Delving into Hogwarts Legacy: Unlocking Your First Vivarium
The first vivarium you unlock in Hogwarts Legacy is the Forest Vivarium. This verdant haven becomes available after completing the main quest, “The Elf, the Nab-Sack, and the Loom.” This pivotal moment not only introduces you to the enchanting world of beast care but also grants access to the Room of Requirement, a personalized space that evolves with your journey.
The Significance of the Forest Vivarium
The Forest Vivarium serves as an introduction to the core mechanics of beast rescue, care, and breeding. It’s more than just a pretty backdrop; it’s a functional space where you can nurture rescued creatures, collect resources, and further your understanding of the magical ecosystem within the game. Understanding which creatures thrive in each vivarium is crucial for maximizing resource collection and overall gameplay experience.
Getting Started: The Quest for the First Vivarium
The path to unlocking the Forest Vivarium is paved with several key quests. Before you can embark on “The Elf, the Nab-Sack, and the Loom,” you must first complete “The Caretaker’s Lunar Lament” and “The Helm of Urtkot.” These preceding quests lay the groundwork for understanding the narrative and mechanics that drive the vivarium system. Upon completing these preparatory missions, Deek, your helpful house-elf companion, will guide you through the steps necessary to build and populate your first vivarium.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vivariums
1. What is a Vivarium in Hogwarts Legacy?
A vivarium in Hogwarts Legacy is a simulated natural environment within the Room of Requirement where you can house and care for rescued magical beasts. Each vivarium is designed to mimic a specific biome, such as a forest, swamp, or coastal region, providing the ideal habitat for different species. This allows you to nurture creatures you’ve rescued, and ultimately, breed them. These beasts are essential for the game, and it is advised to learn more with the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
2. How many Vivariums are there in Hogwarts Legacy?
There are a total of four vivariums in Hogwarts Legacy, each representing a distinct biome: the Forest, Coastal, Swamp, and Mountain Vivariums.
3. How do I unlock the second Vivarium?
To unlock the second vivarium, which is the Coastal Vivarium, you need to complete the side quest called “The Plight of the House-Elf.” This side quest becomes available after you’ve completed the main story mission “The High Keep.”
4. What is the third Vivarium and how do I unlock it?
The third vivarium is the Swamp Vivarium. To unlock this, you need to complete the side quest “Foal of the Dead,” which becomes available after the main story chapter “Charles Rookwood’s Trial.”
5. How do I unlock the final (fourth) Vivarium?
The fourth and final vivarium, the Mountain Vivarium, becomes available after you complete the “Niamh Fitzgerald’s Trial” quest. This unlocks the side quest “Phoenix Rising,” and completing this quest unlocks the Mountain Vivarium.
6. Is there a limit to how many creatures I can keep in a Vivarium?
Yes, each vivarium can hold a maximum of 12 animals, with a limit of 4 different species within each vivarium. This means you could have 9 Hippogriffs and 1 each of a Niffler, Mooncalf, and Phoenix, for example.
7. Does it matter which Vivarium I put my beasts in?
Yes, it absolutely matters. Each vivarium is designed to provide the ideal environment for specific types of creatures. Putting a beast in an unsuitable environment might not directly harm it, but it won’t thrive and you may not collect resources as effectively.
8. Which creatures are best suited for the Forest Vivarium?
The Forest Vivarium is ideal for creatures like Mooncalves, Puffskeins, and Nifflers. These beasts are generally well-suited to the cozy, woodland environment.
9. Where should I put Unicorns?
Unicorns thrive in the Swamp Vivarium. This is the recommended environment for them and you can see a shiny pattern on them when they are in the swamp.
10. Can I breed creatures in the Vivariums?
Yes, you can breed most of the creatures you rescue. However, the Phoenix is the only beast in Hogwarts Legacy that cannot be bred, as it’s considered a unique, one-of-a-kind creature. The following beasts are breedable: Diricawl, Puffskein, Thestral, Kneazle, Mooncalf, Niffler, Jobberknoll, and Fwooper.
11. Do certain creatures not get along in the same Vivarium?
Yes, some creatures do not get along well together. Examples include:
- Unicorns and Thestrals
- Kneazles and Diricawls
- Fwoopers and Phoenix
- Nifflers and Hippogriffs
- Giant Purple Toads and Jobberknolls
- Graphorns and Mooncalves
While keeping them together doesn’t have a detrimental effect on resources, it adds to the realism and immersion of the game.
12. Are there collectibles hidden in the Vivariums?
Yes, each vivarium contains three collectible chests. With four vivariums in total, there are 12 hidden chests to discover, contributing to the 100% completion of the game.
13. Which is the best Vivarium for Thestrals?
The Swamp Vivarium is considered the best environment for Thestrals. The dark and mysterious atmosphere of the swamp complements their nature.
14. Are there any restrictions to the number of species I can have in the Vivarium?
Yes, each vivarium can only contain a maximum of four different species at a time. This limitation encourages players to carefully consider which creatures to house together.
15. Which is the best beast to have in the Vivarium?
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the Graphorn stands out as one of the strongest and most impressive beasts to house, particularly in the Coastal Vivarium. As the “Lord of the Shore,” it perfectly complements the coastal environment.
Vivariums are at the heart of Hogwarts Legacy. The mechanics of creature care, resource collection, and breeding add depth and complexity to the game, offering players an immersive experience that goes beyond typical open-world exploration. Understanding these mechanics is key to unlocking the full potential of your gameplay and truly embracing the magic of the wizarding world.