Tracking down the mysterious vigilante Azrael in Batman Arkham Knight forms one of the most compelling Most Wanted side missions in the game, known as Heir to the Cowl. Observing Gotham City's rooftops for the burning Bat-Symbol is essential to initiating each phase of his trial. Completing these combat challenges perfectly allows players to unravel the true motives of the Order of St. Dumas and decide Azrael's ultimate destiny.
Finding the First Burning Symbol on Miagani Island
The quest begins early in the main story when a massive burning sign appears atop a building in Kingston on Miagani Island. Approaching the flaming symbol triggers a cutscene where Azrael offers to take up the mantle of Gotham's protector. Batman tests his combat skills by forcing players to defeat a wave of armed opponents without taking a single hit.
Flawless execution is mandatory for passing every stage of this trial, requiring careful timing and counterattacks. If you sustain damage during the fight, the trial immediately fails and must be restarted. Staying focused on enemy movements ensures you complete this initial test smoothly.
Locating the Second and Third Encounter Spots
The second encounter becomes available on Bleake Island, located on a rooftop in the Chinatown district overlooking the bay. Once again, looking for the fiery emblem from the sky will guide you directly to the meeting point. This second combat test introduces more aggressive enemy types that require precise evasion tactics.
For the third meeting, head over to Founders' Island near the Otisburg district to locate another blazing crest on a high ledge. This challenge increases the pressure by adding faster combatants to the arena. Maintaining a high combo count while avoiding incoming strikes is the key to mastering this phase.
The Final Trial on Founders Island and Clock Tower Analysis
The fourth and final combat trial takes place on the statue in the middle of Lady of Gotham island between the main districts. Defeating the final group of enemies without taking damage satisfies Azrael's proof of skill, prompting Batman to analyze his mental state. This shifts the mission objective toward the Clock Tower in Bleake Island for deep data analysis.
Inside the Clock Tower, players scan Azrael's memory footage using the Batcomputer to discover hidden sub-neural triggers implanted by his order. Uncovering these subconscious commands reveals a secret plot to assassinate the Dark Knight when his guard is down.
Deciding Azrael's Path and Mission Conclusion
After the memory reconstruction, control switches directly to Azrael as he retrieves his sword behind Batman inside the Clock Tower. Players are presented with a critical moral choice that shapes the resolution of the side quest line. You can choose to attack Batman or break the sword and walk away from his indoctrination.
Attempting to strike Batman results in Azrael being disarmed and incarcerated at the GCPD lockup. Choosing to destroy the sword allows Azrael to leave peacefully in search of vengeance against his former masters, successfully ending the mission.
