Hades

Game Introduction

Genre

Action role-playing, roguelike, dungeon crawler, hack-and-slash.

Developer & Publisher

Supergiant Games – both developer and publisher. Known for critically acclaimed titles Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre.

Release Timeline

• Early Access: December 2018 (PC via Epic Games Store and Steam)


• Full Release: September 17, 2020 (PC, Nintendo Switch)


• Console Release: August 13, 2021 (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)




Platforms


PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S.



Story Overview


You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, god of the dead. Trapped in the Underworld, Zagreus feels betrayed by his father and longs to find his mother, Persephone, who left the Underworld long ago. Armed with a variety of weapons and aided by boons from the Olympian gods (who have their own agendas), you must fight through the shifting realms of Tartarus, Asphodel, Elysium, and the Temple of Styx to reach the surface. The narrative unfolds with every escape attempt, as Zagreus meets friends, enemies, and family members, each with deep dialogue trees that change as you progress.



Setting


The game is set entirely within the Greek Underworld, beautifully rendered in a hand-painted, isometric style. Each of the four main biomes has a distinct visual identity and enemy set:

• Tartarus: The first realm of punishment, filled with shades and traps.


• Asphodel: A lava-filled, fiery wasteland.


• Elysium: The paradise for heroes, filled with armored shades and champions.


• Temple of Styx: The final gauntlet before the surface. The House of Hades serves as the central hub where you talk to characters, upgrade your abilities, and advance storylines between runs.




Main Characters



• Zagreus – The protagonist, a rebellious prince seeking his mother.


• Hades – The stern, unforgiving father and final boss.


• Persephone – Zagreus’s mother, who left the Underworld.


• Nyx – The personification of night; Zagreus’s foster mother and ally.


• Hypnos – Sleepy god of sleep, keeps track of your deaths.


• Thanatos – God of death; a friend (or rival) who sometimes appears in combat.


• Megaera – One of the Furies; antagonist who becomes a potential friend.


• Achilles – Mentor figure and shade in the House.


• Patroclus – Achilles’s lover, found in Elysium.


• Sisyphus, Eurydice, Orpheus – Other legendary figures with story arcs.


• Olympian Gods – Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Aphrodite, Artemis, Ares, Dionysus, Demeter, Hermes, and others grant boons that define your build. Each has a unique personality and relationship with Zagreus.




Core Appeal



• Fast-Paced Combat: Fluid hack-and-slash action with six distinct weapons (Sword, Spear, Shield, Bow, Fists, Railgun) plus hidden aspects.


• Deeply Intertwined Storytelling: The roguelike structure is not just an excuse for gameplay; death advances the story as you return to the House of Hades and converse with characters. No two runs feel narratively identical.


• Infinite Replayability: Procedurally generated encounters, 15+ Olympian gods with many boon combinations, Pact of Punishment modifiers, and unlockable weapon aspects ensure you can play for hundreds of hours.


• Stunning Art & Music: Hand-drawn 2.5D art style and a dynamic, award-winning soundtrack by Darren Korb that adapts to combat tension.




Target Audience



• Fans of action RPGs and roguelikes (e.g., Dead Cells, Enter the Gungeon).


• Lovers of Greek mythology and character-driven narratives.


• Players who enjoy mastering combat systems and experimenting with builds.


• Followers of Supergiant Games’ previous titles.




Game Modes



• Single-Player Only: The entirety of Hades is a single-player experience. No cooperative or competitive modes.


• God Mode: An optional accessibility feature that grants a stacking damage resistance buff, activated at any time from the settings menu. It never removes the core mechanics or story; it only makes the game more forgiving.


• Pact of Punishment: Unlocked after first clear; allows players to increase difficulty (enemy damage, new modifiers, etc.) in exchange for better rewards (Titan Blood, Diamonds, Ambrosia).

Online/Offline Support

Fully offline. No internet connection is required for any part of the game – no DRM, no online features, no multiplayer. The game can be played completely disconnected.

DLC/Expansion Overview

No paid DLC or expansions. The base game includes all content. During Early Access, Supergiant Games released numerous free updates adding weapons, story beats, voice lines, and mechanics. After the 1.0 launch, free updates such as the “The Show Must Go On” patch added new music, story events, and quality-of-life improvements. The game is completely self-contained.

What Makes It Unique

1. Narrative Roguelike: Hades is the gold standard for weaving a persistent, character-driven story into a genre defined by repetition and death. Every run reveals new dialogue, relationship progress, and plot developments.
2. Boon System: The Olympian gods grant boons that stack and synergize in countless ways. Because each god offers specific effects (e.g., Zeus = lightning, Poseidon = knockback), you can tailor your build to your playstyle or to complement your weapon.
3. Character Relationships: You can romance characters (Megaera, Thanatos, Dusa) and give gifts to deepen bonds. The House of Hades feels alive with hundreds of voiced lines that react to your last run.
4. Accessibility & Difficulty Customization: God Mode and the Pact of Punishment allow players of all skill levels to enjoy the game. You can make it easier or far more challenging without hiding content.
5. Awards & Recognition: Winner of multiple Game of the Year awards (BAFTA, The Game Awards), acclaimed for its writing, voice acting, art direction, and music.
6. Elegant Duals: The weapon system includes six main weapons, each with four “aspects” (variants with unique movesets), granting incredible depth and replayability.

In short, Hades is a masterpiece of game design that combines tight action gameplay with a heartfelt, evolving story, all wrapped in a gorgeous package. It is considered one of the best games of its generation.

Getting Started: A Beginner's Guide to Hades

Welcome to the Underworld! Hades is a fast-paced action roguelike where you fight your way out of the Greek underworld as Zagreus, son of Hades. This guide will get you through your first hour, explain the interface, and set you up for success.

What to Expect (No Character Creation)

• No character creation. You play as Zagreus – his appearance is fixed, but you unlock cosmetic items later (keepsakes, weapon aspects).


• Roguelike structure: You will die many times. Each death sends you back to the House of Hades, where you can upgrade and interact with characters. Progress is permanent (Darkness, Keys, Gems, Nectar).


• Narrative unlocks gradually. Talk to everyone after each run to advance story.

First Hour Walkthrough: Step-by-Step

1. The Opening Cutscene – You’ll wake up in the House of Hades. Your father, Hades, is at his desk. Ignore him for now.
2. Talk to Skelly – He’s near the courtyard entrance (left of Hades). He’ll give you your first weapon: Stygius (the sword). Equip it if not already.
3. Enter the First Door – The green portal in the courtyard leads to Tartarus. This is where the run begins.
4. First Room – Follow the on-screen prompts: move with left stick/WASD, attack with A/X/Square, dash with B/O/Circle, special attack with Y/Triangle. Kill the few shades.
5. Collect the Boon – After clearing, a god will appear (likely Zeus or Athena). Choose a boon – for beginners, Athena’s Divine Dash or Zeus’s Lightning Strike are safe.
6. Continue through Tartarus – Each room has enemies. Clear them, take the reward (Darkness, Obols, Keys, etc.). Avoid lava and traps.
7. First Boss (Meg) – At the end of Tartarus (around room 11-15), you’ll fight Megaera. She’s tough. Don’t worry about dying – it’s expected. Learn her patterns: three-hit combo, spin attack, and bullet hell.
8. Death and Return – After defeat (or win), you return to the House. Talk to everyone: Skelly, Hypnos, Nyx, and especially Dusa (the floating Gorgon head).
9. Spend Your Darkness – Go to the Mirror of Night (left of the courtyard entrance). Apply Darkness to upgrades like Chthonic Vitality (health) and Death Defiance (extra lives).
10. Talk to Hades – He will taunt you. This progresses the story.

Controls on All Platforms

Default Controls (Action-Oriented)

Tip: You can remap most controls in Settings. For keyboard, consider binding Dash to a mouse side button for quicker reactions.

UI Overview

• Top Left: Health bar (green), Death Defiance uses (if any), current Darkness amount.


• Top Right: Room rewards icons (you’ll see what each door offers before entering).


• Bottom: Weapon gauge (attack/special cooldowns), Cast ammo (purple diamonds), God Gauge (fill by dealing/taking damage).


• Inventory (Pause): Shows your current boons, poms, Daedalus Hammers, and buffs. Tab/trigger to switch between boons, weapon upgrades, and keepsakes.


• Map (M): Shows the room layout (only after unlocking the “Fated List” or certain items). Early on, it’s hidden.




Essential Early Objectives




• Escape once (actually, you need to escape many times for full story).


• Unlock all weapons – Spend 1 Key on each weapon (Stygius, Varatha, Aegis, Coronacht, Malphon, Exagryph). Buy them from the courtyard weapon rack after first Key earned.


• Upgrade the Mirror of Night – Focus on Death Defiance (cost 10 Keys total, but worth it) and Chthonic Vitality.


• Talk to everyone after each death. This unlocks quests, keepsakes, and progress.


• Give Nectar to characters – The first Nectar you find, give it to Skelly (he gives you an extra Life) or Cerberus (unlocks a keepsake). Prioritize: Skelly > Cerberus > Nyx > others.


• Spend Gems – Unlock the “House Contractor” jobs: the Lounge renovation first (unlocks a fishing spot and more social interactions).




What to Do First vs. What to Avoid



Do First:

• Grab the first Darkness room if offered – you need 10 to upgrade Death Defiance.


• Always take a god boon over poms early game – boons are more impactful.


