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I would argue that fantasy worlds have a unique ability that practically no other form of media can achieve. Fantasy settings have this innate ability to have fans invest in their lore and overworld, to the point that they commit what would otherwise be pure gobbledegook to memory. To put that in context, Lord of the Rings was able to have some of us commit the land of Middle Earth to memory to the point that we could be professional cartographers.
Then Star Trek urged many fans to learn Klingon, a language that you can now study as a major in certain universities. Through the sheer scale and the richness of the writing involved in the creation of these worlds, we have been able to place ourselves in these fantastical settings, and become one with their way of life. Well, on that note, I would say that Harry Potter is perhaps the best in this category.
The wizarding world Harry Potter birthed is chocked full of little details that allow fans to truly immerse and educate themselves as one would as a Hogwarts student. You can become an Auror in your own right by studying the jam-packed bestiary; you can head over to Pottermore and get sorted into your Hogwarts House; you can jump into the world of sport and become a Quidditch know-it-all.
Or, more relevant to our discussion today, you can become a wand-wielding maestro and learn every single spell, charm, curse, and incantation going. Up until now, grabbing a twig from the garden and swishing it around was the most realistic option, but with the release of Hogwarts Legacy, you can put your wand skills to the test in Duels, classes, and much more.
However, you might read words on a Tome like Flipendo, Wingardium Leviosa, and Alohamora, and think, what sort of jibberish is this? However, any Potter fan will recognize these immediately as common spells from the series, and with the help of this guide, you will be able to unlock and cast these spells with confidence and perfect form. So get over to Olivanders, pick up your wand, and let’s get cracking. This is RPG Informer’s Hogwarts Legacy Spells Guide!
Spell Types in Hogwarts Legacy
Before we start breaking down the individual spell types within this game, it’s best that we break down the different types of spells that you will encounter in Hogwarts Legacy. While every spell has a completely unique effect, they can all be broken down into four unique categories. So allow me to explain each of these below:
Combat Spells
Firstly, we have combat spells. These are the spells that are used primarily as a tool to deal damage within battles. There are a few of these spells that can serve you well for puzzles outside of battle, such as Confringo to light fires, for example. However, their use outside of fights is limited, making them most viable when going toe-to-toe with beasts, poachers, and goblins. These are marked in your spellbook in red.
Flexi Spells
Next, we have what I would call Flexi spells. Spells that are just as useful in battle as they are when exploring the open world. These spells tend to be those that have a physical effect on items, but also do the same thing to enemies. Take Accio as a prime example.
This is a spell used to pull things toward the player, which serves you well when solving puzzles, moving floating platforms, and collecting Field Guides. Then in combat, this is also a useful spell as it will allow you to draw enemies close to you, closing the gap and allowing you to put on a damage-dealing clinic from close quarters.
Utility Spells
Thirdly, we have utility spells. These are spells that serve no purpose in battle, but will allow you to interact with objects and structures within the open world. These are key for solving puzzles and exploring every nook and cranny within Hogwarts.
A prime example of this would be Repario, a spell that allows you to repair damaged structures and items such as bridges leading to new areas for example. I would also include all spells and items linked to the Room of Requirement and the Vivarium in this category, as they serve no purpose in battle.
Dark Art Spells
Then lastly, you have curses considered to be in line with ‘the Dark Arts.’ You know? The kind of spells that Voldemort and his crew would use with careless abandon. These, strictly speaking, are combat spells, but because they are seen as taboo within the wizarding world, they get their own category because, strictly speaking, the game gives you every chance to avoid learning these spells. However, if you are anything like me, you will jump at the chance to add these to your repertoire.
