Can You Learn the Unforgivable Curses if You Say No? A Comprehensive Guide to Hogwarts Legacy’s Dark Arts
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Yes, you absolutely can learn the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy even if you initially refuse them. This flexibility allows players to explore the darker side of magic at their own pace, without being permanently locked out of these powerful spells. The game cleverly provides multiple opportunities to change your mind, ensuring that your choices early on don’t completely limit your gameplay later. This article will delve into how you can acquire these forbidden spells, what the consequences (or lack thereof) are, and address other common questions surrounding the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy.
The Initial Decision: To Learn or Not to Learn?
Early in Hogwarts Legacy, during the main questline, you’ll encounter opportunities to learn the Unforgivable Curses—Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra—from Sebastian Sallow. At each encounter, you have a choice: learn the spell or refuse. Many players are hesitant to embrace these dark arts immediately, often opting to stay on a “good” path. However, the game acknowledges this indecision, offering a safety net for those who later find themselves curious about the full extent of their magical potential.
Second Chances with Sebastian Sallow
The key to unlocking the Unforgivable Curses after initial refusal lies with Sebastian Sallow. If you declined his offers during the main story, there’s still hope. After completing the main questline, you can seek him out in the Undercroft (assuming he’s there). Speaking with him at this point allows you to revisit those earlier decisions.
The Pivotal “In the Shadow of Fate” Quest
Another crucial moment for acquiring these curses comes during the “In the Shadow of Fate” quest. In this quest, you’ll need to decide whether to turn in Sebastian for using the Killing Curse. If you decide not to turn him in, this opens up another pathway to learn the Unforgivable Curses. After this pivotal decision, you can find Sebastian back in the Undercroft, where he will offer to teach you any curses you might have missed. This is particularly relevant for learning Avada Kedavra, the Killing Curse, which many players initially refuse.
The Dark Arts Battle Arena
For players who purchased the Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition or the Dark Arts Pack DLC, there is also the Dark Arts Battle Arena. While this arena doesn’t provide the opportunity to learn the curses as part of the storyline, it does allow access to and practice with them, even for characters who initially rejected them and subsequently turned Sebastian in, thus cutting off the narrative option to learn them.
Why Would You Learn the Unforgivable Curses?
The draw of the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy comes down to their sheer power and efficacy in combat. Crucio inflicts immense pain and can stun enemies, Imperio allows you to control an enemy for a short time, and Avada Kedavra instantly kills most foes. While the story doesn’t punish you for using them, their incredible power often makes difficult battles considerably easier. Despite the lore implications, the game treats them as just another tool in your magical arsenal, not limiting you based on their use.
Consequences of Learning and Using the Unforgivable Curses
The game design deliberately separates the learning of dark magic from any significant narrative or moral consequences. This means that, regardless of whether you learn and use the Unforgivable Curses, it won’t impact the ending you receive, your relationships with other characters (beyond the friendship with Sebastian) or the overarching story. There are no moral repercussions within the game itself. The only consequence is the convenience they offer in combat.
No Achievement Related to the Curses
Interestingly, there isn’t even a specific achievement for learning (or avoiding) the Unforgivable Curses. The Spell Master achievement, which requires learning “all spells,” doesn’t necessitate unlocking Crucio, Imperio, or Avada Kedavra. This emphasizes that their inclusion is designed to be a player choice rather than a mandatory progression requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of learning the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy:
1. Can you learn Avada Kedavra after saying no the first time?
Yes, absolutely. You can learn Avada Kedavra even if you refuse it initially. Simply speak to Sebastian Sallow in the Undercroft after completing the main quest or after choosing not to turn him in during the “In the Shadow of Fate” quest.
2. What happens if you refuse to learn Crucio?
If you refuse to learn Crucio initially, you can revisit Sebastian later to learn it, but it might require waiting until after the main questline or until after you make a certain choice within the Sebastian companion quests.
3. Are there negative consequences to learning the Unforgivable Curses?
No, there are no negative in-game consequences to learning or using the Unforgivable Curses, such as changes to the storyline, endings, or relationships, with the exception of the friendship with Sebastian, who’s approval of your usage of them might be influenced by you learning them.
4. Do you get an achievement for refusing to learn the Unforgivable Curses?
No, there is no achievement for choosing not to learn the Unforgivable Curses.
5. Should you turn in Sebastian?
Turning Sebastian in results in fewer opportunities to learn and practice the Unforgivable Curses. It’s generally better not to turn him in if you wish to learn all the forbidden spells.
6. Can you go to Azkaban in Hogwarts Legacy?
Only Hufflepuff students can visit Azkaban as part of their House-exclusive quest. This is a brief, linear experience.
7. What is the “good” ending in Hogwarts Legacy?
The “good” ending involves choosing to keep the ancient magic contained and promising to keep it secret forever, in dialogue with Professor Fig.
8. Do you need to be in Slytherin to learn Avada Kedavra?
No, any House can learn Avada Kedavra. Your House choice doesn’t lock you out of this spell, with the caveat of potentially locking yourself out of it through choices you make.
9. How many endings does Hogwarts Legacy have?
Hogwarts Legacy has three main endings, plus additional variation to the Sebastian companion quest based on your dialogue choices.
10. Can you unlock Avada Kedavra if you turn Sebastian in?
If you turn Sebastian in, you will not have a second chance to learn Avada Kedavra from him. However, the spells can be used in the Dark Arts Battle Arena if you have the Deluxe Edition or Dark Arts Pack DLC.
11. Why didn’t Crucio hurt Harry in the seventh book?
In the books, Harry speculates he was immune to the Crucio curse because he was so full of joy at being alive it negated the pain.
12. Does telling Sebastian the truth affect the story?
No, telling Sebastian the truth or not will not affect Hogwarts Legacy’s story or your friendships.
13. How do you get Unforgivable Curses after saying no initially?
You can speak to Sebastian in the Undercroft after the main quest or after choosing not to turn him in during the “In the Shadow of Fate” quest and ask him to teach you.
14. What happens if you don’t turn Sebastian in?
If you don’t turn Sebastian in, he remains at Hogwarts, and you retain the opportunity to learn the Unforgivable Curses from him, if you haven’t already done so.
15. Can you stop Sebastian from killing his uncle?
No, you cannot stop Sebastian from killing his uncle. This event is a fixed part of the storyline.
Conclusion
Hogwarts Legacy provides players with a level of agency when it comes to learning the Unforgivable Curses, offering flexibility and multiple opportunities to change your mind. Whether you embrace the dark arts from the start or decide to experiment later on, the game makes it a personal choice without imposing moral judgments. This nuanced approach allows you to shape your own wizarding journey, exploring the full spectrum of magic available, regardless of your initial stance on the forbidden.