• Explore the House thoroughly after each death – talk to everyone, interact with glowing items (e.g., the healing pool).


• Use the “Fated List” (if you have it) – gives prophecies that reward permanent resources.


Avoid:

• Ignoring the “House Contractor” – upgrading your home gives permanent benefits (like more starting Gold, extra lives).


• Spending Titans Blood or Diamond early – save them for unlocking weapon aspects (after first escape).


• Skipping the “Styx” (the final area) if you reach it – even if you die, you learn patterns.


• Over-investing in one weapon – all weapons are viable; try each one to find your style.




Early Resource Priorities




• Darkness – Top priority. Use on Mirror of Night (Chthonic Vitality, Death Defiance, Ravenous Will).


• Keys – Second priority. Unlock weapons first, then upgrade Mirror (you need 4 Keys for two more Mirror upgrade tiers).


• Gems – Spend on “House Contractor” upgrades (not renovations for cosmetics, but functional ones like “Fated List” – cost 20 Gems).


• Nectar – Give to characters systematically. Start with Skelly (gives keepsake that gives you a Second Life), then Cerberus (Keepsake: Old Spiked Collar – +50 max HP), then Nyx (gives you +2 starting Death Defiance charges).


• Obols – In-run currency. Save for the mid-shop (Charon’s well) – buy Darkness, Keys, or Boons. Avoid buying fish bait early.


• Titans Blood – Extremely rare. Don’t use until you know your favorite weapon. Save for unlocking aspects that boost damage.


• Diamonds – Spend on “House Contractor” functional upgrades like the “Fated List of Minor Prophecies” (cost 20 Gems, 1 Diamond) – this unlocks special resource tasks.




Common Beginner Mistakes



1. Ignoring the Mirror of Night – Spend your Darkness there, not on random items. The Mirror is your main permanent power source.
2. Holding onto Obols too long – Spend them in Charon’s shop during runs. Dying with unspent Obols is wasted.
3. Skipping story dialogue – The narrative is the main driver. Talk to characters multiple times to unlock keepsakes, trinkets, and new areas.
4. Using all Death Defiances early – Don’t burn them on trash mobs. Save them for bosses.
5. Avoiding Daedalus Hammers – These upgrade your weapon drastically. Always take them if offered.
6. Ignoring the Codex – Press [button] to read enemy lore and tips. It tells you resistances and weaknesses.
7. Rushing through rooms – Enemies respawn if you backtrack, but traps like lava and spikes can one-shot you. Be methodical.
8. Not giving Nectar – It’s the only way to unlock keepsakes, which give huge boons early game (e.g., +2 Death Defiance from Skelly).



Day-One Checklist




• [ ] Complete the tutorial (first run) – die to Megaera or escape (very unlikely).


• [ ] Talk to all characters in the House: Skelly, Hypnos, Nyx, Dusa, Hades, Cerberus.


• [ ] Spend your first Darkness on Chthonic Vitality (extra HP) and Death Defiance (if you have 10 Darkness and 4 Keys for the second tier).


• [ ] Give your first Nectar to Skelly (unlocks Lucky Tooth keepsake – revives you once per run).


• [ ] Unlock a second weapon (spend 1 Key). Try the spear (Varatha) for range.


• [ ] Equip the Lucky Tooth in your keepsake slot (before starting a run).


• [ ] Start another run – aim to get to the mid-boss (the bone hydra or the rats) to learn patterns.


• [ ] After dying, talk to Nyx – she will eventually offer you a mirror upgrade.


• [ ] If you have Gems, unlock the “Fated List” from the House Contractor (requires 20 Gems, 1 Diamond – if you don’t have Diamond yet, save).


• [ ] Watch for “Dark Side” rooms (pact of punishment) – you won’t unlock that until after first escape, so ignore them.




Final Tips




• Don’t be afraid to die. Every death brings progress (resource drops, story advancement).


• Learn enemy telegraphs. The glowing attacks signal heavy damage – dash away.


• Experiment with boon combinations. Zeus + Poseidon = strong duo boons later.


• Talk to Dusa often – she gives you ambrosia and gems for home renovation.


• Use the “God Mode” option in settings if you get stuck. It reduces damage by 20-80% based on death count – no shame in using it.

Welcome to the Underworld. Now go make Hades proud (and maybe stick it to him once you escape!).

Core Gameplay Guide

This guide breaks down the core gameplay of Hades by player progression tiers. The game is a roguelike dungeon crawler where you, as Zagreus, attempt to escape the Underworld through a series of chambers filled with enemies, rewards, and Olympian boons. Death sends you back to the House of Hades, but you retain certain resources and story progression, making each run a learning experience.

Core Gameplay Loop

1. Escape Attempt: Start in the House of Hades, choose your weapon, then enter Tartarus.
2. Chamber-by-Chamber Combat: Clear each room of enemies to earn a reward (boons, darkness, gems, keys, nectar, etc.).
3. Biome Progression: Tartarus → Asphodel → Elysium → Temple of Styx → [REDACTED].
4. Boss Fights: Each biome ends with a boss (Furies, Lernie, Theseus & Asterius, Hades).
5. Death or Victory: If you defeat Hades, you reach the surface (ending) and then begin again with increased difficulty. If you die, you return to the House.
6. House Interactions: Spend resources on Mirror of Night, weapon upgrades, Contractor renovations, and gift Nectar/Ambrosia to characters for Keepsakes, story, and bonuses.

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Early Game (Runs 1-20 / First Few Hours)

What to Expect

• Learning enemy patterns and basic combat mechanics.


• Unlocking the first few weapons (Stygius, Varatha, Aegis, Coronacht).


• Collecting Darkness (for Mirror of Night), Keys (to unlock weapons and mirror talents), and Gems (for House Contractor).


• Your first encounters with Olympian Boons – limited choices.


• Dying regularly; progress is made through permanent upgrades and story unlocks.




Recommended Focus



• Mirror of Night: Prioritize unlocks: Death Defiance (once), Chthonic Vitality, Greater Reflex, Boiling Blood (after unlocking Cast).


• Weapons: Unlock all four initial weapons using keys. Try each to find preferred style.


• House Contractor: Small upgrades like the Lounge, music stand, or decorative items. Don’t spend heavily yet.


• Nectar: Gift to one or two characters early (e.g., Cerberus for a Keepsake that gives +HP, or Skelly for Lucky Tooth).




Combat Basics



• Attack (X/□), Special (Y/△), Dash (A/X), Cast (B/O): Experiment with combos. Dash-striking is crucial for safety.


• Boons: Early game, choose boons that boost damage (e.g., Aphrodite’s Weak, Ares’ Doom, Zeus’s chain lightning). Avoid overly complex builds.


• Daedalus Hammers: Always take them when offered; they drastically change your weapon’s moveset.


• Poms of Power: Upgrade boons that scale well (percentage increases like Attack/Special boons).




Progression Gates



• Unlocking the third weapon requires one key. Fourth weapon requires two keys.


• Meeting requirements for story triggers (e.g., talking to Nyx, Chaos, Orpheus).


• First successful escape? Unlikely but possible with good RNG. Focus on learning.


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Mid Game (Runs 20-60 / Unlocking Aspects & Reaching Surface Occasionally)





What to Expect



• All six weapons unlocked (including Adamant Rail and Twin Fists, require keys and Titan Blood).


• Unlocking first few Weapon Aspects (requires Titan Blood from Furies, Lernie, or trades).


• Consistently reaching Elysium, sometimes Temple of Styx. Occasional escapes.


• Unlocking most Mirror of Night talents (upgrade Death Defiance to 3 charges).


• Starting to use Fated List of Minor Prophecies for Titan Blood and Ambrosia.


• Meeting more characters: Orpheus, Eurydice, Patroclus, Sisyphus, Chaos – unlocking their Keepsakes.




Key Systems



• Weapon Aspects: Each weapon has 4-5 aspects. Focus on unlocking the first aspect of each weapon (costs 1 Titan Blood) to gain new moves. Example: Aspect of Zagreus for bonus damage, Aspect of Talos for magnetic pull on Fists.


• Mirror of Night: Max out Death Defiance, Chthonic Vitality, Greater Reflex, Boiling Blood. Unlock Infernal Soul (extra cast stone), Stubborn Defiance (for challenge runs).


• Keepsakes: Level up Keepsakes by equipping them and clearing rooms. Notable mid-game: Skull Earring (low HP damage), Distant Memory (bonus damage per distance). Also start using Olympian Keepsakes (like Zeus’s) to force boon god early.


• House Contractor: Unlock Lounge renovations (extra Darkness), Garden (Ambrosia later), Weapon Display cases (unlocking weapon upgrades).

Economy & Resources

Combat Strategies

• Start forcing specific boon combos using Keepsakes. Example: Ares Keepsake for Doom on Attack, then Aphrodite on Special to get Curse of Longing duo.


• Learn to use Cast effectively: Trippy Shot (Dionysus) is powerful combined with Demeter’s Arctic Blast.


• Facing [REDACTED] for the first time? Focus on dodging his spin attack and skull beams. Use Lucky Tooth or Skelly’s Keepsake for extra death defiance.


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Late Game (Runs 60-120 / Completing Main Story & Unlocking Pact of Punishment)





What to Expect



• First escape leads to credits sequence with Persephone. Continue runs to advance the main story (need 9 more escapes to fully conclude the family drama).


• Unlock all Weapon Aspects (including Hidden Aspects – require specific resource combinations and dialogue from characters).


