In Hogwarts Legacy, players will have access to a wide variety of spells to combat their enemies with. From the fiery, long range Confringo to the barrel creating Transformation spell, players have the means of customizing their hotkeys and play style to suit their favorite spells. Some spells cannot be placed on a specific button, however, and require players to fulfill certain conditions before they may be used. One of these spells, Petrificus Totalus, has an offensive application. In this guide, players will learn how to unlock Petrificus Totalus, as well as how to use it effectively.
Petrificus Totalus
Petrificus Totalus is a spell that will paralyze its victims in the Harry Potter universe, and Hogwarts Legacy is no exception. This spell has been used a few times throughout the series throughout some key story moments, such as when Hermione paralyzed Nevil Longbottom in The Philosopher's Stone. Players will also be able to take advantage of this powerful spell themselves, though in an indirect way, through another spell.
Acquiring Petrificus Totalus
To use this spell, players will first be required to reach and complete the quest “Secrets of the Restricted Section.” This quest sees players cooperating with Sebastian Sallow, a Slytherin boy who has some darker sides. The story requires that players sneak themselves into the restricted section of the library. To accomplish this, Sebastian will teach players the Disillusionment Charm, a spell that will allow players to blend in with the background. While this will not make players invisible, it will enable them to enter a sneak mode to avoid the attention of any enemies in the area.
The Disillusionment Charm, being the main sneak method in Hogwarts Legacy, comes with a few additional mechanics. As one cannot have a sneak mode in a game without the ability to make a sneak attack, this game provides its own version of a sneak attack. That sneak attack comes in the form of Petrificus Totalus.
Using Petrificus Totalus
To use Petrificus Totalus, players have two methods available to them. The first of these is quite obvious. Players can sneak up on enemies using the Disillusionment Charm, and when they get close enough, the game will prompt players to use Petrificus Totalus. Using this spell will then paralyze the enemy, defeating them with a stealth finisher. This is the most common method of using Petrificus Totalus.
A second method to use the spell exists, however. If players have gone the route of using Dark Magic, players can learn the Unforgivable Curses to use against enemies. The second Unforgivable Curse players can learn is Imperio, a spell that lets players mind control most enemies in the game. If players use this spell on an enemy, and then defeat all other enemies in combat, players will be left with a mind controlled enemy that wanders around the battlefield. Players can approach their new minion before Imperio wears off, and cast Petrificus Totalus on them, as if using a stealth finisher. Depending on the enemy, this will knock them down without a fight, allowing players to deal with their minion before their control over them fades.
Hogwarts Legacy is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.