Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t shy away from dark magic, allowing players to use Unforgivable Curses like Avada Kedavra, but there is a certain limit to their evil endeavors. In the main Harry Potter series, such spells were not taken lightly, and although Hogwarts Legacy acts as a prequel, the public reception of things like the Killing Curse will have shifted too dramatically between that time. Horcruxes in particular have been considered taboo since their conception, but the use of Avada Kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy hints at the possibility of students having access to this dark magic.
Every student in Hogwarts Legacy has access to Unforgivable Curses, although players can choose the path of light magic and avoid making use of these dark spells in combat. Killing dark wizards in Hogwarts Legacy comes at a price, both in the Dark Arts Battle Arena included in the game’s Deluxe Edition and in regular encounters. Even so, many players may set aside their scruples to cast Avada Kedavra, as the curse can put an immediate end to even difficult enemies. Should they wish to push their exploration of dark magic further, however, they may find that the most wicked uses of Avada Kedavra are never covered in Hogwarts Legacy.
Hogwarts Legacy Doesn’t Let Students Make Horcruxes
Those familiar with Harry Potter lore know that Avada Kedavra was the catalyst of Lord Voldemort’s power, as this fatal spell is key to creating Horcruxes. Killing another human was required to split a witch or wizard’s soul, part of which could then be hidden in an object for safekeeping. Although players can use Avada Kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy, they cannot use the act to create Horcruxes, with the absence of an overall morality system limiting its application. The game doesn’t pursue any further implications of the spell, like possible repercussions or the potential to create Horcruxes, and it doesn’t allow players to cast the Killing Curse on students, teachers, or civilians.
Horcruxes Would Affect Hogwarts Legacy Gameplay
Even though Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t include Horcruxes, DLC or a follow-up game could always lean further into a division between dark and light paths. Horcruxes likely wouldn’t have the same power as they do in traditional canon, as the threat of death is necessary to make combat encounters work, but they could be incorporated into gameplay under the right circumstances. Horcruxes could provide dark witches and wizards with an advantage in combat, like temporary invulnerability or flat damage reduction. Such perks would need to be offset by some disadvantages, like a smaller health pool or a poor reputation, incentivizing the choice of becoming a dark wizard while showcasing its side effects.
Fans who haven’t yet jumped into Hogwarts Legacy on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X/S will get a chance to cast some Unforgivable Curses now that it’s been released for PS4 and Xbox One, or on July 25 for Nintendo Switch. Players wanting to explore their dark side further with dark arts like Horcruxes, however, will just have to hope for expanded possibilities in the future. With Avada Kedavra being openly available to students, there’s no doubt that some witches and wizards will be tempted to make these soul-splitting artifacts. Hogwarts Legacy, however, doesn’t currently pursue the implications of the Killing Curse and the Horcruxes that could be created.
Editor’s Note: Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Although not directly involved in the development of Hogwarts Legacy, Rowling does stand to earn royalties from the game. We would like to reiterate our support for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. Support services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.
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