• Max out Mirror of Night talents, unlock all Keepsakes and max them.


• Start using the Pact of Punishment (after first escape) – add difficulty modifiers (Heat) to earn Titan Blood, Diamonds, and Ambrosia from bosses again.


• Complete most Fated List prophecies for permanent stat boosts and high-tier resources.


• Fishing becomes important for rare fish that grant Diamonds/Ambrosia.




Pact of Punishment (Heat System)



• Accessed from the courtyard after first escape. Each level of Heat adds conditions like Extreme Measures (harder bosses), Benefits Package (tougher enemies), Lasting Consequences (less healing), etc.


• Recommended initial pact: Extreme Measures 1 (boss upgrades) and Convenience Fee 1 (Chthonic keys cost more). Aim for 5-10 Heat per run to farm resources.


• Higher heats (16, 32, etc.) unlock special rewards (statues, titles) and are for bragging rights.




Build Optimization



• Learn duo boons and legendary boons. Examples:

- Aphrodite + Ares: Curse of Longing (Doom repeatedly if weak).
- Zeus + Poseidon: Sea Storm (bolt on knockback).
- Demeter + Artemis: Crystal Clarity (laser casts).

• Hammers: Some hammers are build-defining. For Zagreus Sword: Cursed Slash (heal on kill) but less max HP. For Hera Bow: Triple Shot or Explosive Shot.


• Core Boons: Pick a god for attack, one for special, and possibly one for cast. Fill with utility from others.




End of Main Story



• After 10 successful escapes (in total), you trigger the final conversation with Persephone and Hades. The credits roll, but the game continues with epilogue and more challenges.


• Unlock the Administrative Chamber for additional story dialogue and the ability to upgrade the Pact.


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Endgame (Post-Credits / 120+ Runs)





What to Expect



• All weapons fully upgraded (all 6 weapon Aspects maxed at rank 5).


• Mirror of Night complete, all Keepsakes maxed.


• Every character relationship maxed (full hearts) – requires many Ambrosia gifts and story triggers.


• All House Contractor renovations purchased (including extreme ones like the Hades statue).


• Fated List completed for permanent +3% damage per prophecy (highly valuable).


• The Epilogue – continues the story with Olympians visiting (requires a few more runs after credits).


• High Heat Runs: Clearing runs with 16, 32, 40+ Heat for the Skelly’s Last Snack and statues.


• Speedrunning: Aim for sub-20 minute escapes; some players achieve sub-10. The game tracks best times per weapon.


• Resource Farming: After maxing everything, excess resources like Darkness become irrelevant; Ambrosia can still be used for story interactions.




Endgame Goals



• All Hidden Aspects: Complete the special requirements for each (e.g., Aspect of Arthur – sword; Aspect of Beowulf – shield; Aspect of Lucifer – rail; Aspect of Rama – bow; Aspect of Gilgamesh – fists; Aspect of Guan Yu – spear). Each offers unique playstyles.


• Completionist Run: Achieve 100% on all weapon aspects, Fated List, relationship ranks, trophies/achievements.


• Challenge Runs: self-imposed limitations (no boons, only cast, fists only, etc.).




Tips for Late/Endgame



• Save Ambrosia for characters that give the most useful duplicate Keepsakes (like Syrinx from Eurydice or Spiteful from Achilles).


• Use the Poseidon boons with knockback and Razor Shoals (rupture) for speed clears.


• For high heat, consider Stubborn Defiance (one per room) vs Death Defiance (3 total). Stubborn works better with high pressure.


• Learn Theseus & Asterius patterns perfectly to avoid losing Death Defiances.


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Summary of Core Gameplay Principles



• Permanent Progression: Everything you earn (Darkness, Keys, Gems, Nectar, Titan Blood, Diamonds, Ambrosia) carries over between runs. Spend wisely.


• Roguelike Variety: Every run offers different boon combinations, room layouts, and enemies. Adapt your build on the fly.


• Story Unfolds Through Death: Each return to the House advances dialogue and unlocks new quests (like unlocking Orpheus’s song, reuniting Nyx and Chaos, or helping Sisyphus).


• Master the Combat: Learn enemy attack patterns, use dash to avoid damage, and exploit the environment (traps, exploding urns).


• Experiment with Builds: There is no single best build; many combinations can win. Embrace the chaos.

With this tiered understanding of Hades's gameplay, you can systematically improve your runs, unlock all content, and eventually master the Underworld.

Game Tips

Combat Tips

• Dodge is your best friend: Dash (default Space on PC, B on Switch, Circle on PlayStation) provides i-frames (invincibility frames). Use it not just to move but to phase through attacks. Practice timing your dash through projectiles and enemy swings.


• Use your Cast: The Cast is a powerful tool that can be used to deal burst damage, apply status effects (like Festive Fog or Zeus’s lightning), or even stun enemies. Don’t forget to pick up your Cast ammo (the bloodstone) after it embeds in an enemy.


• Prioritize enemies with shields and armor: Armored enemies (glowing white health bar) are immune to knockback and some status effects. Use Piercing Shot (Daedalus Hammer) or high-damage attacks to break armor quickly. Shield-wielding enemies require you to attack from the side or back, or use area attacks.


• Stun-lock works: Many enemies can be staggered by repeated hits. Use fast weapons like the Fists or Rail (attack) to lock down a single enemy while others close in. Be aware that boss enemies have stagger resistance.


• Learn boss patterns: Each boss (Furies, Hydra, Theseus & Asterius, Hades) has predictable attack rotations. After a few runs, you’ll recognize visual and audio cues. For example, the Fury Megaera’s whip attack has a tell: she stops moving and raises her whip. Dash just before strike.




Exploration & Navigation



• Always check the Chaos Gate: Chaos Gates appear randomly and offer a boon that applies a curse (e.g., lower attack) for several encounters, then rewards you with a permanent boon. The risk is worth it, especially early in runs when you need power.


• Take Obols (gold) rooms early: Coin is valuable for Charon’s shop in Tartarus and Asphodel. You can buy health, boons, or Daedalus Hammers. Plan your route to maximize gold, especially if you see a shop later.


• Look for the "Well of Charon": These are mini-shops that sell passive items like Poms, health, or Darkness. If you have spare gold, buy a Pom of Power to upgrade a key boon.


• Mid-run fountain locations: Each region has a fountain that heals you. In Tartarus, it’s after the first mini-boss chamber (or sometimes before). In Asphodel, it’s around the midpoint. Use them wisely to top off health before a boss.


• Always open Rare Curse Chests: These chests (purple glow) require you to take 40% more damage for the next 5 encounters. The reward is usually a boon or large darkness. The curse is manageable if you have decent health and dodge skills.




Resources & Economy



• Darkness is for Mirror of Night: Prioritize unlocking all Mirror of Night talents. The most impactful early upgrades: Death Defiance (extra lives), High Confidence (damage bonus at high HP), and Privileged Status (40% more damage to enemies with two status effects).


• Keys unlock weapons and more: Keys are used to unlock new weapons (from the Weapon Wall) and also to increase the Fated Authority re-rolls (in the Mirror). Save keys early to unlock all weapons.


• Nectar for gifts: Give Nectar to every character you meet (Dusa, Skelly, Eurydice, Patroclus, etc.). Each gift grants a keepsake that provides powerful bonuses. Focus on getting keepsakes from the gods first (Zeus, Athena, etc.) for boon control.


• Gems are for cosmetic upgrades: Gems are spent on the Contractor for House of Hades renovations. Some upgrades provide permanent benefits (e.g., more room choices, better rewards). Buy the "Bounty Materials" upgrades early to increase gem returns.


• Titan Blood from Fated Prophecies: Complete prophecy lists (from the Fated List of Minor Prophecies) to earn Titan Blood, Ambrosia, and Diamonds. Check the list regularly.




Builds & Boons



• Choose a "core" boon early: Your first boon heavily shapes your run. For beginners, pick Athena’s Divine Dash (reflects projectiles and makes you invulnerable). For damage, choose Zeus’s attack for fast weapons or Artemis’s special for slow weapons.


• Synergize status effects: The Mirror talent "Privileged Status" gives +40% damage for two status effects. Combine boons like Athena’s Exposed (from dash) + Zeus’s Jolted, or Dionysus’s Hangover + Aphrodite’s Weak. Stack statuses for big damage.


• Daedalus Hammers are weapons-specific upgrades: They are the most impactful upgrades for your weapon. For the Shield, try Charged Shot (long-range charge attack) or Dashing Wallop (dash attack hits multiple times). For the Bow, Perfect Shot (power shot instant) is amazing. Always buy a Hammer if seen in shop.


• Pom of Power upgrades a boon: Upgrade your core boons first (attack, special, dash, cast, call). Poms are more effective on low-level boons (Level 1 to 3). After Level 3, returns diminish, so focus on multiple boons instead.


• Call Boons (Ultimate): Your Call charges up and unleashes a powerful attack. Save fully charged Calls for boss fights or room-clearing. Athena’s Call makes you invulnerable—a lifesaver against Hades.




Weapons & Aspects



• Start with the Shield (Aegis): The Shield is the most forgiving weapon because it blocks attacks while holding attack. Use Bull Rush (hold attack) to charge and block, then release for big damage. Perfect for learning enemy patterns.


• Unlock Aspect of Zagreus first for each weapon: Each weapon has a free upgrade Aspect of Zagreus that boosts raw stats (attack speed, damage, etc.). Maxing this aspect is cheap (Titan Blood) and provides a solid build foundation.


