In Hades from Supergiant Games, you play as Zagreus, the son of the titular god. He wants to escape the Underworld, which requires many, many attempts. This is a roguelike, after all, with a ton of randomized elements that change from run to run. Each foray into Tartarus and beyond is cobbled together from unique combinations of enemies, room layouts, encounter rewards, and more.
Another aspect of the randomness manifests itself in the form of Boons. These are combat gifts that are bestowed to Zagreus by the various gods of Olympus and elsewhere. Typically, Boons serve as upgrades to Zagreus’ assortment of offensive and movement abilities. There are five slots where you can equip Boons: attack, special, cast, dash, and wrath. There are ten gods in Hadesthat are capable of offering Boons, and each one specializes in a different types of bonuses. In this guide, we’ll run down what each god is capable of offering Zagreus, and offer some picks that make fighting the hordes of the Underworld a bit easier.
As a note,Hadesis still in early access, meaning that the information in this guide is subject to change.
The Basics of Hades Boons
Before we get down to it, there are a few things to know about how Boons work. First, they come in four rarities: common, rare, epic, and heroic. You can only have one Boon equipped in a slot at a time, but some gods offer trades for old Boons. Engaging in such a trade will increase the rarity level of a Boon by one level. This is also the only way to acquire heroic-tier Boons.
There are also Boons that alter the effects of already-equipped Boons, augments that increase their bonuses, and up the damage to enemies afflicted with specific status effects.
In addition, each god has a Legendary Boon that greatly enhances Zagreus’ combat prowess. Getting a god’s Legendary Boon can be a bit tricky, and the exact method is unclear. Some speculate that you need to have first gained a Tier 1 and Tier 2 Boon from that god before they’ll offer their Legendary Boon.
Hadesalso includes Duo Boons, which are super rare Boons that are made of a combination of Boons from two separate gods. To find one, you’ll need to have high-tier Boons from two different gods.
The 10 Gods and Their Specialty Boons
Here are a list of the 10 gods that can offer Zagrues a Boon, and what their specific focuses are.
- Aphrodite – OffersBoons that inflict the Weak or Charmed status effects on enemies.
- Athena – Offersdefensive Boons, and Boons that allow Zagreus’ abilities to deflect projectiles.
- Ares – Offersoffensive Boons, and Boons that inflict the Doom status effect on enemies.
- Artemis – OffersBoons that grant critical hits and improve Cast abilities.
- Chaos – Offers Boons that bestow bonuses after inflicting a debuff on Zagreus for a certain number of encounters.
- Demeter –Offers Boons that inflict the Chill status effect, among others, on enemies.
- Dionysus –Offers Boons that inflict the Hangover status effect and improve survivability.
- Hermes –Offers Boons that increase Zagreus’ mobility, attack speed, evasion, and cast recovery.
- Poseidon –Offers Boons that add a knockback effect to Zagreus’ attacks, and improve encounter rewards.
- Zeus –Offers Boons that add a chain lightning effect to Zagreus’ attacks, or cause lightning to strike nearby enemies.
Finding Specific Boons in Hades
So, you’ve settled on a god whose Boons you prefer to play with, and now you want to make sure you can find them when you start your run. Well, for the most part, you’re at the whims of Lady Luck, unfortunately. Being a roguelike, much of the Hades experience is randomized. There are a few things you can do to stack the deck in your favor, though, such as:
Wear Your Preferred God’s Keepsake
During your ventures in the Underworld, you’ll come across a collectible called Nectar, which you can give to various NPCs in exchange for a Keepsake. There are quite a few, and each has a different effect on the game. If you give a Nectar to one of the 10 gods who offer Boons, you’ll get a keepsake from them guaranteeing the next Boon you find will be from them.
For example, if you like Zeus’ lightning-based Boons, give him a Nectar and he’ll trade you a Thunder Signet. Wear it into battle, and the next Boon you find will be from Zeus. Keepsakes can be upgraded by having them equipped and killing enough enemies. The upgraded version of the gods’ Keepsakes have an increased chance to be of higher rarities.
Focus on Just a Couple Gods Per Run
Equipping a specific god’s Boons will make it more likely that you’ll see more Boons from that god later in the run. So, if you don’t happen across the god you’d like to see, you might be better off leaving the encounter room without picking up a Boon if it drops one, which will no doubt feel wrong.
