Broom vs. Beast: Which is Faster in Hogwarts Legacy?
The magical world of Hogwarts Legacy offers players several exciting ways to traverse its vast and enchanting landscape. Two primary modes of transportation stand out: brooms and beast mounts. While both offer unique advantages and a distinct feel, one question consistently arises: Which is faster, broom or beast? The answer, definitively, is brooms are significantly faster than beasts in Hogwarts Legacy. While beasts may offer a certain visual appeal and novelty, they simply cannot compete with the speed, maneuverability, and overall efficiency of a well-upgraded broom. This article will delve into the specifics, explore why brooms reign supreme in speed, and answer frequently asked questions to help you navigate the skies and land of Hogwarts Legacy.
Brooms: The Kings of the Sky
Brooms in Hogwarts Legacy are designed for speed and agility. Unlike mounts, they offer a unique “auto-fly” toggle, allowing you to maintain forward momentum without constantly holding down the direction. This feature alone provides a smoother and more relaxing flight experience. Beyond that, brooms boast impressive turning capabilities and significantly faster ascent and descent speeds when in hover mode. Further enhancing their prowess are the upgrade mechanics built into the game.
Broom Upgrades: A Need for Speed
As you progress through the main storyline, you’ll unlock the “Sweeping the Competition” questline, which allows you to upgrade your broom. These upgrades aren’t just cosmetic; they drastically improve your broom’s speed and boost capabilities. Each upgrade increases base speed by approximately 3.5% compared to the previous level. Even more impactful is the boost, where each upgrade increases the boost speed by a staggering 5.5%.
These upgrades are essential for anyone seeking to maximize travel efficiency. A fully upgraded broom is not only faster than the default broom, but its boost speed far surpasses the speeds achievable by any beast mount in the game, even when flying near the ground.
Beast Mounts: Fun but Slower
While beasts like the Hippogriff, Thestral, and Graphorn add a unique element of magic to exploration, they suffer significantly in the speed department. Beast mounts generally require players to continuously hold forward, which can become tedious during long journeys. They also lack the convenient “auto-fly” feature that brooms offer, making traveling over long distances feel more laborious. Moreover, their turning and altitude control are not as refined as those of brooms.
Missing the Boost
Perhaps the most significant drawback of beast mounts is their lack of a boost ability. Unlike brooms, beast mounts have a set maximum speed, and that speed is lower than even the default broom’s speed. This means that, no matter how skilled you are at mounting, you’ll always be moving slower than if you were on a broom. The speed limitations, coupled with clunky handling, make them a less efficient travel option, especially when compared to fully upgraded brooms.
The Verdict: Speed and Efficiency
In summary, brooms are the undisputed champions of speed in Hogwarts Legacy. They provide superior maneuverability, “auto-fly” functionality, and significantly faster speed both at base and with boost, particularly when upgraded. While beast mounts have a certain aesthetic appeal and add a unique experience to the game, they cannot compete with the sheer speed and efficiency of a well-tuned broom. For players looking to traverse the map as quickly and efficiently as possible, the broom is undoubtedly the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are all brooms the same speed in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes, all brooms in Hogwarts Legacy have the same base speed. The differences between brooms are purely cosmetic; they have different appearances but the same performance. The speed difference comes from upgrades rather than the specific broom type.
2. How do you upgrade your broom in Hogwarts Legacy?
You can upgrade your broom by completing the “Sweeping the Competition” questline provided by Albie Weekes at Sprintwitches Sporting Needs in Hogsmeade. These upgrades will cost Galleons, and each upgrade will incrementally boost the speed and efficiency of the broom.
3. Is there a fastest broom in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, there is no single “fastest” broom in the game. The speed is determined by the level of upgrades, which apply to all brooms equally. All of them will reach the same top speed if fully upgraded.
4. Are mounts better than brooms for any purpose in Hogwarts Legacy?
While brooms are superior for speed, beasts offer a different kind of experience. Some players might prefer the visual appeal of beast mounts or the novelty of riding a Hippogriff. However, if efficiency is your goal, the broom is the way to go.
5. Is a Hippogriff faster than a broom in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, a Hippogriff is not faster than a broom. Brooms are significantly faster and have better handling, especially when fully upgraded.
6. How does the boost work with brooms in Hogwarts Legacy?
The boost function allows you to temporarily move faster on a broom. However, it drains while you’re high off the ground. Once you’re close to the ground, your boost doesn’t drain. Each broom upgrade increases both the boost’s speed and efficiency, allowing you to maintain a faster pace for longer periods.
7. How many beasts can you mount in Hogwarts Legacy?
You can mount three beasts in Hogwarts Legacy: Hippogriffs, Thestrals, and Graphorns.
8. Can you fast travel in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes, you can fast travel using Floo Flames. As you explore, activate Floo Flames to unlock fast travel points on the map.
9. How much faster are broom upgrades in Hogwarts Legacy?
Each broom upgrade increases the base speed by about 3.5%, and the boost speed by approximately 5.5% compared to the previous rank.
10. What is the best way to travel long distances in Hogwarts Legacy?
The fastest and most efficient way to travel long distances in Hogwarts Legacy is by using a fully upgraded broom. Supplemented by fast travel between Floo Flames, this will ensure minimal travel times.
11. Where can you get a unique-looking broom?
While all brooms have the same speed, you can find a variety of unique looking brooms. For example, the Sky Scythe Broom can be purchased from Leopold Babcocke outside Hogsmeade Station for 5,000 Galleons, and the Antique Family Broom can be purchased from Priya Treadwell in the Feldcroft region for 2,500 Galleons. These brooms offer cosmetic differences but no performance boosts.
12. Are there any hidden areas accessible only by mount or broom?
While you can explore more freely with your broom, all areas are accessible regardless of the mode of transportation.
13. Can you race other players on brooms in Hogwarts Legacy?
There is no direct multiplayer component for broom races in Hogwarts Legacy.
14. What is the main drawback of beast mounts compared to brooms?
The primary drawback of beast mounts is their lower speed, clunkier handling, and lack of a boost function. They also require you to constantly hold forward, which can be tiring during long distances.
15. Should I bother with beast mounts at all if I want to be fast?
While beast mounts aren’t optimal for speed, they do add to the immersive magical feel. If you prioritize speed and efficiency, a broom is the way to go. However, you can use beast mounts occasionally for the novelty. Ultimately, the decision is based on your own preference.