Does Learning Unforgivable Curses Matter in Hogwarts Legacy?
The short answer is: not really, not in any way that significantly alters the main storyline or your overall ending. While the allure of wielding forbidden magic in Hogwarts Legacy is undeniable, the game’s mechanics ultimately treat the use of Unforgivable Curses as just another set of tools in your magical arsenal. Learning or refusing to learn Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra has more to do with your personal roleplaying choices and combat preferences than impacting the game’s core narrative. You won’t be locked into a “bad” ending, nor will you be ostracized by other characters in any substantial way. Let’s delve deeper into how these powerful spells fit into the game and why their impact is more about player agency than narrative consequence.
The Allure of Forbidden Magic
The Unforgivable Curses—Crucio (the Cruciatus Curse), Imperio (the Imperius Curse), and Avada Kedavra (the Killing Curse)—are infamous for a reason. They are the pinnacle of Dark Magic, and wielding them is a serious offense in the wizarding world. In Hogwarts Legacy, the game introduces these curses through the character Sebastian Sallow, whose tragic backstory drives his desire to use dark magic to help his sister. This setup provides a compelling narrative hook for players, enticing them to explore the forbidden path.
However, despite the narrative weight surrounding these curses, their in-game effects are largely limited to combat utility. Crucio inflicts damage-over-time, Imperio allows you to control an enemy, and Avada Kedavra is an instant-kill spell. While powerful, they do not trigger moral or narrative shifts that are truly significant. They simply become part of your spell repertoire, usable against both enemies and bosses with limited narrative fallout.
Gameplay vs. Narrative: A Disconnect
The primary disconnect lies in how the game treats your actions. While other characters might make comments about your use of dark magic, these remarks are largely superficial. The overall narrative remains unchanged whether you’re a paragon of virtue who refuses to touch Dark Arts or a ruthless spellcaster who relies solely on Unforgivable Curses. You’re not judged by the game’s morality system, since it is intentionally absent. This is because the developers intended for players to have complete freedom to explore different playstyles without being penalized for engaging with any specific spell type.
Sebastian Sallow’s Questline
Learning the Unforgivable Curses is intrinsically tied to Sebastian Sallow’s questline, “In the Shadow of…”. This side quest is the only method by which to acquire the Unforgivable Curses within Hogwarts Legacy. You must progress through this questline to learn each curse. You will be presented with the option to learn these curses during various points within the “In the Shadow of…” questline. If you refuse to learn them at first, you are given an opportunity to learn them later, provided you don’t turn Sebastian in to the Ministry. The choices you make within this questline do have some emotional and character-related consequences, but the overall story of Hogwarts Legacy will remain untouched regardless of whether you master these spells or not.
Unforgivable Curses: Practical Applications
From a gameplay perspective, the Unforgivable Curses offer distinct combat advantages. Avada Kedavra’s insta-kill capability is particularly useful against tougher opponents and bosses, whereas Crucio and Imperio can offer crowd control or damage amplification. If you chose to lean into the Dark Arts Skill Tree, you will see various talents enhancing the power of these dark curses. For example, you can invest in the Blood Curse, which distributes damage between all cursed enemies.
This gameplay dynamic allows players to experiment with different playstyles. Some might want to feel like they are truly playing as a dark wizard, and may therefore rely on the Unforgivable Curses consistently, while other players may choose to lean into more traditional and virtuous magic. This freedom is part of the game’s design, offering players a more flexible experience.
Endings and Morality
Hogwarts Legacy does not feature a complex morality system. The story has a set of three endings, and these endings can be accessed regardless of which choices you make throughout the game. Whether you embrace or reject the Unforgivable Curses, the primary choice impacting the endings comes down to your final decision regarding the Ancient Magic and your intentions for its use. This ensures a fairly consistent experience no matter which path you choose.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while learning and using the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy can feel significant, the impact on your actual story is largely minimal. They are primarily a set of potent tools that can enhance your combat prowess. The game doesn’t punish you for wielding forbidden magic, nor does it reward you with significantly different outcomes if you choose to abstain. Ultimately, the decision to learn the Unforgivable Curses boils down to personal preference, allowing players to shape their own unique experience within the wizarding world. So, don’t fret too much if you are feeling conflicted about learning these curses. Ultimately, the choices are yours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the topic of Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy:
1. Can I get a bad ending if I use Unforgivable Curses?
No, you cannot get a bad ending simply by using Unforgivable Curses. The game has three core endings, all accessible regardless of your choices concerning dark magic.
2. Do other characters react to my use of Unforgivable Curses?
Yes, some characters may offer minor comments regarding your use of dark magic, but these reactions have no impact on the main storyline or your overall standing.
3. Does learning Avada Kedavra make the game too easy?
While Avada Kedavra is a powerful insta-kill spell, the game is balanced so that it does not trivialize all combat encounters. Bosses will also have health bars to deplete even if hit by Avada Kedavra.
4. Can I still learn Avada Kedavra if I turn Sebastian in?
No. If you choose to turn Sebastian in to the Ministry, you will not be able to learn Avada Kedavra through him.
5. Is it essential to be in Slytherin to learn Unforgivable Curses?
No, your Hogwarts House has no bearing on your ability to learn Unforgivable Curses. This is done through Sebastian’s questline and is available to players of all houses.
6. How do I learn the Unforgivable Curses?
The Unforgivable Curses are learned through Sebastian Sallow’s relationship side quests, known as the “In the Shadow of…” quests.
7. Is there any in-game benefit to not learning Unforgivable Curses?
There’s no inherent in-game benefit to abstaining from dark magic, except for roleplaying purposes. Choosing not to use the dark curses may align with a more virtuous playstyle.
8. Does the game change if I learn Avada Kedavra?
The game itself doesn’t undergo significant changes because of Avada Kedavra. It’s simply a spell option that impacts combat.
9. Can you get expelled for using Unforgivable Curses?
No, you cannot be expelled from Hogwarts Legacy for using the Unforgivable Curses.
10. Is it worth learning the Unforgivable Curses for combat purposes?
Yes, the Unforgivable Curses, particularly Avada Kedavra, offer a significant combat advantage, making them useful tools against various enemies.
11. What happens if I refuse to learn Crucio?
If you refuse to learn Crucio the first time you are offered it, you will be presented with another opportunity to learn it later, as long as you don’t turn Sebastian in.
12. Can I learn the Unforgivable Curses in the Dark Arts Battle Arena if I didn’t learn them from Sebastian?
Avada Kedavra can be accessed in the Dark Arts Battle Arena if you did not learn it from Sebastian, however, this is only available if you have purchased the Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition or the Dark Arts Pack DLC. Crucio and Imperio are not available through this method.
13. Does turning Sebastian in affect other quests?
Yes, turning Sebastian in means he will not be available for quests later in the game, with Ominis Gaunt taking his place in the “In the Shadow of Friendship” quest.
14. Is the Blood Curse Talent worth it?
Yes, the Blood Curse Talent is highly beneficial if you are committed to using Curses in combat, as it significantly enhances the damage potential of Cursed enemies.
15. Can I still get a good ending if I learn Unforgivable Curses?
Yes. Your decision to learn or abstain from using dark magic does not hinder your ability to reach the good ending. This is dependent on a final choice concerning the ancient magic.