Hogwarts Legacyfollows the journey of a fifth-year student during their time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Shortly after they arrive at the castle, they will be given the opportunity to explore the world outside, where they can encounter a variety of interesting quest-givers.
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Hogwarts Legacyis chock-full of unique and engaging side quests for players to enjoy, but not all of them are easy to complete. TheAbsconder Encounterside quest is a perfect example of this, as it tasks its players with venturing into a dangerous location to vanquish a truly unsettling creature.
How To Begin The Absconder Encounter Side Quest In Hogwarts Legacy
Players can begin the Absconder Encounter side quest by traveling tothe Aranshire hamlet, justsouth of Hogsmeade Station, and interacting with Edgar Adley. Edgar will then explain to the young protagonist that his friend, Milo, fell victim to an Acromantula and that his Heirloom Pocket Watch was never recovered.
To begin this quest, all the player needs to do is offer to help the distraught merchant in his search to reclaim Milo’s heirloom. Edgar will beg the protagonist not to seek out the Acromantula, but those brave enough can find itby fast-travelingto theNorth Ford Bogand following the quest tracker directly south.
The Absconder’s Lair Location
If the player is traveling on foot, they will need to battle their way through several groups of spiders in order to find the entrance to the Absconder’s lair. Before embarking on this journey, they should ensure to equipConfringo or Incendioto their spell diamond, as spiders are especially vulnerable to fire-based magic.
It is also possible to reach the Absconder’s lair byflying a broomdirectly to the quest marker, landing, remounting the broom, and flying northwest. Doing so will lead the player directly tothe Absconder’s lair, where they should ensure they are ready to battle before landing their broom. Traveling to the Absconder’s cave via a broom will allow players to skip battling the other spiders along the path, so those who wish to complete the quest quickly should opt for this method of travel.
Defeating The Absconder
Upon landing in the Absconder’s lair inHogwarts Legacy, the player will be forced into a battle against multiple spider variations, but the Absconder is arguably the most dangerous foe present. As anInfamous Foe, the Absconder can be exceptionally difficult to defeat, primarily due to the amount of health it has. If players are struggling to deal damage to the creature, they should return to theRoom of Requirementtoupgrade their gear.
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For the most part, the best way to avoid getting struck by the Absconder is to dodge whenever it prepares itsunblockable lunge attack. The player will have ample time tododge out of the wayof this move, but they should also be ready to dodge again, as the Absconder can unleash this attack up to three times in a row.
If the player is struggling to avoid the Absconder’s attacks, they should make use ofthe rock in the center of the arena, as hiding behind it can severely slow the creature down. That said, the smaller spiders that join the fight can be quite quick, so players should be prepared to dodge and block, even when the Absconder is out of sight.
Where To Find The Heirloom Pocket Watch
Once the Absconder has been defeated, players should approach the web blockingthe room to the north. A quick cast of Incendio or Confringo will open the way forward, but before proceeding, the player should destroy the three spider eggs inside, as leaving them alone will cause the Venomous Hatchlings inside to attack.
At the back of this cave, players willfind the Heirloom Pocket Watch on the groundin front of a treasure chest. Once it has been collected, the player should return to Edgar Adley at the Aranshire hamlet, where they will be given the choice to decide how the quest ends.
If the player chooses to return the Heirloom Pocket Watch, Edgar will thank the protagonist for doing what he could not and reward them with300 Galleons. If the player asks for a reward and then suggests selling the watch, Edgar will comment on the protagonist’s selfishness before giving them500 Galleons. Completing this quest will also reward the player with theCheckerboard - Brown wand handle.
Hogwarts Legacyis available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. PS4 and Xbox One versions will release on April 4 and a Switch version will release on July 25.
