If you’re like me, and you enjoyed every high-octane minute of your time playing as Zagreus in the original Hades, then chances are you’re hyped to jump back into the fray and play as Melinoe in Hades 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the Roguelike smash hit of 2018.
However, as you might expect, despite feeling very familiar in a lot of ways, there are some changes to the core gameplay that players will need to get their heads around, and even some veteran players may find the beginning stages of Hades 2 a little daunting.
But have no fear; we have a series of excellent beginner tips that will help you ace this new, challenging adventure in the Underworld.
15 Beginner Tips for Hades 2 Newbies
#1 – Don’t Sweat Dying
If you’re familiar with Hades as a series, this almost goes without saying, but if you’re a complete newbie, then know that in Hades 2, dying is just part of the experience, and in fact, if you didn’t die, you would be ruining the experience for yourself.
You see, with each death, the game offers more narrative, more events, more encounters, and generally adds layers of complexity to proceedings, so in some freak event where you completed the game in one run, you’d end up missing most of the game’s content.
Dying in video games sucks, but in this case, every death makes you stronger, and more capable, so if you lose a run, just dust yourself off and go again!
#2 – Swap To Sister Blades
Okay, so first proper gameplay tip here, and this one is a little subjective, but hey, this is my list, so I’ll do what I want.
In the early game, you have two weapon options. Initially, you’ll have the Witch’s staff, and then before long, you’ll unlock Sister Blades. Both have their perks and will suit different playstyles. But if you are a newbie, I think Sister Blades is a more dynamic and fun option, as they cater to more fast-paced DPS builds where Melee is much more effective while still allowing for Omega Attacks to shine as well.
When you get to grips with the nuances of combat, you may find that some of the other weapons suit you better, but in the opening runs, I feel like Sister Blades gives you the best chance of going far.
#3 – Give A Gift To Schelemeus
Hades 2 is as much about attacking prowess as it is about self-preservation, and that means if you have the chance to give yourself a second wind, you should grab it with both hands. You can unlock Death Defiance in the Arcana menu if you have the Ashes, but that will take a few runs to acquire.
So, the quickest way to get your hands on a Death Defiance is through using Nectar. You can acquire this as soon as you unlock The Broker via an Incantation at The Crossroads, and when you do, you should give that first vial of Nectar to Schelemeus.
This will see you get your hands on the Luckier Tooth, which will allow you to revive yourself in situations where you would otherwise die, and considering how flimsy you are in the beginning runs, this can be a real game-changer, trust me.
#4 – Don’t Be Cagey With Your Magick
One of the biggest changes to combat in Hades 2 is the introduction of Omega attacks, which are charged arcana attacks that use Magick, the blue bar on the bottom of your screen. This is a finite resource that recharges from room to room, which means that if you use it all on one enemy, you could put yourself in a situation of peril.
However, despite this, you should get out of that hoarding mindset and spend your Magick freely, especially in early runs. This allows you to learn what different attacks do, and allows you to become proficient when casting them. Not to mention, Omega Attacks are so OP in this game, so if you don’t use them, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
In the later rooms, you will need to manage this resource a little more carefully, but early on, it’s all about learning and honing your craft. So cast freely and frequently.
#5 – Prioritize Centaur Hearts
Unlike Magick, health is a resource in Hades 2 that isn’t as easy to get back, and as a general rule, you should avoid rushing into fights with careless abandon, as one false move can make a run an uphill battle.
In short, health, perhaps aside from Boons and Encounter Gifts, is probably the commodity in Hades 2 you should focus on most unless you are on a resource run. So, with that in mind, if you see a Centaur Heart on your run, you should not hesitate to go for it, as this will up your max health by at least 25 points, and believe me when I say that little bump in HP can make all the difference.
#6 – Mark Your Forget Me Nots
Speaking of resource runs, we should probably mention that you can now find items out there in the wilds when fighting your way through the Underworld, and these items are essential if you want to unlock new weapons, incantations, and more.
However, an issue you can often run into is trying to remember what you’re actually looking for, especially if you are aiming to complete multiple Prophecies and Incantations at once.
So to curb this issue, be sure to unlock the Forget Me Not Incantation, which allows you to highlight certain tasks that need completing, and when you are out on runs, rooms containing needed resources will be marked with a little symbol, ensuring every run is as efficient and fruitful as possible. Neat huh?
#7 – Use The World Around You
Then, speaking of the world around you, not only can you find items and resources lying around the place that can be used for upgrades. You can also use the world around you to deal bonus damage to enemies.
The original Hades had a lot of environmental hazards, but they tended to be things you needed to avoid. Now you have access to a series of in-world assets that can be destroyed to take out enemies faster, and usually from a safe distance.
Whether it be a falling tree, an exploding barrel, or a melting statue, you’ll find plenty of things out there in the Underworld that can help you turn the tables when a crowd of enemies swarms around you.
#8 – Ensnare Enemies for Crowd Control
The casting system is a wonderful addition to Hades 2, as we have already mentioned, in the form of omega attacks. However, even if you’ve used up all your Magick, you’ll still have another Ace up your sleeve, and that’s your bind ability. This skill allows you to create a pentagram on the ground, which traps enemies within that small area of effect, and while only charged versions of this skill will deal damage, the basic function is still a blessing.
