10 Hades 2 Tips I Wish I Knew Before I Died a Hundred Times

So, you've dived into Hades 2 and immediately gotten your ass kicked back to the Crossroads. Good. That's part of the plan. But it doesn't have to be that painful.

Hades 2 is a masterpiece, but it throws a million new systems at you and explains about half of them. I've spent over a hundred hours in this beautiful nightmare, from the Early Access days to the full 1.0 release. I'm here to give you the essential tips that will make your first dozen runs a hell of a lot smoother.

1. Be Aggressive (But Not Stupid)

In the chaos of combat, it's easy to just panic-dash everywhere. But you need to know this one crucial thing: most normal enemies are completely stunned as long as you're hitting them. Your attacks will interrupt their animations and keep them locked down. So, if you isolate a single enemy or a small group, just wail on them.

This strategy goes right out the window for two types of enemies. Bosses like Hecate will absolutely attack you while you're hitting them. The same goes for any enemy with a yellow armor bar over their health. If you see yellow, be ready to dodge, because they don't give a shit about your combo.

2. Synergy Beats Rarity Every Time

You’re going to be conditioned by a thousand other games to see a purple "Epic" Boon and immediately grab it. Fight that urge. In Hades 2, a boring "Common" Boon that works with your existing build is infinitely better than a random Epic one that doesn't.

Think about what your build is doing. If you have a fast-attacking weapon, a common Zeus boon that adds a tiny chain lightning to every hit will massively outperform a single, big lightning bolt from an Epic boon that only triggers on your slow Cast. Synergy is always more important than that shiny purple color.

3. Stop Trying to Win and Start Gathering

Your first instinct in a roguelite is to push as far as you can. For your first ten hours in Hades 2, that is the wrong instinct. Your primary goal should be to hoard resources like a greedy little goblin.

Ashes and Psyche are your top priorities. These are what you use to unlock and upgrade your Arcana Cards, which are the single biggest source of your permanent power. Focus on pathways that reward you with these. Bones are also great because you can trade them for other resources with the Wretched Broker.

4. The Hammer is God

While resources are important, there is one upgrade that you should almost always take, no matter what: the Daedalus Hammer. These golden anvils offer you a choice of three massive upgrades that can completely transform how your weapon works for that run.

A single Hammer upgrade can be more impactful than two or three god Boons combined, sometimes increasing your damage by 300% or doubling your attack speed. Whenever you see the Hammer icon, you take it. The only possible exception is if the other path leads to a Charon shop and you're rolling in cash, but even then, it's a tough call.

5. Death is Just a Loading Screen

If you're new to roguelites, this is the most important lesson. Dying is not failing; it's progressing. Every time you get sent back to the Crossroads, you're bringing resources with you. More importantly, returning is often what triggers new conversations, new incantations, and new story beats. So don't get frustrated when you die. It's just the game's way of telling you it's time for a story update.

6. Use Your Damn Omega Moves

Melinoë has a Magick bar, and it's not just for show. Your Omega moves—the ones you charge up by holding down the attack, special, or cast button—are incredibly powerful and can turn the tide of a fight. It’s easy to forget about them in the heat of battle, but you shouldn't.

Just be smart about it. You are vulnerable while channeling, so don't try to charge one up when you're surrounded. Your Magick bar also doesn't refill on its own, so don't blow it all at the start of a room.

7. Learn to Sprint, Not Just Dash

If you're coming from the first game, you're used to Zagreus's zippy double-dash. Melinoë's dash has a bit more of a delay. The key to mastering her movement is the Sprint, which you activate by holding the dash button. Sprinting is crucial for repositioning in big fights and for dodging wide, sweeping attacks that a single dash can't get you out of. Mastering the rhythm of when to tap for a quick dodge and when to hold for a sprint is essential.

8. When in Doubt, Blame the Cauldron

Feeling stuck? Not unlocking anything new? Are characters just repeating the same lines of dialogue? The answer to your problem is almost always at the cauldron. Incantations are the primary way you unlock new features, vendors, and story quests in Hades 2. If your progress feels stalled, go see what you can cook up.

9. Give a Nectar to Everyone (Once)

Nectar is the first gift item you'll be able to gather. Your first instinct might be to shower your favorite character with it. Don't. The first time you give a Nectar to almost any character, they will give you a Keepsake in return. These are powerful items that provide unique buffs. Your number one priority early on should be to give one Nectar to every single character you meet to build up your collection of Keepsakes.

10. The Book of Shadows is Smarter Than You Think

This is a small quality-of-life tip that will save you a ton of time. The Book of Shadows, your in-game encyclopedia, can be a pain to navigate. But it has a secret trick. If you open the book while standing directly in front of a character or a resource node, it will automatically open to that specific entry. It's a lifesaver when you just want to quickly check a character's affinity level before gifting them something.