• Aspect of Nemesis (Sword): This is a fantastic aspect for critical hits. After a special attack, your next few attacks are critical. Combine with Artemis boons for massive crit damage.


• Aspect of Chaos (Shield): Throw your shield and it returns to you, hitting enemies twice. Great for applying status effects (e.g., Zeus’s lightning on return) or for stacking Privileged Status.


• Aspect of Eris (Rail): The Rail’s special attack shoots a bomb that you can stand in to gain +75% damage for several seconds. Use this with Zeus attack boon for absurd damage.




House of Hades Upgrades



• Upgrade your weapon grip: The Contractor can increase your weapon's damage by 5% per rank (up to 15%). This is a permanent boost after every successful upgrade.


• Unlock more rooms per region: Buy "Fated Authority" or "Fated Persuasion" from the Mirror? Actually, Fated Authority (purple mirror) lets you re-roll room choices (use keys). Very valuable to force a boon room when you want a god.


• Buy the "Well of Charon Stock" upgrades: These increase the number of items available at Wells, and sometimes offer better rarities.


• Prioritize Death Defiance upgrades in the Mirror: The second tier of Death Defiance costs Darkness but is worth it. Also unlock the talent that restores Death Defiance charges between regions (a late-game upgrade).


• Invest in "Golden Touch": This Mirror talent gives you bonus gold when you pick up any gold. It compounds over a run.




Advanced Techniques



• Dash-strike cancel: You can cancel the recovery animation of attacks by dashing. For the Sword and Fists, alternate dash-strike and attack to rapidly deal damage while staying mobile.


• Force a god with keepsakes: Equip a god’s keepsake (e.g., Zeus’s Owl Pendant) before entering a region. This guarantees that the next boon offered is from that god. Use this to build specific synergies (e.g., Zeus attack + Poseidon dash).


• Pact of Punishment scaling: After beating the final boss, you unlock the Pact of Punishment to increase difficulty. Use Heat points wisely. Avoid "Benefits Package" (makes enemies more dangerous) until you're confident. Start with "Extreme Measures" (harder bosses) which changes patterns but is fair.


• Save your Death Defiances for bosses: In a normal run, you can restore Health at the final fountain in Styx. Try to use your Death Defiances only during boss fights, not in regular chambers. If you lose a life, you can sometimes buy a replacement from the Well of Charon.


• Use the "Family Favorite" Talent: This Mirror talent gives +5% damage per Olympian boon you have. After 5 boons, you get +25% bonus, making it better than High Confidence in long runs.




General Wisdom



• Don’t hoard resources: Spend your Keys, Darkness, and Gems early. Unlock Mirror talents and weapons. The game is designed to give you more resources as you progress.


• Talk to everyone between runs: Characters in the House give prophecies, unlock romance, and sometimes provide unique rewards (like a free Nectar). Interact with them before each run.


• Use the Codex: The Codex (accessed from the menu) provides detailed info on enemies, gods, and boons. Use it to plan builds and understand what boons are available.


• Learn to parry/reflect: Athena’s Dash or Divine Strike can reflect enemy projectiles back. Practice parrying the witches’ projectiles in Asphodel or Theseus’s spear throw.


• Experiment with all weapons: Each weapon has a unique feel. Even if you hate the Rail, try different aspects and hammers. You might discover a powerful combo.


• Take breaks: Hades can be addictive. If you’re tilted after a death, step away. The game is meant to be played in short loops.

Happy escape attempts!

Game Settings Guide

This guide covers all configurable settings in Hades (PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox). The game is highly optimized, but fine-tuning certain options can improve performance, readability, and comfort. Below we break down each category and recommend optimal settings for different hardware tiers.

Graphics Settings

Hades uses a hand-drawn art style that scales well across platforms. The settings below affect both performance and visual clarity.

Platform-Specific Notes:

• Nintendo Switch: Docked mode uses 1080p, handheld 720p. Keep settings at default (Medium) for stable 60 FPS. Disable Screen Shake and Motion Blur for handheld play.


• PS4/Xbox One: Preferred settings: 1080p, V-Sync On, High Preset, Shadows Medium. Screen Shake off.


• PS4 Pro / Xbox One X: Can run at 1440p or 4K with High presets.


• PS5 / Xbox Series X: Ultra preset at 60+ FPS. Enable 120Hz mode if your TV supports it (framerate cap 120).

Audio Settings

Controls Settings

Hades supports full remapping on all platforms. Special attention: assign Dash to a comfortable button (e.g., right trigger or bumper) for quick access. On PC, mouse and keyboard players often bind Dash to Right Mouse Button or a side mouse button.

Controller vs Keyboard: Hades is fully playable with both, but the game was designed around controllers. Keyboard users should bind dash to a thumb button (e.g., Space) and keep mouse for aiming ranged weapons. Easy to misconfigure: Do not set Dash and Attack on the same key; you’ll lose ability to dash-strike.

Accessibility Settings

Language Settings

Note: Changing language requires restarting the game to apply to menus and UI, but dialogue and subtitles update immediately.

Network Settings

Hades is a single-player game with no online multiplayer. Only relevant settings:

• Cloud Saves (Steam/Epic/Console): Enable to sync progress across devices. On PC, ensure Steam Cloud is active in game properties. On consoles, check system save data management.


• Leaderboards (Speedrunning): Visible only when connected to the internet. No in-game toggle.




Gameplay Tweaks



Beyond the main menu, some settings are toggled during a run:

• Auto-Pause (pause on menu, pause on focus loss): Keep On to avoid dying while alt-tabbing.


• Invert Camera Y/X: Common for flight sim players; not needed for Hades.


• Camera Sensitivity (controller): 0.5–1.0. Lower values help precision.


• Vibration (controller): On/Off. Off to save battery and reduce distraction.




Recommended Presets by Hardware



#### Low-End (Intel UHD 620, Vega 8, etc.)

• Resolution: 720p


• V-Sync: Off, cap FPS at 30


• Preset: Low


• Screen Shake: 0%


• Bloom: Off


• Shadows: Off


• All accessibility: On


#### Mid-Range (GTX 1050 Ti / RX 470 / PS4 Base)

• Resolution: 1080p


• V-Sync: On


• Preset: High


• Shadows: Medium


• Screen Shake: 50% or off


• Anti-Aliasing: TAA


#### High-End (RTX 3060 / RX 6000 / PS5 / XSX)

• Resolution: 1440p or 4K


• V-Sync: On


• Preset: Ultra


• Shadows: High


• All effects: On


• Framerate cap: 60 or display refresh

Special Attention Points During Setup

1. God Mode – Toggle located in the Accessibility tab. Once enabled, it persists and cannot be turned off for that save. Read the warning before confirming.
2. Dash Binding – Not rebinding dash to a comfortable button (e.g., R2/RT) will hinder your combat flow, especially for dash-strike combos.
3. Screen Shake – Default is 100%. Many players find it nauseating; reduce to 0% immediately.
4. Auto-Aim – While helpful, it can lock your attacks onto the wrong target (e.g., a weak enemy instead of a boss). Experiment with it off once you’re comfortable.
5. Resolution & V-Sync – On PC, if you experience stutter, try disabling V-Sync and capping FPS via GPU control panel (e.g., Nvidia Control Panel set max frame rate to 60).
6. Controller vs Keyboard – Hades does not auto-detect controller on PC; you may need to switch from M&KB to controller in settings. If you plug in a controller mid-game, restart the game.

After adjusting settings, the game will apply them immediately (most settings). If you change resolution, a confirmation popup appears; accept or revert within 10 seconds. Test in the House of Hades before starting a run.

Important Notes

This section covers crucial warnings, common pitfalls, irreversible choices, missable content, difficulty spikes, grinding traps, save management advice, online etiquette (where applicable), and things players often regret not knowing earlier. Read this to avoid frustration and maximize your enjoyment.

⚠️ Warnings & Common Pitfalls

• Don't hoard Darkness early: Darkness is used to unlock Mirror of Night talents, but you will eventually have an excess. Spend it freely to improve your build potential. There is no downside to buying talents—you can reassign them later without cost.


• Avoid selling everything for gold: In the Temple of Styx, you can sell boons and upgrades for gold. Only sell if you absolutely need more money for a specific item. A strong build is better than a few extra coins.


• Don't ignore the Pact of Punishment: Once you unlock the Pact (after your first clear), you can increase difficulty to earn more resources (Titan Blood, Ambrosia). But be careful: pacts stack. Start with only one or two conditions (e.g., Hard Labor 1, Jury Summons 1) to ease in.


• Gems vs. Keys: Prioritize Keys early: Keys are used to unlock new weapons, rooms, and the Fated List of Minor Prophecies. Gems are for cosmetic upgrades and some contractor projects. In early runs, always choose Key rooms over Gem rooms unless a specific Gem upgrade is urgent.


• Do not skip the Chaos Trials (Erebus gates): The golden gate at the end of Tartarus offers a trial where you take a penalty for a reward with no boons. Complete these to unlock Chaos boons, which are extremely powerful. The penalty is temporary and manageable.


• Beware of the 'Darkness is useless' trap: Darkness is vital for Mirror upgrades, but after maxing the Mirror, it becomes less critical. However, the House Contractor offers some Darkness purchases for completion. Don't completely ignore it, but don't stress after maxing.