Also, you’ll occasionally stumble across Charon’s shop. The ferryman sells various goods for Obols, which is a form of currency inHades. Charon usually sells at least one Boon, usually for around 150 Obols. If it’s from a god you want, you’d better snag it right away!
And there you have it! A quick rundown of the Boon system inHades.Which gods are your favorite? Let us know in the comments section!
FAQs
Which Gods give the best boons Hades? ›
Any Boon that alters the Special, Aphrodite, Ares, and Athena are great choices. Cast Boons that deal passive damage to enemies while Zagreus is spamming the Special such as Ares' Blade Rifts, the Festive Fogs of Dionysus, or Demeter's Crystal Cast. Avoid any Poseidon Boons that add knock-away, for the most part.
What is Hades strongest special boon? ›Best: Curse of Agony - Adding Doom effects to Zagreus' Attack is great, but this Boon becomes downright devastating when paired with Dire Misfortune, which stacks Doom multiple times and inflicts bonus damage per stack. It works even better with a quick-attack/multi-fire weapon like the Twin Fists or Adamant Rail.
Which boon of Athena should I choose? ›Athena: Divine Dash
All of the Deflect boons are useful; they allow enemy attacks to bounce off Zagreus and hurt his enemies instead. Of all Athena's offerings, though, Divine Dash allows players the most control over when, where, and how they deflect.
Boons are skills, buffs, and curses given by the Olympian Gods themselves during your runs. These will shape your Infernal Arms in numerous ways, making each run unique between each other.
What is the strongest build for Hades? ›Considered the best build in the game by a plurality of the community, the Aspect of Chiron makes it so all special shots automatically target the victim of Zagreus' last attack. It's as busted as it sounds in terms of raw damage, even outclassing the vaunted Lucifer build in terms of DPS.
What is the strongest weapon in Hades? ›- 1 Twin Fists Of Malphon.
- 2 Coronacht, The Heart-Seeking Bow. ...
- 3 Varatha, The Eternal Spear. ...
- 4 Aegis, The Shield Of Chaos. ...
- 5 Exagryph, The Adamant Rail. ...
- 6 Stygius, Blade Of The Underworld. ...
...
The list might be:
- Spear.
- Shield.
- Sword.
- Gauntlets.
- Bow.
- Gun.
Hades' affinity gauge is maxed out at 5 hearts, requiring the gifting of 5 Nectar total. After the fifth Nectar is gifted and the bond is forged, Hades will return all 5 previously gifted Nectar to the player.
What is the best rarity in Hades? ›- Common.
- Rare.
- Epic.
- Heroic.
Athena was not the strongest god, like Zeus, but she was one of the most powerful since she represented war and battle strategy. Athena used her power and knowledge to help many Greek heroes and demigods, especially since Zeus's wife, Hera, was after most of them for being the children of Zeus's mistresses.
Who was better than Athena? ›
Arachne, her name meaning spider in Greek, was a beautiful woman that had a great talent in weaving. Everyone was amazed at her work and one day, Arachne boosted that she had a greater talent than goddess Athena herself.
Why is Athena badass? ›Athena has to be one of the most badass goddesses of Greek mythology. Not only is she a war goddess, she is also the goddess of wisdom, and handcrafts. Athena has multiple personas and her name changes depending on which role she is filling for her people.
What is the best status curse Hades? ›Doom (Ares)
Doom is one of the best offensive status curses available in Hades. When Zag inflicts this curse upon an enemy, they will take a burst of damage after a one-second delay. Though a second can feel like a long time in a fast-paced roguelike, the extra hit is always worth it.
- 1 Stubborn Roots: Athena & Demeter.
- 2 Smoldering Air: Zeus & Aphrodite. ...
- 3 Ice Wine: Demeter & Dionysus. ...
- 4 Sweet Nectar: Aphrodite & Poseidon. ...
- 5 Sea Storm: Zeus & Poseidon. ...
- 6 Hunting Blades: Artemis & Ares. ...
- 7 Cold Fusion: Demeter & Zeus. ...
- 8 Deadly Reversal: Athena & Artemis. ...
Hades, Greek Aïdes (“the Unseen”), also called Pluto or Pluton (“the Wealthy One” or “the Giver of Wealth”), in ancient Greek religion, god of the underworld. Hades was a son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and brother of the deities Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia.
