Hogwarts Legacy FAQ: What We Know So Far
After the Hogwarts Legacy State of Play on March 17, 2022, the official Hogwarts Legacy website updated their list of Frequently Asked Questions. However, I know players are still asking questions! These Hogwarts Legacy FAQ should help.
Hogwarts Legacy FAQ About Gameplay
Have a question about Hogwarts Legacy gameplay mechanics? Find the answer here!
What kind of game is Hogwarts Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world, role-playing game (RPG) set in the wizarding world during the late 1800s.
Is Hogwarts Legacy a multiplayer game?
Hogwarts Legacy is a single-player game.
Can I choose my Hogwarts House?
Yes, you can choose your Hogwarts House at the beginning of Hogwarts Legacy.
What spells can I cast in Hogwarts Legacy?
Based on the trailer and the gameplay footage, the following spells will be available in Hogwarts Legacy. Some of these are not audibly cast, but their effects can be seen in duels, in combat, and through other actions.
- Accio (Summoning Charm)
- Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse)
- Bombarda (Exploding Charm)
- Confringo (Blasting Curse)
- Depulso (Banishing Charm)
- Descendo (causes object to fall or move downwards)
- Diffindo (Severing Charm)
- Disillusionment Charm
- Expelliarmus (Disarming Charm)
- Glacius (Freezing Spell)
- Incendio (Fire-Making Spell)
- Levioso (Levitation Spell)
- Locomotor (Locomotion Charm)
- Lumos (Wand-Lighting Charm)
- Oppugno (Oppugno Jinx; directs object to attack target)
- Petrificus Totalus (Full Body-Bind Curse)
- Protego (Shield Charm)
- Reducto (Reductor Curse)
- Reparo (Mending Charm)
- Stupefy (Stunning Spell)
Other spells are written on the walls of the Charms classroom. Thanks to Lynette of Wizard PhD for helping me finish this list!
- Aberto
- Aguamenti
- Alohomora
- Avis
- Colloportus
- Confundo
- Deprimo
- Diminuendo
- Dissendium
- Engorgio
- Episkey
- Expecto Patronum
- Glisseo
- Immobulus
- Lacarnum Inflammarae (note: spelling difference)
- Legilimens
- Mobiliarbus
- Mobilicorpus
- Nox
- Periculum
- Piertotum Locomotor
- Portus
- Protego Horribilis
- Quietus
- Reducio
- Relashio
- Rennervate
- Repello Inimicum
- Repello Muggletum
- Revelio
- Rictusempra
- Riddikulus
- Scourgify
- Sonorous (note spelling: Sonorus is a different spell)
- Specialis Revelio
- Tarantallegra
- Tergeo
- Vermillious
- Waddiwasi
- Wingardium Leviosa
Keep in mind that not all of these spells are actually found in the original Harry Potter books. Some originate in the films or in other Harry Potter games.
Can I duel other players in Hogwarts Legacy?
The gameplay footage shows the main character dueling another student in their Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Aside from classroom duels, you will also have the opportunity to engage in magical combat with other characters. However, you will not duel other players, since Hogwarts Legacy is not a multiplayer game. You will only duel non-playable characters (NPCs).
Can I play Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy?
Right now, we do not know if Quidditch will be an option in Hogwarts Legacy.
Can I fly on a broom in Hogwarts Legacy?
Yes, you can fly on a broom in Hogwarts Legacy! You can take a Flying class to improve your broomstick flying skills. Flying by broom is a form of travel in Hogwarts Legacy, and players can also compete in broom races.
Hogwarts Legacy FAQ About the Story
According to the Hogwarts Legacy website, “The story has players experiencing life as a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like never before, as they live the unwritten and embark on a dangerous journey to uncover a hidden truth of the wizarding world.”
Hogwarts Legacy is an original story inspired by J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world.
When does Hogwarts Legacy take place?
Hogwarts Legacy takes place in the late 1800s. The gameplay footage briefly shows a copy of The Daily Prophet with the date September 1, 1890. However, we do not know if that is from the beginning of the story or later.
Will I meet Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, or Hermione Granger?
Hogwarts Legacy will not feature Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, or Hermione Granger because they are not born yet!
Will I meet any famous Harry Potter characters?
Albus Dumbledore was born in 1881, so it’s possible we might meet him at some point.
The Hogwarts House ghosts, plus Peeves, all existed in the 1800s, so players could meet them! Gameplay footage shows both Nearly Headless Nick and Peeves.
Hogwarts Legacy might also choose to introduce characters from Chocolate Frog Cards. J.K. Rowling wrote many of these character descriptions herself. Below you can find a list of all Chocolate Frog Card witches and wizards alive in the 1890s. However, based on the birthdates and death dates, most characters are unlikely to be in Hogwarts Legacy.
