Your Complete Spell Lexicon
From combat to exploration, stealth to beast care, this guide breaks down every spell you can learn in Hogwarts Legacy– how they work, how to unlock them, and which ones are actually worth upgrading.
How Spells Work in Hogwarts Legacy
Spells are like your magical toolkit in Hogwarts Legacy, and you'll be using them for everything from combat to exploration. You get four spells per set, and you can have up to four sets total. That means you can quickly switch between your favourite spells whenever you need them.
Some spells, though, work a little differently. For example, Ancient Magic, Alohomora, and Petrificus Totalus don’t need to be in your spell sets. They activate automatically when the time is right or by pressing a special button.
But there are some spells you’ll always use (like Protego, Stupefy, and Revelio) which are always ready to go, no matter what. They’re essential for defense, stealth, and uncovering hidden things.
If you’re not sure which spells to prioritise, check out our guide to the Best Spells to Unlock First to get a head start!
Every Spell in Hogwarts Legacy and How to Unlock it
Spells in Hogwarts Legacy fall into the following categories:
Essential Spells: Always equipped, always useful.
Damage: Spells that hurt or destroy.
Force: Push, pull, or move objects and enemies.
Control: Immobilise, freeze, or manipulate enemies.
Utility: Help with movement, stealth, or solving puzzles.
Non-Combat Utility: Used for the Room of Requirement or Beast care.
Curses: Dark magic with devastating power.
Essential Spells
These are the foundation of your spell toolkit– vital for exploration, combat, and progressing the story.
Basic Cast
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Default
Description: Your trusty tap-to-zap. Rapid-firing basic strikes that build combos.
Talent Upgrades: Reduces other spell cooldowns; airborne hits build Ancient Magic Meter.
Revelio
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Path to Hogwarts
Description: Reveals hidden interactables and secrets around you.
Talent Upgrades: Increases range.
Protego & Stupefy
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Path to Hogwarts
Description: Tap to block (Protego), hold to stun (Stupefy). Crucial in combat.
Talent Upgrades: Can curse enemies, break shields, and boost Ancient Magic meter.
Ancient Magic Throw
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Welcome to Hogsmeade
Description: Chuck nearby objects for big damage. Breaks all shield types.
Talent Upgrades: Can catch and toss enemy weapons.
Ancient Magic
Cooldown: When the meter is full
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Welcome to Hogsmeade
Description: Ultimate finisher. Uses a bar of Ancient Magic Meter for massive damage.
Talent Upgrades: More meter generation through talents.
Petrificus Totalus
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Percival Rackham's Trial
Description: Stealth takedown spell. Freezes enemies stiff.
Talent Upgrades: Affects multiple enemies around target.
Alohomora
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Caretaker’s Lunar Lament
Description: Unlocks locked doors and chests.
Talent Upgrades: None (upgraded by returning Demiguise Moons).
Damage Spells (DMG)
These spells deal direct damage, often with extra effects like fire or disarming.
Expelliarmus
Cooldown: 10s
How to Unlock: Professor Hecat’s Assignment 2
Description: Disarms enemies from afar.
Talent Upgrades: Also curses enemies.
Incendio
Cooldown: 8s
How to Unlock: Professor Hecat’s Assignment 1
Description: Close-range flamethrower.
Talent Upgrades: Creates a fiery AOE around the caster.
Confringo
Cooldown: 10s
How to Unlock: Main Quest – In the Shadow of the Undercroft
Description: Long-range firebolt.
Talent Upgrades: Shoots extra firebolts to nearby enemies.
Diffindo
Cooldown: 15s
How to Unlock: Professor Sharp’s Assignment 2
Description: Magical slash that cuts through multiple enemies.
Talent Upgrades: Extends to hit targets behind.
Bombarda
Cooldown: 15s
How to Unlock: Professor Howin's Assignment
Description: High-damage explosive spell.
Talent Upgrades: Larger AOE explosion.
Avada Kedavra
Cooldown: 90s
How to Unlock: Sebastian Sallow’s Quest – In the Shadow of the Relic
Description: Instantly defeats enemies. No joke.
Talent Upgrades: Instantly defeats all cursed enemies.
Force Spells
Force spells push, pull, or fling enemies and objects across the battlefield.
Accio
Cooldown: 8s
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Charms Class
Description: Pulls enemies and objects toward you. Great for combo starters.
Talent Upgrades: Pulls additional nearby enemies.
Depulso
Cooldown: 10s
How to Unlock: Professor Sharp’s Assignment 1
Description: Pushes enemies and objects away forcefully.
Talent Upgrades: Adds an AOE blast effect.
