Can You Have a Pet Companion in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes, while you won’t have a traditional pet like a cat or owl constantly by your side in Hogwarts Legacy, you absolutely can have animal companions in the game. These aren’t pets in the conventional sense that roam the castle halls with you, but rather magical creatures you rescue, nurture, and house in your own special sanctuary. This unique system allows you to interact with a variety of beasts, breed them, and form a bond in a way that’s both engaging and true to the magical world of Harry Potter.
Understanding Hogwarts Legacy’s Animal Companion System
The game introduces you to this system through a series of quests where you learn to protect magical creatures from poachers. This narrative hook not only serves as an introduction to the game’s mechanics but also weaves a compelling story of conservation and care. Successfully rescuing these creatures unlocks the ability to capture and release them into the Vivarium, a personalized sanctuary housed within the Room of Requirement.
The Vivarium is not just a storage space for your rescued beasts; it’s a habitat that allows you to nurture and interact with them. You can feed them, groom them, and even breed them to create new generations of magical creatures. This provides a dynamic and rewarding gameplay loop that goes beyond simple pet ownership.
Unlike the pets mentioned in the Hogwarts acceptance letter (an owl, a cat, or a toad), the magical creatures in the Vivarium are generally more exotic and fascinating, such as Unicorns, Puffskeins, and Graphorns. This system provides a much more immersive and magical experience than having a traditional house pet.
The Difference Between Pets and Beasts in Hogwarts Legacy
While Hogwarts encourages students to bring a pet to school (specifically an owl, cat, or toad), the game differentiates between these typical pets and the magical creatures you rescue. The animals you can acquire in the Vivarium are referred to as Magical Beasts, creatures that require specific care, habitats, and, often, are more dangerous than a simple cat or toad.
This difference helps to provide both the familiarity of the pet concept from the books, and a fresh, more interactive experience with magical creatures. There are cats to be found in Hogwarts, but they are not a part of this system. Instead, petting all the cats in the game unlocks a special treasure map.
Breeding and Interacting with Your Beasts
One of the key features of the Vivarium is the ability to breed the magical creatures. While the Phoenix is the exception, as there is only one in the game and therefore cannot be bred, you can breed almost any other animal once it is settled in its environment. This adds a dynamic layer of gameplay, allowing you to expand your collection and interact with multiple generations of beasts.
Breeding Unicorns, for example, requires an extra step compared to other creatures. This highlights the uniqueness of each beast and keeps the game engaging, as players will have to adapt to the needs of each species they acquire.
Although you cannot ride most of the creatures you rescue, they are a welcome addition to the Vivarium, where you can watch them interact with each other in their environment. This feature further enhances the sense of a living, breathing magical world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I have a cat or owl as a pet that follows me around Hogwarts?
No, you cannot have a cat or owl as a traditional pet that follows you around in Hogwarts Legacy. The animals students are allowed to bring with them, like owls, cats, or toads, are not implemented as pet companions. However, you can have a cat or owl in your Vivarium after they are rescued.
2. What are the magical creatures I can catch and keep?
You can catch and keep a variety of magical creatures, including Puffskeins, Unicorns, Mooncalves, Graphorns, and Hippogriffs. The range of creatures is quite extensive, providing plenty to discover and collect.
3. How do I catch and tame these magical creatures?
You’ll need to use the Nab-sack spell. By switching this into your hotbar, you can initiate the capturing process. Pressing the button that appears on screen as the ring fills will tame the beast and allow it to be added to your Vivarium.
4. How do I unlock the Vivarium?
You unlock the Vivarium by completing “The Elf, The Nab-Sack, and the Loom” quest from Deek. This quest becomes available after finishing “The Caretaker’s Lunar Lament” and “The Helm of Urtkot” quests.
5. Can I ride the magical creatures I capture?
No, you cannot ride most of the magical creatures you capture. However, you can ride certain beasts as part of the main story, such as the Graphorn and Hippogriff. These are acquired through specific quests.
6. Can I breed all the magical creatures?
Most magical creatures can be bred within the Vivarium. The only exception is the Phoenix, which is a one-of-a-kind creature in the game.
7. How do I breed Unicorns?
Breeding Unicorns requires an extra step compared to other creatures. This keeps the game more engaging.
8. Are there traditional pets like cats in the game?
Yes, there are cats around Hogwarts, but they are not part of the pet system. Petting all the cats in the game unlocks a special treasure map.
9. Can I have more than one type of magical creature in my Vivarium?
Yes, you can have multiple different species of magical beasts in your Vivarium. You can create a varied and thriving habitat with all kinds of magical animals, including many of each type of creature.
10. Is there a pet limit?
While there isn’t a pet limit in the Vivarium for magical beasts, there is a strict one pet rule imposed at Hogwarts. You cannot have more than one of an owl, cat, or toad.
11. Is it true that Draco Malfoy owns an Eagle-Owl?
Yes, Draco Malfoy owns a Eurasian Eagle-Owl in the books, which is the largest owl in England. This reinforces his character’s sinister nature.
12. Can I have a Phoenix as a pet?
Yes, you can capture a Phoenix in Hogwarts Legacy and release it into your Vivarium. However, it cannot be bred as it is the only one.
13. Can I breed Graphorns?
Yes, you can breed Graphorns in Hogwarts Legacy. However, only one Graphorn spawns at a time in its den, requiring a unique process.
14. What are the rideable mounts in Hogwarts Legacy?
Besides broomsticks, the game offers five rideable mounts, including the Hippogriff, the Onyx Hippogriff, the Thestral, and the Graphorn. These mounts add to the gameplay experience.
15. Are there plans for a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes, according to a reliable leaker, a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy is in development. This suggests that the developers might focus on the sequel instead of DLC for the current game.
In conclusion, while you may not have a traditional pet companion, Hogwarts Legacy offers a richer and more engaging experience with its magical creature system. Through rescuing, nurturing, and breeding, you create your own unique menagerie of beasts, adding depth and magic to your journey through the wizarding world.