Does Using Unforgivable Curses Affect Hogwarts Legacy? A Deep Dive

In short, no, using the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy does not significantly alter the main storyline or result in a drastically different ending. While the game allows you to learn and cast these powerful spells – Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra – your choices primarily impact gameplay convenience and elicit reactions from NPCs, but do not fundamentally change the narrative’s trajectory. You can embrace the darker side of magic without fear of a “bad ending” or irreversible consequences. Hogwarts Legacy offers a very streamlined experience to the users with the usage of the curses.

Exploring the Dark Arts in Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy tantalizes players with the prospect of dabbling in dark magic, a departure from the often-black-and-white morality of the Harry Potter universe. The decision to learn and utilize the Unforgivable Curses is presented as a personal one, allowing players to explore their character’s potential alignment with darkness.

Mechanics of the Unforgivable Curses

• Crucio: Inflicts damage over time, slowly draining an enemy’s health. It’s a potent tool for weakening tough opponents.

• Imperio: Grants temporary control over an enemy, forcing them to fight alongside you. This can be strategically advantageous in large-scale battles, turning the tide in your favor.

• Avada Kedavra: The instant-kill curse, capable of eliminating most enemies with a single cast. Bosses, however, are more resistant, with the curse shaving off segments of their health bars.

Impact on Gameplay and Narrative

While the Unforgivable Curses provide undeniable power, their use doesn’t trigger any major shifts in the storyline. There’s no morality system in place, meaning your character’s actions don’t lock you into a specific “good” or “evil” path. The consequences are primarily superficial.

• NPC Reactions: Your companions and other NPCs might express disapproval or shock at your use of the Unforgivable Curses, resulting in unique dialogue lines. However, these reactions are temporary and don’t lead to long-term relationship damage.

• No Reprisal: You won’t face punishment from teachers, the Ministry of Magic, or other authority figures for using the Unforgivable Curses. The game doesn’t enforce any moral code.

• Ending Unaffected: Regardless of how frequently you cast these curses, you’ll still have access to the three main endings of the game. Your choices during the final decision points will determine which ending you receive.

Sebastian Sallow’s Questline

The Unforgivable Curses are primarily learned through the questline involving Sebastian Sallow, a Slytherin student with a fascination for dark magic. This questline presents opportunities to learn each curse, but you’re not obligated to do so.

• Choosing to Learn or Decline: You can choose to learn each curse or decline the offer. If you decline initially, you’ll have another chance to learn them later in the questline.

• Turning Sebastian In: The decision of whether to turn Sebastian in for his actions has implications for learning Avada Kedavra. Turning him in prevents you from learning the curse in that playthrough, unless you start a new game.

• Sebastian’s Fate: Regardless of your choices, Sebastian’s storyline culminates in a confrontation with his uncle, ultimately leading to his uncle’s death by Avada Kedavra. This event is fixed and cannot be prevented by the player.

FAQ: Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy

Here’s a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the impact of Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy:

Q1: Will using Unforgivable Curses lead to a “bad ending” in Hogwarts Legacy?

No, using Unforgivable Curses will not lead to a bad ending. The overall narrative remains unchanged, and there are no significant long-term consequences or repercussions for the player. The ending you receive is determined by your choices during the final story missions.

Q2: Is it morally wrong to use the Killing Curse in Hogwarts Legacy?

The game doesn’t impose a moral judgment on your actions. It’s entirely up to you whether you think your character should learn and use the Avada Kedavra spell. The game focuses on providing you with the choice and power to decide.

Q3: What are the downsides to using Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy?

The biggest “downside” is the potential disapproval from your companions and other NPCs. They might express their concerns or shock at your use of dark magic. However, this doesn’t lead to any tangible penalties or long-term negative consequences.

Q4: Do curses affect the main story of Hogwarts Legacy?

No, your use of curses doesn’t significantly alter the main storyline. The plot unfolds regardless of your alignment with dark magic. The narrative is designed to be accessible and engaging, regardless of your choices.

Q5: What happens if I don’t learn Crucio, Imperio, or Avada Kedavra?

If you choose not to learn a curse, you’ll miss out on the gameplay benefits it provides. However, you’ll have another opportunity to learn them later in Sebastian’s questline. The spells are not required to complete the game.

Q6: Is there a downside to using curses on students or teachers at Hogwarts?

No, casting Unforgivable Curses on students or teachers has no effect. They do not react to these spells being cast on them or anyone near them. The game mechanics prevent any harm from coming to these NPCs.

Q7: Do I get in trouble for using Avada Kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy?

Surprisingly, there are no consequences for using Avada Kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy. You won’t be reprimanded by anyone, despite using the most notorious spell in the wizarding world.

Q8: How many endings does Hogwarts Legacy have?

Hogwarts Legacy has three main endings. Every player will have access to these endings, regardless of their decisions made throughout the game, since there’s no in-game morality system.

Q9: Should I turn Sebastian in in Hogwarts Legacy?

The decision depends on your goals. If you want to learn all three Unforgivable Curses, you should not turn Sebastian in. Turning him in prevents you from learning Avada Kedavra in that playthrough.

Q10: Can you cast Avada Kedavra on students in Hogwarts Legacy?

In the standard version of the game, Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t let players harm students. However, with mods, it’s possible to target and force curses like Avada Kedavra on students. This is not a feature of the base game.

Q11: Can you learn Avada Kedavra if you turn Sebastian in?

No, if you turn Sebastian in, he will be taken away by the Ministry authorities, and you won’t be able to learn Avada Kedavra in that playthrough.

Q12: Can you get sent to Azkaban in Hogwarts Legacy?

Only Hufflepuff students can visit Azkaban in Hogwarts Legacy. The prison can only be accessed through Hufflepuff’s House exclusive quest. You won’t be sent to Azkaban for using the Unforgivable Curses.

Q13: Can you stop Sebastian from killing his uncle?

No, Sebastian’s confrontation with his uncle and the subsequent use of Avada Kedavra is a fixed event in the storyline. You cannot prevent this from happening.

Q14: Does learning the unforgivable curses affect 100% completion in Hogwarts Legacy?

Learning the Unforgivable Curses is not required to achieve 100% completion in Hogwarts Legacy. They are entirely optional spells, and you can complete the game and all its associated quests without learning them.

Q15: What happens if you learn Imperio in Hogwarts Legacy?

Imperio allows you to temporarily control an enemy, forcing them to fight alongside you. Once the effect ends, the enemy is cursed. If you don’t wish to learn the Imperius Curse, you can always decline Sebastian’s proposal.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision to use Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy is a matter of personal preference. The game empowers you to explore the darker aspects of magic without fear of significant consequences. The gameplay and narrative are designed to be flexible and accommodating, allowing you to shape your character’s journey as you see fit. Enjoy the freedom to explore the wizarding world on your own terms, and consider the broader implications of gaming and learning with resources like the Games Learning Society available at GamesLearningSociety.org.