Hogwarts Legacy: How to complete ‘Absconder Encounter’ side quest

Step-by-step guide to completing the 'Absconder Encounter' side quest in Hogwarts Legacy.

Hogwarts Legacy: How to complete ‘Absconder Encounter’ side quest

Absconder Encounter

Hogwarts Legacy is an action role-playing game that takes players on an exciting adventure through the world of Harry Potter. The nominee for the “Most Anticipated Game” has a huge open world map for players to explore and many secret locations to discover. The game is set in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where players can interact with various NPCs and complete side quests. One such side quest is the ‘Absconder Encounter’, which requires players to locate an heirloom. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to complete the ‘Absconder Encounter’ side quest in Hogwarts Legacy.

. The “Absconder Encounter” side quest is about helping a distressed merchant find the Heirloom pocket watch that belonged to his friend who was the victim of an Acromantula . The quest rewards players with the the Checkerboard -Brown wand handle and 300 or 500 galleons depending on the final dialogue in the cutscene with the merchant who issued the quest.

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Related: Hogwarts Legacy: How to complete A Bird in the Hand puzzle quest

Hogwarts Legacy Walkthroughs: Absconder Encounter’ side quest

To activate the ‘Absconder Encounter’ side quest, you must first travel to Aranshire in the South Hogwarts region. On reaching the hamlet of Aranshire, proceed to look for the merchant with the name of Edgar Adley. After finding him and talking to him, Edgar will explain to the protagonist that his friend Milo recently fell victim to an Acromantula and his Heirloom Pocket Watch has not been retrieved yet. Players need to offer to help the merchant out for the quest to begin.

Edgar will beg the protagonist not to go look for the watch as it is very dangerous and the foe powerful. However after the cutscene ends, you must head to North Ford Bog by floo flame or by following the quest tracker on your broom.

The Absconder’s Lair

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Before heading to the Absconder’s Lair in North Ford Bog in Hogwarts Legacy, you need to have fire based spells like Incendio or Confringo equipped from your spell books. This i because the enemies you fight in this quest are spiders and spiders are weak against fire. If you decide to go past the tracker location on foot, you will have to fight off hordes of spiders before finally reaching the Absconder’s Lair. Players can learn the Incendio spell after completing Professor Hecat’s first assignment. To add the Confringo spell to their spell books, player need to complete Shadow of the Undercroft quest after which Sebastian Swallow will teach the protagonist this blasting curse.

However, you can also opt to use your broom after reaching the trackers location by flying northeast till you reach the Absconder’s Lair. This method helps you skip out on fighting spiders and directly take you to face the boss. Keep in mind that if you fly to the lair, you must be ready for the fight as it starts as soon as you dismount your broom.

Defeating The Absconder

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After you enter the Absconder’s Lair, you will have to defeat multiple variations of spider as you face the Absconder in Hogwarts Legacy. The Absconder Acromantula is a part of the Infamous Foes page in your guidebook and can be exceptionally difficult to defeat due to the large amount of Health Points it has. If you are having a hard time defeating this monstrosity, you are advised to return to the Room of Requirements and stock up on more Wiggenweld Potions and upgrade your gear.

As for fighting the Absconder, you have to dodge and weave through its attacks as you try to dwindle down its HP. The most concerning attack that the Absconder has is the unblockable lunge attack that needs to be dodged or causes heavy damage. Keep in mind that this attack cannot be parried or blocked with Protego the shield charm. Although you will have a lot of time to dodge this attack as it charges up before attacking. However, even after dodging it, be on your toes as it can launch this attack up to 3 times simultaneously.

You are advised to equip fire spells like Incendio or Confringo as they deal more damage to spiders. Players can also make use of the rock in the center of the lair, as it can slow the Acromantula drastically and will give you time to clear out other smaller spiders. Keep in mind that the smaller spiders keep spawning during the fight against the Absconder.

Finding the Heirloom Pocket Watch

After the Absconder has been defeated, players should procced towards the web blocking the room to the north. To remove the web blocking the room, you must simply cast Incendio or Confringo to burn down the web. You will also encounter spider eggs on the path there and have to destroy them as the venomous hatchlings will attack you.

Once you have enter the room, you will find the Heirloom Pocket Watch on the ground in front of a big chest. After retrieving the Pocket Watch, players can head back to Aranshire hamlet and hand over the watch to Edgar Adley. In the final cutscene, players will be given 2 options that will decide the reward for the completion of the quest.

Option 1 – ( Return the Watch)- If players decide to return the watch to Edgar Adley, he will thank the protagonist and had him 300 galleons as a reward for his help.

Option 2 – ( Sell the Watch) – If players decide to sell the watch to Edgar Adley, he will call the protagonist selfish before buying the watch for 500 galleons.

The Checkerboard -Brown wand handle is rewarded to players regardless of what dialogue they pick. Completing this quest not only give you the achievement for completion but also an achievement for defeating a magical beast from the Infamous Foes page of your guide book.

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