If you are a Hogwarts Legacy or wizarding fan who is interested in the Dark Arts then you’ll be pleased to know that you will be able to learn all three of the most powerful dark spells in the wizarding world. These three spells are called the Unforgivable Curses and consist of: Crucio, Imperio and Avada Kedavra.
According to lore and the history of the wizarding world, the Ministry of Magic had classified these three curses as Unforgivable and it would be illegal to perform any of them from 1717, and those that were caught using them would be strictly penalised. However, in the Hogwarts Legacy game you will be able to cast these Unforgivable Curses without receiving any consequences at all, which is good news for those who are looking to dabble in the Dark Arts. This article will work as a guide for those who want to know exactly how to unlock all three of the Unforgivable Curses and also explain what each of the spells actually do.
Something to note about these Unforgivable Curses is that if you are a gamer who thinks it would be unethical to use these spells then you do have the option to not learn any of the spells since they aren’t found in the main quests nor are they required for any classes. You don’t even need to worry about missing out on any gameplay or quests either because you’ll actually be able to go through the following Unforgivable Curse quests and choose not to learn them at the end.
In order to find the quests that you’ll need to complete to get the Unforgivable Curses you’ll need to interact with a Slytherin classmate, who goe by the name of Sebastian Sallow and then go through his quest line.
How to Learn Every Unforgivable Curse
Unlocking Crucio
Quest: In the Shadow of the Study
Recommended Level: 16
In order to unlock the first Unforgivable Curse, Crucio, you’ll need to start a quest called “In the Shadow of the Study”. Once you’ve started this quest you’ll then meet Sebastian outside of the Slytherin common room, where he’ll tell you that only a Gaunt knows of the location of the scriptorium’s entrance. In order to find this you’ll need to try and convince a reluctant Ominis Gaunt to help you. Once you’re able to convince the Gaunt to help you you’ll then need to go and light the three nearby braziers in order to get the door to Slytherin’s Scriptorium to open.
Once you’ve done this you’re able to go inside, where you will then be approached by two interactable items near another locked door. The first item is a series of notes that have been left behind by Noctua Gaunt. You have to be certain that you want to go through with this mission because once you pass through the door you won’t be able to go back. Then on the right hand side of the note you will find some broken rubble, which you will use your Reparo spell on to put it back together. Then you’ll just have to speak to Ominis in order to unlock the door that leads to the next room.
Once in this room you will be confronted by three gates, with Slytherin lock puzzles. Here you will need to look for the symbols on each of the gates to help you solve the puzzles. If you are too slow and don’t manage to put in the correct symbols by the time the snake has made a full rotation then it will attack you. Whilst you are exploring the maze you also need to remember to keep an eye out for 3 more of Noctua’s lost notes.
When you finally step through the third gate you’ll find yourself in yet another corridor, where you will find the last note from Noctua, which is found near a locked door with just the word ‘crucio’ written on the floor. Then once you have done this you’ll go back and speak with Sebastian who will give you a choice, to either teach you Crucio or cast it on you. This is basically where you will get the choice of whether or not you want to learn this spell.
What does Crucio do?
Once you’ve then completed the short remainder of this quest you’ll finally be able to equip Crucio to a spell slot for combat, that is if you have chosen to learn it of course. When you cast the Crucio spell you’ll basically curse your targeted enemies and cause them to recoil in pain from this Unforgivable Curse and will also deal continued damage to them over time. The enemies that have been cursed with this spell will also take extra damage from future hits and attacks that you inflict on them.
Spell Upgrade – Crucio Mastery
If you want to upgrade your Crucio spell you can do so by spending a Talent point on Crucio Mastery and it’ll enhance your spell to also release a projectile that will curse the enemies that are in close proximity as well.
Unlocking Imperio
Quest: In the Shadow of Time
Recommended Level: 17
In order for your wizarding character to unlock the second Unforgivable Curse, the Imperio spell, you’ll need to start a quest called “In the Shadow of TIme.” Once you have successfully begun this quest you will meet Sebastian at the catacomb and enter it as well. Once inside you will face several spider enemies inside of this dungeon. It will be a good idea to have fire-based spells such as Incendio or Bombarda at the ready in order to have the upper hand once you engage in combat and it will also save time by helping you get through the spider webs.
Once you’ve fought off these spiders you will collect the Student Journal Entry, which will explain the barricades that will be blocking your path that you will need to take to get to the relic. Here you will want to use your Accio spell in order to move the heaps of bones to then use to build either bridges or archways to help you get to the next room.
Once you make it to the final room Sebastian will speak to you in a cutscene where he will discuss the Imperius Curse with you and then he will offer to teach it to you. Once again when you get to this final point of the quest you’ll be able to either learn or refuse the spell. If you do choose to learn this Unforgivable Spell you’ll be able to equip it to a spell slot at once.
What does Imperio do?
When you have successfully unlocked the spell you’ll be able to cast it on an enemy and they’ll temporarily be placed under your control. When they are in this state they will begin to fight against other enemies and help you in combat. Not only will these enemies help you in battle when they are cursed but they will also take reduced damage from other enemies, resulting in them becoming more powerful. Then when your spell wears off your enemy will still be cursed, which means that the damage you deal to this enemy will be extra as well.
Spell Upgrading – Imperio Mastery
If you decide to use one of your precious Talent points on Imperio Mastery then it will enhance the spell so that the enemies that you have cursed with this spell will also be able to curse other enemies with each of its successful strikes.
Unlocking Avada Kedavra
Quest: In the Shadow of the Relic
Recommended Level: 28
To unlock the final, most powerful, Unforgivable Spell, Avada Kedavra, you’ll need to start a quest called “In the Shadow of the Relic”. You will first need to speak with Ominis at the catacomb. Before you begin with this quest you’ll want to get ready by equipping some fire based spells so that you will have the upper hand when you battle Inferi and more spiders.
Whilst you are making your way through the catacomb you have to make it through quite an intense battle. Although in this article I wouldn’t want to give away too many spoilers as to what happens, a great tip for you to keep in mind is to focus on the boss because the Inferi will just continue spawning in repeated waves.
Then once you’ve successfully managed to survive this huge encounter you’ll get to exit the catacomb and speak with Sebastian. When you get to this point you’ll want to select the second option that will be prompted for you, and that option will be: “Everyone should know that curse.” Once you’ve done this you’ll then prompt an opportunity for Sebastian to teach you the final Unforgivable Curse, Avada Kedavra, that is if you choose “Yes, please.”
What does Avada Kedavra do?
The Avada Kedavra spell is arguably one of the most powerful spells you can unlock and it has the ability to kill enemies instantly, no matter the number of health points it has, although the final boss is the exception to this spell.
Spell Upgrading – Avada Kedavra Mastery
When you spend your Talent point on upgrading Avada Kedavra to Avada Kedavra Mastery it will enhance your spell so that you are not only able to instantly kill enemies but it will also kill all of the other cursed enemies.
Final Words
So, there you have a full guide and walkthrough to both unlocking each of the Unforgivable Curses as well as understanding them. Hopefully now you’ll have a better understanding of them when you boot up your game and go after them. Remember that if you have changed your mind and now want to learn the Unforgivable Curses after initially refusing to learn them, there is a chance to unlock them once you’ve completed the whole main quest line. All you will need to do is speak to Sebastian in the Undercroft, if he’s there, and then ask him to teach you them.