What is the fastest Hades run? ›While Hades is designed to keep players entertained with story beats and various upgrades between attempts, the runs themselves can be brutal and unforgiving. Which makes it all the more impressive that speedrunner Vorime has managed the whole thing in just seven minutes and 16 seconds.
What is the hardest run in Hades? ›Hades offers players many challenges, but the most difficult is completing the game with a 32 Heat difficulty. Before each run, players can adjust the Heat level via the Pact of Punishment, which essentially changes the difficulty of Zagreus' escape attempt.
Is there a gun in Hades? ›Exagryph, the Adamant Rail, is an Infernal Arm that can be unlocked for 8 Chthonic Keys after all other weapons have been unlocked. It is a ranged weapon modeled after a repeating rifle.
What is the max level sword Hades? ›There are six weapons in Hades, each with four Aspects. You can level them up to a max of Level 5, all with Titan Blood.
Who is best to give gifts to in Hades? ›For brand new Hades players that are looking for recommendations on who to give their first Nectars to, Cerberus and Skelly are both good options, as their Keepsakes grant more survivability.
Who is best to give Ambrosia to in Hades? ›
Ambrosia is one of several Artifact currencies that can be earned within the Underworld. Along with Diamonds and Titan Blood, they are a resource obtained via bounties. It is primarily used as a special gift for those who have deepened bonds with Zagreus.
Who gives you legendary keepsakes in Hades? ›The Legendary Keepsakes are adorable plushies that are gifted to Zagreus by characters who have formed a really close bond with him. To acquire these, you need to complete a favor for the character in question after giving them enough Nectars, usually five or six.
Which god is best for Hades fists? ›The Best Hades Fist Build - Aspect of Talos Build
The Aspect of Talos is the first unlockable Aspect for the fists and it's one of the best as well. This one turns your uppercut into a magnetic attack that draws enemies closer and deals extra damage in the process, and it boosts your Cast damage in the process.
Not everyone who you can gift Nectar to can be romanced in Hades. You can give Nectar to almost every named character in the game, but you can only attempt to romance three characters: Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos.
What is the easiest companion to get in Hades? ›Dusa is definitely the easiest. Feed her nectars and build up the lounge area with gems, she will come around. If npcs want ambrosias, feed them. Especially if you have done their various quests.
What is the best charm in Hades? ›- 8 Old Spiked Collar.
- 7 Broken Spearpoint.
- 6 Pierced Butterfly.
- 5 Owl Pendant.
- 4 Pom Blossom.
- 3 Lambent Plume.
- 2 Evergreen Acorn.
- 1 Lucky Tooth.
Nectar in Hades is a delicacy of the Underworld, and therefore very valuable to most of its inhabitants. The initial and most powerful use for Nectar is to gift it to a character. The first time you gift a character Nectar, they will give you a Keepsake in return.
What happens if you give Thanatos Ambrosia? ›Step 2 - Give Thanatos Ambrosia
The first time the player gives Thanatos some Ambrosia, he will give Zagreus Companion Mort, who can be used in battle to summon Thanatos for a brief yet powerful strike.
Regardless of the choice made by the player, there is no consequence, so it is recommended to take the Ambrosia back. Furthermore, there are no repercussions to romancing the other characters as well, so Zagreus can use the returned Ambrosia to deepen those relationships with ease.
Who hired Skelly? ›Charon: Charon is Skelly's employer.
What happens if you gift Chaos in Hades? ›
Affinity. If given Nectar, Chaos will give you the Cosmic Egg. Once you have given Chaos 6 Nectar, you will not be able to give more gifts until you complete a favor for them. After you complete the favor, they can be gifted Ambrosia, although they will not give a Companion in return.
What is the best keepsake to get? ›The best starting Keepsake items. Our recommendation for the best starting Keepsake is a Golden Seed. This will give you an extra Flask use - either to restore your HP or FP - and at the start of the game, survivability is paramount.
What is Hades best Zagreus weapon? ›HADES WEAPONS: ETERNAL SPEAR (ASPECT OF GUAN YU) Varatha, the Eternal Spear is one of the best weapons for Zagreus, the game's protagonist, as it holds a lot of personal importance to him and his family history. His father, Hades, used this very weapon to fight against the Titans.