How to Unlock Spells
So you know what kind of spells are on offer, but how the heck do you unlock them? Well, allow me to break it down for you:
The Starting Line-Up
Before you even get let off the leash to explore this huge open world, the game will have you complete the linear opening act of this game, and then attend a few classes. Within this time, you get your hands on a few rudimentary spells that will serve as the foundation from which you can build all of your spellcasting knowledge. Here are all the spells that the player gets from completion of the tutorial:
- Protego
- Revelio
- Basic Cast
- Lumos
- Levioso
- Accio
Quicktime Magic
As you complete quests and progress the story, you will be taught spells by professors and other characters within the game. When you stumble across such an opportunity, you will be prompted to complete a simple QuickTime event which has you mimic the motion of the wand needed to cast each spell. Is it pointless? Absolutely, but you’ll need to do this every time, so you better get used to it.
Ways to Unlock
Aside from completing a simple Quicktime event, you will need to do various things even to earn the opportunity to partake in such a mundane task. There are a number of ways that the player can unlock spells in this game, but most relate to completing quests. Here is a quick list of tasks that you’ll need to prioritize if you want access to the full spellcasting arsenal:
- Complete story quests
- Complete assorted side quests
- Complete additional Classroom Assignments
A Comprehensive Hogwarts Legacy Spell Guide
Okay, so now that we have covered Hogwarts Legacy spells 101, it’s time to bump you up to the advanced class. Below, we will break down each and every spell listed within the spellbook, granting you info on how to specifically unlock the spell, what the spell does, and how to get the most out of each cast. Okay, wands at the ready.
Combat Spells
Basic Cast
- How to Unlock: Learned in the tutorial
- Uses: To supplement bulkier spells and keep combos alive
There isn’t a tonne to say here. This is equivalent to swinging a sword in a melee-based game. This allows you to deal petty damage while your stronger spells and abilities recharge.
Protego
- How to Unlock: Unlocked in the tutorial
- Uses: Blocking
This is a spell that allows you to deflect and block incoming attacks from enemies. This can sometimes allow you to deflect and then redirect blunt objects with the use of Ancient Magic. Do note that while this will stop a lot of attacks, there are some that will break through, meaning you will need to dodge those.
Stupefy
- How to Unlock: Unlocked in the tutorial
- Uses:Â parrying
This is the spell that will trigger when you hold Protego a little longer. This will launch a countercharm at the enemy, stunning them and leaving them open for another devastating combo. This is great for crowd control, and can be upgraded to deal damage too.
Incendio
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Hecat’s first batch of assignments
- Uses: To set items on fire, and light enemies ablaze from close range
I’ll be honest, as soon as you learn confringo, Incendio really drops down the pecking order in terms of usefulness, but in the early hours of the game, this is an essential spell. Incendio allows you to cast fire which will engulf anything or anyone in close proximity. Plus, this can be upgraded to deal an additional AoE attack. To unlock this, you will need to complete Professor Hecat’s first batch of assignments which require you to compete in Crossed Wands, and practice combos with the wooden dummy.
Bombarda
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Howin’s assignments
- Uses: Deals huge damage in the form of an explosion; can also be used to clear debris
Bombarda is a spell that you won’t get until you are a good bit into the game, but it’s well worth the wait, as this explosive charm can deal devastating blast damage. To unlock this spell, you need to complete Professor Howin’s additional assignments, which require you to catch a Diricawl and a Giant Purple Toad using your Nab-Sack.
Confringo
- How to Unlock: Complete ‘The Shadow of the Undercroft’ side quest
- Uses: This allows you to light items and enemies on fire from range
As I said above, this spell is like Incendio, but better. It allows you to do everything that Incendio does, but with concentrated fire at range. Incendio is the better choice if you want to light lots of enemies or items on fire at once, but for one direct hit in the form of a fireball, Confringo is the way to go. This is unlocked by completing the side quest, ‘The Shadow of the Undercroft.’
Diffindo
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Sharp’s second batch of assignments
- Uses: Uses a slash attack to deal damage to enemies
I was a little sad that Diffindo didn’t have the same effect that it did in the PS2 Chamber of Secrets tie-in game, where you could cut down tapestries to reveal secret areas. However, while it’s not a useful tool for exploration, it’s a real boon for the player in battle. This allows the player to perform a slash attack from range. To unlock, you need to complete Professor Sharp’s second batch of assignments, which includes brewing and using both a Thunderjaw potion and an Invisibility Potion.
