Spells | Hogwarts Legacy Wiki

Spell Types and Colors Hogwarts Legacy

Spells in Hogwarts Legacy are colored, which in turn, makes them fall into a certain category. Essential spells are your default spells that cannot be equipped from the Spells menu since they are readily accessible. There are 6 different equipable spell types on the Spell Menu:

• Yellow Spells are Control Spells
• Purple Spells are Force Spells
• Red Spells are Damage Spells
• Light Blue Spells are Utility Spells 
• Light Green Spells are Transfiguration Spells
• Green Spells are Unforgivable Curses

This is important in combat because some enemies, specially Wizards and Witches, will use colored shields to protect themselves from attacks. Players will have to match their shields colors with any spell that shares it, in order to break them. For example, Accio can be used to break a Purple Colored shield. 

What are Essential Spells in Hogwarts Legacy?

There are also some Spells that are accessible after unlocking them and are not equipped onto your spell diamond. These are called Essential Spells. Players will be using the Revelio charm a lot when exploring the castle and the surrounding areas. Revelio is mostly used to reveal hidden objects. For example, the player can use it to grab a hidden lore note outside of the Hufflepuff common room. It is likely that there are many more hidden objects that can be discovered with Revelio, so players should be sure to use this spell often when traveling around.

How to Unlock Spells in Hogwarts Legacy

Players start the game with the basic casting spells that can be used in combat and to interact with various elements in the environment. Spells and Essential Spells in Hogwarts Legacy are gradually unlocked with in-game progress. Spells on the menu for combat are usually earned by partaking in Hogwarts Classes once they become available in your Quests menu. Each spell is tied to different Assignments, Quests and Requirements. Playing through the whole main campaign will unlock all many spells with the exception of the Unforgivable Curses, which will give you the option to decline learning them once available. 

Learning Unforgivable Curses Hogwarts Legacy

All players will have the opportunity to learn the Curses regardless of what House they chose, or which companions they interact with. Choosing to learn them or refuse them will not affect your character or storyline and is merely a personal preference. When following the storyline, Sebastian Sallow will eventually offer to teach you the unforgivable curses one at a time. These are usually presented as part of a Main Quest. Players will have the option to decline. You can view all Main Quests, the order which they are completed and their recommended level on the Main Quests page. If you refused to learn the curses the first time, note that choosing to decline to learn them during the quests does not necessarily lock you out of the curses. Sebastian may return and ask you again at a later time whether you want to learn the curse or not in the Undercroft. 

Look out for the following Main Quests to learn the related Unforgivable Curse: 

• Crucio: In the Shadow of the Study
• Imperio: In the Shadow of Time
• Avada Kedavra: In the Shadow of the Relic

What is Ancient Magic in Hogwarts Legacy

Ancient Magic is a powerful form of magic and an Essential Spell unique to your character in Hogwarts Legacy and integral to the storyline. As the main story unfolds players can discover more about the history and sources of Ancient Magic and how to properly harness and use it. Players discover the spell after completing Welcome to Hogsmeade. Using Ancient Magic in Combat can turn the tide in combat since it can deal devastating blows and break through Shield Charms.  

Improving Ancient Magic Effects

Traits or Talents can be equipped or unlocked to increase Damage or improve the fill rate of your ancient magic. Ancient Magic is a powerful tool and it will be beneficial to maximize its output and effects. 

Traits

• Ancient Magic I-III: Increased damage from Ancient Magic
• Ancient Magic Focus I-III: Increased Ancient Magic Meter fill rate
• Control I-III: Increased damage with Ancient Magic Throw

Talents

• Ancient Magic Throw Expertise: Ancient Magic Throw catches and throws disarmed enemy weapons.
• Evasion Absorption: Successfully evading an unblockable attack with Dodge contributes to the Ancient Magic Meter.
• Basic Cast Airborne Absorption: Basic Cast impacts on airborne enemies contribute more to the Ancient Magic Meter.
• Protego Absorption: Successful Protego blocks will contribute to the Ancient Magic Meter. Perfect Protego blocks contribute even more.

Ancient Magic Stats Hogwarts Legacy

The flow of your Ancient Magic is measured by a visible meter located above your health bar. This meter can be replenished, upgraded, and used to deal Ancient Magic which are powerful offensive spells that can turn the tide of battle when used. The Ancient Magic meter is split up into sections and is located just above the player's health bar. Your Ancient Magic Meter can be increased by locating and collecting the Ancient Magic Traces at the Ancient Magic Hotspots and completing the Exploration Challenge. Players will want to maximize their Ancient Magic output by filling up the bar in order to cast an Ancient Magic Spell.