You see, in the original Hades, fast reactions were the order of the day, but in Hades 2, you can now use this skill to keep enemies in place and fight enemies in manageable groups rather than always being on the back foot.
It’s something you’ll need to master as the number of enemies per encounter rises, so be sure to get to know this skill intimately and become a master of crowd control.
#9 – Focus on Ash Over Psyche
If you remember how useful the Mirror of Night was in Hades, then you’ll come to expect the same from the Arcana Altar, an area where Melinioe can meditate, and unlock Arcana Cards, which act as buffs and effects that can be taken into each run provided they are equipped.
Two resources govern this skill table. Ash is used to unlock new cards, and then Psyche is used to unlock more Grasp, which basically allows you to equip more cards per run.
In the early game, you could be tempted to try and farm one or both of these, but there is a correct option, and that option is Ash. You want access to new cards right away. So, if you have the option of Psyche or Ash early on, always choose Ash.
Especially since you’ll gain access to a Tool allowing you to Compel Spirits for a hefty chunk of Psyche each time you do very early on. At the end of the day, Grasp is useless if you don’t have the cards to equip to fill the slots, so be sure to focus on Ash early on.
#10 – Experiment With Different Boons and Rewards
As you might have gathered, in this roguelike, the boons and rewards you get from run to run are randomized, and every run is a new challenge with new opportunities for synergies and experimentation.
However, I can guarantee you that after a few runs, you’ll already have some preconceived notion that the Boons and rewards you have used and understand are better, safer options than the unknown entities available.
Well, here’s a quick tip: get that out of your head and use these early runs as a means of experimenting, learning what each God, NPC, and room type has to offer, and I guarantee you, this focus on variety will serve you well when trying to build synergies and strong runs later down the line.
#11 – You Can Sprint
This one is a quick and perhaps obvious tip for some, but I would be remiss to leave it out in case someone doesn’t know. In Hades 2, if you hold the dash button down after dashing, this will trigger the sprint option, which is just a faster-running animation, allowing you to get around quicker without having to spam dash and wait for cooldowns. Basically, it allows you to do a Naruto run to get from A to B quickly.
Not all these tips are groundbreaking, but if you’re someone who likes to get through games at speed, this is a must-know mechanic.
#12 – Speak To Everyone
As you explore, go out on runs, and inevitably die, you’ll come to understand that each time you return to the Crossroads, or take on a new run, Characters will have new things to say, more narrative to throw your way, and in some cases, some new rewards and trinkets to bestow on you.
This might be The Book of Shadows from the Headmistress, or a Voucher from grumpy old Charon. But the moral of the story here is that if you don’t engage with those around you, you run the risk of missing out on some premium goodies.
#13 – Learn Boss Attacks and Gimmicks
Each run is filled with its fair share of random encounters, enemy waves, and more, but one thing that remains a constant from run to run, at least most of the time, is the boss encounters.
These bosses are tailor-made to test your ability in combat, your build strength, and your ability to understand what’s happening on screen, and the latter is what you need to focus on in the early runs. Realistically, you just aren’t going to kill a boss on your first attempt, you might, but you probably won’t.
So, I would urge you to use these initial encounters as a scouting mission and learn the attack patterns, gimmicks, and dirty tricks each boss has in store for you.
So keep your distance, learn the ropes, and if you survive long enough, put them to the sword.
#14 – Only Take On Guardian Rooms If You’re In Good Shape
On your travels, you may notice that some doors have skulls on them, and this indicates that this is a Guardian room, a room that houses a mini-boss. This room tends to have a Boon or an Item that is the obvious best choice before you, but with the caveat that you’ll need to fight a tough opponent to secure it.
As a long-term strategy, going for those rooms is a good practice as this leads to better items and upgrades, but as mentioned, self-preservation is key. So if you have low health, or don’t have a build you are happy with, it’s usually better to take the safer option and see if you can get yourself into a better position when the next guardian room rolls around.
#15 – Check Incantations and Prophecies Before You Head Out
Then lastly, it’s good practice to get in the habit of checking for potential rewards and upgrades between every run. There are plenty of little things in the Crossroads you will begin to do, like clockwork, pet your little frog companion, plant seeds for harvest, and swap out Arcana Cards, Tools, and Keepsakes.
However, two of the essential tasks when you return are checking the Cauldron for new Incantations to upgrade the world around you and checking your prophecies to see if you need to track any new ones or collect rewards on those you have fulfilled.
It’s easy to get tunnel vision when trying to get further in the Underworld, but I promise you, checking on those little details will give you a better chance in the long run.
The Student Becomes The Master
And that about does it. You’re now well-informed and ready to take on all the early-game obstacles that Hade 2 has to offer. I hope that this guide helps you deal with everything in your path and put Chronos in their place, and as always, thanks for reading Indie Game Culture.
- Best Beginner Hades 2 Keepsakes - May 13, 2024
- 15 Beginner Tips For Hades 2 Newbies - May 9, 2024
- What’s New In Hades 2? - May 8, 2024