• Don't over-invest in Daedalus Hammers: They are great but only 2-3 per run. If you get one early, it's fine; if you pass one, you might not see another. But if you have a weak build, it's better to take a God boon. Hammers are not mandatory to win.

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Overview of Item Categories

Hades features a vast array of items that serve different purposes: combat upgrades, permanent progression, collectibles, and currencies. This guide groups them logically and explains each item's function, acquisition, and optimal use.

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Weapons: Infernal Arms

Zagreus wields six distinct Infernal Arms, each with four Aspects (base + three alternate). Weapons are unlocked using Chthonic Keys and upgraded with Titan Blood.

How to Obtain: Purchase each weapon from the Armory (left of the courtyard) using Chthonic Keys. Aspects require Titan Blood to unlock and upgrade.

Synergies: Each Aspect opens unique build paths. For example, Chiron Bow pairs well with Dionysus Hangover or Aphrodite Weakness on Special.

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Boons (Olympian Gifts)

Boons are temporary, run-long upgrades from the Greek gods. Each god offers Attack, Special, Cast, Dash, and Call boons, plus various auxiliary boons. Rarity (Common → Rare → Epic → Heroic) affects numbers.

God List & Core Boons

• Zeus: Lightning chain, Jolted (damage on attack). Synergizes with rapid hits.


• Poseidon: Knockback, Rupture, bonus damage from walls.


• Athena: Deflect, Attacks that reflect projectiles.


• Aphrodite: Weakness (reduced enemy damage), Charm.


• Artemis: Critical chance, Seek homing.


• Ares: Doom (delayed burst), Blade Rifts.


• Dionysus: Hangover (damage over time), Festive Fog.


• Demeter: Chill (slow), Damage over time stacks.


Duo Boons: Combine two gods (e.g., Zeus + Artemis = Lightning Rod).
Legendary Boons: Rare, require specific prerequisites.

How to Obtain: Enter boon chambers, trade with Charon's Well (Anvil item), or use Keepsakes to force a god.

Synergies: Mix gods for duo. Example: Aphrodite Weakness + Ares Doom = Curse of Longing (Doom repeatedly triggered).

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Daedalus Hammers



Weapon-specific upgrades that drastically alter movesets. Appear in mid-game chambers (Elysium/Asphodel). Each weapon has ~15 possible hammers.

Notable Examples:

• Stygius: Flurry Slash (fast attack), Double Edge (second hit).


• Varatha: Chain Skewer (piercing), Exploding Launcher.


• Aegis: Dread Flight (homing shield), Pulverizing Blow.


• Coronacht: Explosive Shot (area), Flurry Shot.


• Malphon: Long Knuckle (range), Twin Fists.


• Exagryph: Spread Fire, Rocket Bomb.


How to Obtain: Hammer chambers (guaranteed in first ~10 runs). Can also appear in Charon's shop.

Synergies: Build-defining. Hestia Rail + Explosive Shot = insane single-target.

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Consumables (In-Run Items)



Items that provide immediate, temporary effects during a run.



Healing & Health



• Life Puff / Mend: Small heal (common chamber reward).


• Bouldy's Boon: Nectar gift, gives damage reduction for the run.


• Yarn of Ariadne: Rarity boost for next boon.


• Thousand Splendid Souls: +1 Death Defiance (from Chaos).




Special Consumables



• Pom of Power: Levels up a random boon (or chosen via Pact).


• Fated Authority: Rerolls boon/room reward (max 1 per run without Chaos).


• Fated Persuasion: Rerolls boon selection.


• Charon's Anvil: Forces a boon from a specific god (costs gold).

How to Obtain: Chamber rewards, Charon's Well, NPC trades.

Synergies: Use Pom on core boons early. Save Fated Authority for high-value rooms.

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Resources: Currencies & Materials

Used for permanent upgrades, weapon aspects, and house renovations.

Important: Resources carry over between runs. Use keys first to unlock all weapons and Mirror slots. Nectar priority: Skelly's keepsake (Shattered Shackle) early, then gods.

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Keepsakes (Trinkets)

Equippable items from NPCs that provide a fixed bonus each run. Upgradeable with Ambrosia (max rank 3). One slot only.

How to Obtain: Gift Nectar to character (first gift). Upgrade by giving Ambrosia after bond is maxed.

Synergies: Switch keepsakes between biomes. Early: Shattered Shackle or Pom Blossom. Later: Cosmic Egg for Chaos.

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Companions (Summons)

Powerful summons that deal damage or heal. Unlocked by max-bonding certain characters and then gifting Ambrosia.

• Batty the Wretched: Fires homing missiles (from Thanatos).


• Bouldy: Attacks with area damage (from Sisyphus).


• Fidi: Heals Zagreus (from Dusa).


• Rib: Charms enemies (from Megaera).


• Shady: Drops gold (from Skelly).


• Tiny Vermin: Damage over time (from Dionysus).


Usage: One summon per run, large area effect, long cooldown. Good for crowd control or emergency heals.

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House Contractor Items



Permanent upgrades for the House of Hades (cosmetic and functional).


• Music: Change ambience track (requires diamonds).


• Statues: Cosmetic.


• Work Order: Unlock new rooms/features (e.g., Administrative Chamber).


• Decor: Plants, trophies.


How to Obtain: Spend diamonds and gems at the Contractor table (right of the House).

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Fishing & Collectibles




• Fishing Points: Shiny patches in water after room clear. Catch fish for gems, darkness, or rare items (like diamonds).


• Codex Entries: Unlock by encountering enemies/characters. No gameplay effect but lore.


• Fated List of Minor Prophecies: Side-quests that reward resources upon completion.


• Trophies: Achievement/platinum related (playstation/xbox/steam).


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Miscellaneous Key Items




• Death Defiance: Up to 3 revives per run (via Mirror or Chaos).


• Stygian Soul: Cast ammo regeneration (from Mirror).


• Pact of Punishment: Unlock after first escape; adds difficulty for higher rewards (Titan Blood, Diamonds, Ambrosia).

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Summary: To maximize progression, prioritize unlocking all weapons, investing Darkness in Mirror, and gifting Nectar to gods for keepsakes. Use Titan Blood on Aspects that fit your playstyle. Remember that many items are permanent – only boons and consumables reset each run.

Character Skills Guide

Overview

In Hades, you play as Zagreus, the prince of the Underworld, who fights his way through the depths. All skills are based on your equipped Infernal Arm (weapon), its Aspect, and the Boons you collect from gods. This guide covers everything from basic moves to advanced synergies for every weapon aspect.

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Core Skills (Zagreus Base)

These are the fundamental actions available regardless of weapon or boons.

#### Attack

• Default Input: Press the attack button (Y on Xbox, Triangle on PlayStation, X on Switch, Left Click on PC).


• Effect: A basic strike or shot specific to your weapon. Damage, range, and speed vary by weapon.


• Cooldown: None – can be chained into combos (up to 3–5 hits depending on weapon).


• Upgrades: Enhanced by boons (e.g., Divine Strike, Deadly Strike) and Daedalus Hammer upgrades (e.g., Explosive Return for Sword).


• Combos: Attack chains can be interrupted by Dashing. Combos often end with a slower but stronger final hit (e.g., Stygian Blade’s 3-hit combo).


• Synergies: Some boons trigger on attack hits (e.g., Zeus’s Lightning effects, Dionysus’s Hangover stacks).


• When to Use: Primary damage dealer for many builds. Use to clear trash mobs and build God Gauge.


#### Special

• Default Input: Press the special button (RB on Xbox, R1 on PlayStation, R on Switch, Right Click on PC).


• Effect: A unique weapon-specific secondary attack (e.g., shield throw, arrow volley, spin attack for spear).


• Cooldown: None, but may have animation lock or limited uses (e.g., Adamant Rail’s special has limited ammo before reload).


• Upgrades: Boosted by boons (e.g., Divine Flourish) and Daedalus Hammer upgrades (e.g., Chain Shot for Bow).


• Synergies: Often used for AoE damage, crowd control, or applying status effects. Some weapons (Shield) block during special.


• When to Use: Versatile – use for burst, poking, or setting up combos.


#### Cast

• Default Input: Press the cast button (LT on Xbox, L2 on PlayStation, L on Switch, F on PC).


• Effect: Fires a Bloodstone (base) or a projectil/effect granted by your Cast Boon (e.g., Athena’s Phalanx Shot, Dionysus’s Festive Fog).


• Cooldown: Bloodstones lodge in enemies or drop on the ground – you recover them by picking up or waiting. Maximum number of Bloodstones = 1 base, expandable via Chaos Boons and Well of Charon items (up to 5).


• Upgrades: Entirely replaced by Cast Boons. Some boons grant additional effects (e.g., Artemis casts home, Poseidon casts knockback).


• Synergies: Many builds revolve around cast damage (e.g., Hunting Blades duo boon). Cast can be used to trigger Privileged Status (two status effects) easily.


• When to Use: Fire at enemies when you have Bloodstones ready. Excellent for burst damage, especially with Duo Boons or Legendary Boons like Crystal Clarity.


#### Dash

• Default Input: Press the dash button (A on Xbox, X on PlayStation, B on Switch, Space on PC).


• Effect: Quick movement in a direction, providing invincibility frames (i-frames) for about 20-25 frames. Can be used to dodge attacks, reposition, or cancel attack animations.


• Cooldown: None, but cannot dash again until the current dash ends (about 0.3 second). Has a short recovery at the end.


