Siding with Sebastian Sallow: A Deep Dive into Hogwarts Legacy’s Darkest Path
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What happens when you side with Sebastian Sallow in Hogwarts Legacy? The answer is multifaceted, carrying immediate consequences, influencing your gameplay, and impacting the long-term availability of certain content. Generally, siding with Sebastian opens doors to learning the Unforgivable Curses, particularly the Imperio Curse, during his questline. It also means choosing to support his actions, even when they venture into morally grey (or outright dark) territory. This alliance impacts your relationship with other characters, particularly Ominis Gaunt, and shapes the narrative’s unfolding events. Importantly, failing to turn Sebastian in has significant consequences, meaning he will not be expelled from Hogwarts and you will be able to continue to interact with him in the game. Your choices shape the story of the game, so read on to understand the many consequences of this decision.
Consequences of Aligning with Sebastian
Siding with Sebastian offers a unique and compelling narrative path in Hogwarts Legacy, albeit one that requires careful consideration. The rewards are great, but the moral compromises can be significant. You will have access to learn the Unforgivable Curses. This can be incredibly advantageous during combat.
The Path to the Unforgivable Curses
The primary draw of aligning with Sebastian is the opportunity to learn the Unforgivable Curses. While you can play through Hogwarts Legacy without ever touching these forbidden spells, embracing Sebastian’s guidance unlocks a powerful, albeit ethically questionable, arsenal.
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Imperio: As mentioned, siding with Sebastian during the “In the Shadow of Time” quest allows you to learn Imperio. The quest will see the player learn Imperio if they haven’t already. The player then casts Imperio on Ominis and the two exit the catacomb.
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Crucio: Progressing through Sebastian’s questline further allows you to learn Crucio, the Torture Curse.
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Avada Kedavra: Finally, the most infamous of the three, Avada Kedavra (the Killing Curse), becomes available. Choosing to learn this curse solidifies your commitment to the Dark Arts.
Impact on Relationships and Narrative
Choosing to side with Sebastian isn’t without its social ramifications.
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Ominis Gaunt: Your relationship with Ominis, Sebastian’s morally grounded friend, will be strained. He vehemently opposes Sebastian’s descent into dark magic, and supporting Sebastian will inevitably damage your standing with him.
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Moral Alignment: The game subtly acknowledges your choices. While there’s no explicit morality system, your dialogue options and actions will reflect your alignment. Other characters may react differently to you based on your perceived leanings towards the Dark Arts.
Long-Term Game Playability
What if you turn Sebastian in, and is it detrimental to the gameplay experience?
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Quest Availability: By siding with Sebastian, you maintain access to his unique questline, which dives deep into the mysteries of the Sallow family and the Dark Arts. If you turn him in, this questline is cut short.
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Companion Availability: Sebastian remains available as a companion for certain quests and activities. If you turn him in, he is expelled from Hogwarts and is no longer accessible.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Consequences
1. Can I learn all the Unforgivable Curses without siding with Sebastian completely?
No, Sebastian’s questline is the primary avenue for learning all three Unforgivable Curses within the main game. While there are mods or potential future DLCs that might offer alternative methods, the base game ties these curses directly to his character.
2. Does turning Sebastian in affect the main story ending?
No, turning Sebastian in does not drastically alter the main story ending. However, it will change the epilogue and his presence in any concluding scenes. The core narrative remains the same.
3. Can I romance Sebastian if I side with him?
Hogwarts Legacy currently does not feature any romance options. Despite the in-depth side quests with several characters, there are no romanceable NPCs in the game, including Sebastian.
4. Will siding with Sebastian make me a “bad guy” in the game?
While learning and using the Unforgivable Curses certainly leans towards the darker side of morality, the game does not explicitly label you as “evil.” Your choices influence your character’s perceived morality, but it’s ultimately up to you to define your character’s alignment.
5. What happens if I learn Avada Kedavra but never use it?
Learning Avada Kedavra gives you the option to wield immense power, but you are never forced to use it. You can choose to have it in your arsenal without ever casting the spell.
6. Is there a way to save Sebastian’s sister, Anne?
Unfortunately, no. Despite your efforts within Sebastian’s questline, there is no way to cure Anne of her curse within the game.
7. Does my house choice (Gryffindor, Slytherin, etc.) impact my relationship with Sebastian?
While Sebastian is a Slytherin, your house choice does not significantly impact your ability to befriend him or progress through his questline.
8. If I turn Sebastian in, can I still access his Undercroft?
No, once Sebastian is expelled, you will no longer be able to access his Undercroft. This location serves as a hub for learning Dark Arts spells and practicing combat.
9. Can I undo my decision to turn Sebastian in?
Unfortunately, no. Once you have turned in Sebastian, this is a permanent decision. The decision to report him to the authorities is final and cannot be undone.
10. How do I ensure I get the chance to learn Avada Kedavra?
To learn Avada Kedavra, you must consistently support Sebastian’s choices throughout his questline, even when they seem morally questionable. When given the opportunity, express a desire to learn the spell.
11. Does siding with Sebastian affect my ability to complete other side quests?
No, siding with Sebastian does not block you from completing other side quests in the game. His questline is largely self-contained, with limited impact on other character interactions.
12. Are there any unique rewards for completing Sebastian’s entire questline?
Yes, besides learning the Unforgivable Curses, completing Sebastian’s questline unlocks unique knowledge, insights into the Dark Arts, and a deeper understanding of the lore surrounding the Sallow family.
13. Is it possible to accidentally fail Sebastian’s questline?
Yes, it is possible to fail or derail Sebastian’s questline if you consistently disagree with his choices or turn him in to the authorities.
14. Can I learn Avada Kedavra in the Dark Arts Battle Arena?
Yes, players who did not take the Slytherin House or chose to turn in Sebastian can access Avada Kedavra in the Dark Arts Battle Arena. This is available if you have Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition, or if you purchased the Dark Arts Pack DLC.
15. Are there any resources for understanding the ethics of the choices in Hogwarts Legacy?
Absolutely! Communities like the Games Learning Society (visit GamesLearningSociety.org) often discuss the ethical implications of choices in games like Hogwarts Legacy, providing valuable insights and fostering thoughtful discussions. Thinking deeply about the choices and the game is a good way to better understand the learning that is possible in games.
Siding with Sebastian Sallow is a complex choice with significant implications in Hogwarts Legacy. It’s a path that offers power and unique narrative experiences but demands a willingness to grapple with moral ambiguity and the potential consequences of dabbling in the Dark Arts. The rewards and consequences of siding with Sebastian must be weighed against the player’s intentions for how they want the game to go.