial of the Plague.
- The Western Wing: Leads through to the entrance of the Third Trial of the Plague.
What Awaits Inside: The Trials of the Plague
Build 75.0 transformed the endgame by introducing three distinct boss encounters, fundamentally changing how combat flows at level 160. The Trials of the Plague strip away the old Eterspire strategy of simply face-tanking damage and mashing your rotation.
The three bosses you will face across the wings are:
- Boliaph: The Infected (First Trial)
- Choh-Bih: The Scourge (Second Trial)
- Vexren: Source of the Plague (Third Trial)
These encounters introduce ranged enemies and, crucially, dodgeable AoE (Area of Effect) attacks. If you fail to move out of the telegraphed red strike zones on the floor, your run will end quickly. Because these are Co-op Trials designed for parties of up to four players, coordinating movement, aggro management, and spacing is mandatory.
Preparing for the Plague: Gear and Stats
The Trials of the Plague are not just mechanically different; they introduce a hard stat check. To survive the corruption spreading through the cavern, players must master a brand-new stat element: Plague.
As you progress through the trials, you will need to balance two new metrics:
- Plague Resistance: Mitigates the ambient and direct plague damage dealt by the cavern's environment and its bosses.
- Plague Effectiveness: Amplifies your own damage output against plague-aligned enemies.
Clearing the trials rewards you with four new non-tradeable unique gear sets, boasting the most generous drop rates of any Eterspire endgame to date. The progression is linear and highly rewarding:
- Baneful Gear (Tier 20): Earned from the First Trial. Upgraded using Rhodonite Shards.
- Malady Gear: Sourced from the Second Trial.
- Blight Gear (Tier 22): Sourced from the Third Trial.
- Purified Gear (Tier 22): The ultimate prize. This boss gear has no negative or penalty rolls. To obtain it, you must purify Blight Gear using Baneful Gems, Malady Gems, or Blight Gems, alongside a new crafting material called Dusts.
This system marks Eterspire's first proper gear crafting mechanic, moving the endgame away from pure RNG drops and toward deterministic, rewarding crafting.
FAQ: How to get to Infected Cavern Eterspire
Do I need to complete previous endgame trials to enter the Infected Cavern? No. As of Build 75.0, there are no previous endgame requirements to enter the Trials of the Plague. If your character has reached level 160, you are ready to jump in.
Where is Sunfall Cave located? Sunfall Cave is a sub-zone located within the broader Sunscar Canyon region. It is designed for players between levels 130 and 135 and connects directly to the cavern.
Is the Infected Cavern a PvP or danger zone? No, the Infected Cavern itself functions as a Safe Zone where you can organize your party and speak to NPCs like Epher the Sorcerer. The danger is entirely contained within the instanced Trials of the Plague accessible from the three wings.
What are Dusts used for? Dusts are a new type of crafting material introduced in the Infected Cavern update. They are used alongside gems to upgrade Blight Gear into the ultimate, penalty-free Purified Gear set.