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Hades 2 tier list: Best weapons rankedHere are the best weapons in Hades 2 and how to unlock them
Here are the best weapons in Hades 2 and how to unlock them
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
Looking for the best weapons in Hades 2?Hades 2is a gruelling rogue-like dungeon crawler that puts you in the shoes of Melinoe, desperate to avenge her family against the tyrannical Kronos.
If you have any hope of even getting to Kronos, you’ll need to have the best weapons possible. Join us as we go through each weapon currently availible via early access, judging the best and whichKeepsakes,Arcana CardsandBoonswe would pair with them for a successful run. We’ll also tell you how you can unlock each one.
In this guide:
Hades 2 Official Reveal Trailer | The Game Awards 2022Check out the official Hades 2 reveal trailer here and see what adventures await Melinoe.Watch on YouTube
Hades 2 Official Reveal Trailer | The Game Awards 2022
Weapons in Hades 2 explained
Below we’ll go allHades 2weapons availible as of writing and explain each of their attacks and the build they are best suited for.
Each weapon in Hades 2 has6 main attacks. These are a regularAttackand aSpecial(which varies from weapon to weapon) andOmegaversions which tend to be the charged variations. To charge an attack and unleash an Omega version of it, hold down the regular prompt before releasing.
Each weapon will also have the ability to perform aDodge Attackand aCast. All Casts (except for the Umbral Flames) start at 180 damage. The cast attack will summon a circular sigil on the ground. Enemies within the sigil will be snared and take damage.
See below for a rundown of each weapon in Hades 2, their strengths and weaknesses and ways to unlock them in the game.
#5 Witch’s Staff
The Omega Attack is the best attack the Witch’s Staff delivers. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
In fact, the standard Attack still has a good amount of reach to it and can allow you to attack foes whilst maintaining a bit of breathing room. Consecutive attacks deal more damage and on the last one, Melinoe will spin the staff to deliver a final, slightly more damaging blow.
The staff is suited for thinning large crowds of enemies and is best used at a range. As you’ll mainly be relying on the Special attack, consider equipping theSilver Wheel Keepsake(you can acquire this from Hecate after gifting her a Nectar), which will restore your consumed Magick over 3 seconds for up to a total of 1,000 Magick.
#4 Sister Blades
The Sister Blades can target up to 5 enemies at at time with its Omega Special. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
The Sister Blades are likely to be the first weapon you unlock as they are the easiest to source the resources for.
The Sister Blades are a brilliant option that lend themselves well to the fast-paced combat of Hades 2. Consecutive blows with the normal Attack will result in Melinoe arcing slashes, then thrusting before delivering a sweeping attack that can deliver high damage (even higher, if paired with the right Boons).
The Special is extremely useful at targeting multiple foes at once. Although, the reach of the blades is much shorter so they suit a more aggressive build. Pair this with Hestia’sControlled Burn Boonand these daggers will also inflict Scorch damage on enemies.
I found that the aggressive nature of the blades paired very well with elemental Boons like this, as well as theFlame Strike Boon, as this essentially emitted a wave of flames at enemies that dealt impressive close-range damage.
For this build, you’ll likely be relying on Dodge a lot more. I found that theFridgid Sprint Boonfrom Demeter also worked very well. This Boon will create a cyclone of frost when you dodge and has the chance of freezing enemies. This is fantastic for buying you some time as enemies advance towards you and you’re waiting for your Magick to restore.
#3 Umbral Flames
The Umbral Flames has high damage output but is the hardest to initially unlock. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
The Umbral Flames are ideal for a ranged fighter but you’ll likely struggle at first to adapt to a ranged build if you’re coming from the Moonstone Axe or Sister Blades. The Omega Attack is very powerful and you can still move - albeit slowly - when casting it.
However, with the fast-paced nature of combat in Hades 2, you may struggle to manoeuvre around enemies to deliver the blows. In short, the Umbral Flames can be very powerful but require some skill to wield effectively. Unlike the other starting weapons, the Cast attack will deliver150 damageto foes instead of 180.
