Played Hades for a while? Feeling a bit like you've hit a wall or are stuck? Then this is the guide for you!
With minimal spoilers, we cover some not-basics to try and help you escape.
If you're totally new, my Absolute Beginner's Guide is here:
• Hades - Absolute Begin...
We cover lots of things, Calls, Boss Strategy, Bounties, Prophecies, Keepsakes, Fishing, NPC Relationships, Mirror of Night Talents, Weapon and Boon Synergies, and more! Hope you find it useful!
00:00 Intro
00:59 Calls of the Gods
02:04 How to learn Bosses
03:35 Sub goals: What to do between learning bosses
03:57 Bounties
04:44 Prophecies
05:32 Keepsakes levelling
05:59 Fishing
06:25 NPC Relationships
07:02 Pro tips to escape
07:10 Mirror Talent Recommendations
08:48 Picking and choosing boons / upgrades
10:40 Story Doors
10:56 TEH ANVIL
11:23 Outro
Good luck with your escapes, dearest Zagreii!
Got out on 37th attempt. Did anyone else think they beat Hades, only for him to start his 2nd phase and annihilate you? 🤣🤣
This happened to me on my first attempt at Hades. I thought he was defeated and I had 10 health left after the first phase. I was celebrating and boom, a wave killed me haha
@@DeadlyHord3 haha yep
No way dude, my first escape was also 37
37?! That's amazing!
I went to take a drink and dropped my drink when I realized it wasn't over and almost died. I then had to clean up said drink. I got out with the shield and on run 29. It was initially a resource run.
"Time to let go of Skelly's Tooth" *me with 3 death defiance* Ń0!
once you swap death defiance from the mirror,youll get a death defiance per room
@@supriyodey2461 3 death defiance in 1 room is better then 1 in every room.
@@supriyodey2461 and i have 4 now.
@@bait5257 hell yeah
LOL, I'm like that with the Cerberus health trinket.
"Try not to stare too hard at Zag". It's considerate of you to adress the thirsty part of your audience 😊
The struggle is real.
Nobody seems to talk about Dusa's keepsake. That thing has saved half my runs easily. Getting a decent amount of healing throughout the escapes helps SOOOOOO much.
Same, for my first 10-15 hours of the game it was an absolute life saver. It was the first one I got, and the first one I 3 stared
Honestly I think that Dusa's keepsake is good for inexperienced players who are still learning to play, but once you are somewhat good at the game it's one of the objectively worst keepsakes because while it can be useful in any build, every build has a better option. For survivability Hermes is a significantly better option in my opinion, especially if you also get the dodge boon. I mean using it you can get 100% dodge chance on zag aspect fists.
@@RyugaruSenbiMedusa head is playing the game, 100% dodge is gaming the play. In the past games didn't build in such extreme nuances. For better or worse it's interesting.
Also, if you are struggling seriously consider using God Mode; it doesn't make you invulnerable, but rather simply more resistant by giving you 20% damage reduction, +2% each time you die. That way if you reach a "skill plateau" the game will gradually help you until you can barely handle it. For us the less skilled players this is perhaps the best way to enjoy late content like 40 Heat runs, since it's a buff dynamically tailored to the player (which is why I recommend it for the late portion of the game).
Yes this is a very good shout, mate!
I agree! I don’t flame or look down on players who use god mode, and I do agree that it should be used at later heat levels if you’re having trouble. The only caveat that I think should be thought about it is that you should at least clear at least 1 single run without it so you can feel the joy and accomplishment of finally doing it. It took me around 40 hours to finally do it, but I finally did it. After you clear it once putting in god mode to avoid farming as much is totally ok way to play
God mode also saved my carpal tunnel hands from too much numbness and pain, which is a real concern for me and video games.
Haha y-yeah totally (me using godmode to even have a chance at 2 heat runs)
Been tempted, going to ride it more before I do that. Good to know its not a complete cheat and just a damage reduction. That feels alot better since you still have to kill the things and fight the same way just you won't die as easy.
Finally made it out on my 77th attempt lol
Yay! The real Hades starts here!
Took me over 100 attempts...
Nice! Doesn't matter how many attempts it takes, along as you made it then that's what matters
Sweet. I got lucky and got out on my 27th
Nice! I got out on my 21st attempt
The advice on the Anvil is spot on. Unless you particularly dislike your current hammer upgrades, you should not take the chance. If you got far enough to reach that shop, swapping your hammer upgrades randomly can throw a big wrench in the current play style/boon synergies that got you so far. Even if it's a good upgrade, you'd still need to relearn how to manage the new fighting style, and the challenges left ahead are not forgiving. Taking the anvil often means death.
