If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you already know all about the unforgivable curses and what they do in the wizarding world.

If Hogwarts Legacy is your first encounter with these curses, then you need to know that these are the deadliest spells you can use in the game. In fact, they’re so bad that I imagine some people would struggle to use them without feeling terrible after.

This guide is for people that can stomach the use of unforgivable curses. It discusses how you can get them in Hogwarts Legacy and use them to the best effect.

But first, let’s talk briefly about each one.

What Are The Unforgivable Curses?

There are three unforgivable curses in Potter lore: the Imperius, Cruciatus, and Killing Curse.

Imperius Curse

imperio

Description: Temporarily forces enemies to fight as if they were your companion. While under your control, they take reduced damage from other enemies to prolong their allegiance to you. Also curses the victim – and cursed enemies take extra damage.

Spell: Imperio

The Imperius Curse is particularly useful in large battles where you’re outnumbered. It helps to have a few allies – even if they’re temporary – and casting this spell offers that.

It can also be useful in situations where you want to infiltrate an enemy camp stealthily. Simply use the Disillusionment charm, quietly cast the Imperius curse on an enemy from a distance, and watch them go to war with their partners for you.

Cruciatus Curse

crucio

Description: Causes most enemies to writhe in pain as they take damage over time. Also curses the victim – and cursed enemies take extra damage.

Spell: Crucio

The Cruciatus Curse is particularly useful when dueling strong enemies. Basic Cast and Damage spells might not do much harm to the health meters of these enemies, so you’ll find more success with Crucio.

Killing Curse

avada kedavra

Description: Kills enemies instantly

Spell: Avada Kedavra

The deadliest spell in the game, and it does not need much more explanation. You can’t rely on using it alone due to the spell cooldown period, but it is the most effective when available.

How To Use The Unforgivable Curses

There are two ways by which you can access Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy – the Dark Arts Battle Arena and a quest line within the game.

The Dark Arts Battle Arena

dark arts map

If you purchased the Deluxe Edition of the game, then you have access to the Dark Arts Battle Arena which is situated in the North-Western area outside Hogwarts (indicated in the screenshot of the map above).

In this arena, you have to fight against waves of enemies with the three Unforgivable Curses as well as the Confringo spell.

The battles last as long as you can, and it is a very fun way of experiencing combat in the game and trying out the Unforgivable Curses with no repercussions.

If you bought the Standard Edition, then it might be worth upgrading to the Deluxe Edition if you want this bonus content.

However, if you cannot or do not want to purchase the Deluxe Edition, you can still access the Unforgivable Curses. You’ll just have to be a lot more patient.

Sebastian Sallow’s Quest Line

Sebastian crucio

While playing through the main quests in Hogwarts Legacy, you will be presented with several side quests and relationship quests as well.

Some of these quests tie into the main story in some way, and one example is Sebastian Sallow’s quest line.

Sebastian Sallow is one of the most important characters in the game not only because of his story, but because he is the only one that is willing to teach you the Unforgivable curses in the game.

Sebastian’s quest line, “In the Shadow” is split into five parts, but the first real mention of an Unforgivable Curse occurs during the quest “In the Shadow of the Study”.

Sebastian’s Cruciatus Curse

Sebastian slytherin

During this quest, you accompany Sebastian and another character, Ominis Gaunt into Slytherin’s Scriptorium in search of answers to a curse placed on Sebastian’s sister.

At some point, Sebastian offers to teach you the Cruciatus curse, and if you accept, you can choose to practice it or have him show you instead. Either way, the spell will become available for use to you from then onwards.

One important thing to note about learning these curses from Sebastian is that his decision to teach you depends on your answers to questions that he asks. So, don’t be shy and make it clear whenever you’re asked that you would like to know more about the Dark Arts.

Sebastian’s Imperius Curse

The second Unforgivable curse that Sebastian offers to teach you is Imperio, and it happens during the quest “In the Shadow of Time”.

You and Sebastian visit his childhood town of Feldcroft to find an ancient relic in an underground tomb, and the spell becomes available upon completion of that quest (assuming you accept the offer to be taught).

Sebastian’s Killing Curse

Sebastian only offers to teach you the Killing Curse much later in the story. In fact, you must have achieved level 28 (out of 40) and be nearing the final quest before you can learn this curse.

The quest is named “In The Shadow of the Relic” and it involves a duel with a major character in the game (no spoilers!).

Unlike games like Red Dead Redemption where you’re docked honor points when you do something considered “dishonorable”, Hogwarts Legacy does not punish you for using the Unforgivable curses which is probably a good thing.

What If You Miss A Curse?

If, by mistake, you refuse Sebastian’s offer to teach you an Unforgivable curse, don’t worry. When you complete his quest line, you can always go back to the Undercroft where he taught you Confringo in the earlier stages of the game.

There, he’ll offer again to teach you the curse, and you can accept the offer this time.

Improving The Unforgivable Curses

avada kedavra mastery

A very effective way to make these deadly curses even deadlier is by assigning talent points to increase their potency.

If you go to the “Talents” section of the game menu and choose “Dark Arts”, you will see skill upgrades there that make the three curses more effective.

For instance, once you’ve achieved level 22, you can assign a talent point to improve the potency of Avada Kedavra. Doing this will make the curse kill all curse enemies rather than just the enemy that you cast the spell on.

The same applies to the Cruciatus curse and the Imperius Curse, and you’ll see how the skill upgrades make each one better with the screenshots attached below.

crucio mastery
imperio mastery

If you’re looking to be the most terrible dark witch/wizard that you can possibly be in this game, check out the best talent build for the Dark Arts and apply the tips to your character. Happy cursing!