Charms, jinxes and curses - the Harry Potter Wizarding World has a spell for just about every purpose, including flipping!
The Flipendo spell, also known as the Knockback Jinx, is a force spell used to flip objects instantly. The spell emits a burst of blue energy from the caster’s wand, striking the intended target with a force that repels it.
The Mysterious Origins of Flipendo
Flipendo was first introduced to the Harry Potter world in the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone video game. Although it isn’t an invention of Rowling, it made an appearance in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and who’s to say it wasn’t featured in the original books and movies?
For example, when Remus Lupin jinxed Harry in the Deathly Hallows book, the following effect is described: “There was a loud bang and he felt himself flying backward as if punched.” Although Flipendo isn’t explicitly mentioned, this sounds an awful lot like the Knockback jinx.
Might Flipendo also be one of the spells taught by Harry in the DA (Dumbledore’s Army) meetings? It is extremely useful, and Harry could have come across it in Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons. If you look hard enough, the spell is always somewhere to be seen.
Effects of The Flipendo Spell
In the Wizarding World, each spell has its own unique effects. From the summoning charm to the healing spell, we can all imagine how much easier life would be if we had just a fraction of Harry’s power.
Flipendo is a versatile kind of spell. Not only can it flip objects, but it’s also very useful in a duel. When cast, Flipendo knocks your opponent backward with a loud bang. Being knocked back by this spell can feel quite dizzying like you’ve been thumped by a frying pan.
The effects are relatively harmless but could cause a concussion if aimed at the head, potentially resulting in lasting injury.
Flipendo Spell in Combat
The Knockback Jinx is especially handy in a duel when you need to repel an enemy. Just like Wingardium Leviosa or Stupefy, it is used in defense. The spell’s strength depends on the ability of the caster and can range from a gentle nudge to a powerful thrust, sending its target flying.
Unlike curses, which are intended to cause harm, jinxes like Flipendo are more about creating minor inconveniences to deter enemy attacks. During combat, it can target certain enemies’ weaknesses to keep them at bay.
That’s why volunteer members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force are known to have used this spell against gnomes, pixies, trolls, and other magical creatures in order to prevent Muggles from noticing traces of magic from the Wizarding World. Being able to flip objects instantly definitely has its uses!
Advanced Forms of Flipendo
In times of great need, Knockback Jinx Duo, Flipendo Tria, and Flipendo Maxima can be cast to push opponents back with greater force, dealing more damage as well. These variations of the Flipendo spell come in very useful when fighting magical creatures such as trolls or acromantulas.
You can find more insight into the spell in Quentin Trimble’s The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, a textbook on the required reading list for first-year and fourth-year Defence Against the Dark Arts students.
Here, it is described as one of many spells used against magical beings such as hags, zombies, and vampires, though thankfully, neither Harry nor his friends ever have to face such menacing creatures.
Flipendo in Puzzle Solving and Everyday Magic
Flipendo is also the kind of spell used for everyday tasks like solving puzzles or breaking fragile objects. In that sense, it is the opposite of Oculus Reparo, the mending charm. More commonly, this helpful incantation is used to push heavy objects into place, complete riddles, or even move large furniture!
Flipendo Appearances
When the first Harry Potter games were developed, several new spells were added to Rowling’s repertoire, including Vermillious, Spongify, Avifors, and, of course, Flipendo, the Knockback Jinx.
Flipendo made its first appearance in the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone video game when Professor Quirrell taught it to first-year students in a Dark Arts lesson in 1991. This suggests it’s a fairly rudimentary jinx learned by Harry, Ron, and Hermione early on in the series.
The jinx was later featured in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery and was taught by Professor Flitwick in Charms class in the 1984-1985 school year. Flipendo is also one of the spells you learn in the most recent Harry Potter game, Hogwarts Legacy.
Flipendo in Hogwarts Legacy
In Hogwarts Legacy, Flipendo is one of several repelling jinxes taught alongside spells like Depulso and Descendo. True to its name, the jinx actually flips enemies upwards and backward. Its short cooldown makes it one of the most useful spells in the game.
The incantation can be unlocked by completing Professor Garlick’s Assignment 2. This subquest requires you to buy three combat plants from Hogsmeade and grow Fluxweed. You then have to activate the plants when faced with a group of enemies.
Just like the other Force spells in the game, Flipendo is capable of breaking enemies’ force shields, helping you defeat evil witches and wizards, as well as creatures of higher levels. The spell can also push heavy objects for solving puzzles in the game.
Want to Try Casting Magic Yourself?
Next time you encounter a troll or a pixie on your travels, you might just be grateful for the opportunity to cast some magic of your own. After all, who knows when you might come across a dangerous magical creature.
But first, you need a wand. Why not try with the Incendio Fireball Magic Wand, a wand that actually shoots fire? With a flick of your wrist, you can unleash your very own magic.
Choose your own style of Incendio Fireball Magic Wand to channel your inner witch or wizard and wow your friends with your newfound magical abilities!