Hogwarts Legacy is the most immersive and, dare we say, magical Harry Potter video game to date. Offering fans a vast and intricately designed open world, deadly enemies, and adorable beasts, one of the main draws to the Wizarding World RPG from Portkey Games is, of course, the spells players can cast at their enemies and even use to solve the many puzzles scattered throughout the game. In Hogwarts Legacy, players will learn a total of 23 equitable spells and seven additional spells.

Players will be able to learn iconic spells like Accio, Expeliarmus, Confringo, and Levioso to build devastating combos against the many enemies in the game. Likewise, there are a few more incredibly deadly spells that players can learn, in the form of the Unforgivable Curses. The Unforgivable Curses are the three most powerful and sinister spells known to the Wizarding World, and are tools for the Dark Arts. Any wizard caught using any of the three Unforgivable Spells are grounds for immediate life imprisonment in Azkaban Prison.

The Unforgivable Curses

The three Unforgivable Curses consist of the Cruciatus Curse (Crucio) which causes unbearable pain, the Imperius Curse (Imperio) that allows the caster to control the actions of the victim, and Avada Kedavra, the killing curse, which does exactly as its name suggests.

Players learn these spells by following Sebastian Sallows’ quest line, everyone’s favorite Slytherin heartthrob–if you know, you know! Sebastian’s storyline follows the player and Sebastian searching for a cure for his cursed sister, Anne. In Hogwarts Legacy, learning these spells is completely optional, and players who don’t want to go down the path of being a dark wizard, don’t have to learn them at all.

Thankfully, if players do want to learn these curses later in the game, all you have to do is visit Sebastian in the Undercroft, after completing his quest line. However, for those who do wish to wreak havoc among their foes straight away, here is a brief and easy-to-follow guide on how to learn all three of the Unforgivable Curses.

The Cruciatus Curse (Crucio)

The Cruciatus Curse is the first Unforgivable Curse that players will have a chance to learn. The Cruciatus Curse is a deadly torture spell, stunning its victims as well as inflicting damage over time–it can be a great way to turn the tide in battle. Players can unlock this spell after completing the fairly straightforward quest “In The Shadow of The Study”. You’ll need to be at least level 16, which doesn’t take long at all, as well as completing Sebastian’s previous quests. 

During the mission, the player, Sebastian, and his friend Ominis Gaunt will travel to the depths of the Slytherin Dungeon in search of a mysterious Scriptorium. After unlocking three doors, you’ll approach a final door that requires the Cruciatus Curse to open it. Upon reaching the ominous-looking door you, Sebastian, and Ominis will then have a quick dialogue exchange where Sebastian will at some point mention using the Cruciatus Curse, which sparks the player to choose between three dialogues. To have Sebastian teach you the spell, you must choose one of two dialogue options.

“I want to learn the Cruciatus Curse. But you must cast it on me,” is a selfless choice that doesn’t have any real consequence other than taking away the player’s health which will quickly recharge afterward. Alternatively, you can also learn the spell by selecting, “Teach me the Cruciatus Curse and I’ll cast it on you“. Again, this has no real consequences, but if you, like many of the Hogwarts Legacy community are thirsting over Sebastian, we suggest choosing the selfless option. 

The Imperius Curse (Imperio)

The next Unforgivable Curse players can learn is Imperio, a possession spell that allows the caster to take control of the victim’s mind, briefly making them a great companion in battle, fighting your enemies for you. After completing the “In The Shadow of The Study” quest, players will soon unlock the “In The Shadow of Time” quest, which you will need to be level 17 to access.

During the quest, you and Sebastian will delve into the spider-infested catacombs outside of Feldcroft, in search of a relic that could help Sebastian cure his sister. Soon the players will come across a note from a student’s diary, which you will then be presented with a chance to learn Imperio during a conversation with Sebastian. During said conversation, Sebastian will offer to teach you the Imperio spell. If you do want to learn the spell, reply “Yes, I’d like to learn the Imperius Curse“. 

The Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra)

Now for the final, and arguably the most exciting and powerful spell to learn in all of Hogwarts Legacy, Avada Kedavra. The aptly titled Killing Curse, does exactly as the name suggests, fatally one shoting any enemy (except bosses) that lies in your path. 

The final Unforgivable Curse does take a while to learn, however. You must be at least level 28, completed many of Sebastian’s quests thus far, and have also neared the end of the main story. Eventually, players will unlock the “In The Shadow of Relic” quest allowing you to finally exact this deadly spell on your foes.

The quest takes you back into the catacombs outside of Feldcroft, where you and Sebastian retrieved the relic. This time around, you and Ominus must go down into the depths of the tomb to talk some sense into Sebastian, who is at this point in control of an army of Inferi. Soon Solomon Sallows, Sebastian’s uncle, will attempt to stop you both which triggers a boss fight. This ends with Sebastian horrifically casting the Killing Curse on his uncle.

After realizing his mistake, Anne apparates in and disarms Sebastian before taking Solomon’s body and apparating as far from Sebastian as possible. Sebastian will then race to the tomb’s exit where the player is forced to chase him down. Once outside the catacomb, Sebastian and the player will engage in a tense conversation, where Sebastian goes on to say, “If I hadn’t known how to cast it”, which forces the player to choose between two options. If you choose “Everyone should know that curse“, Sebastian will then offer to teach you the spell. Simply reply “Yes, please” from there to fulfill your dark wizard fantasies!