New ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Gameplay Reveals Players Can Use The Killing Curse “Avada Kedavra” In Base Game And Dark Arts Battle Arena DLC

Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) performs the Killing Curse Avada Kedavra to kill Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) via Warner Bros. Pictures

The latest Hogwarts Legacy gameplay showcase has revealed that players will be able to use Avada Kedavra — also known as the Killing Curse — in both the base game and the DLC.

The player blasts a Goblin Loyalist Assassin with Crucio in the Dark Arts Battle Arena via Hogwarts Legacy (2022), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

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Previously it was revealed players could gain access to the Cruciatus Cruse in Hogwarts Legacy — also known simply as Crucio — one of the three Unforgivable Curses. If players choose Slytherin house’s Sebastian Sallow as a companion, they will help him choose whether to reject or embrace the Dark Arts, and delve into the history of Salazsar Slytherine.

The spell is so loathed as its victims are beset with horrific pain. It’s described in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as “all consuming,” Harry feeling as though “white-hot knives were piercing every inch of his skin, his head was surely going to burst with pain.” Now it’s been revealed players will have access to the worst Unforgivable Curse — Avada Kedavra, or the Killing Curse.

The spell is most infamously used by Voldemort, killing many including Harry’s parents (yet backfiring when used on the child, destroying Voldemort instead).

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The recent gameplay showcase and accompanying press release for Hogwarts Legacy showed players enjoying the Dark Arts Battle Arena (11:36 onwards). While the mode is available in the Deluxe and Digital Deluxe Editions, it’s also available via in-game purchases.

It should be noted the base game does have two other combat arenas, used to unlock unique cosmetic items. However, the Dark Arts Battle Arena allows players to utilize the Unforgivable Curses, along with the Blasting Curse, Confringo. Game Director Alan Tew noted that not only is this Arena a place in the game world, but revealed players will be able to unlock the Unforgivable Curses in the base game. 

The player casts Avada Kedavra on an Ashwinder Scout in the Dark Arts Battle Arena via Hogwarts Legacy (2022), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

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Donned in the Dark Arts Cosmetic Set, the hosts waste no time in showing how dark players can be with access to their new spells. Sure enough, Avada Kedavra kills foes in one hit — even an Armored Troll — while Crucio renders them unable to move as they reel in agony, health chipping away. Both spells seem to have a long recharge time.

We also see enemies attacking one another, which may be the result of Imperio, the last Unforgivable Curse that renders its victim totally under the caster’s control. 

“We really are trying to honor the way Avada Kedavra works in-game,” Tew explains, “even in some pretty extreme situations.” All Unforgivable Curses and Dark Arts can be modified with the Talents players can choose to learn, and players can use potions to their advantage (such as reducing their cooldown time with a Focus Potion).

A unseen wizard is silhouetted by fire, along with a spider via Hogwarts Legacy (2022), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Previously we saw players had the choice to cast or be struck by Crucio in order to open a magical door for Sebastian. Who knows what players will be asked to do with Avada Kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy.

In earlier news, gaming journalists attempted to revive the antisemitism claims against the Harry Potter series due to their depiction of goblins. They aimed to orchestrate a boycott against the game.

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