Petrificus Totalus
- How to Unlock: Unlocked automatically when you acquire Disillusionment
- Uses: Stealth kills
This is a spell that comes hand in hand with learning Disillusionment. While sneaking around in the presence of enemies, if you manage to get right behind one of them without them noticing, you can perform a stealth takedown, casting Petriicous Totalus to petrify your foes. This can also be upgraded to have an AOE effect which will silently take down other enemies in close proximity.
Expelliarmus
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Hecat’s second batch of assignments
- Uses: Damages enemies, and if they are holding a weapon. This spell also disarms them.
One of my personal favorite spells within the game, and that’s not just because it’s fun to shout. This spell allows you to deal damage, and disarm enemies, launching their weapon into the air, leaving them vulnerable and defenseless. This can be combined with Ancient Magic to catch their weapon in mid-air and launch it at them. It’s super satisfying, trust me.
This is unlocked by completing Professor Hecat’s second batch of assignments, which includes casting Incendio on five enemies, and doing ten successful dodge rolls.
Flexi Spells
Accio
- How to Unlock: Unlocked in Tutorial
- Uses: Pulling items, solving puzzles, and pulling enemies closer
Accio is one of the more versatile spells in the game, allowing you to pull items into your grasp from a distance, allowing you to maneuver platforms, open drawers, and containers, and it can also be used to drag enemies into a range where you can pummel them with ease. This is unlocked in the tutorial after completing professor Rowen’s first lesson, where you also get introduced to Summoner’s Court. This is best combined with spells like Leviso or Descendo.
Levioso
- How to Unlock: Unlocked in Tutorial
- Uses: Used to make items, platforms, and enemies levitate on the spot
Not to be mistaken with Wingardium Levisoa (which we will get to later), Levioso is a spell that allows you to lift pretty much any interactable object or entity in the game, and have it float in place. This allows you to create high platforms to reach new areas, allows you to solve statue puzzles around the castle, and also allows you to loft enemies into the air, leaving them stunned and helpless. This is unlocked in the tutorial after completing Professor Hecat’s first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.
Depulso
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Sharp’s first batch of assignments
- Uses: To push objects and enemies forward
Depulso is the antithesis of Accio, serving as a way to push enemies and objects away with gusto. This is used to solve a handful of puzzles and can blast open stiff or broken doors. However, this spell is at its best when you are using it in tandem with Levioso to toss enemies off cliffs and other high places.
This is unlocked by completing Professor Sharp’s first batch of assignments which require you to Brew and use a Focus potion, an Erduous Potion, and a Maxima potion. Plus, you will have to use the latter pair at the same time.
Descendo
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Onai’s assignments
- Uses: Slams floating items and enemies into the ground with force.
As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down. Now, it doesn’t have to come down with extreme force, but if you are fighting enemies, that’s exactly the effect you want. Descendo provides that effect, slamming any floating entity to the ground with an enormous thud. This is best paired with Levioso to lift the enemy, before bringing them down to earth. This is unlocked by completing Professor Onai’s assignments which include collecting Troll Bogeys, and casting Depulso on a levitating enemy.
Flipendo
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Garlick’s second batch of assignments
- Uses: To flip items and levers, as well as flip and disorientate enemies
A spell that was traditionally used as the basic attack spell in older Harry Potter games, Flipendo has had a glow-up and can now be used as a means of solving puzzles by flipping objects in the open world. Plus, this can also be used to knock back and stun enemies.
This spell is unlocked by completing Professor Garlick’s second batch of assignments. This will require you to grow and harvest Fluxweed. Then the player will also have to use a Chinese Chomping Cabbage, a Mandrake, and a Venomous Tentacula simultaneously in battle.
Glacius
- How to Unlock: Complete Madam Kogawa’s first batch of assignments
- Uses: Used to freeze objects and enemies
Did it just get a little chilly in here? Glacius is a spell that allows the player to freeze items and enemies, shooting out an icy breeze, and keeping objects frozen in place. This allows you to solve certain puzzles, but this is a spell that shines brighter in combat. This allows for crowd control, and is best combined with strong combat spells that can melt or shatter the ice in one blow.
