When we think about offensive spells in the Harry Potter saga, our minds usually jump straight to the big three Unforgivable Curses: Avada Kedavra, Crucio, and Imperio. But here’s the thing: not every painful or dangerous spell is an Unforgivable one. In fact, the Wizarding World is full of sneaky, lesser-known hexes.
Yep, there are certain jinxes and charms that may not land you a life sentence in Azkaban, but can still hurt your target like hell. From hexes that give you conjunctivitis to curses that leave you covered in boils, these spells prove that wizards had way too much time on their hands inventing ways to make others miserable.
So, here are 20 such iconic spells that might not be deadly on the spot, but they can still hurt you, both physically and emotionally. So, if you ever find yourself in a magical duel, remember: you don’t always need an Unforgivable Curse to cause chaos, even our list of 20 well-placed jinxes can be used to do the trick.
1. Avis Oppugno
This spell is rather popular among fans of the Harry Potter films, after all, we saw Hermione use it against Ron. Well, this one makes birds shoot out of the caster’s wand, and then attack the target with their sharp little beaks.
Yeah, in Half-Blood Prince, Hermione famously used it on Ron when she was mad at him for kissing Lavender Brown. It’s not deadly, but being pecked isn’t fun at all.
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2. Bat-Bogey Hex
For everyone who thinks Ginny Weasley was a sweetheart, remember she was the one who used this spell as her signature move. Well, this hex turns the target’s snot into giant flying bats. They flap out of the victim’s nose.
Invented by Miranda Goshawk, in the books, Ginny used this on multiple occasions, once on Draco and once on Zacharias Smith, proving why nobody should underestimate her. This hex is known to be gross, painful, and super embarrassing all at once.
3. Confringo
Now, this one is rather popular among Potterheads. Also called the Blasting Curse, Confringo creates fiery explosions and causes harm to the nearby victim. This spell has been used throughout the books and the films.
Harry used it against Death Eaters, and Hermione used it in Godric’s Hollow to kill Nagini. While it’s usually aimed at objects, imagine the damage if it hits someone directly. Definitely one of the more dangerous “legal” spells, even though it’s not an Unforgivable Curse.
4. Calvorio
Yet another lesser-known curse, Calvorio is a cruel spell that makes a victim’s hair fall out instantly, leaving them bald. It was first mentioned in Curses and Counter-Curses by Vindictus Viridian.
Now, although this curse is not deadly, it’s rather humiliating and shocking. Imagine dueling someone, and suddenly you’re bald. That’s definitely a spell designed more for mockery than combat.
5. Conjunctivitis Curse
Going by the name of it, it’s a rather easy one to understand. This spell messes up the target’s eyes badly, making them swell shut and sting painfully.
In the books, Sirius Black once suggested Harry use it on dragons, and later on, Olympe Maxime was known to have used it against giants. Losing your vision in a fight is scary, which makes this curse far more dangerous than it might seem.
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6. Densaugeo
Following the introduction of this spell, most people lost their minds on Draco. Well, this hex is known to make a person’s teeth grow at an insane speed until they’re grotesquely oversized.
And in the books, Draco Malfoy cast this on Hermione, and it was horrible for her until Madam Pomfrey fixed it. Considering how Hermione was already known to have buck teeth, this hex showed that bullying in the Wizarding World isn’t just verbal, it’s personal and painfully magical too.
7. Diffindo
This cutting spell is used to slice or tear objects precisely. And although it has been mentioned in the books multiple times, mostly on ropes and bags by Harry and Ron, could you imagine what would happen if it were used on a person?
Well, it could cause serious injury. So, while it may not look flashy, in a duel, a well-timed Diffindo could hurt badly and fast.
8. Engorgio Skullus
One of the most hilarious yet painful spells in the Harry Potter lore, this nasty hex is known to swell up a person’s head until it looks cartoonishly huge. It’s not seen much in the books, but imagine trying to walk around with a giant wobbling skull.
Besides being painful, it makes you completely vulnerable in a duel. Definitely not one anyone wants used on them.
9. Everte Statum
Although it’s one of the least used spells, this duelling charm is known to blast the victim backward as if they’ve been shoved by an invisible force. If you remember clearly, this once appeared in the films.
Draco once used it on Harry during the duelling club practice, sending him flying. It’s less dangerous than explosive curses, but being knocked flat in the middle of a duel can cost you everything.
10. Flipendo
Known as the Knockback Jinx, Flipendo is the jolting spell that launches the victim back with heavy force, sometimes even throwing them across rooms.
Invented by Badeea Ali, it’s more common in extended Wizarding lore and games. If you’re unlucky enough to get hit, it definitely hurts.
11. Furnunculus
Again, one of the lesser-known curses, this is considered a gross curse that covers the victim’s body with boils. Not to confuse this with Hermione’s anti-betrayal spell on Dumbledore’s Army parchment.
In the books, this spell was used by Harry on Gregory Goyle, leaving him with a painful, disgusting mess. The boils make movement tough, sting terribly, and ruin your dignity instantly. Definitely the kind of hex that ruins your day but makes everyone else laugh.
