TL;DR
- No morality system penalizes Unforgivable Curse usage, only NPC reactions
- Crucio acquisition requires specific dialogue choices during Sebastian’s questline
- Imperio becomes available after completing the second trial in winter
- Avada Kedavra unlocks through late-game catacomb exploration
- Strategic curse combinations create powerful combat synergies
Hogwarts Legacy provides players with unprecedented access to forbidden magical arts, including the notorious Unforgivable Curses that remain illegal within the wizarding world’s established lore.
As a fifth-year transfer student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you’ll discover numerous standard spells alongside the option to master three Unforgivable Curses: Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. These prohibited spells inflict excruciating pain, complete mental domination, and instant death respectively. While technically forbidden by wizarding law, the game mechanics permit their acquisition and deployment with minimal narrative repercussions. Critical story developments revealed ahead.
Regarding gameplay consequences for employing Dark Magic, Avalanche Software implemented surprisingly few restrictions. The absence of a morality meter means your choices won’t trigger branching narrative paths or alternate endings. Companions witnessing your curse usage may express shock or verbal disapproval, but these reactions remain purely cosmetic without mechanical penalties.
Hogwarts Castle itself maintains protective enchantments that prevent casting these curses within its boundaries, enforced by gameplay restrictions. Completionists should note that these spells don’t contribute to any Achievements or Trophies, nor are they mandatory for Sebastian Sallow’s companion quest completion. They’re excluded from the ‘Learn All Spells’ achievement requirements entirely.
The Dark Arts curriculum becomes accessible during the Autumn semester through Sebastian Sallow’s personal storyline. This narrative thread activates after visiting his family residence and meeting his afflicted sister Anne during main story progression. Following this encounter, seek out Sebastian within the castle walls after he disputes with Ominis Gaunt, where he’ll mention researching Slytherin’s Scriptorium and the Crucio curse.
After your discussion concludes, Sebastian dispatches an owl inviting you to undertake “In The Shadow Of The Study,” the side quest that teaches your first Unforgivable Curse. The trio ventures deep into the Scriptorium, where serpent-themed dial puzzles await solution under time constraints. Matching gate symbols with dial emblems correctly leads to a trapped corridor requiring Crucio casting for progression.
Ominis refuses participation based on prior traumatic experience, warning that the caster bears permanent psychological scars exceeding the victim’s physical suffering. Sebastian claims confidence in the incantation and presents three options: you learning to cast it on him, him attempting it on you, or you learning it but having him perform the casting. Selecting either learning pathway grants permanent Crucio addition to your spell repertoire.
Consistent agreement whenever Sebastian offers Dark Magic instruction remains crucial for curse acquisition.
Strategic dialogue choices during Sebastian’s offers determine your Dark Arts progression.
Upon completing the second keeper trial and advancing to the Winter season, Sebastian requests a confidential meeting in the Undercroft. He reveals the discovered spellbook references a mysterious artifact capable of countering Dark Magic’s effects, potentially offering salvation for his sister. After an appropriate time lapse, he’ll send subsequent correspondence.
Your next Sebastian encounter occurs during “In the Shadow of the Mine” main story quest, meeting at Overlook Mine. However, this mission doesn’t provide the next curse. Simultaneously with this assignment, you’ll receive another owl message indicating Sebastian believes he’s located the relic and requests a rendezvous at Feldcroft catacombs.
Imperio represents the second Unforgivable Curse, enabling temporary control over enemies during combat encounters. This spell proves particularly effective against powerful opponents when combined with environmental hazards or other curses for maximum damage output.
Advanced tactical applications include using Imperio on enemy spellcasters to turn them against their allies, creating chaotic battlefield conditions that disrupt enemy formations. The controlled target will attack their former comrades for approximately 30 seconds, providing valuable breathing room during difficult encounters.
Avada Kedavra stands as the most infamous Unforgivable Curse, delivering instant fatal results to most adversaries. While boss enemies possess resistance requiring multiple castings or combined tactics, standard foes succumb immediately to this green-flashed death spell.
The acquisition process for Avada Kedavra occurs later in Sebastian’s questline during the “In the Shadow of the Relic” mission. This represents your final opportunity to learn all three curses through narrative choices.
Avada Kedavra’s instant-kill capability revolutionizes combat efficiency against standard enemy types.
Strategic implementation involves combining Avada Kedavra with other curses for maximum effectiveness. For example, using Imperio to control powerful enemies while eliminating their allies with the killing curse creates devastating combat synergies. The spell operates on a cooldown timer, preventing spam usage but remaining available for regular deployment throughout extended engagements.
Common optimization mistakes include attempting Avada Kedavra against curse-resistant bosses without proper preparation, or wasting the spell on minor enemies when it could better serve against tougher opponents. Plan your curse usage around enemy types and encounter difficulty for optimal resource management.
For players seeking comprehensive gameplay guidance, our Complete Guide offers extensive strategic frameworks applicable across different game systems.
Action Checklist
- Progress main story until Sebastian’s family home visit in Autumn
- Complete ‘In The Shadow Of The Study’ and learn Crucio through strategic dialogue choices
- Advance through second trial to reach Winter season
- Meet Sebastian in Undercroft and progress through Feldcroft catacomb mission
- Complete ‘In the Shadow of the Relic’ for Avada Kedavra
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Hogwarts Legacy – How To Use Unforgivable Curses And The Consequences Of Using Them Master the Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy with strategic acquisition and combat optimization
