Game Tips

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.