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12. Horn Tongue Hex
Even by the name of it, this spell sounds terrifying. This weird spell is used to turn a person’s tongue into a horn. Imagine trying to talk or eat with a massive horn sticking out of your mouth.
So, while it’s rare, this spell can be rather cruel. Beyond pain, it’s humiliating and leaves the victim completely helpless. Proof that wizards invented curses just to be mean.
13. Hurling Hex
Fans might remember this one, although not by its name. This hex is known to mess with the target’s broomsticks, making them vibrate violently and try to throw off their rider.
Did it click? In Sorcerer’s Stone, remember how someone once used it on Harry during a Quidditch match. So, falling from sky height could be deadly, which makes this one especially nasty. It’s not flashy, but it’s sneaky, cruel, and terrifying.
14. Incarcerous
This mean spell is known to summon ropes from thin air, tying up the target instantly. The ropes are strong and binding, leaving you completely stuck. It doesn’t kill you, but it makes sure you can’t fight back when it matters most.
Rings a bell? Well, in the books and the films, Dolores Umbridge was once seen to use it on Centaurs. And later on, this spell was also used by Harry in Half-Blood Prince, against the Inferi in the cave.
15. Mutatio Skullus
Once again, this is a hilarious yet deeply disturbing spell. This hex is known to mutate a person’s head, sometimes even sprouting extra heads. Imagine looking into a mirror and seeing another face staring back at you.
Not to mention, it could be rather inconvenient during duels. After all, it’s creepy and painful. It’s not as popular as other spells, but it shows how creative (and twisted) some wizards could be when inventing curses.
16. Petrificus Totalus
Okay, this one we all know. Popular among readers and moviegoers, this curse was the first one that Hermione ever used, and we all had the same reaction as Harry and Ron: totally scared of her. This is a classic full-body bind curse.
It freezes the victim completely, arms pinned, body stiff, unable to move or speak. Hermione used it on Neville in Sorcerer’s Stone when he tried to stop them from escaping at night. Victims usually collapse like a board. Not deadly, but definitely frustrating and humiliating in a duel.
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17. Reducto
Yet again, a terrifying and commonly used curse in the Wizarding World. The Reductor Curse is known to shatter objects and, if cast strongly, disintegrates them entirely.
Harry used it several times, especially in the Triwizard Tournament. Later on in Order of the Phoenix, during the Battle of the Department of Ministries, he and his friends cast this spell on several Death Eaters. And we’ve all seen how it could be terrifyingly destructive to people, even though it’s usually aimed at obstacles.
18. Sectumsempra
Of all the curses we’ve mentioned in this list, Sectumsempra has to be one of the darkest non-Unforgivable spells. Invented by Severus Snape during his student years, this spell is known to slice victims open as if slashed by invisible swords.
Harry used it on Draco Malfoy, leaving him badly injured and bleeding. Well, that scene was enough proof that not all dangerous spells are locked away in Ministry records.
19. Stupefy
Another very commonly used spell throughout the series, the Stunning Spell is used to blast opponents into unconsciousness. Well, it’s common because Harry and his friends used it constantly.
While it doesn’t kill, being stunned in a fight is basically losing instantly. It’s so common in duels that it’s almost as dangerous as more violent curses.
20. Stinging Jinx
Not many people will remember this by its name, but this is the spell that helped Harry escape from being identified in the Malfoy Manor in Deathly Hallows. This spell causes painful stings on the victim’s skin, almost like multiple bee stings, causing the place to swell.
Harry once used it on Snape during his Occlumency lessons, while Hermione intentionally cast it on Harry, causing a far more lasting and stronger impact. It’s not lethal, but it definitely hurts and leaves red welts behind. Not to mention, in a duel, even small pains can throw you off.
The table contains all 20 offensive spells from the Harry Potter franchise:
| Spell | Type of Spell | First Mentioned |
| Avis Oppugno | Charm | Goblet of Fire |
| Bat-Bogey Hex | Hex | Order of the Phoenix |
| Confringo | Curse | Prisoner of Azkaban |
| Calvorio | Curse | Sorcerer’s Stone |
| Conjunctivitis Curse | Curse | Goblet of Fire |
| Densaugeo | Hex | Goblet of Fire |
| Diffindo | Chram | Goblet of Fire |
| Engorgio Skullus | Dark charm | Half-Blood Prince |
| Everte Statum | Spell | Chamber of Secrets |
| Flipendo | Jinx | Chamber of Secrets |
| Furnunculus | Jinx | Goblet of Fire |
| Horn Tongue Hex | Hex | Goblet of Fire |
| Hurling Hex | Hex | Prisoner of Azkaban |
| Incarcerous | Spell | Sorcerer’s Stone |
| Mutatio Skullus | Dark charm | Prisoner of Azkaban |
| Petrificus Totalus | Curse | Sorcerer’s Stone |
| Reducto | Curse | Goblet of Fire |
| Sectumsempra | Curse | Half-Blood Prince |
| Stupefy | Charm | Prisoner of Azkaban |
| Stinging Jinx | Jinx, hex | Order of the Phoenix |
Share your favorite spell from the Harry Potter lore with us, in the comments below.
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