Supergiant Games didn’t just make a sequel — they built an entirely new descent into madness. Hades 2 takes everything that made the first game unforgettable and adds layers of depth, danger, and dark beauty. This time, you play as Melinoë, a witch who’s part mortal, part divine, and fully determined to take on the forces that rule beneath.
Whether you’re diving into your first run or coming back for revenge after your twentieth death, this guide breaks down the essentials that’ll help you stay alive and hit harder with every attempt.
Stay Alive, Stay Smart
Your health bar is your lifeline. When it’s gone, you’re sent straight back to the Crossroads, empty-handed except for a few resources and bruised pride. So, prioritize Centaur Hearts whenever possible — they increase your max HP and make every fight more forgiving.
Between encounters, keep an eye out for fountains or Charon’s snacks — anything that helps you stay in one piece. And don’t ignore the upgrades waiting for you at home; permanent buffs are the reason your next run will always go better than the last.
Don’t Ignore the People (or Gods) Around You
The Underworld is alive — not just with monsters, but with characters worth your time. Chat with Nemesis, Odysseus, or any of the other strange souls you meet. Their stories unfold slowly, and every line of dialogue deepens the world you’re fighting through.
And yes, gifting Nectar matters. It strengthens your connections and unlocks Keepsakes — special trinkets with powerful effects. Some even lead to deeper relationships or romances if you keep showing up with the right gift.
Learn the Icons, Play the System
Every doorway hides a choice. The symbols etched above them tell you what’s waiting inside — whether that’s a god’s blessing, a new resource, or a pile of gold. Picking the right path is what separates a clean run from a chaotic one.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet worth remembering:
- Centaur Hearts – More max health.
- Magick Flask – Bigger mana pool.
- Pom of Power – Levels up an existing skill.
- Daedalus Hammer – Changes how your weapon behaves.
- God Boons – Blessings from the Olympians; mix wisely.
- Resources – Crafting and upgrades for the long haul.
The game never pauses to explain these, so the faster you memorize them, the better your instincts become.
Choose Your Boons Like a Strategist
Every Olympian wants to lend a hand — but some blessings don’t play well together. A smart build isn’t just about picking the flashiest powers; it’s about how they interact.
Maybe you combine Demeter’s frost effects with Hestia’s fire, freezing enemies before burning them out. Or maybe you build around Hermes’ speed for quick, evasive runs. When two gods approve of your choices, you might unlock Duo Boons — rare, devastating combos that change the pace of a fight entirely.
Don’t get attached to every boon. If something better comes along, take it. Adaptation is survival.
Movement Is Everything
Dodging isn’t a suggestion — it’s mandatory. Melinoë’s dash comes with precious invulnerability frames, letting you slip through attacks and reposition before things get ugly.
Once you get comfortable, experiment with dash boons. Some add damage, others cause explosions or elemental effects. The point is simple: standing still is a death sentence. Keep moving.
Use Magick and Omega Attacks Like a Pro
Every move Melinoë makes can be charged into an Omega version — slower to cast, but devastatingly strong. These abilities burn through your Magick, so timing and placement are key.
Hold down your attack, special, or cast button to charge an Omega strike, and learn when to unleash it. The Sorceress Arcana Card even slows enemies while you’re channeling, giving you breathing room mid-battle.
Magick isn’t something to hoard. Spend it smartly, and fights will end a lot faster.
The Incantation Cauldron Is Your Backbone
After each run, spend time at the Incantation Cauldron in the Crossroads. This is where progress really happens — unlocking new features, characters, and long-term bonuses.
Everything costs resources like Ashes, Psyche, and Bones, which you’ll collect during runs. The more you invest, the more the world evolves around you. Some upgrades are subtle; others change how entire systems work. Either way, the Cauldron is the beating heart of progression.
Build Your Power with Arcana Cards
Arcana Cards are your personal deck of passive perks — think of them as permanent stat boosts you can customize. Unlock them with resources, then activate the ones that fit your style.
You’re limited by your Grasp (the number of cards you can equip), but this can be expanded as you gather more Psyche. Mixing cards creates wild combinations: faster mana recovery, stronger Omega casts, or even better drop rates.
The fun part? No two builds ever feel the same.
Experiment with Weapons and Tools
Melinoë starts with her Witch’s Staff, but the arsenal quickly expands. From the twin Sister Blades to the heavy Moonstone Axe, each weapon has its own rhythm. Try them all — every one opens up new playstyles.
Tools, meanwhile, are for gathering — mining ore, digging for reagents, even fishing. You can only take one weapon and one tool per run, so plan accordingly.
Don’t Forget Charon’s Shop
Every so often, you’ll stumble into Charon’s eerie shop, stocked with temporary buffs and healing items. Gold doesn’t carry between runs, so spend it when you’ve got it. The right purchase before a boss fight can mean the difference between victory and another trip to the Crossroads.
Death Is Just Another Step
Dying in Hades 2 isn’t failure — it’s progress. Every run teaches you something new, every fall gives you resources to grow stronger. NPCs will have fresh dialogue waiting, and new systems slowly open up the more you play.
That’s the loop — fight, fall, rebuild, repeat. And before long, you’ll realize you’re not just surviving the Underworld. You’re mastering it.
Final Thoughts
Hades 2 isn’t just a sequel; it’s a full-blown evolution. It’s bigger, meaner, and more intricate — but every death makes you sharper, every victory sweeter. The beauty of Supergiant’s design is that nothing feels wasted. Even failure has purpose.
So grab your weapon, dive back in, and don’t look back. The Underworld won’t conquer itself.