During their time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, players in Hogwarts Legacy will assume the role of a young fifth-year student. Upon arriving at the wizarding school, they will have the opportunity to interact with various friendly characters, some of whom may even present them with side quests to undertake in exchange for rewards.
While there are numerous NPCs in Hogwarts Legacy offering enjoyable side quests, it is worth noting that only Sebastian, Poppy, and Natsai provide relationship quests. These quests require players to join forces with the quest-givers to unravel mysteries, though not all of them are straightforward. A prime example is "A Basis for Blackmail," which entails intricate requirements that can pose a challenge to complete.
Updated August 31st, 2023: Get ready for an exciting adventure in Hogwarts Legacy as players embark on various captivating side quests, including A Basis For Blackmail. This thrilling side quest takes you to the Ashwinder Hideout, where you must confront a notorious individual and rescue two imprisoned individuals. To ensure your success in completing A Basis For Blackmail in Hogwarts Legacy, and to aid your escape from the Ashwinder Hideout, we have provided an updated guide accompanied by a helpful video tutorial.
How To Begin A Basis For Blackmail In Hogwarts Legacy
In order to kickstart the captivating story of A Basis for Blackmail, players must first successfully conclude all of Natsai's previous relationship quests. Not only do they need to triumph in the Mum's the Word relationship quest, but they must also conquer the two primary quests, namely It's All Gobbledegook and In the Shadow of the Mine.
Speaking With The Townsfolk
After fulfilling all these prerequisites, Natsai will dispatch an owl to the main character, requesting their presence outside Hogsmeade, where they can initiate their subsequent inquiry into Theophilus Harlow.In The Lost Child, Archie Bickle reveals that Harlow and his gang have been coercing certain members of the Hogsmeade community into engaging in dubious activities. However, since there is a lack of concrete evidence supporting Archie's claims, the main character must locate these specific residents and gather proof to substantiate the allegations.
The player will need to speak to three NPCs during this quest if they wish to progress the story, and thankfully, their exact locations are showcased on the minimap.
The quest's outcome is not influenced by the order in which residents are spoken to. To begin, players are advised to go to the Three Broomsticks and interact with Daisy Rabe on the third floor. Subsequently, players can either delve deeper into the details of Daisy's blackmail or choose the "That is what I needed" option and proceed to the next non-playable character.
The next resident, Otto Dibble, can be found adjacent to Gladrags Wizardwear on the left-hand side and to the north of the Three Broomsticks. Similar to Daisy, Otto is eager to elucidate how Harlow is exerting pressure on him. Upon providing a thorough account of his involvement, the player can opt to pose additional inquiries or alternatively select the "Thank you for talking with me" option and proceed to the final NPC.
To locate Agabus Philbert, players should head towards the western side of Hogsmeade and proceed south of The Magic Neep. Agabus can be found standing outside a tall house, positioned right beside a door equipped with a Level 3 Lock.
In contrast to previous non-player characters (NPCs), players will have the opportunity to either reprimand Agabus for his reticence or commend him for maintaining a low profile. Both choices result in the same outcome, allowing players to choose freely. Following the conversation's conclusion, the protagonist will suggest reconvening with Natsai at the southern entrance of Hogsmeade.
How To Find Natsai
Upon arriving back at the designated meeting point just south of Hogsmeade, the protagonist will realize that Natsai is conspicuously absent. To locate her, they must journey towards the Hog's Head, nestled in the southwestern corner of the Hogsmeade map. As they approach the infamous inn, our player should direct themselves towards the dock adjacent to the river, where they will stumble upon Natsai's wand elegantly placed beside a sturdy wooden crate.
Interacting with the wand will trigger the casting of Revelio, a useful charm that unveils hidden secrets in proximity. By employing this enchantment, the player will discover orange footprints imprinted on the ground, guiding them away from the docks. Following these tracks becomes crucial for the player's mission to rescue Natsai from the Ashwinders.
The entrance to the Ashwinder Hideout, located just outside the Hog's Head beside its western wall, can be identified by following the footsteps. Once discovered, the player can engage with the doorway to gain access to the interior.
Exploring The Ashwinder Hideout
Upon entering the Ashwinder Hideout, the player must cast Accio on the barrels positioned on the left and right sides to unlock the path ahead. To successfully proceed, both barrels must be completely pulled, as leaving them only partially moved will result in their returning to their original positions. Once both barrels have been properly relocated, the central barrel will unlock, granting the protagonist access to a new area.
At the end of the newly opened corridor, the player will come across a balcony that offers a view of a lower floor. Beware, as this floor is infested with Ashwinders. Make sure to equip your strongest spells before moving forward. The Disillusionment charm will prove invaluable during this section. It allows you to cast Petrificus Totalus, a highly convenient spell that instantly incapacitates most enemies in Hogwarts Legacy.
Where To Find Otto Dibble's Love Letter & Agabus Philbert's Book Of Poems
In addition to the presence of Ashwinders in this area, defeating Gwendolyn Zhou is crucial in Hogwarts Legacy as she is one of the twenty-one Infamous Foes. Unlike her followers, Gwendolyn possesses a significantly higher amount of health, rendering Petrificus Totalus ineffective against her. To approach this battle strategically, it is advisable to petrify as many Ashwinders as possible before initiating a full-blown attack, ultimately shifting the focus towards Gwendolyn.
After successfully dealing with all the Ashwinders, players have the option to either continue their search for Natsai or take a brief break to explore the more concealed sections of the hideout. By doing so, they can come across Agabus Philbert's collection of poems, conveniently tucked away inside a chest on the left side of the room's bar. Additionally, if players decide to venture up the southeastern stairs, they will find a chest situated next to the colossal cage, holding Otto Dibble's heartfelt love letter.
The Massive Table can also be discovered within the western portion of the arena, contained in a chest adjacent to a set of barrels. This particular item serves merely as an embellishment and can be placed within the Room of Requirement.
How To Complete A Basis For Blackmail In Hogwarts Legacy
After obtaining these optional collectibles, players can proceed northwards and ascend the stairs to access the door located at the rear of the room. Upon entering, they will discover separate captivity chambers for Natsai and Isko Rabe. To liberate them, players should stand adjacent to the desk positioned at the center of the room and cast the Revelio spell. Employing this action will uncover a chest secured with a Level 1 Lock. Upon successfully opening the chest, players will be rewarded with Isko Rabe's wand.
After acquiring the wand, the player should engage in a conversation with Isko, who will utilize the wand to unlock the doors that have been confining him and Natsai. Following Isko's disappearance through Apparition, the protagonist and Natsai can make their way back to the exit and depart. This presents an ideal opportunity to thoroughly inspect the area and collect any valuable equipment and Galleons that may be scattered about.
Outside the Ashwinder Hideout, players can conclude the A Basis for Blackmail side quest by conversing with Officer Singer.
Hogwarts Legacy is now accessible on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. The PS4 and Xbox One versions will be launched on April 4, while the Switch version is scheduled for release on July 25.