I wish my hangovers only lasted 4 seconds.
Good advice. I've played Hades for at least 150 hours at this point and I agree with everything said. And if you wonder why I'm bothering watching a video like this with all the experience I've put in, it's because you can always learn something. Good luck to everyone out there.
Aw thanks man! ♥️
Funny point you made about the boons and combos not being your favorite at first. I used to think Artemis was useless until I once got a run of almost nothing but her boons. THe amount of damage was staggering and she eventually became one of my favorites. Also didnt think i would like the fists as much as i do.
I agree about the fists. I think Aspect of Talos really makes them significantly better, & you can get upgrades that make the attack longer, too, which really helps
Couple times I've got to Styx with bad hammer options and rolled the dice, but I'm at the point where as long as I have a few death saves left I can beat dad with whatever because he's super predictable. You know what messes me over? Goddamn poison on melee builds argh
Finally got round to playing Hades - am loving it and these videos are extremely well made. Got to Hades himself on my 4th run just stumbling across one of the easiest builds (deflect dash + shield special w/ Doom) and haven't quite made it as far since then. This will prove very useful!
I found the hydra super easy. Having said that I had some boons on which suped up the spears special attack in both speed and damage so I just button mashed. Only hades knows what wicked combo I had going on
all this production quality and not even 2k subs, really impressive video.
Hey, just wanted to say phenomenal video! You haven't put out many Hades vids but the ones you have are fantastic. They helped me out tremendously. Thanks for making them!
Another great video, 30 hours in and I had never noticed the ding for a fishing location or that you could check your current Boons while on the screen for choosing new ones. I do think the game could make it more clear that there are toggles on the Talents, that and warn you not to waste all that Titan Blood it gives you early on!
The toggle are pretty clear or at least they seemed to be when I started a new file for this guide! Nyx says she'll upgrade the mirror, you then get a "check the mirror" help / objective, and then when you open the mirror there's an animation of them appearing! The titan blood is fair, ish. But really you can get so much so quickly once you've escaped the first time it's not too big a deal if you burn the 6 you can earn before beating the game.
@@robdood2 That's true, you don't need the Titan Blood to escape and once you've cleared it once the insane variety of the weapons is a great incentive to keep plugging away. I still think there's some balancing that feels weird, like Darkness essentially becoming pointless other than for healing during a run but maybe that's just what I perceive as problems sticking out more because every other part of the game feels so damn perfect. Your videos definitely helped a lot, in particular by making it clear that none of the boons are in there by accident and it's only really your imagination limiting you rather than the game being unfair! Taking more notice of Casts was a game changer for me, particularly once I got hold of a certain bow and yet another huge number of possibilities became apparent.
You seemed to read my mind and answer every question I had! I've never seen a guide of a person this far into a subject that remembers and knows the early struggles so well. That is impressive Thanks a lot!!
this is probably the most insightful guide I've seen on KZhead so far :)) thank you for this hahaha
Gave you a like and a sub because you were kind enough to preface the video with a hint of what you were doing. I didn't have sit and scroll through things I already knew. Good show.
another awesome video. I watched your beginners guide and now im intermediate. Ill be making my way out any attempt now!
Getting Doom on a quick attack becomes viable again (a bit) after you get the Dire Misfortune boon and Impending Doom boon from Ares that allows it to stack and double the damage.
True, but that's a pretty specialised tactic, that could backfire if you don't get it offered! You're still gonna be better off damage wise taking something like Aphrodite or Athena on fists main attack imo. Anyway! I wasn't trying to give specific advice, just trying to encourage people to think about consequence of their choices before they make them!
@@robdood2 Just an example of how a seemingly bad choice can potentially turn around and become good again. Just praising the game here.
This was even more helpful than your beginner guide video! Well, color me impressed. Thanks again for making them, and please take care.
Really helpful!! Thank you so much for taking the time and do this content. Regards 🙌
Nice vid, Ive been enjoying the game even though this is not a type of game I typically play, its just so well put together. I beat 3rd boss for 1st time on my 3rd attempt at him yesterday with shield. Got to final boss and did alright for a blind look, blind as in I didnt know who or what the final boss was. I do the research fighting about like you describe, a great method to self, hands on, learning which is far more impactful in the long run. I concur that while using the Lucky Tooth was smart early on to get more "stuff", I have moved on from it and using other things instead and have done just as well if not better that way.
