All Hogwarts Legacy spells and how to unlock them

Hogwarts Legacy spells
(Image credit: Warner Bros Games. Interactive)

Unlocking Hogwarts Legacy spells is tied to the story so there's no shortcut to getting new magic - you just have to play the campaign and take spells as you get them. However, knowing when and where you'll learn new spells means you can at least know when things are coming. And, if you want to fast track a certain ability, you can always hold off on a few side missions to get to the part you need sooner. 

For example, something like Alohomora lets you unlock Hogwarts Legacy Level 1 locks but you won't learn it until a specific side mission in Hogwarts Legacy. So if you spend a lot of time doing side quests you'll take longer to learn that magic and won't be able to open those door for longer. So, let me show you when and where everything unlocks. Eventually you'll have enough that you'll need more Hogwarts Legacy spell slots to carry everything, so bear that in mind. But for now here's a guide to every spell in Hogwarts Legacy, what they do, and where you learn them.

Casting a spell in Hogwarts Legacy

(Image credit: Warner Bros Games. Interactive)

All Hogwarts Legacy spells 

Here's every Hogwarts Legacy spell, roughly in the order they appear in, and with the mission you need to complete to learn them:

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Hogwarts Legacy spells
SpellWhat it doesMission
RevelioReveals hidden items, puzzles, or points of interestPath to Hogwarys
LumosCreates light from the tip of your wandPath to Hogwarts
ProtegoShields you from attacksPath to Hogwarts
StupefyStuns enemies when cast during a successful Protego castPath to Hogwarts
LeviosoAllows you to float enemiesDefence Against The Dark Arts
AccioPulls enemies or items to youCharms
ReparoFixes broken itemsProfessor Ronen's Assignment
IncendioShoots flames from your wandProfessor Hecat's First Assignment
DisillusionmentTurns you almost invisibleSecrets of the Restricted Section
ExpelliarmusDisarms or damages your opponentProfessor Hecat's Second Assignment
DepulsoShoves enemies backwardsProfessor Sharp's First Assignment
EvanescoMakes your items larger or smallerRoom of Requirement
Conjuring SpellCreates itemsRoom of Requirement
Altering SpellChanges the style of itemsRoom of Requirement
ConfringoEmits a fiery blast from your wandIn the Shadow of the Undercroft
DiffindoCuts opponent from afarProfessor Sharp's Second Assignment
Glacius Freezes your opponentMadam Kogawa's First Assignment
Wingardium LeviosaAllows you to levitate and move itemsProfessor Garlick's Assignment
Arresto MomentumStops opponents from advancingMadam Kogawa's Second Assignment
Petrificus TotalusPetrifies opponent when used with Disillusionment charmProfessor Rackham's Trial
DescendoSends enemies smashing to the groundProfessor Onai's Assignment
AlohomoraUnlocks door and chest locksThe Caretaker's Lunar Lament
FlippendoReverses an enemy's attack or sends them tumbling backwardProfessor Garlick's Second Assignment
BombardaCreates an explosionProfessor Howin's Assignment

There are also some non-combat spells that usually operate separately to the 'main' spell casting. Revelio, for example, largely works as wizard vision and is cast by tapping left on the d-pad. While something like Disillusionment basically operates as a stealth mode and is vital if you want to open all the Hogwarts Legacy Eye chests.

Three spells can also only be used in the Hogwarts Legacy Room of Requirement to construct and decorate it. So not ones you want equipped all the the time.

Hogwarts Legacy unforgivable curses

Hogwarts Legacy casting crucio

(Image credit: Warner Brothers)

There are three unforgivable curses in Hogwarts Legacy to use if you follow Sebastian Sallow's storyline:

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How to unlock Unforgivable Curses in Hogwarts Legacy
CurseWhat it doesMission to unlock it
CrucioTortures the target with excruciating painIn the Shadow of the Study
ImperioForces the opponent to fight for youIn the Shadow of Time
Avada KedavraImmediately kills your opponentIn the Shadow of the Relic

Unforgivable curses can't be learned in school, so you need to follow Sebastian Sallow's storyline to get them. There's no morality system to punish you for using these spells though. So while they're called 'unforgivable' and using any of them even once should see you sent to wizard prison Azkaban for life, Hogwarts Legacy just lets you use them whenever. Characters will react to you using them but there's no real punishment. 

You can choose to not learn entirely, learn and then never use them, or fire them out all over the places - there's no penalty whatever you choose and you won't miss out on anything.

Hogwarts Legacy spell colors and types

The spell slot selection window in Hogwarts legacy

(Image credit: Warner Brothers)

There are four spell colors in Hogwarts Legacy that denote different spell types: 

  • Yellow spells are control spells, like Levioso
  • Purple spells are force spells, like Accio
  • Red spells are damage spells, like Confringo
  • Grey spells are 'essential' spells, or non-optional spells you need to progress such as Lumos

The main benefit of these spell colors in Hogwarts Legacy is that during combat shields with a certain color can only be broken by a spell that matches that color.

How many spells are there in Hogwarts Legacy?

Hogwarts Legacy how many spells

(Image credit: Warner Brothers)

There are 27 spells in Hogwarts legacy, including the three unforgivable curses. However, you can still unlock the Spell Master achievement with the core set of magic, as the unforgivables are not mandatory to progress through the game.

The release of Hogwarts Legacy has been the subject of criticism and debate due to J.K. Rowling’s public stance on gender identity, which continues to challenge the inclusivity at the heart of the Harry Potter community. Here is our explainer on the Hogwarts Legacy controversy.

Leon Hurley
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides, which means I run GamesRadar's guides and tips content. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website. 

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