This is unlocked by completing Madam Kogawa’s first batch of assignments, which see you pop large balloons around the Quidditch Pitch and over Hogsmeade Station.
Arresto Momentum
- How to Unlock: Complete Madam Kogawa’s second batch of assignments
- Uses: To slow down or completely pause the movement of objects and enemies
Have you ever been in the midst of a hectic battle and needed a little second to catch your breath? Well, Arresto Momentum is a spell that allows you that split second to stop, plan your next move, and then execute that plan. This is a great spell to use when getting rushed by a group of enemies, or a hulking boss.
Plus, this can be used to make puzzles much easier to complete. To unlock this one, you need to Complete Madam Kogawa’s second batch of assignments. This will require you to pop more big balloons, this time near The Spires and in Keenbridge Tower.
Transformation
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Weasley’s Assignment
- Uses: Allows you to alter the form of objects and enemies
When I think of Transformation, I immediately think of that rather unsettling scene in Harry Potter where a cat inexplicably morphs into Maggie Smith. Well, if you want to perform these unsettling illusions for yourself, you can when you learn Transformation.
This spell allows you to change objects in the open world to solve certain puzzles, and also allows you to transform enemies into inanimate, or even explosive objects. This is unlocked by completing Professor Weasley’s assignment, which will have you seek out secret field guide pages in the Underground Harbour, and in the Library.
Disillusionment
- How to Unlock: Taught by Sebastian Sallow during the Quest ‘Secrets of the Restricted Section.’
- Uses: Used for Stealth and for unlocking sentient chests and doors with eyes
You may not have an invisibility cloak sent by Uncle Sirius, but you will gain access to Disillusionment, which by all accounts, is just as useful. This spell allows you to camouflage yourself, and sneak around without being detected by prefects, enemies, or sentient chests containing lots of galleons! This is unlocked during the Quest ‘Secrets of the Restricted Section.’
Utility Spells
Revelio
- How to Unlock: Unlocks during the tutorial
- Uses: Reveals Field Guides and interactable objects in the open world
Even if you haven’t played a second of this game, you have probably seen the memes relating to how players have been using this spell throughout their playthroughs. Some people can’t walk two steps without instinctively casting this spell. This is unlocked during the tutorial and allows you to identify all kinds of items, objects, and enemies within the open world.
Alohamora
- How to Unlock: Must complete ‘The Caretaker’s Lunar Lament’ Quest
- Uses: Unlocks doors with locks in the world
This is a spell that is damn near essential if you want to see everything that Hogwarts has to offer. You will encounter lots of locked doors of various levels, and with the use of Alohamora, players will be able to open these locks, and then ransack all the goodies locked behind said doors. The initial level of this spell is unlocked by completing ‘The Caretaker’s Lunar Lament’ Quest. However, players will have to continue collecting Demiguise statues to gain the ability to unlock level II and level III locks.
Lumos
- How to Unlock: Unlocked in Tutorial
- Uses: Used to light dark areas, keep Devil’s Snare at bay, and used to solve Moth puzzles.
Let me shine a light on what this spell does. Lumos is a spell that can be cast to provide a burst of light from the tip of your want and illuminate dark rooms and areas. Plus, this spell can be used to guide moths to their respective frames for certain puzzles and keep Devil’s Snare off your back when exploring caves. This is unlocked in the tutorial.
Repario
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Rowen’s Assignments
- Uses: Repairing broken Objects
Arguably one of the most useless and situational spells in the game. Repario allows players to repair assets that have been smashed or broken. So if you come across a broken bridge, or some debris blocking your path, chances are that the game wants you to fix it. This can also be required to solve some puzzles.
This is unlocked by completing Professor Rowen’s Assignments which include collecting the Field Guide page flying around near the broken statue in the courtyard, and collecting the Field Guide flying around in the Defence Against the Dark Arts Tower.