Best beginner-intermediate video on HADES so far. Well done thank you
This is the most helpful video I’ve ever watched on Hades
damn the boon section are really helpful tips, thanks!
Great content dude!
I made it out on my 10th attempt! I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be that "easy" so I had to Google it. All and all I had plenty RNG luck and I'm rn on my 4th escape! Really fun game.
Thanks for these just started playing as its just been released on ps4 ive been patiently! waiting! Playing curse of the dead gods! But now its out its met all my expectations and more, thankyou and thankyou supergiant! 👍👌
I honestly thought I'd never be able to escape but alas I got out using rail and chill, with athena dash and Athena call. So happy I got there.
And Subscribed! Good content mate, love it. Thanks for the tips!
Great video, super helpful! Thank you!
this was real helpful, boyo!
Loved your beginners guide now im here like a real gamer :)
tnx for the guuide i have been playing the game for some time now and whit your help i finally made my first escape
Hands down the best guide for Hades
Thank you for your tips and tricks 😁👍
Fantastic, thank you so much!
Great guide 👍🏾
once u know the gods attack and special bonuses, you will be able to tell which ones will work best with any version of weapon. if the attack has a good chunk of flat dmg, it will benefit from a Gods boon that gives % to dmg. if u have an attack that hits small flat damage but attacks a lot quickly, consider a boon that will give some utility like slow, hangover, knockback, lightning bolts. hangover is a DoT but the other ones can get a DoT as well. Jolted DoT from Zeus lightning, Rupture DoT from Poseidon knockback, Chill dmg DoT from Demeter. also, just checking wat the duo boons do in the codex will give u an idea of how strong u can get. for some boons, getting poms of power to level them up is a lot more useful than finding other boons to fill slots. centaur hearts are often well worth it if given the choice. Always take the Hammer chambers, the first hammer u get, whatever the choices are, u should make your build around the hammer upgrade u chose.
Thank you I was stuck on the Bone hydra then my next run I did some stuff you said and almost beat the game
Cheers for guide
great vid, thank you - subbed!
Great tips in here. Personally I had to play for 60+ hours before I noticed the fishing point "dings" myself. An additional tip I might mention is, once you are able to put HEAT on your runs, don't be afraid to keep playing without heat unless you really need new bounties. The story will progress either way.
Awesome, I just unlocked HEAT so I'll keep that in mind!
yup i was recently hooked and now can't stop putting in hours xD now i just got here barely set foot on the 3rd realm/castle/hell
Love this!
Great content i love u'r channel so much
Haha, Festive fog was the first one that let me complete my run. Festive Fog with lightnings from Zeus. Amazing DPS.
I escaped on my 26th attempt at around 17 hours but I still go back to it almost daily. Between the heat levels, the hidden aspects of weapons, companions, the prophecies....there's so much. Also I am Greek so there's an extra layer of interest in the game in my part. Helpful video though, I hadn't thought how Dionysus and Ares buffs work best on different weapons.
I'd say there is as high of interest in Greek mythology in the US as anywhere in the world, including Greece. There is a large diaspora of Greek Americans, as well
That you Rob???? From 2k all those years back??? Wow... just stumbled across your account here! Nice work!
good stuff thanks!
Would like an advanced guide for people who have escaped a lot of times but are looking to optimize and maximize their odds of getting good builds! I've learned a bunch of things that work but I know I've still only scratched the surface! Also general techniques for speed... I wanna get to sub 15 minutes, but I havent even hit sub 20 yet.
I bought my first anvil last night using the Rail gun and lost my amazing special of 3 super powered bombs for one straight-shooting rocket. Those would have done me great against Hades. :(
Omg that happened to me. I had the overpowered 1 single bomb special that dealt massive damage. With that i beaten hades on first try but in my 2nd run i bought anvil
Same. Never again
I can't give this video a bigger thumbs up...I'm finally trying to maximize the potential combinations of this game instead of just gunning to get to the next level...
one thing is that you can game the Duo boon system to some degree by using the Keepsakes to call the gods you want, getting one in Tartarus, and then if the other you want isn't offered, switching to their keepsake going into Asphodel. The algorithm that determines which gods show up is fickle, but even if you've already seen several, using the keepsake to summon one seems to make them take them place of one of the ones you've seen already, and they do show up again. it's worth looking through the Codex, experimenting with the weapons, and then thinking about these Duo and Legendary effects. also. Lightning Rod is fucking broken if you have Static Discharge and Double Strike, lmaoooo
I would never have escaped without 'death defiance'. I'm way too impatient to not get hit a lot in my runs. So I would invest in that trait as soon as possible. Easiest build for me is usually the bow using aspect of Hera that lets you load all your cast onto one arrow. Combined with a nice splash effect boon or two from Poseidon it's really destructive and easy to use. As call I usually go with Artemis. It instantly bombards one target and takes a good chunk out of any boss, and the last two boss fights is usually where I need it. Also, in the beginning I never went for the chaos boons. Now I always go for them, at least if one appears early on in the first area. I always go for the hammer upgrades too whenever I find them.