• Upgrades: Dash Boons (e.g., Divine Dash from Athena) add damage, status effects, or area control. Also upgradeable with Hermes’s Greatest Reflex (additional dashes).


• Combos: Dash can be used mid-combo to cancel recovery frames – essential for safe offense. Dash-strike (attack+dash) is quicker than normal attack on some weapons.


• Synergies: Dash boons are extremely versatile. Athena’s Divine Dash reflects projectiles; Zeus’s Thunder Dash deals AoE lightning.


• When to Use: Constantly. Use to avoid damage, close distance, escape tight spots, and extend combos.


#### Call

• Default Input: Press the call button (RT on Xbox, R2 on PlayStation, ZL on Switch, Q on PC) when God Gauge is full.


• Effect: Unleashes the Divine Aid of your boon’s god (e.g., Poseidon’s Call causes huge waves, Artemis’s Call fires a massive arrow).


• Cooldown: God Gauge begins empty, gains pips (1-4) based on damage taken/dealt and certain boons. Once full, Call can be activated once; gauge resets to zero. Charge rate varies.


• Upgrades: Call boons improve damage and add effects. Some boons reduce gauge cost (e.g., Hermes’s Quick Reload) or allow partial activation (e.g., Zeus’s Call can be tapped for shorter burst).


• Synergies: Calls can be combined with other abilities. For example, use Artemis’s Call on a Boss for massive burst. Calls also benefit from Poms (level up).


• When to Use: Save for tough enemies, bosses, or clutches. Use at full gauge unless boon says otherwise (e.g., Zeus’s Call can be tapped repeatedly for continuous lightning).


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Weapon Aspects & Unique Skills


Each of the six Infernal Arms has multiple Aspects that modify your Attack, Special, Cast, or Dash. Below are all aspects and their unique abilities.

#### 1. Stygian Blade


• Base: Attack - 3-hit combo, final hit heavier. Special - AoE spin attack around you.


• Aspect of Zagreus: +5~15% Attack/Special damage (upgrade via Titan Blood). No unique skill, just stat boost.


• Aspect of Nemesis: After Attack hits, next Special deals +50~150% bonus damage. Synergizes with high-crit builds (Artemis).


• Aspect of Poseidon: Cast becomes a projectile that can be launched repeatedly. When you recover Cast ammo (by touching it on ground), your next Attack or Special deals +50~150% bonus. Unique skill: Wave of the Soul – Press Cast to fire a wave that travels forward, can be manually aimed, and deals damage. Effectively replaces regular Cast. Cooldown: None per se, but uses Bloodstones. Best with Poseidon boons for knockback synergy.


• Aspect of Arthur: Turns Attack into a heavy, wide swing (slower but more range). Unique skill: Holy Slash – hold Attack to charge a devastating AOE strike that also creates a slow aura around you (reduces enemy speed). Special becomes a large, slow sword slam. Cooldown: Charge time ~1 second. Synergizes with slow boons (Aphrodite) and attack speed boosts.


Synergies: Nemesis favors crit builds. Poseidon works with cast/knockback builds. Arthur is a tanky, high-damage style.

#### 2. Heart-Seeking Bow


• Base: Attack - single arrow, hold to charge for longer range/damage. Special - volley of arrows upward that rain down.


• Aspect of Zagreus: +5~15% Attack/Special damage.


• Aspect of Chiron: After Special hits, subsequent Attack shots home in on that target (up to 4+ shots). Transforms attack into a rapid-fire power-shot. Unique passive: Pinpoint Volley – attack projectiles lock onto the last enemy hit by Special.


• Aspect of Hera: Your Cast lodges into the bow, allowing you to shoot it as an arrow. The cast effect triggers on enemy hit. Unique skill: Concussive Shot – fire a cast-infused arrow. Cooldown: None; uses Bloodstones. Best with cast builds (Dionysus Fog, Aphrodite Full Bounty).


• Aspect of Rama: Attack becomes a multishot (3 arrows per shot). Special creates a large, slow-moving blast that grows when enemies hit. Unique skill: Shared Suffering – enemies hit by the blast are linked, taking damage when you hit any of them. Synergizes with area damage and status effects.


Chiron is excellent for stacking statuses (e.g., Hangover with Dionysus on Special, Attack with Demeter for Chill). Hera dominates cast builds. Rama is great for crowd control.

#### 3. Shield of Chaos


• Base: Attack - Shield bash combo, final hit large shield slam. Special - throw the shield (boomerang) that returns. Hold attack to block (reduces damage).


• Aspect of Zagreus: +5~15% Attack/Special damage.


• Aspect of Chaos: After Bull Rush (hold attack to charge), you gain +20~40% damage on next 8 Attacks. Special becomes a spinning shield that circles you. Unique skill: Rush for Damage – Bull Rush now leaves behind a damaging rift. Cooldown: Bull Rush requires ~1 second charge. Good for aggressive play.


• Aspect of Zeus: Your Special becomes a rotating shield that orbits you, dealing continuous damage. Activating Special again (while orbit is active) sends it forward as a projectile, and it returns. Unique skill: Blitz Disc – press Special to throw shield; it stays active for several seconds. You can recall it early. No cooldown on recall. Synergizes with Zeus boons and status effects.


• Aspect of Beowulf: Your Cast becomes a Bloodstone shot that can be loaded into the shield. While loaded, Bull Rush adds 1~3 additional projectiles per Bloodstone loaded (up to 3). Unique skill: Maelstrom – after Bull Rush, release Cast to fire a spread of projectiles. Cooldown: Bull Rush. Best with cast buffs (e.g., Ice Wine).


Chaos is straightforward damage. Zeus provides great sustained DPS (especially with Athena on Attack for reflect). Beowulf is one of the highest burst damage builds using cast combos.

#### 4. Eternal Spear


• Base: Attack - thrust combo (up to 4 hits, final hit big). Special - spin attack with knockback. Hold Attack for extended range (piercing).


• Aspect of Zagreus: +5~15% Attack/Special damage.


• Aspect of Achilles: After hitting with Special (spin), the next 1~4 casts deal +50~150% bonus damage. Also increases dash range. Unique skill: Warrior's Rage – Spin attack now also boosts move speed. Cooldown: Spin attack takes ~1 second charge. Excellent for cast builds (e.g., Hunting Blades).


• Aspect of Hades: Special becomes a larger, slower spin with increased damage and knockback. Hitting enemies with Special or Attack reduces the charge time of your next Special by 50% (stacks up to 75%). Unique skill: Punisher – after charging Special, your next Attack is a guaranteed critical hit. Cooldown: Charge reduction mechanic.


• Aspect of Guan Yu: Reduces your max HP by 70% but greatly increases the damage and range of your charged Attack. Your Special no longer knocks back; instead, it throws a small bouncing spear that deals low damage. Unique skill: Dragon's Flourish – hold Attack to perform a wide sweeping slash that heals you for 2% of damage dealt. Also heals 1 HP per hit from your charged attack. High risk, high reward. Cooldown: None. Synergizes with attack speed and life recovery (e.g., Athena or Aphrodite boons).


Achilles is a top-tier cast weapon. Hades is crit-focused. Guan Yu requires careful play but can outheal damage with good positioning.

#### 5. Twin Fists of Malphon


• Base: Attack - rapid punch combo (up to 4 hits). Special - lunging uppercut. Dash - can trigger a special dash attack (fast).


• Aspect of Zagreus: +5~15% Attack/Special damage.


• Aspect of Talos: Your Special pulls enemies toward you (like a magnetic hook). Unique skill: Magnetic Cutter – press Special to strike from range and yank enemies in. Cooldown: ~1 second. Synergizes with area damage and melee builds.


• Aspect of Demeter: Attack hits lower enemy speed and stacks a debuff (up to 10 stacks, each reduces speed by 3%). At full stacks, enemies are stunned for a moment. Unique skill: Chill Touch – attacks apply a 4% slow per hit, capping at 40%. Great for control.


• Aspect of Gilgamesh: Attack becomes a 5-hit combo with increased range and knockback on final hit. Dash becomes a longer dash with damage reduction (20%). Special is a quick double uppercut. Unique skill: Hyper Sprint – holding dash makes you speed up and become damage resistant for a moment. Cooldown: None. Synergizes with dash boons and mobility.


Talos is excellent for grouping enemies. Demeter is a control machine. Gilgamesh is highly mobile and tanky.

#### 6. Adamant Rail


• Base: Attack - rapid fire bullets (automatic), overheats if fired too long (overheat meter). Special - lob a grenade that explodes after a delay (2 seconds). Reload button (trigger) refills magazine (base 12 shots).


• Aspect of Zagreus: +5~15% Attack/Special damage.


• Aspect of Eris: After reloading, your next 3~6 Attacks deal +40~100% bonus damage and create a damaging shockwave around you. Unique skill: Shockwave – bomb explosion also fires a shockwave. Cooldown: Reload takes ~1.5 seconds. Very high burst.


• Aspect of Hestia: Your Attack is a single powerful shot that consumes the entire magazine but deals massive damage (450 base + scaling). Special becomes a faster, weaker grenade. Unique skill: Last Shot – press Attack when magazine is empty to fire a high-damage rocket. Cooldown: Reload required. Synergizes with attack damage boons (Aphrodite, Artemis).


