How to Catch a Thestral: Capture the Most Elusive Beast

I still remember learning how to catch a thestral during my first playthrough of Hogwarts Legacy: the moment I saw their skeletal wings gliding through the mist, my heart raced. Thestrals are mysterious winged horses that only appear to those who have witnessed death. Sneaking up on one can be scary when you’ve just reached the Highlands.

In Hogwarts Legacy they are gentle creatures you can add to your Vivarium, but you need to know where to look and how to approach them. This guide explains everything you need to know, from preparation and locations to step‑by‑step capture methods and after care.

How to Catch a Thestral: Preparation and Requirements

Before you go hunting, take some time to prepare. Thestrals are shy and will flee if you charge at them. In the lore of the Wizarding World they can only be seen by people who have witnessed death, but Hogwarts Legacy allows every player to interact with them. 

To catch one, you must first complete the main quest “The Elf, the Nab‑Sack, and the Loom.” This quest introduces the Room of Requirement and the Nab‑Sack, which is a magical bag used to rescue beasts. Without the Nab‑Sack, there is no way to collect magical creatures.

Make sure you have the following:

• Nab‑Sack: Earned during the quest mentioned above, this tool is essential for capturing any magical beast.
• Stealth spell or potion: Thestrals spook easily. You can learn the Disillusionment Charm during the Secrets of the Restricted Section quest, or brew Invisibility Potions if you have the recipe. Both make you invisible to creatures.
• Control spell: Once you are close, you need to freeze the beast. Arresto Momentum, Glacius, or Levioso will immobilise a thestral long enough to use the Nab‑Sack.
• A breeding pen (optional): If you plan to breed thestrals later, purchase a breeding pen from Tomes and Scrolls in Hogsmeade and place it in your Vivarium.

There are no visible physical differences between male and female thestrals. The gender icon appears next to the creature’s name when you target it: an arrow pointing diagonally means male, while a cross pointing straight down means female. Take note of this if you intend to breed them later. If you’re exploring other magical creatures, our guide on where to find trolls in Hogwarts Legacy explains how to track down hulking beasts and farm troll bogeys.

Where to Find Thestrals in Hogwarts Legacy

Thestrals are rare compared to puffskeins and mooncalves. There are only two Thestral Dens in the Highlands: one lies in North Ford Bog and the other near Marunweem Lake on the southern coast. Each den houses a small herd that respawns over time. Visit the northern swamp early in your adventure and save the southern coastal den for later, when you have unlocked more fast travel points.

If you enjoy exploring open‑world games beyond Hogwarts Legacy, you might appreciate the best open‑world games on PS5 for more sprawling adventures.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Catching a Thestral

Catching a thestral is a calm, methodical process. Rushing or attacking will make it fly away. Follow these simple steps:

1. Use stealth. Cast Disillusionment or drink an Invisibility Potion before entering the den so the thestrals don’t notice you.
2. Get close and stay behind. Walk slowly until the capture prompt appears.
3. Freeze the creature. Cast Arresto Momentum, Glacius, or Levioso to hold it in place for a moment.
4. Capture with the Nab‑Sack. Once immobilised, use the Nab‑Sack and follow the on‑screen rhythm prompts to pull the thestral into the bag. If it breaks free, repeat the control spell and try again.

I failed my first attempt because I panicked and rushed the button presses. Taking a breath and timing each press helped me succeed on the next try.

Caring for Your Thestral: Breeding, Hair, and Mounts

Once you capture a thestral, head to the Room of Requirement and release it into your Vivarium. There you can:

• Collect hair: Brush and feed your thestral to receive Thestral Hair, which is used at the Loom to upgrade your gear.
• Breed them: Place a male and a female in a breeding pen purchased from Tomes and Scrolls to produce a thestral foal. Breeding provides additional hair without returning to dens.
• Ride one: Owners of the Dark Arts Pack or Deluxe Edition can summon a thestral mount for travel and combat.

Thestrals add a somber beauty to your Vivarium, gliding quietly around your magical garden.

Tips and Strategies for Successful Thestral Hunts

Use these extra strategies to improve your success rate:

• Unlock nearby Floo Flames. Fast travel makes repeat visits easier.
• Stay hidden behind cover. Even with invisibility, obstacles reduce the chance of detection.
• Take your time. Wait for idle moments to move and cast spells.
• Prepare potions and upgrades. Healing and damage potions, along with upgraded gear, help if hostile creatures interfere.

When you’re finished chasing thestrals, you might be ready for a new magical journey. Our article on games like Hogwarts Legacy explores other fantasy RPGs that capture a similar sense of wonder and spellcasting.

Final Thoughts on Thestral Hunting

Catching a thestral combines preparation, stealth, and a steady hand. Once you have one in your Vivarium, its hair improves your gear, breeding provides more materials, and riding offers a different way to explore the Highlands. These skeletal horses add depth to the wizarding world and a sense of achievement to your adventure.

Now when you know how to catch a thestral, grab a Hogwarts Legacy Steam key at a competitive price and start rescuing them today. Our marketplace also offers gift cards and editions with the Dark Arts Pack if you’d like to fly across the Highlands on a thestral mount.

FAQs

Where do I find thestrals in Hogwarts Legacy?

To find thestrals in Hogwarts Legacy, visit the thestral dens in North Ford Bog and Marunweem Lake. The first den lies just north of the East North Ford Bog Floo Flame, and the second is between two cliffs southeast of the Coastal Mine Floo Flame. Each den contains multiple thestrals that respawn over time.

How do I catch a thestral in Hogwarts Legacy?

To catch a thestral in Hogwarts Legacy, you need the Nab‑Sack obtained during “The Elf, the Nab‑Sack, and the Loom” quest. Sneak up using the Disillusionment Charm or an Invisibility Potion, immobilize the thestral with a control spell like Arresto Momentum or Glacius, then deploy the Nab‑Sack and follow the on‑screen prompts to pull the creature inside.

What spells do I need to capture a thestral?

The spells you need to capture a thestral are Disillusionment for stealth and a control spell such as Arresto Momentum, Glacius, or Levioso to immobilize the beast. Disillusionment makes you invisible so the thestral doesn’t flee, and the control spell freezes or slows it long enough for you to use the Nab‑Sack successfully.

Can you ride a thestral in Hogwarts Legacy?

Yes, you can ride a thestral in Hogwarts Legacy if you own the Dark Arts Pack or the Deluxe Edition. These editions unlock a thestral mount that you can summon like a broom. Riding a thestral offers a darker aesthetic and allows you to skim close to the ground, which can help in combat scenarios.

How do I breed thestrals in Hogwarts Legacy?

To breed thestrals in Hogwarts Legacy, capture both a male and a female thestral, purchase a Breeding Pen from Tomes and Scrolls in Hogsmeade, and place the pen in your Vivarium. Once you assign the pair to the pen, wait approximately thirty minutes of real time; a thestral foal will appear.