- Cassandra Vablatsky, 1894 – 1997
- Dorcas Wellbeloved, 1812 – 1904
- Hesper Starkey, 1881 – 1973
- Justus Pilliwickle, 1862-1953
- Laverne de Montmorency, 1823 – 1893
- Leopoldina Smethwyck, 1829 – 1910
- Norvel Twonk, 1888 – 1957
- Oswald Beamish, 1850 – 1932
- Roderick Plumpton, 1889-1987
- Sacharissa Tugwood, 1874 – 1966
Out of these characters, two are the most likely candidates to appear in Hogwarts Legacy. Sacharissa Tugwood would be a student in 1890, but we don’t know if she attended Hogwarts.
Oswald Beamish was a pioneer of Goblin rights, so players might meet him as we progress through the story.
Finally, players could meet two characters from the Noble House of Black: Phineas Nigellus Black and/or his son, Sirius Black II.
Phineas Nigellus Black first became a teacher at Hogwarts and eventually became Headmaster (the most unpopular Hogwarts Headmaster of all time, according to his great-great-grandson, Sirius Black). We do not know when this happened, but there’s a strong chance he could be at Hogwarts during the 1890s.
Sirius Black II was born in 1877, meaning he would be a student at Hogwarts during the 1890s.
Why are players starting as a Fifth Year?
According to Game Director Alan Tew, “We start you as a late-fifth year so you needn’t hold back on the kinds of adventures (and themes) you might want to explore.”
As a Fifth Year, you can visit Hogsmeade, and your magic is powerful enough to start learning fun spells. No need to agonize over Wingardium Leviosa!
Hogwarts Legacy will offer an explanation for your late start at Hogwarts. “Players will get to experience what it was like for Harry starting at a new wizarding school and knowing no one at all. And, like Harry, the player’s character is a bit of a celebrity from the outset due to the fact that they are starting as a fifth-year and because they survived a—” explains Narrative Lead Moira Squier.
Can I make friends in Hogwarts Legacy?
You will have the opportunity to befriend certain Hogwarts students in Hogwarts Legacy. Once your friendship with an NPC reaches a certain level, they can join you on adventures.
What classes can I take in Hogwarts Legacy?
You will start with the core classes of Herbology, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions in Hogwarts Legacy. Other classes might be available as well. In addition, players will do independent study to catch up with their classmates.
Hogwarts Legacy FAQ About Technical Details
Game development is more than just storytelling and graphic design. Discover the technical details about Hogwarts Legacy in these FAQ.
Who is making Hogwarts Legacy?
Warner Bros. Games is publishing Hogwarts Legacy under the Portkey Games label. The game is being developed by Avalanche Software.
What is Portkey Games?
Portkey Games is the games label dedicated to creating new Wizarding World mobile games and console games, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s writings. Portkey Games offers players the opportunity to engage with the Wizarding World in a new way by forging their own magical stories.
What is Avalanche Software?
Avalanche Software is an American video game developer founded in 1995 and acquired by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in 2017. One of the original founders, John Blackburn, still serves as CEO. Avalanche Software is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
How can I play Hogwarts Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy will be available on the following platforms:
- PlayStation5
- PlayStation4
- PlayStation4 Pro
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One consoles
- Nintendo Switch
- PC
Do I need a PlayStation5 to play Hogwarts Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy is NOT exclusive to PlayStation5. Hogwarts Legacy will be available on multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch and PC.
How much does Hogwarts Legacy cost?
Pre-orders for Hogwarts Legacy are currently available for $59.99 to $69.99.
Other Hogwarts Legacy FAQ
Hogwarts Legacy questions that didn’t fit in the other categories!
When is Hogwarts Legacy coming out?
There is not a definite release date yet. For now, Hogwarts Legacy is coming out “Holiday 2022.”
What is J.K. Rowlings’s involvement with Hogwarts Legacy?
J.K. Rowling is not directly involved with Hogwarts Legacy. The seven original Harry Potter books, the companion resources, and the Fantastic Beasts films have all inspired Hogwarts Legacy. However, J.K. Rowling did not create the Hogwarts Legacy story.
Has Warner Bros. Games said anything about diversity, equity, and inclusion?
In June 2020, Warner Bros. released the following statement to major media outlets, including Variety.
“The events in the last several weeks have firmed our resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues. Warner Bros.’ position on inclusiveness is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world. We deeply value the work of our storytellers who give so much of themselves in sharing their creations with us all. We recognize our responsibility to foster empathy and advocate understanding of all communities and all people, particularly those we work with and those we reach through our content.”
June 10, 2020
What are some LGBTQ+ organizations I can support?
Magical Gamers is a welcoming, inclusive community for all gamers, including LGBTQ+ people. If you would like to help combat transphobia, consider donating to one or more of these organizations.
Your Hogwarts Legacy Questions
What other Hogwarts Legacy FAQ do you have? I will do my best to update this post with more questions and answers. Once Hogwarts Legacy actually debuts, we will create new FAQ posts based on the game itself.
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Brita is a pink and sparkly feminist who loves books, wine, France, and her husband. She's the former editor-in-chief of Wizards Unite Hub, the world's largest Wizards Unite fan website before the game's demise. You can learn more about Brita by visiting her other websites, social media profiles, and Harry Potter YouTube channel.