Good Gods this game is incredible!!! This is what it is all about. Pure gameplay!
it took me 35 attempts and finally in 26:34 I accomplished the impossible
I just got to Hades. I got all excited because I managed to beat him on my very first attempt. "Phase 2 Begins" Oh no...
Thank you, these videos helped me a lot and now I am having fun! p.s.: But what do you do with bounty trophies?
You mean titan blood, diamonds and ambrosia? You'll find out in tjme
I once had a stupidly strong synergy with the shield weapon. I had 2 hammer upgrades, first one that makes you’re bulls rush light up for a sec, if you rush at that exact moment you deal 500% more damage. Alone that one is already insane if you have good timing, but I got another hammer upgrade that makes you’re bull rush charge a LOT faster. Combined the timing is WAY harder but it allows you to get the 500% damage hit STUPIDLY FAST! I shredded through the Olympian champions and also hades himself and got my 3 escape ever!
Heyyyyy. Can't thank this guy enough for his dark souls beginners guide. Now a couple years later trying to get better at hades and what do ya know.
Ha, god bless that algorithm... :D
Just hit 50 runs with 32 clears, difficulty is really ramping up now with the pact but just got my first companion and hidden aspect
Just beat Lord Hades for the first time after 50 hours. I love the game and I really enjoyed this video. Great job!
very informative and super smooth style! :D
Thanks so much!
Wow flashback sound effect for intro that's unexpected :D
You're the first person in 3 years to even mention it! Kudos for recognising it! 😁
Personally, I find the "Calls" distracting, and not worth the sacrifice to other potential permanent upgrades. I only take them, if they're the least crappiest boon on the list. Same with "Cast". I never use it. Just load up your attack, special and dash. Some "dash" upgrades make all the difference. Especially "deflect". "Doom" is great for everything as well, especially if you stack the damage. Unfortunately, there are really no big tricks or best skills to beat the final boss with. He is extremely well balanced, and has no real exploits. If you're stuck on him, you just gotta hope you get a great powerful build to face him with, because it mostly comes down to reflexes and skill, unlike the other bosses who can be absolutely destroyed with the right weapon/boon combo.
There's a trick with Hades if you stand right under him when he shoots the lasers in the final boss fight. If you got Zeus's call its really easy (basically you want take any damage while under him)
@@deionb.phillips2895 I've warmed up to the calls(feel kind of dumb for not using them earlier, LOL), but the lasers are never a problem for me. You just stand opposite the tree trunks, and it's a pretty useless attack from him. I'm surprised they left those in there for that, because it's such an obvious invulnerable defense. I find his second phase a lot easier than his first, actually, simply because he doesn't call in any reinforcements to mess up your rhythm. That's usually where it all goes to hell for me. If I get past that first phase with decent enough health, it's pretty much a done deal. Friggin' love this game though. It's always fresh, and you always find some new tactics. It never gets old.
Old vid but my biggest tip is straight up pick the shield and start blocking. It will be a long fight but it will work
Super good video
the most surprising thing about this game was that insane sound track.. whoecer made the music for Hades is a god
Dude's name is Darren Korb. Search this site for 'noclip hades documentary' for a cool behind the scenes doc, they followed this game from the very beginning and there's a bunch of stuff about the music production!
Also he did Zagreus' voice and basically all the male vocals / singing 😍
Had my first escape at attempt 67 with sea Strom, Zeus cast, some crit boons from Artemis and Poseidon call with Rail. Second escape was with Demeter call, demeter attack, the aphro boon that makes you take less damage and Ares call. Had like 35 health at the end and had to just fucking mash the attack and call button lmao
Took me 28 attempts, and 5 attempts to beat the final boss, I got very excited to finally beat him
You should focus your ambrosia (after your initial giving 1 ambrosia to all npcs to get their keepsakes) on achilles because you’ll need to give him 4 (I think it’s 4) to unlock the 1st spear’s aspect.
I think you mean nectar, and it’s not how it works. You just need to buy 5 different aspects (not counting the default aspect of Zagreus) and reach the final boss.