• Aspect of Lucifer: Your Attack fires a continuous beam that pierces enemies and doesn't overheat (uses ammunition differently). Special becomes a floating bomb that detonates when you attack near it (chain reaction). Unique skill: Beam of Light – hold Attack to sustain a laser beam that costs ammo slowly. Cooldown: None, but ammo management is key. Works well with Zeus boons (chain lightning) and Ares (Doom).

Eris is versatile and powerful. Hestia is a sniper playstyle. Lucifer is unique and requires specific boon support.

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Daedalus Hammer Upgrades (Skill Modifications)

Daedalus Hammers appear 1-2 times per run (rarely 3) and drastically alter your weapon’s skills. Here are notable ones per weapon:

These upgrades often define your build strategy.

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Boon Synergies & Recommended Builds

Below are suggested builds for each aspect, incorporating core skills and boon synergies. These are not exhaustive but give a solid foundation.

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When to Use Each Skill – Tactical Summary

• Attack: Default. Use for DPS, status application, and building Call meter.


• Special: Use for burst or AoE. Many aspects rely on special for setup (Chiron, Achilles).


• Cast: Use for burst damage, especially with Duo Boons. Save for groups or bosses.


• Dash: Use always. Dodge attacks, reposition, cancel animations. Dash-strike is often faster than normal attack.


• Call: Use when facing dangerous enemies or bosses. Some calls (Poseidon) are great for clearing rooms, others (Artemis) for single-target.


• Dash-Strike: Quick attack just after dash – useful for hit-and-run.


• Reload (Rail): Essential for ammo management. Reload after emptying magazine to trigger Eris’s buff.


• Charge (Sword, Spear): Use for extra range or damage. Charge attacks can be interrupted – time carefully.


• Block (Shield): Hold attack to block most frontal damage. Use against projectiles or boss charges.

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This guide covers every playable character (Zagreus with all weapon aspects) and their skills, including boon synergies and practical advice. Master your combos and dash timing to conquer the Underworld!

Characters & Roles Guide

Introduction

In Hades, you play exclusively as Zagreus, the prince of the Underworld. Though there is only one playable character, your build defines your role. This guide covers Zagreus, the six Infernal Arms (each with multiple Aspects that serve as subclasses), and the Olympian Gods whose Boons act as skill trees. We also touch on key NPCs who provide permanent upgrades or story progression.

Zagreus (The Player Character)

• Background: Son of Hades and Persephone, trapped in the Underworld. He fights to escape and reunite with his mother.


• Abilities: Zagreus has a basic attack (varies by weapon), a special (varies by weapon), a dash (invincibility frames), a cast (a ranged projectile), and a call (charged Boon ability). He can also use a summon (companion) after unlocking.


• Role: Pure protagonist. All roles are determined by your weapon and Boon choices.


• Unlock Conditions: Always available.


• Recommended Builds: Depends entirely on weapon and Boons (see below).


• Team Synergy: Not applicable (solo game).

The Infernal Arms (Weapons & Aspects)

Each weapon has a base form and up to four Aspects that drastically change playstyle. Aspects are unlocked by spending Titan Blood and sometimes completing specific prophecies. A brief table of weapons:

#### 1. Stygian Blade

• Background: The original sword of the Underworld, passed down to Zagreus.


• Base Strengths: Balanced speed and damage; good for learning combos.


• Base Weaknesses: Short range, no built-in crowd control.


• Playstyle: Aggressive close-quarters. Use dash-strike to approach and combo.


• Aspects:

- Aspect of Nemesis (Unlock: 1 Titan Blood): Critical hit chance on special. Role: Crit-based DPS.
- Aspect of Poseidon (Unlock: 3 Titan Blood): Dash-strike deals bonus damage and hits twice. Role: Mobility DPS, spam dash-strikes.
- Aspect of Arthur (Unlock: Revealed by sword companion, then 15 Titan Blood): Slow, wide sweeps with a holy aura that reduces enemy damage and inflicts a damage debuff. Role: Tank/Control. High health, area denial.

• Recommended Boons: Aphrodite (weakness for survivability), Athena (deflect for safety), Artemis (critical boost for Nemesis). Daedalus Hammer: Cursed Slash (heal on hit) pairs well with Arthur.


#### 2. Eternal Spear

• Background: A legendary spear wielded by Hades himself.


• Base Strengths: Long reach, fast attack, special has a wide spin.


• Base Weaknesses: Low base damage, spin leaves you vulnerable.


• Playstyle: Keep distance, use dash-strike to close, special for crowd control.


• Aspects:

- Aspect of Achilles (Unlock: 1 Titan Blood): After using special, your next attack/cast does bonus damage and charges a ranged dash. Role: Burst assassin, hit-and-run.
- Aspect of Hades (Unlock: 3 Titan Blood): Spin attack creates a shockwave that deals more damage with consecutive hits. Role: AoE brawler, charge spin.
- Aspect of Guan Yu (Unlock: Hidden aspect, requires completing a prophecy involving Patroclus, then 15 Titan Blood): Heals on hit but reduces max HP and deals less damage. Special is a slow, wide thrust. Role: Sustain/Vampire, careful positioning.

• Recommended Boons: Demeter (chill slows enemies, stacks for burst), Ares (doom on special/attack for extra damage), Zeus (lightning on attack for fast multi-hit). Daedalus Hammer: Explosive Launcher (special becomes AoE) for Hades aspect.


#### 3. Shield of Chaos

• Background: Aegis, the shield of Zeus, modified by Chaos.


• Base Strengths: Block (hold attack to absorb frontal damage), charge (bull rush) knocks back enemies and deals damage.


• Base Weaknesses: Slow attack speed, block limits mobility.


• Playstyle: Defensive, reposition with bull rush, use bull rush to interrupt enemy attacks.


• Aspects:

- Aspect of Zagreus (unlock free): Slightly faster attack speed. Role: Balanced.
- Aspect of Chaos (Unlock: 3 Titan Blood): Shield throw returns to you after hitting enemies, and damage increases per enemy hit. Role: Ranged DPS, bouncing projectiles.
- Aspect of Zeus (Unlock: 5 Titan Blood): Bull rush calls lightning bolts that strike enemies around you. Role: Zone control, lightning build.
- Aspect of Beowulf (Unlock: 15 Titan Blood, requires at least one other hidden aspect): Cast shard becomes a projectile that you can load and fire for massive damage. Role: Cast artillery, high burst.

• Recommended Boons: Zeus (lightning synergizes with Zeus Aspect), Ares (doom on attack/special for Chaos Aspect multi-hit), Athena (deflect on bull rush for safety). Daedalus Hammer: Minotaur Rush (bull rush leaves a damaging trail) for Beowulf.


#### 4. Heart-Seeking Bow

• Background: Bow of Artemis, crafted from a fallen star.


• Base Strengths: Long range, power shot (hold attack for more damage), special fires a spread of arrows.


• Base Weaknesses: Slow fire rate, vulnerable while aiming.


• Playstyle: Kite enemies, use trap doors and pillars, power shot from distance.


• Aspects:

- Aspect of Chiron (Unlock: 1 Titan Blood): Special arrows home toward the last enemy you hit with attack. Role: Single-target DPS, stack status effects via special.
- Aspect of Hera (Unlock: 3 Titan Blood): You can load your cast into the bow, and the next attack fires a cast-bomb that shatters on hit. Role: Cast burst, synergy with Trippy Shot.
- Aspect of Rama (Unlock: 15 Titan Blood, requires unlocking all other bow aspects): Attack charges slowly but hits all enemies on a line; special applies a damage-sharing debuff. Role: AoE support, debuff-focused.

• Recommended Boons: Artemis (critical synergy with power shot), Dionysus (hangover on special with Chiron for fast stacks), Aphrodite (weakness for survivability). Daedalus Hammer: Twin Shot (fires two arrows in a V) for more AoE; Relentless Volley (more special arrows) for Chiron.


#### 5. Twin Fists of Malphon

• Background: Magical gauntlets worn by the hero of Marathon.


• Base Strengths: Fastest attack in the game, special is a leaping uppercut.


• Base Weaknesses: Short range, no block, vulnerable during uppercut animation.


• Playstyle: Get in close and spam attack, dash frequently to avoid hits.


• Aspects:

- Aspect of Talos (Unlock: 1 Titan Blood): Special pulls enemies toward you (magnetic effect). Role: Grappler/DPS, group enemies then punch.
- Aspect of Demeter (Unlock: 3 Titan Blood): After dodging, your next attack becomes a Maim (deals damage over time). Role: Hit-and-run, exploit invincibility frames.
- Aspect of Gilgamesh (Unlock: 15 Titan Blood, requires completing a quest involving the Minotaur): Gain a max HP cap increase, a dash uppercut, and Maim on dash attack. Role: Berserker, high mobility, risk/reward.

• Recommended Boons: Zeus (lightning on attack for rapid procs), Dionysus (hangover on attack for stacking), Artemis (critical hits). Daedalus Hammer: Breaker Upper (uppercut deals more damage and knocks enemies away) for Talos; Draining Cutter (heal on uppercut) for survivability.


#### 6. Adamant Rail

• Background: A hand cannon created by Hephaestus, powered by ambrosia.


• Base Strengths: Long-range rapid fire, special is a grenade launcher.


• Base Weaknesses: Long reload time, low single-shot damage, grenade can be hard to aim.


• Playstyle: Stay at range, kite enemies, use grenades for crowd control.


