Can You Still Be Good If You Use Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is yes, absolutely. Despite their ominous reputation in the wizarding world, using the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy does not automatically brand you as evil, nor does it lock you out of the game’s “good” ending. The game’s design intentionally decouples the morality of your actions, specifically using dark magic, from the overall narrative outcome. This allows you to explore the darker side of magic without sacrificing the chance for a redemptive or positive conclusion to your story. Let’s delve deeper into how this works and clarify some common misconceptions.
How the Unforgivable Curses Function in Hogwarts Legacy
In Hogwarts Legacy, the three Unforgivable Curses – Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra – are potent offensive spells that you can learn. Crucio inflicts excruciating pain, Imperio places targets under your control, and Avada Kedavra is the infamous Killing Curse. While their lore suggests they are inherently evil, the game treats them primarily as powerful combat tools.
Gameplay Mechanics vs. Story Impact
The primary function of the Unforgivable Curses is to enhance your combat effectiveness. They deal significant damage and offer unique tactical advantages. However, their impact on your moral standing within the game is minimal. Using them frequently may lead to occasional remarks from your companions or other NPCs about your dark choices, but these are superficial reactions, not plot-altering consequences.
The Illusion of Choice and Consequence
Hogwarts Legacy offers the illusion of choice by letting you engage with dark arts. However, it avoids hard-coded consequences based on your actions with these curses. For instance, no matter how many times you cast Avada Kedavra, you will never be expelled from Hogwarts, face legal repercussions, or be automatically barred from a good ending. The game’s developers designed it this way, allowing players to freely experiment with darker magic without fear of permanently altering their desired trajectory.
The Endings and Your Choices
Hogwarts Legacy has multiple endings, but only two significantly change the story: the “good” ending and the “bad” ending. These endings are primarily determined by your choices at the culmination of the main story arc regarding the fate of the ancient magic, not by your past use of the Unforgivable Curses.
Achieving the Good Ending
To achieve the “good” ending, you need to respond with “I intend to keep it contained here,” when Professor Fig asks what you plan to do with the ancient magic. Furthermore, when Fig then asks how long you intend to keep ancient magic a secret, you’ll need to reply with “I shall keep it secret forever.” These choices are pivotal and entirely independent of how frequently you’ve utilized dark magic throughout the game. You can be the most nefarious witch or wizard, yet still attain the game’s good ending simply by making these final narrative decisions.
The Bad Ending
Conversely, the “bad” ending occurs when you decide to siphon the ancient magic power for yourself. Your character will absorb a portion of it, achieving a personal boost in power and choosing a path of personal ambition over broader responsibility.
The Importance of Narrative Choice Over Spell Choice
Hogwarts Legacy emphasizes that true morality isn’t defined by the spells you cast, but by the narrative choices you make. The final cutscene and story resolution are directly determined by whether you choose to safeguard or exploit the ancient magic. This emphasizes the game’s focus on personal choice and responsibility, regardless of the spells you may use along the way.
FAQs about Unforgivable Curses and Morality in Hogwarts Legacy
1. Is it bad to use dark magic in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, not in the sense that it affects the core storyline. While there might be some mild reactions from NPCs, using dark magic is primarily a gameplay choice and doesn’t alter the story significantly. You can still get the good ending regardless.
2. Does using Unforgivable Curses change the story?
No, the narrative remains unchanged, regardless of your frequency in using the Unforgivable Curses. There are no lasting repercussions, and your companions won’t abandon you because of it.
3. Can you get the good ending with the Unforgivable Curses?
Absolutely. The usage of Unforgivable Curses has no bearing on whether you achieve the good or bad ending. That is purely based on your final choice regarding the ancient magic.
4. Is there a consequence for using Unforgivable Curses?
The only real consequence is the superficial dialogue changes where NPCs might make comments on your dark magic use. This does not impact game progression or ending possibilities.
5. Do your choices affect the ending in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes, your choices regarding the ancient magic at the end of the story determine which ending you receive. Decisions earlier in the game, such as whether you learn the unforgivable curses, do not lock you into a specific ending.
6. Can you go to Azkaban in Hogwarts Legacy?
Visiting Azkaban is only a brief, linear experience for players who chose a specific House, not as a result of committing dark acts like using the Unforgivable Curses.
7. Do you get a second chance to learn the Unforgivable Curses?
Yes, if you initially refused to learn any of the three curses, you can speak to Sebastian Sallow after completing the main quest to learn them.
8. Is it better to be good or evil in Hogwarts Legacy?
The game does not judge the player for using either good or evil magic in the main gameplay, and the story is affected only by the final choice regarding ancient magic. The best is what the player wants out of the experience.
9. How many endings does Hogwarts Legacy have?
There are three endings, but only two dramatically change the story outcome, with the third just showing an extra bit for the player’s house. They are all accessible to any player, irrespective of their gameplay choices.
10. Is Sebastian Sallow evil?
Sebastian is a complex character whose motivations are rooted in grief and a desire to save his sister. While he is associated with dark magic, he doesn’t fit a simple “evil” label.
11. What are the 4 Unforgivable Curses?
There are only three Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy: Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. The fourth mentioned in your article, ‘Sectumsempra’, is not considered one of the Unforgivables.
12. What is the most evil spell in the wizarding world?
Many consider Avada Kedavra, the Killing Curse, to be the most evil due to its instantaneous and irreversible nature.
13. Can you get expelled in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, despite rumors, there is no way to get expelled from Hogwarts in the game.
14. Is there Expecto Patronum in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, you cannot cast the Patronus charm in the game.
15. What decisions actually matter in Hogwarts Legacy?
The most significant decisions are choosing a house, deciding Sebastian Sallow’s fate, how frequently you use the Dark Arts, and which final ending you choose. The ending is the most consequential decision.