Escaping Erebus

Hades 2 puts you in the shoes of Melinoë, Zagreus's sister, on a mission to defeat Chronos. After dozens of escape attempts, here's everything you need to know to make your runs count.

Quick Summary:

• Death is progress — you'll unlock permanent upgrades each run
• Boons from gods are your primary power source
• Grasp (magick abilities) replaces Cast from the first game
• Gather resources even on failed runs
• Incantations unlock permanent features at the Crossroads

Table of Contents

• Core Gameplay Loop
• Combat Fundamentals
• Understanding Boons
• Grasp and Magick
• Resources and Gathering
• Incantations
• Pro Tips
• FAQ

Core Gameplay Loop

Hades 2 is a roguelike — you'll die repeatedly, and that's intentional.

Each Run:

• Start at the Crossroads (your hub)
• Fight through randomly generated rooms
• Collect boons, upgrades, and resources
• Die or defeat the final boss
• Return to Crossroads with permanent progress

Permanent Progression:

• Resources carry over between runs
• Unlock new weapons, abilities, and NPCs
• Incantations provide permanent upgrades
• Story progresses through repeated attempts

Combat Fundamentals

Combat is fast and punishing. Master these basics:

Attacks:

• Attack — Basic weapon strike
• Special — Weapon's unique ability
• Grasp (Ω) — Magick-powered ability
• Sprint — Faster movement, costs stamina

Defense:

• Dash — Invincibility frames during the dash
• Positioning — Don't stand still; circle enemies

Key Tip: Dash has i-frames. Time your dashes through attacks rather than away from them.

Understanding Boons

Boons are temporary power-ups from Olympian gods that last one run:

Boon Types:

• Attack Boons — Modify your basic attack
• Special Boons — Modify your special ability
• Grasp Boons — Modify your Ω ability
• Dash Boons — Add effects to your dash
• Passive Boons — General stat boosts

Rarity Matters: Common → Rare → Epic → Heroic → Legendary. Higher rarity = stronger effects.

Build Synergy: Stack boons from the same god or find Duo Boons that combine two gods' powers.

Grasp and Magick

Grasp (Ω) is Melinoë's signature ability, replacing Cast from Hades 1:

How It Works:

• Costs Magick to use (blue bar)
• Magick regenerates over time
• Different weapons have different Grasp abilities
• Boons can dramatically change Grasp function

Magick Management: Don't spam Grasp. Use it strategically when you have openings or need crowd control.

Resources and Gathering

Gathering resources is crucial — even failed runs progress your game:

Key Resources:

• Bones — Basic crafting material
• Psyche — Used for Incantations
• Fate Fabric — Rare, used for powerful upgrades
• Silver — Currency at the Crossroads

Gathering Tools: Unlock the pickaxe and fishing rod through Incantations. Use them during runs to collect extra resources.

Incantations

Incantations are permanent unlocks crafted at the Crossroads cauldron:

Priority Incantations:

• Unlock additional weapons
• Unlock gathering tools (pickaxe, rod)
• Unlock new areas and paths
• Increase starting resources

Check the cauldron regularly — new Incantations unlock as you progress the story and gather materials.

Pro Tips

• Talk to everyone — Story and unlocks come from NPC conversations
• Gather every run — Even if you're about to die, grab resources first
• Experiment with weapons — Each plays differently; find your favorite
• Read boon descriptions — Understand what synergizes
• Use the training dummy — Test weapons and combos at the Crossroads
• Don't force builds — Adapt to what the run offers
• Sprint costs stamina — Save it for repositioning in combat

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play Hades 1 first?
No. Hades 2 tells its own story. Playing the first game enriches the experience but isn't required.

How long is the game?
First clear takes 15-30 hours depending on skill. Full completion is 50+ hours.

Is it still in Early Access?
Check Steam for current status. Supergiant regularly updates with new content.

What's the best starting weapon?
The Witch's Staff (starting weapon) is well-balanced. Sister Blades offer faster combat. Experiment to find your style.

Summary

Hades 2 rewards persistence. Every death teaches you patterns, earns resources, and progresses the story. Focus on learning enemy attacks, building boon synergies, and unlocking Incantations. Melinoë's journey is long, but every run brings you closer to Chronos.