How to break shields in Hogwarts Legacy

How to break shields in Hogwarts Legacy
Images via Avalanche Software

Written by 

Ben Williams

Published 

6th Feb 2023 12:25

Wizard duelling is one of the most fun parts of Hogwarts Legacy. Taking on students and other wizards in a spellcasting brawl makes for a good time, the need to break shields in a wizard duel, also known as Protego, can be a speed bump for those not in the know.

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We’d implore you to read our explainer of the controversy so far and consider supporting trans rights charities where possible.

How do you break shields?

The way to break shields is by hitting them with a spell of the same colour - indicating its category.

For example, in the introductory quest for the Crossed Wands duelling club, you're pitted against students using yellow Protego shields. To break these, you need to use a levitating spell like Levioso - characterized by its yellow colour in effect and its category colour in your arsenal.

What's more, the effect of your shield-breaking spell will still take hold. So, again in Levioso's case, not only will you break your opponent's yellow shield, but they will also be made elevated into the air and leave them vulnerable to more damage from your attacks.

A shield being broken in Hogwarts Legacy
Click to enlarge

It's good to be sure you've got a variety of spells at hand. In the second quest with the duelling club, for example, Crossed Wands: Round 2, your opponents will use purple shields. In this instance, you'd need a purple Force spell like Accio to break their shield.

You'll unlock more spells of different types in the game. With the first spells you'll acquire though, these are the spells you'll need to beat each shield:

  • Yellow shields can be broken by the spell, Levioso
  • Purple shields can be broken by the spell, Accio
  • Red shields can be broken by the spell, Incendio
  • Grey shields can be broken later in the game by spells you have yet to unlock

Alternatively, if a spell is recharging or you just want to mix it up, you can use throw items with R1 (RB or Z) to break a shield and stagger your opponent as well.

By keeping varied spells of different coloured categories equipped, you'll be the most prepared for as many types of wizard duels as possible.

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For even more Hogwarts Legacy guides, you can be sure to find them right here at GGRecon.

Ben Williams
About the author
Ben Williams
Ben is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. Alongside his BA (Hons) in Business Management is a wealth of gaming and entertainment writing experience, having previously occupied roles as a Copywriter in e-commerce at Overclockers and Guides & SEO Writer at GameByte and FragHero. When not whipping up guides and reviews, Ben’ll be off playing the latest Pokemon games, Overwatch 2, Spider-Man, The Witcher, and Final Fantasy - all before reading manga and listening to Ice Nine Kills.
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