There are a lot of possible spells to learn in Hogwarts Legacy, and the majority can be equipped into four slots. Eight spells are considered “Essential” that are always active, such as Revelio, the first main spell the main character learns. The remaining spells are all slottable and can be used during combat, puzzles, and traverse the environment.
Throughout the world of Hogwarts Legacy, you will have to learn new spells to uncover all that the world has to offer. Many of these are possible to learn in class or from teachers, but others are acquirable elsewhere. Of these, it is also possible to upgrade some of them to deal more damage or have a stronger effect. Learning how to manage these spells is the only way to get them to the end of the game.
Essential Spells in Hogwarts Legacy
There are eight “Essential” spells that are always usable. These spells will allow you to traverse the world and find all copies of the Field Guide’s pages. All of them are learned during the main quests in Hogwarts Legacy.
SPELL |
EFFECT |
|---|---|
Base Cast |
Fires a bolt of magic |
Protego |
Deflects spells |
Stupefy |
Stuns an opponent, used with Protego |
Revelio |
Reveals hidden objects |
Ancient Magic |
Deals a large amount of damage or neutralizes the opponent |
Ancient Magic Throw |
Throws objects at enemy |
Alohomora |
Unlocks Doors |
Petrificus Totalus |
Incapacitates Enemies |
How To Unlock All Spells, Including Dark Arts
The remaining spells can be slotted to be used by the main four buttons. There are always four slots available in which you can map spells to create the best builds in Hogwarts Legacy. These slots correspond to the Action buttons on a controller. Later you will be able to have more than one array saved for a combination of four spells, but at the beginning, only one slot will be available.
You can do this by hovering over a selected spell and pressing the Action button they want to use to trigger it. Notably, the last six spells have to do with the Room of Requirement and Beast Care and do not have much effect in the world. Here are all slottable spells and how to unlock them:
SPELL |
UNLOCK |
EFFECT |
TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
Arresto Momento |
Madame Kogawa's Assignment II |
Slows both objects and enemies, giving you extra time to plan your next move. |
Control |
Glacius |
Madame Kogawa's Assignment I |
Freezes enemies, increasing the damage they take from follow-up attacks. |
Control |
Levioso |
Main Quest - Defence Against the Dark Arts Class |
Levitates objects and enemies. Helpful in solving puzzles and surprising enemies alike. |
Control |
Transformation |
Professor Weasley's Assignment |
Transforms objects and enemies into alternate forms, whether puzzle solutions or harmless knickknacks. |
Control |
Accio |
Main Quest - Charm's Class |
Summons a variety of objects and enemies to close range. Certain magical and heavy objects require sustained effort to pull close. When a summoned object reaches you, you will automatically cast Wingardium Leviosa to continue levitating and controlling it without additional button inputs. |
Force |
Depulso |
Professor Sharp's Assignment I |
Repels many types of objects and enemies with considerable force. Although it does not directly damage foes, enemies and objects alike can be launched into each other with destructive results. Also useful for pushing and spinning objects for a variety of purposes. |
Force |
Descendo |
Professor Onai's Assignment I |
Deals no direct damage, but objects and enemies that are slammed to the ground will suffer considerable impact damage. Airborne enemies will take even greater damage upon hitting the ground. |
Force |
Flipendo |
Professor Garlick's Assignment II |
Flips objects and enemies upwards and backward. With its short cooldown, it is excellent for setting up and extending juggles. Its ability to flip objects instantly is useful for solving puzzles and exploiting certain enemies' weaknesses. |
Force |
Diffindo |
Professor Sharps's Assignment II |
Slashes objects and enemies from afar, dealing considerable damage. |
Damage |
Confringo |
Main Quest - In the Shadow of the Undercroft |
A long-range bolt that deals damage on impact. Enemies hit with fire-based attacks will continue to take damage for a few seconds, during which time collisions will result in incendiary bursts. |
Damage |
Expelliarmus |
Professor Hecat's Assignment II |
Disarms wands and weapons from most enemies who wield them. Also deals damage to all enemies, even if they do not carry a weapon. |
Damage |
Bombarda |
Professor Howin's Assignment |
Deals heavy damage on impact, accompanied by an explosion that can destroy heavy obstacles and hit surrounding enemies. |
Damage |
Incendio |
Professor Hecat's Assignment I |
Its range is short and requires you to be close to the target. This spell deals significant damage and lights certain objects on fire. Enemies hit with fire-based attacks will continue to take damage for a few seconds, during which time collisions will result in incendiary bursts. |
Damage |
Lumos |
Tutorial |
Allows you to see in dark areas or solve puzzles that require extra light |
Utility |
Reparo |
Professor Ronan's Assignment I |
Allows you to quickly return certain damaged objects to their former states. |
Utility |
Disillusionment |
Main Quest - Secrets of the Restricted Section |
Causes you to blend into your surroundings, making it more difficult for others to perceive you. Perfect for sneaking or approaching enemies undetected to cast Petrificus Totalus. |
Utility |
Wingardium Leviosa |
Professor Garlick's Assignment I |
Levitates and controls a moveable object. Control its position with your movement and use directional inputs to fine-tune its distance and rotation. It is automatically cast on summoned objects. |
Utility |
In the Shadow of the Relic - Side Quest |
Kills enemies instantly |
Unforgivable Curse |
|
In the Shadow of the Study - Side Quest |
Causes most enemies to writhe in pain as they take damage over time. Also curses the victim - and cursed enemies take extra damage. |
Unforgivable Curse |
|
Imperio |
In the Shadow of Time - Side Quest |
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. |
Unforgivable Curse |
Evanesco |
Main Quest - Room of Requirement |
Vanishes items and returns moonstone when cast within the Room of Requirement. |
Transfiguration |
Altering Spell |
Alter the physical forms and features of items when cast within the Room of Requirement. |
Transfiguration |
|
Conjuring Spell |
Conjures items into existence when cast within the Room of Requirement |
Transfiguration |
|
Beast Petting Brush |
Main Quest - Beasts Class |
A brush that can be used to groom beasts |
Utility - Beast Care |
Beast Feed |
Food to feed beasts |
Utility - Beast Care |
|
Nab Sack |
Main Quest - The Elf, the Nab-Sack, and the Loom Side Quest |
A charmed bag that can be used to rescue and hold beasts |
Utility - Beast Care |
You can upgrade spells by spending Talent points. As spells are unlocked, it is worth spending time dueling at Crossed Wands or practicing on training dummies to learn how each spell works and manage the cooldown. This will allow you to have time to understand the spells and develop spell combos in Hogwarts Legacy as you get used to using them regularly.
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 for trans rights and that trans identities are valid. services are listed below for trans people impacted by discussions of transphobia.
In the USA:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
In Canada:
- Trans Lifeline: (877) 330-6366
- Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688
In the UK:
- Switchboard: 01273 204050
- Mermaids: 0808 801 0400