• Aspects:

- Aspect of Eris (Unlock: 1 Titan Blood): When you damage yourself with your special (grenade), you gain damage for 10 seconds. Role: Self-buff DPS, risky but rewarding.
- Aspect of Hestia (Unlock: 3 Titan Blood): Manual reload (press reload button) turns your next shot into a high-damage crit. Role: Sniper, precision.
- Aspect of Lucifer (Unlock: 15 Titan Blood, requires completing a prophecy involving Hephaestus): Attack fires a continuous beam that deals damage and leaves a damaging landmine; special drops a deployable that fires beams. Role: Area denial, laser turret.

• Recommended Boons: Zeus (lightning on attack for rapid hits), Ares (doom on attack for large single hits with Hestia), Dionysus (hangover for stacking). Daedalus Hammer: Explosive Fire (attack becomes an AoE bomb) for Eris; Rocket Bomb (special becomes a rocket) for high burst.

The Olympian Gods (Boon Providers)

Each god grants Boons that alter your abilities. These act as your skill tree and define your role further. Key gods:

Other Major NPCs (Non-Playable but Important)

While not playable, these characters grant permanent upgrades, story progression, or assistance during runs:

• Skelly: Training dummy in the courtyard; helps practice combos. No gameplay role beyond tutorial.


• Dusa: House servant; gives Ambrosia after certain interactions. No combat role.


• Achilles & Patroclus: NPCs that offer Boons (from Achilles' training, Patroclus gives a special buff) and story. Achilles provides +1 dash (once) and a special upgrade after completing his quest.


• Orpheus: Musician; sings at the House. Grants no gameplay benefit but influences story.


• Charon: Boatman; sells items in the shop (Obols) and offers the Satyr Sack in Temple of Styx. Essential for acquiring Boons, health, and keys.


• Sisyphus: Gives a free Obol or health boon if you have him as a companion; also provides a Bouldy buff (optional).


• Megaera: One of the Furies; can be boosted as a companion (Sister of the Fates) later. Provides story and a summon.


• Thanatos: Death incarnate; appears randomly as a timed challenge. Winning grants a Centaur Heart. Also becomes a companion (Than's Aid).


• Hypnos: Sleep god; gives death screen tips and some dialogue. No gameplay effect.


• Nyx: Night personified; grants mirror upgrades and story progression. Essential for unlocking mirror talents.


• Hades: Antagonist; final boss. Defeating him progresses story; you can later brawl with him in the House.

Conclusion

Hades offers immense variety despite a single playable character. Your role—be it a shadowy assassin (Achilles Spear + Artemis), a tanky sword-and-board (Arthur Blade + Aphrodite), or a laser turret (Lucifer Rail + Zeus)—is shaped by your chosen weapon Aspect and Olympian Boons. Experiment with all combinations to find your escape style.

Cheats & Secrets

Hades does not feature traditional cheat codes, console commands, or unlock codes (e.g., entering a button sequence or typing a password). Supergiant Games designed the game to be learned through repeated runs, with all content unlockable through normal progression. However, the game is packed with developer-intended secrets, hidden features, Easter eggs, and exploit-safe hidden content. This guide covers every known secret, from hidden weapon aspects to secret dialogue, fishing spots, and the game’s most cryptic Easter eggs.

No Cheats, But These Are Better

If you’re looking for a way to make the game easier or bypass content, God Mode is the official accessibility aid (not a cheat – it’s a toggle in the settings). It grants increasing damage resistance each time you die. There is no penalty for using it, and you can toggle it on/off at any time. For a harder challenge, Hell Mode is available at the start of a new save file – it adds permanent Pact of Punishment conditions.

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1. Secret Weapon Aspects

Each of the six Infernal Arms has a hidden secret aspect that requires fulfilling specific criteria. These are among the most coveted secrets in the game.

Important: You must have at least 5 Titan Blood spent on other aspects of the same weapon before the secret aspect can be revealed.

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2. Secret Boss: >!Charon!<

If you attack Charon while he’s on his shop boat in the middle of a run, he will become hostile and fight you. This is a dangerous secret boss. Beating him grants a massive amount of gold and a rare item (a Legendary Boon or Duo Boon from your current region). To trigger it:

1. Enter a shop room (marked with a bag of coin icon on the map).
2. Stand next to Charon and press your attack button repeatedly until your weapon hits him.
3. He will roar, and the battle begins.

> Note: He hits very hard and uses area attacks. Use the pillars for cover. Victory rewards you with free items from the shop plus a special bag of gold. You can do this multiple times per save file, but it becomes harder if you anger him often.

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3. Hidden Fishing Spots

Fishing is a secret mechanic unlocked after you purchase the Rod of Fishing from the House Contractor for 1 Diamond. After that, during runs, you may see shimmering circles in water or lava pools. Cast your line (interact button) and wait for the bobber to fully submerge before pressing the button again to catch a fish. Different fish give rewards like gems, darkness, nectar, or even rare items. Fishing can also trigger unique dialogue with NPCs.

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4. The “True” Ending and Epilogue

After your first 10 successful escapes (clearing the final boss), the credits roll. But there is a true ending (epilogue) that requires:

• Reach maximum relationship hearts with Persephone (10 hearts, requires multiple visits after the final boss).


• Reach maximum relationship hearts with Hades (10 hearts, requires giving him Nectar and talking after each escape).


• Complete the “The Queen’s Plan” chain of events (triggered by giving Persephone an Ambrosia after she returns to the Underworld).


• After all that, a final scene with the Olympians and the House of Hades concludes the story. You’re shown a final image of the revived family.


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5. The Fated List of Minor Prophecies – A Book of Secrets



Unlocked after your first escape attempt by speaking to Nyx and purchasing the Fated List from the House Contractor for 1 Diamond. This book contains hidden prophecies that guide you to secret aspects, duo boons, legendary boons, and other hidden content. Completing prophecies rewards Ambrosia and Titan Blood. It effectively acts as an in-game hint system for secrets.

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6. Secret Keepsakes and Companions




• Pom Blossom (Keepsake from Persephone): Unlocked after gifting her Nectar and completing the main story. It levels up your boons randomly every few chambers.


• Sigil of the Dead (Keepsake from Hades): Unlocked after maxing relationship with Hades (requires Ambrosia). It boosts the Call gauge and grants a special Call effect.


• Companions (Summonables): These are secret items that let you call NPC friends during battle. Each requires a maxed relationship (10 hearts) with that character and an Ambrosia gift. Companions include:

- >!Companion Antos (Thanatos)!<
- >!Companion Battie (Megaera)!<
- >!Companion Rib (Skelly)!<
- >!Companion Shady (Sisyphus)!<
- >!Companion Fidi (Dusa)!<
- >!Companion Mort (Hypnos)!<
- >!Companion Lydie (Achilles)!<

Use these by pressing the Companion button (default: 1 on keyboard/hold L1 on controller) during combat. They have cooldowns and deal significant damage or provide buffs.

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7. Easter Eggs & Hidden References




• Skelly’s theme: The first training dummy has voice lines that reference other Supergiant games (e.g., “Transistor” and “Bastion”).


• Zagreus’s room: The painting in his room changes based on your relationships (e.g., a portrait of Megaera or Thanatos).


• Orpheus and Eurydice: If you reunite them by completing secondary quests, they will sing a duet in the House of Hades.


• The Chaos Gate: Rarely, a Chaos Gate may appear with the message “This gate is a lie” – it leads to a room that is empty but gives a free boon later.


• Developer Room: There is no official developer room, but the game’s files contain unused content (e.g., cut dialogue, early weapon designs). These are not accessible in normal play.


• “Hades” references in other media: Characters mention “the dog” (Cerberus) being fed, and Zagreus’s many deaths are acknowledged by Hypnos with increasing sarcasm.


• Secret achievement/trophy: “Is This What They Call a Hero?” – complete a run using only the Arthur aspect’s special attack (the aura).


• The “Extreme Measures” Pact: At high heat levels, each boss gains new, more difficult attack patterns. Some are secret variations (e.g., Theseus and Asterius with flaming chariots).


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8. Save File Manipulation (for PC users)



While not an intended cheat, you can back up, edit, or restore save files. The saves are located at:

• Windows: `%userprofile%\Documents\Saved Games\Hades`


• Steam: `%localappdata%\Hades` (sometimes)


Editing the save files directly (e.g., modifying currency amounts or unlocking items) is possible but unsupported and can break the game. Use only for backup purposes. The game uses a binary format; there are third-party editors, but they are not endorsed.

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9. Hidden Dialogue & Story Branches



Many secrets are hidden in dialogue trees. To see all lines:

• Give Nectar to every NPC until max hearts.


• Speak to NPCs after every successful run and after certain events (e.g., completing a prophecy or unlocking a weapon aspect).


• Talk to Achilles about Patroclus multiple times to unlock the “Companion Lydie” (their companion).


• Patroculus (in Elysium) will eventually offer a special boon (not a secret, but rare).


• Nyx will reveal that she is your true mother if you talk to her enough times after the main story.

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10. The “Show Your Work” Cheats (Developer-Documented)

Supergiant Games has stated that there are no hidden cheat codes in the game. However, they included a hidden dev comment in the code: you can view a text file in the game’s directory called “debug_log.txt” during development. This is not present in the retail version. Any cheat claims online (e.g., holding certain buttons at the title screen) are false.

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Summary of Legitimate Hidden Content

Remember: The real secrets of Hades are discovered through persistent exploration and relationship building. No shortcuts needed.