Happy to announce that after my 29th attempt, i have been on a (currently) 18 win streak :D
I'm only using these comments to brag. Made it out on 37th attempt using Malphon. They are the best. Especially aspect of Demeter. I've since cleared it two more times. Once on one heat. Third time on two heat. Shout out to Aegis with Zeus' aspect. Good stuff.
Ha! I was about 30-something the first time too! Such a game.
Got to hades on my 10th run, but died, did some farming runs and upgrade my death defiance to 3 and was able to beat hades by run 20. Not sure 37 is a brag.
@@ColoredBeyond 20? Did I say 37? I meant 19th. Heh 😁
@@crypticscrutiny1153 nice one old man. Maybe get that memory checked.
@@ColoredBeyond my roommate cleared it on her 120th run so 37 is pretty good for a lot of people. I got it on my 29th run and yeah it's not that great but it's fine to be proud of it. You don't gotta be so harsh.
Thanks for the tips! I will NOT be getting the anvil lol
I see a lot of people didn’t encounter hydras mutated/ upgraded form. Hydra gets stronger and fighting style changes TREMENDOUSLY.
Still haven't gotten out, but both times I have made it to dear ol' dad so far, I was using weapons I really wasn't liking(bow and gun). Now the gun is my shit, and that bow is ridiculously strong, I'm just not good at using it, yet. Both weapons I didn't like, are both now my favs. Edit: finally made it out on my 21st attempt, with the twin fists of Malphon. Not at all the weapon I expected to make it out with for the first time, but I'm not complaining. I FRIGGIN MADE IT!
I installed the game yesterday, until today afternoon i could not pass the hydra, then on a run i got all the good for the special of the minigun, firing 5 rocket with very increased dmg and crit chance and a build all around crit, got out pretty easily all of a sudden
Wish I watched this yesterday when I accidentally f-ed up my build by clicking the anvil w/out fully understanding it lol.
Good vid
On my 42nd attempt I got to hades but didn't get past his 1st round. The fog made the biggest difference for me.
Just made it out today for the first time. Attempt 18.
Let’s go 28 runs no tutorials met Persephone let’s go!
Just beat with all the weapons at 20 heat but want to get up to 32! Do you have a video for that?
starting to get very impatient because Theseus and Asterius absolutely beat my ass every single time, but the game is just too fun to quit! this video is very helpful
If you are still having this problem which i doubt cuz your comment is 4w old but try defeating asterius first after that theseus is pretty easy
@@renskeheerkens2553 I do the opposite. Because screw Theseus.
Took me 32 attempts to finally beat Hades my first time. Just saw the real ending yesterday and now I’m just trying to unlock and upgrade all of the weapons and keepsakes
How much time commitment between first success and real ending?
@@DanKaschel this was a while ago so I’m not sure, but I remember when I got my first win I got really hooked and started hitting a really good stride with my builds. I think I saw the true ending within the following few days.
@@DanKaschel I feel like it maybe 10 wins
the only thing i disagree with is about weapons. i think it's good to have a favourite weapon, particularly on your first run. it's good to master a weapon instead of being a jack of all trades at that stage of the game IMO
Made it out once. I still don't use the special attack. I'm not used to pc, so using the q right next to the wasd makes my brain shortcircuit
I honestly never realised you could use the call if the whole thing wasn't full. I only ever used it at max...
Took me about 12 attempts the first time, although I was really determined to blindly get it on my first try.
I keep making it to the final boss (at least I think that's the final boss) and I always die, so I haven't been able to escape yet. 38 attempts and counting!
*Leaning Bosses starts with Spoiler Shield fight.* Yeah, dude knows exactly what we're all thinking.
9:10 I HATED the twin fists because that’s not my play style but with the right hammers, I got my first clear with it
Made it out on my 17th(? I forgot I have to check but it’s around that number) attempt, and I beat megaera, Alecto, and Tisiphone on my first tries, the hydra on my first try, Theseus and asterius on my second try, hades on my fourth, and later charon on my second. This is my first roguelike game (I played dead cells for an hour once I guess) and Im trying to figure out if this is good or not? Im proud of it but I don’t want to feel like I’m boasting about it 😭
The biggest factor to my successful run was probably my bow with both explosive shot and Hermes faster attack.
I had such a great run going and I bought that anvil and it totally ruined my run. Shame on me. That was the closest I’ve come to clearing a run yet.
Question, how are you playing on PS? I thought it was only on switch and PC!
I'm on PC man, using PS controller!
Should have more subs
I’ve always been too scared to buy the anvil