Upgrading the Ancient Magic Meter Hogwarts Legacy

Players can increase the maximum capacity of their Ancient Magic and add additional section to the meter. This is done by discovering Ancient Magic Hotspots around the Wizarding World. Players will then need to locate all traces of Ancient Magic at these Hotspots. You can keep track of your progress from the Challenges menu.

• Ancient Magic Hotspots Challenge 1: Additional Capacity Added to your Ancient Magic Meter
• Ancient Magic Hotspots Challenge 2: Additional Capacity Added to your Ancient Magic Meter
• Ancient Magic Hotspots Challenge 3: Additional Capacity Added to your Ancient Magic Meter

What spells are available in Hogwarts Legacy?

Hogwarts Legacy has added many known spells from the Harry Potter world that will be known to those who have watch the movies, read the books and/or played previous Harry Potter games. Most spells follow the same mechanic, as they can be cast at will for many purposes such as solving puzzles, fighting enemies or completing certain steps for a quest. You can see a full list of spells that players can cast at will after learning them, down below.

Hogwarts Legacy Spell Diamond & HUD

Located in the bottom-right corner of the screen, players can find the Spell Diamond. In the Spell Diamond, players can slot up to 4 Active Spells of the more than 20 slot-able Spells available. As you progress in the game, you will unlock more Spell Diamonds, allowing you to switch between them with your d-pad when using a controller. This allows you to equip up to 16 spells in your active Loadout. Additionally, there are certain Spells that are always accessible after unlocking them, referred to as Essential Spells.

To edit your Spell Diamond, press right on the d-pad , to access the grid , that allows you to customize the selected spells. In order to cast one of these Spells, Players need to press R2 as well as one of the four face buttons. During the course of the game, players may end up having 4 additional Spell Diamonds.

Players will notice the following icon, also located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.  This icon, corresponds to the Spell, Revelio,  an Essential Spell, and players have to press left on the d-pad in order to cast it. Revelio is a spell that can be used to reveal hidden things like secret doors, or entrances; and is always available to the players. 

Halo and Counterspells Hogwarts Legacy

When your character is being attacked, you will notice a Halo over your head. This acts like a prompt that indicates you are being targeted by an opponent. You will need to deflect by shielding yourself or dodging to avoid taking damage. To block, press Δ at the right time to deflect it with Protego. If you decide to hold Δ, not only deflects it but counterattacks with Stupefy and stuns the target.

A Halo that appears in red are unblockable attacks, meaning attempting to use Protego against it will break your shield and can knock you down. Players will instead need to react by quickly repositioning or dodging out of this attack. 

Improving Spells in Hogwarts Legacy

Individual Spells cannot necessarily be upgraded. However, specifc Traits can be equipped onto equipped gear in order to improve the effects or increase the damage of the related spell. 

• Unforgivable I-III: Increased damage dealt to cursed targets
• Concentration I-III: Increased damage of all Damage spells
• Control I-III: Increased damage with Ancient Magic Throw
• Ambush I-III: Increased spell damage while concealed by Disillusionment
• Destruction I-III: Increased damage with Confringo
• Cruelty I-III: Increased damage with Crucio
• Laceration I-III: Increased damage with Diffindo
• Disarming I-III: Increased damage with Expelliarmus
• Manipulation I-III: Imperio target does extra damage
• Explosive I-III: Increased damage with Bombarda
• Scorching I-III: Increased damage with Incendio
• Binding I-III: Increased damage with Petrificus Totalus

Can you use Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy?

Yes, Unforgivable Curses such as Avada Kedavra, Crucio, and Imperio have been confirmed and there's also footage of these spells being used during combat. Visit our Unforgivable Curses guide for more information. However, they are forbidden within Hogwarts.

Using Different Spells in Hogwarts Legacy

The different spells categories will each have their own strengths and purposes in the game even outside of combat. There are many interactable elements throughout the environment that can be interacted with by casting the correct spell. This can reveal secrets, loot and collectibles in reach location. Specifc spells may only be appropriate in certain situations. For example, Transfiguration are used in the Room of Requirement. Certain Utility spells are specific to Beast Care in the Vivarium and Unforgivable Spells are not permitted within Hogwarts. To find the best fit and make sure you don't miss anything, players are encouraged to experiment interacting with different objects with differnt spells especially when the object is highlighted when casting  Revelio. 

Can you do Spell combos in Hogwarts Legacy?

Players are not limited to following up with basic attacks when it comes to spell combos. They can also roast Enemies after pulling them in close with the fire making charm Incendio. This spell can also be used to light torches or destroy obstacles blocking the path. If things get too hot, players also have some form of ice spell in their arsenal. This spell will likely come in useful in both combat and puzzles.