What Happens if You Refuse to Learn Crucio in Hogwarts Legacy?
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Deciding whether to delve into the dark arts is a significant choice in Hogwarts Legacy, and the Cruciatus Curse (Crucio) is a prime example of a spell that tests your moral compass. Refusing to learn Crucio has immediate and long-term impacts within the game, but ultimately does not hinder your ability to complete the main story. Simply put, if you initially say “no” to learning Crucio, you will not immediately learn the spell, but you do not lose the opportunity to learn it later in the game.
When you reach the point in Sebastian Sallow’s questline where he offers to teach you Crucio, you have a critical choice. Choosing to decline the lesson means that for the time being, your character will not be able to cast this infamous curse. It’s not a permanent lock-out, though. You can return to Sebastian in the Undercroft later on, especially after completing the main story, and request to learn it. This design ensures that players are not penalized for making a choice that aligns with their role-playing preferences.
The most significant impact of refusing Crucio initially is missing out on the opportunity to use it throughout a portion of the game. Crucio is a powerful spell that can make combat much more efficient, especially against difficult enemies. However, by not learning Crucio early, you might need to rely more on other spells and strategies that require different tactics.
Consequences and Implications of Refusing Crucio
It is also worth noting that while the game does track whether you learn the Unforgivable Curses, there are no severe in-game consequences for doing so. Your house and story ending are unaffected by whether you choose to learn the unforgivable curses. This includes Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. You can choose not to learn any of them or learn all of them, and there won’t be any game-altering penalties.
However, there are minor narrative consequences. Fellow students and other NPCs may express disapproval or disgust if they learn you’ve been dabbling in the dark arts. You won’t be expelled for learning the Unforgivable Curses; that is not a mechanic within the game. While it might impact a few in-game dialogue moments or relationships, it does not significantly impact the overall story or gameplay experience.
Learning Crucio Later
If you initially refuse to learn Crucio and later change your mind, you can revisit Sebastian in the Undercroft (assuming he is still present). He will still be willing to teach you the spell, even after you’ve completed the main questline. This ensures that players who are hesitant or morally opposed to using Crucio initially can still experiment with dark magic if they choose to do so later. The game offers several opportunities to learn each unforgivable curse, despite initial refusals.
Choosing to refuse Crucio is entirely a role-playing choice and has very little impact on the game in terms of missed content, but that doesn’t mean you cannot use the spell later if you change your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Crucio and Unforgivable Curses
1. Can I permanently miss learning Crucio in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, you cannot permanently miss learning Crucio. While it’s true you can refuse to learn it when first offered, you can always return to Sebastian in the Undercroft later to learn the spell, especially after finishing the main story.
2. What happens if I refuse to learn all Unforgivable Curses?
There are no negative consequences for refusing to learn all the Unforgivable Curses. You will not miss out on crucial story elements, and the ending remains the same. The decision is entirely based on player preference. You can always go back and learn them later if you change your mind, ensuring you do not miss out on any content.
3. Does refusing Crucio affect the game’s ending?
No, your choices regarding learning Unforgivable Curses, including Crucio, do not affect the game’s ending. Hogwarts Legacy has three endings, and these are accessible regardless of your choices related to Dark Arts.
4. Can I still learn Crucio if I complete the game first?
Yes, even if you complete the main quest line without learning Crucio, you can go back to Sebastian in the Undercroft (provided he is still available) and request to learn it. The opportunity to learn any of the Unforgivable Curses never completely disappears.
5. What is the benefit of learning Crucio?
Crucio is a potent combat spell. It causes enemies to writhe in pain and can be used as a combo starter. Additionally, if you get the Crucio talent, it will spread the curse to other enemies when you hit an enemy affected by Crucio.
6. Do other characters react negatively to me using Crucio?
Yes, some NPCs might express disgust or disapproval if they witness you using Crucio or if they learn you have learned the spell. However, these reactions are minor and do not impact the game’s core mechanics.
7. Is Crucio a required spell to complete the game?
No, Crucio is not required to complete the main story. It is an optional spell, and you can finish the game without ever learning or using it. All of the unforgivable curses are optional and have no requirements to be learned.
8. Can I learn Avada Kedavra if I choose the “No one should know” dialogue option?
Yes, even if you initially say “no one” should know Avada Kedavra, you can re-enter the Undercroft, and Sebastian will offer to teach you the spell again. This allows you to explore the dark arts if you change your mind.
9. Is there a way to stop the Cruciatus Curse once it is cast?
No, there is no known counter spell to defend against the Cruciatus Curse in the game. Once Crucio is cast on someone, it cannot be stopped by any known magic.
10. Is it possible to be expelled from Hogwarts for using Crucio?
No, there is no in-game mechanic that will lead to being expelled for casting Unforgivable Curses. That is an interesting choice, but the game does not feature a system for expulsions.
11. Can I learn Crucio and cast it on myself?
Yes, at a certain point in the quest, you’ll need to use Crucio on someone to open a door. You can choose to have Sebastian cast Crucio on you, or you can cast it on him. Either choice allows you to learn the spell.
12. Does Sebastian leave the Undercroft permanently at some point, preventing me from learning Crucio later?
Sebastian can leave the Undercroft if you make certain choices related to his storyline. While this can make it seem as though you might miss out on learning the curses, his leaving usually occurs near the very end of the questline, with plenty of time for you to have learned the spells.
13. Is Crucio worth learning in Hogwarts Legacy?
Whether it’s “worth it” is subjective, as it doesn’t affect the main story or endings. Crucio is a powerful combat tool and can make it easier to defeat difficult enemies. If you’re comfortable with using Dark Arts in your playthrough, then it can be a valuable tool to have in your arsenal.
14. Can I access Azkaban if I refuse to learn Unforgivable Curses?
Visiting Azkaban is not tied to your choices about learning Unforgivable Curses. It is a specific quest exclusive to Hufflepuff students. No matter what choices you make regarding curses, Azkaban will remain accessible only for Hufflepuff players.
15. Is Crucio the only Unforgivable Curse you learn from Sebastian?
No, Sebastian will eventually offer to teach you all three Unforgivable Curses: Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. The choices you make with Crucio, or with any of these three curses are separate and do not dictate whether you can learn the others.