| Warning!
At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. Spoilers will be present within the article. |
- "The incantation for the knockback jinx is 'Flipendo'. This jinx is the most utilitarian of Grade 2 spell, in that it will allow the caster to 'knock back' an opponent or object and can also be used to push and activate certain magically charmed switches. Like many Grade 2 spells, Flipendo can be targeted."
- —The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2
The Knockback Jinx[2][1] (Flipendo[2][1]) is a jinx that knocks back the target back, while prominently used for duelling, it has non-combatant usage, such as for activating magically charmed switches.[2] It is covered in both Quentin Trimble's The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection[1] and Miranda Goshawk's The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2.
History
During the 1984–1985 school year, it was covered by Filius Flitwick in Charms class for first years.[3]
During the 1991–1992 school year, this jinx was instead taught to first years in the Defence Against the Dark Arts class by Professor Quirinus Quirrell. Students later used it to defeat the various imps, fire crabs, and pixies residing in Hogwarts Castle, as well as helping to protect themselves against the monsters in the Forbidden Forest.[4]
Effect
The Knockback Jinx feels like a blow to the chest, knocking back a victim or object,[1] along with "a loud bang."[5] The jinx also can also break fragile objects. To counter it, the Knockback Jinx can be rebounded to its caster by means of either the Disarming Charm or the Shield Charm, as many other spells can, or simply dodged.
Known uses
- "There was a loud bang and he felt himself flying backwards as if punched; as he slammed into the kitchen wall and slid to the floor, he glimpsed the tail of Lupin's cloak disappearing round the door."
- —Remus Lupin uses this spell on Harry Potter[src]
| Caster(s) | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dobby | 30 May, 1993 | After Lucius Malfoy realised that Harry Potter freed Lucius' House-elf, Dobby, with a sock, Dobby used magic that sent Lucius flying backwards as the latter was about to curse Harry. As this was accomplished by House-elf magic, without a wand,[6] it may not have been exactly the same as a traditional knockback jynx, but the effect was certainly comparable. |
| Harry Potter | 17 December, 1992 | Professor Gilderoy Lockhart revised this with his second year class in the 1992-1993 school year for use in duelling.[2] He then had Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy duel each other with it.[2] |
| Draco Malfoy | ||
| Alastor Moody | 18 June, 1996 | During the Battle of the Departments of Mysteries, Alastor Moody used this jinx to knock a Death Eater off the ground and hit a large rock before disappearing behind it. |
| Severus Snape | June 1997 | Used this jinx on Harry Potter when escaping Hogwarts Castle alongside the Death Eaters.[7] |
| Remus Lupin | 1 September, 1997 | On 1 September, 1997, Harry had this spell used on him once more, this time by Remus Lupin at 12 Grimmauld Place.[8] |
| Draco Malfoy | September, 2020 | Used in a Duel against Harry Potter in Harry's house.[9] |
Known practitioners
Add a photo to this galleryEtymology
The spell quite simply means "to flip someone onto their end".
Behind the scenes
- This jinx can be bought at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment in Diagon Alley.[12]
- Every time Harry had this jinx used on him, it was because he had called the caster a coward.[8][7]
- A spellbook detailing how to cast this spell could be found in Ollivanders.[4]
- In the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) Harry can cast this spell on Flipendo Buttons to activate certain mechanisms such as lifting a portcullis or moving flying platforms.[4]
- In the film adaptations, Stupefy can have the same effects of Flipendo, knocking an opponent over or sending them flying through the air, though it can also simply render the target unconscious or sedated without exerting force on them. The spell also shares similarities with the Disarming Charm, Stunning Spell, Banishing Charm, and in its uses to knock down or send a target flying, sometimes to the extent of rendering a target unconscious.
- In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, the Knockback Jinx is covered in Charms class. This seems unusual, as defensive spells have not been shown as being part of the Charms curiculum, but Defence against the Dark Arts instead. Though jinxes, hexes and curses can be grouped together in a category called Dark charms.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
- Pottermore (Spells / Duels)
- Harry Potter Trading Card Game
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Pottermore
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (PS2 version)
- ↑ Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 1
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- ↑ This is evident, because Dobby can cast wizard's spells, such as the Hover Charm, the light was blue, and Malfoy appeared to be simply knocked backwards.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 28 (Flight of the Prince)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 11 (The Bribe)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act Two, Scene Thirteen
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- ↑ LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