Descendo
Cooldown: 10s
How to Unlock: Professor Onai’s Assignment
Description: Smashes enemies downward. Extra damage if airborne.
Talent Upgrades: Creates a damaging shockwave.
Flipendo
Cooldown: 5s
How to Unlock: Professor Garlick’s Assignment 2
Description: Flips objects and enemies. Excellent for juggling.
Talent Upgrades: Also curses enemies.
Control Spells
Use these spells to manipulate time, movement, and form.
Levioso
Cooldown: 8s
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Defense Against the Dark Arts Class
Description: Levitate enemies for easy combos.
Talent Upgrades: Nearby enemies levitate too.
Glacius
Cooldown: 10s
How to Unlock: Madam Kogawa’s Assignment 1
Description: Freezes enemies solid.
Talent Upgrades: Shatters into damaging ice shards.
Arresto Momentum
Cooldown: 15s
How to Unlock: Madam Kogawa’s Assignment 2
Description: Slows enemies or objects dramatically.
Talent Upgrades: Also curses enemies.
Transformation
Cooldown: 20s
How to Unlock: Professor Weasley’s Assignment
Description: Morphs enemies or objects into something else (like barrels!).
Talent Upgrades: Can turn enemies into explosive barrels.
Utility Spells
These help with exploration, puzzle-solving, and interacting with the world around you.
Lumos
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Path to Hogwarts
Description: Lights up your wand—perfect for dark corners.
Talent Upgrades: None
Reparo
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Professor Ronen’s Assignment
Description: Repairs broken objects and scenery.
Talent Upgrades: None
Disillusionment
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Secrets of the Restricted Section
Description: Go (mostly) invisible for stealth.
Talent Upgrades: Sprint while stealthed.
Wingardium Leviosa
Cooldown: Instant
How to Unlock: Professor Garlick’s Assignment 1
Description: Move and float objects with control.
Talent Upgrades: None
Evanesco
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Room of Requirement
Description: Vanishes Room of Requirement items, refunds Moonstone.
Talent Upgrades: None
Conjuring Spell
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Room of Requirement
Description: Lets you decorate and build in the Room of Requirement.
Talent Upgrades: None
Altering Spell
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Room of Requirement
Description: Change the look or size of objects in your Room.
Talent Upgrades: None
Beast Care Spells
Help you take care of magical creatures.
Beast Petting Brush
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Beasts Class
Description: Pet and pamper your beasts.
Talent Upgrades: None
Beast Feed
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – Beasts Class
Description: Feed your magical creatures.
Talent Upgrades: None
Nab-Sack
Cooldown: N/A
How to Unlock: Main Quest – The Elf, the Nab-Sack, and the Loom
Description: Captures beasts for rescue.
Talent Upgrades: None
Dark Arts / Curse Spells
“Forbidden”… but powerful. These spells curse, control, or destroy.
Crucio
Cooldown: 20s
How to Unlock: Sebastian’s Quest – In the Shadow of the Study
Description: Deals damage over time and applies curse.
Talent Upgrades: Sends out cursing projectiles.
Imperio
Cooldown: 30s
How to Unlock: Sebastian’s Quest – In the Shadow of Time
Description: Mind-controls enemies and curses them.
Talent Upgrades: Charmed enemies spread curse when attacking.
Avada Kedavra
Cooldown: 90s
How to Unlock: Sebastian’s Quest – In the Shadow of the Relic
Description: Instantly kills an enemy.
Talent Upgrades: Kills all cursed enemies in one cast.
Talent Upgrades: Are They Worth It?
Yes! Talents drastically improve how spells behave. For example:
Incendio becomes a fiery AOE blast.
Levioso lifts multiple enemies.
Crucio launches Curse projectiles.
Check the "Spells" section in the Talent tree to find upgrades that match your playstyle. There’s something for everyone: stealth, destruction, or even herbology!
Which Spells Should You Unlock First?
Not all spells are created equal early in the game. Here are some great picks to prioritise:
Accio – Core to combat and puzzle solving.
Incendio – Solid early damage, easy combos.
Glacius – Freezing + follow-up = fast takedowns.
Expelliarmus – Disarms tricky enemies and breaks shields.
Disillusionment – Enables stealth takedowns with Petrificus Totalus.
Want more detail? Check out our full guide on Best Spells to Unlock First in Hogwarts Legacy!
There you have it: every spell type and every spell in Hogwarts Legacy.
Whether you’re aiming to become a Dueling Champion or the kind-hearted caretaker of a Puffskein farm, there’s a perfect spell set for every witch or wizard. Like apps on your phone– “there’s a spell for that!”
Find more helpful guides just like this one in our complete Hogwarts Legacy Wiki!