Siding with Sebastian Sallow in Hogwarts Legacy: A Deep Dive into Consequences and Choices

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Siding with Sebastian Sallow in Hogwarts Legacy is a complex decision laden with moral implications and gameplay consequences, though perhaps less than you might initially expect. Choosing to align with Sebastian primarily impacts your narrative experience and access to certain content, especially the Unforgivable Curses. If you prioritize your friendship with Sebastian and empathize with his motivations, you will unlock opportunities to learn powerful dark magic and delve deeper into the Sallow family drama. Conversely, maintaining a “good” character aligned with Hogwarts rules often means you will eventually have to choose to turn him in, leading to his expulsion and the loss of his companionship and associated quests. The game, however, is designed to be relatively forgiving; many of your choices have no impact on the ending except for the one presented to you in the last mission, and it will not reflect on the consequences on your actions.

The Allure of the Shadow Arts: Benefits of Staying by Sebastian’s Side

Staying loyal to Sebastian offers several enticing benefits for players willing to venture into the Dark Arts.

• Unforgivable Curses: This is the biggest draw. By continuing Sebastian’s questline, you gain the opportunity to learn and master the Cruciatus Curse (Crucio), the Imperius Curse (Imperio), and the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra). These curses are incredibly powerful in combat, giving you a significant edge against enemies.
• Deepening Story and Understanding: Sebastian’s questline is arguably one of the most compelling in the game, exploring themes of grief, family, and the seductive nature of power. Siding with him allows you to witness the progression of his moral decay firsthand and grapple with the ethical dilemmas his choices present.
• Expanded Gameplay Options: Learning the Unforgivable Curses broadens your tactical options in battles, allowing you to experiment with different playstyles and strategies.

The Price of Loyalty: Consequences of Supporting Sebastian

While siding with Sebastian unlocks potent abilities and a rich narrative, it’s essential to understand the potential drawbacks.

• Moral Implications: Embracing the Dark Arts aligns you with morally questionable actions. Your character will be complicit in Sebastian’s descent, potentially leading to uncomfortable choices and a tarnished reputation within the Hogwarts community.
• Potential for Expulsion: The most significant consequence comes at the end of Sebastian’s questline. You’ll face the choice of turning him in for his crimes to Professor Black. Choosing to do so will result in his expulsion from Hogwarts.
• Loss of Access: If Sebastian is expelled, he becomes unavailable as a quest giver and companion. You won’t be able to complete his remaining side quests or interact with him during the end-of-year celebrations or in the post-game.
• No impact on the Ending: Your choices and actions will not impact your game’s ending as, after the main story, you will have the chance to make a life changing decision.

Turn Him In or Stand By Him? A Question of Character

The decision to turn Sebastian in ultimately boils down to your character’s moral compass and your desired gameplay experience.

• The “Good” Character: If you’re roleplaying a virtuous character committed to Hogwarts’ rules and the safety of others, turning Sebastian in is the logical and morally consistent choice.
• The Pragmatic Character: If you value power and are willing to make difficult choices for the greater good (or your own benefit), you might choose to learn the Unforgivable Curses from Sebastian and then report him.
• The Empathetic Character: If you understand Sebastian’s motivations and believe he can be redeemed, you might choose to protect him and hope he eventually finds a way to atone for his actions.

Ultimately, Hogwarts Legacy gives you the freedom to shape your character’s destiny and make choices that reflect your personal values. Choose wisely, as your decisions will significantly impact your journey through the wizarding world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sebastian Sallow

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the consequences of your choices regarding Sebastian Sallow in Hogwarts Legacy:

1. Can I learn Avada Kedavra if I turn Sebastian in? Yes and no. You initially might not get the option as you need to tell Sebastian that “Everyone should know that spell” and if you miss it, you may be able to do it later. If you decide to turn Sebastian in before you learn the curses, you will lose your ability to learn them from him.
2. Does siding with Ominis or Sebastian in the “Shadow of Time” quest matter? No, there are no long-term consequences regardless of who you side with during the “Shadow of Time” side quest. Your choice only affects the immediate dialogue and scene.
3. What happens if I let Sebastian take the relic? Regardless of your dialogue choices, Sebastian will always take the relic. Your decision doesn’t change this outcome.
4. Is there a way to prevent Sebastian from killing his uncle? Unfortunately, no. Sebastian’s showdown with his uncle is unavoidable, and he will ultimately use the Killing Curse.
5. Are there different endings depending on my choices with Sebastian? Hogwarts Legacy features three main endings for players to discover. As well, there are different dialogue choices which change how his companion quest line ends. This will vary if you choose to turn in Sebastian or not.
6. Can I romance Sebastian in Hogwarts Legacy? No, Hogwarts Legacy does not feature any romance options. You can’t marry or have a romantic relationship with Sebastian or any other character.
7. Does it matter who I choose as my companion for the Hogsmeade trip, Sebastian or Natty? The choice is largely inconsequential, impacting only the conversations you have during the trip.
8. What are the prerequisites for learning Avada Kedavra? You must complete Sebastian Sallow’s relationship questline, starting with “In the Shadow of the Undercroft” and continuing to “In the Shadow of the Relic.” You must also be at least level 28.
9. What happens if I say “No one should know that curse” when Sebastian offers to teach Avada Kedavra? You will be able to learn the spell later on if you do not turn Sebastian in.
10. If I turn Sebastian in, what exactly happens to him? He will be expelled from Hogwarts, and you won’t be able to interact with him again. He will then be taken to the Ministry of Magic to face justice.
11. Is there a “good” ending in Hogwarts Legacy, and how do I achieve it? Yes, there is a “good” ending. This is where players respond with “I intend to keep it contained here,” and “I shall keep it secret forever.”
12. Does using Unforgivable Curses have any impact on the story or my relationships with other characters? No, the game will not reflect on the consequences of your actions except for the final choice.
13. What should I do on my first playthrough? The game will not reflect any consequences as you progress in the game, and no choices have any impact on the ending except for the one that you choose to make in the last mission.
14. How to be the greatest evil wizard? By siding with Sebastian, you get an insight of what the dark art is.
15. How will the game evolve the more I use the killing curse? The game will not reflect any consequences as you progress in the game, and no choices have any impact on the ending except for the one that you choose to make in the last mission.

Navigating the choices in Hogwarts Legacy regarding Sebastian Sallow can be tricky, as there are many moral implications. But there is nothing a player can do to change the main plot line as every person who plays it will have the same outcome. The exploration of these themes, and indeed, the design of the game, can be studied in more detail through resources available at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The game encourages exploration and challenges players to think critically about their decisions.