For an Umbral Flames build, we recommend utilising any Magick-centric Arcana Cards as you’ll be constantly using Magick for both your Attacks and Specials. In particular, considerThe Huntresscard which gives you a +30% damage to Attacks and Specials when you have less than 100% Magick.The Titancard is also one you can unlock relatively early and will give you a +20 to both Magick and Health.
Additionally, we recommend equipping Hecate’s Keepsake,The Silver Wheelwhich will allow you to restore Magick after use for a possible cumulative total of 1,000 Magick. This will be your steady supply of Magick and make sure you have enough on a run to fuel your Umbral Flames Attacks.
#2 Argent Skull
The Argent Skull is also known as Revaal. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
The Argent Skull is the lastNocturnalArm you’re likely to unlock as it requires Glassrock to make, which can only be obtained from mining in the third major region.
Once obtained, you’ll find that the Argent Skull can be tricky to wield at first and will require some skill and practice. The basic Attack is powerful enough, but will require you to monitor your skull count closely and Dodge around the rooms to pick them up.
For this reason, we recommend picking up Boons fromHermes, who will usually offer sprint and Dodge speed increases. We also recommendThe Swift RunnerArcana Card which will give you a +20% speed increase and can be improved further with Infusions.
#1 Moonstone Axe
The Moonstone Axe is our pick for the best starting weapon in Hades 2. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
The Moonstone Axe can be a tricky weapon at first as it is notably heavier and slower than the other weapons in Hades 2. Despite this, it is an absolute powerhouse once you get to grips with it and is my personal pick for thebest weapon in Hades 2, out of the starting options.
You can Dodge and Attack for a sweeping hit behind enemies. The blocking mechanism as you gear up for an Omega Special is also incredibly useful and prevents enemies from overwhelming you whilst you pause to cast it.
Once you get used to the added weight and buff it with the right Keepsakes and Boons, the Moonstone Axe can chop through waves of enemies with incredible force. I recommend also using any Boons that apply an elemental damage effect to your Special plusThe SorceressArcana Card to slow time as you cast, giving you more time to line up your special and trap as many enemies in it as possible.
The UnseenArcana Card is also incredibly useful. As you’ll be using your Magick a lot with this axe, The Unseen will give you Magick regeneration (1 Magick for every 2 seconds). With this, you can repeatedly queue up Omega Special attacks.
Also, considerThe Huntresscard which gives you an added 30% damage to your Attack and Special when you have less than 100% Magick.
Of course, the Boons and buffs you encounter on a run are completely randomised but if possible, pick theFurious WhirlwindDaedalus Hammer and theHeaven StrikeZeus Boon. This combination allowed me to quit literally Blitz past the first boss and inflicted seriously impressive damage. With the Whirlwind ability, your Omega Attack is twice as fast and outputs the damage required to trigger the Zeus Boon which will inflict Blitz (lightning) on your foe for a 200-damage output.
How to unlock weapons
The Witch’s Staff will automatically be unlocked at the beginning of Hades 2. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Supergiant Games
There is a pool of weapons called theNocturnal Armsavailable to you at the sigil opposite Schelemeus. These weapons require the following resources to unlock:
Once you have unlocked a new weapon, make sure it is equipped. Equipped weapons will have a ring around them. You can train with Schelemeus here, if you wish to get familiar with the weapon’s specials before entering Erebus.
Silvercan be mined from ores throughout Erebus, they will look likerocks with crescent moonson them. To mine, you’ll need to first unlock the Crescent Pick. To do so, brew the ‘Night’s Craftwork’ Incantation at Hecate’s cauldron.
For the Argent Skull, you’ll need Glass Rock and Bronze. Glass Rock can be mined with the Crescent Pick within the third major region past Erebus. Whereas Bronze can be found within thecity of Ephyra, above ground. See our guide to gettingBronzein Hades 2 for more details about this region.
That rounds off our guide to the best weapons in Hades 2. For more Hades 2 tips and tricks, see our guides tobest Boons, a list of allHades 2 symbolsand what they mean, and more.