Wingardium Leviosa
- How to Unlock: Complete Professor Garlick’s first batch of assignments
- Uses: Allows you to lift and maneuver objects in mid-air
It’s Leviosa, not Levio-sa. This spell is a lot like Leviso, but it is used to maneuver floating objects rather than simply have them float on the spot. This mainly allows you to move platforms and objects to solve puzzles and reach new areas. Oh, and a quick tip. You don’t need to give it a spell slot, because holding Accio will automatically trigger this spell.
This is unlocked by completing Professor Garlick’s first batch of assignments, which include acquiring and using a Venomous Tentacula and using a Mandrake in the presence of multiple enemies.
The Dark Arts
Crucio
- How to Unlock: Complete ‘In The Shadow of the Study’
- Uses: Drains enemy’s HP over time
Crucio is the first of the unforgivable curses that you will be given the opportunity to learn, and it can be a very useful one indeed. This spell allows you to deal damage over time to any enemy affected. This is best used against bosses who also have fodder enemies to deal with. This means that you can cast this, take out the boss enemy’s goons, and still be dealing damage as you do so. This is unlocked during the ‘In The Shadow of the Relic’ quest given to the player by Sebastian Sallow.
Imperio
- How to Unlock: Complete the quest ‘In The Shadow of Time
- Uses: A mind control spell that causes enemies to fight alongside you.
Don’t you just hate it when enemies stand between you and progression? Well, what if you could briefly have them change allegiances and fight with you to take down their friends? You can, with the use of yet another unforgivable curse, Imperio. This spell takes control of weaker enemies and has them turn on their pals, taking them down so you can put your feet up and cast spells from a distance. This is unlocked during the quest ‘In The Shadow of Time, a quest given by Sebastian Sallow.
Avada Kedavra
- How to Unlock: Complete ‘In The Shadow of the Relic’
- Uses: Kills an enemy instantly
We all know this one. In fact, every time I pick up any object even remotely resembling a wand, I re-enact the final battle between Harry and the Dark Lord quoting, ‘Harry Potter, the boy who lived, come to die.’ Before screaming this curse at the top of my lungs. I can confirm, my cats, and my spouse hates this deeply.
My character flaws aside, you can use this in-game to instantly kill an enemy, and this can be upgraded to kill all cursed enemies, creating a lethal domino effect of sorts. As you would expect, this is a very potent spell. This is unlocked by competing ‘In The Shadow of the Relic,’ a quest given by, you guessed it, Sebastian Sallow.
Swish and Flick
As you can see, there are quite a few spells in Hogwarts Legacy for you to unlock and master. Most of these spells have multiple uses, and combine with other spells in weird and wonderful ways, allowing you to deal insane damage to your enemies with a mere flick of the wrist.
I have personally been under the spell of this magical title ever since its release, and it’s largely down to incredibly diverse and nuanced systems like the spells/combat system found in Hogwarts Legacy. After completing the collection of spells, I felt like a certified dueling badass, and you can too, if you follow this guide. I hope that this helps you become the component witch or wizard that you have always dreamed of, and as always, thanks for reading RPG Informer.
FAQ Section
Question: Which Spell is Most Powerful?
Answer: As you might have guessed, Avada Kedavra, the killing curse, is the most powerful spell, as it acts as a one-shot kill for most enemies. However, if you opt to be a goodie-two-shoes, then I would say that it is a toss-up between Bombarda, Diffindo, or perhaps surprisingly Depulso, as you can launch enemies off cliffs to their death.
Question: How Many Spells Can You Equip?
Answer: When you have unlocked all of the talents relating to hotkeys for spells, you will be able to switch between four sets of four without having to go into a static menu. So in total, you can have sixteen different spells equipped at one time, and switch between them on the fly.
Question: How Do I Unlock Alohamora Level Three?
Answer: If you complete Caretaker Moon’s quest, you will gain access to the base level of this spell and be able to unlock level one locks. However, if you want to unlock level three locks, you will need to gain access to Alohamora III, which is only granted to witches and wizards who collect all 30 Demiguise statues.
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