Why Can’t I Upgrade My Broom in Hogwarts Legacy? A Comprehensive Guide
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Have you been soaring around the Scottish Highlands, feeling a tad slow on your broom, and wondering why you can’t seem to get those much-needed speed upgrades? You’re not alone. Many players encounter this issue in Hogwarts Legacy, and it’s often a matter of game progression rather than a bug. The main reason you can’t upgrade your broom is that broom upgrades are tied to specific story quests and time trials, not just your character level or exploration efforts. Let’s delve into the specifics of how broom upgrades work and what might be holding you back.
Understanding the Broom Upgrade System
In Hogwarts Legacy, broom upgrades aren’t automatic. They are earned by completing a series of time trial quests given by Albie Weekes, the owner of Sprintwitches Sporting Goods in Hogsmeade. These time trials involve racing against Imelda Reyes, a competitive student, and beating her best times. There are three broom upgrades available in total, each requiring you to complete a different time trial challenge. Each upgrade enhances your broom’s acceleration and top speed, making travel much more efficient and enjoyable.
The Importance of Main Story Progression
The most common reason players cannot upgrade their broom is that they haven’t progressed far enough in the main story quests. The first broom upgrade becomes available after you complete the “Sweeping the Competition” quest, given to you by Albie Weekes. However, even if you’ve completed the initial time trial, you might find that subsequent upgrades are locked. This is because the second and third upgrades unlock after specific main story quests. Specifically, the second upgrade becomes available after completing a certain main quest, and you might need to do another main quest before the third is unlocked. Therefore, if you’re impatiently waiting for that second or third upgrade, be sure to focus on the main storyline.
How to Unlock Broom Upgrades Step-by-Step
To unlock the ability to purchase broom upgrades, follow these steps:
- Attend Flying Class: You can’t even buy a broom until you’ve attended Flying Class, which is an early main story quest, run by Professor Kogawa. This unlocks the ability to purchase a basic broom at Spintwitches Sporting Goods.
- Begin “Sweeping the Competition” Quest: Continue playing until Albie Weekes at Sprintwitches offers you the “Sweeping the Competition” quest. This quest involves your first time trial against Imelda Reyes.
- Complete the Time Trials: There are three separate time trials, each associated with a different upgrade. You must beat Imelda’s time in each to unlock the next stage. These trials become available gradually as you progress through the main story.
- Purchase the Upgrades: After you’ve beaten Imelda’s record in a given time trial, return to Mr. Weekes at his shop to complete the quest. He’ll send you an owl post when the upgrade is available, then you can purchase it for 1,000 Galleons. Each upgrade costs 1,000 Galleons.
Other Factors Affecting Broom Access
It’s essential to know that access to a broom and broom upgrades is tied not just to time trials, but to broader game progression. For instance, the broom shop will initially be locked until you progress through the game enough to attend Flying Class. Additionally, the ability to participate in later time trials (and therefore unlock upgrades) is linked to certain main story quests, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the main storyline.
Common Misconceptions
Many players assume that broom upgrades are tied to their character level or the number of brooms they own. However, this is not the case. Broom upgrades apply to ALL brooms you own, not just the one you currently have equipped. Also, remember that different brooms are purely cosmetic. They do not have different speed or handling characteristics. Therefore, once upgraded, you can use any broom in your collection and enjoy the same speed boost.
Troubleshooting
If you’ve completed the initial time trial and are still waiting for the next, patiently continue progressing through the main story. It’s usually a matter of playing the game further and reaching specific milestones in the narrative. Checking your Owl Post frequently can also help, as this is where you receive messages from Albie Weekes when upgrades are available for purchase.
In summary, the primary reasons you might be unable to upgrade your broom are:
- Not progressing far enough in the main story.
- Not completing the time trial side quests provided by Albie Weekes.
- Not purchasing the upgrades from Spintwitches after successfully completing time trials.
By focusing on the main story and completing the time trials when they become available, you will quickly unlock all three broom upgrades and enjoy the freedom of faster flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many broom upgrades are there in Hogwarts Legacy?
There are three broom upgrades available in total, each enhancing your broom’s speed and acceleration.
2. Do broom upgrades apply to all brooms?
Yes, all broom upgrades apply to every broom you own, not just the one you currently have equipped.
3. How much does each broom upgrade cost?
Each broom upgrade costs 1,000 Galleons, totaling 3,000 Galleons for all three upgrades.
4. When can I start upgrading my broom?
You can start upgrading your broom after completing the “Sweeping the Competition” quest from Albie Weekes, which unlocks after you have completed Flying Class.
5. Do different brooms have different stats?
No, all brooms have the same stats. The only difference between them is cosmetic.
6. What happens if I miss a ring in the time trials?
Missing a ring during the time trial races incurs a 3-second penalty added to your time.
7. Is it difficult to beat Imelda Reyes’ times?
Beating Imelda’s times is generally not very difficult. However, you need to use boost constantly and collect the yellow bubbles during the race.
8. Where is the broom shop in Hogwarts Legacy?
The broom shop, Spintwitches Sporting Goods, is located in Hogsmeade.
9. What is the best broom in Hogwarts Legacy?
The best broom is subjective and based on cosmetic appeal since all brooms perform the same. Many players like the Sky Scythe Broom which is the most luxurious broom.
10. When do I unlock the second and third broom upgrades?
The second and third broom upgrades unlock after completing specific main story quests, which are only available later in the game after you have completed a certain amount of main story progression.
11. Can you purchase all broom upgrades at once?
No, broom upgrades are unlocked individually through the completion of time trials and then purchased from Albie Weekes.
12. Is there a level requirement for broom upgrades?
No, broom upgrades are not tied to character level, but to main story progression and the completion of specific side quests.
13. What is the maximum level in Hogwarts Legacy?
The maximum character level in Hogwarts Legacy is level 40.
14. Are there any flying mounts other than brooms?
Yes, you can unlock three flying mounts, including the Hippogriff, Highwing.
15. How do I unlock the final broom race?
The final time trial against Imelda is unlocked after finishing the “In the Shadow of the Mine” main story quest.