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Fans of the originalHadesmay feel a bit overwhelmed when loading into the Crossroads for the first time, faced with thenew and revamped featuresofHades 2. If you focus on unlocking the most important things first, though, you will have a more solid foundation to build off of for future runs.
Some of the first things you should unlock are relatively obvious,like the Arcana system– though many players don’t know that you can upgrade your Grasp as well as unlock new Cards. Others are more enigmatic, and require the player to perform specific steps to unlock, but are still incredibly important, like the Familiar system and the Fated List.
Arcana Cards (& More Grasp)
One of the first things that players should unlock and get to know intimately is the Arcana system ofHades 2. Melinoë can unlock, and use, several Arcana cards that empower different aspects of each run. For example, one gives you extra Life and Magick for every run, while another slowly recovers Magick over time.
These Arcana cards aren’t all available from the start, andmust be unlocked with Ashesand other reagentscollected from both the under and overworlds. Each Arcana has a Grasp value that, when slotted, slowly fills up Melinoë’s max Grasp meter.
Grasp can be increased with Psyche. Unlock some Arcana cards as soon as you get back to the Crossroads for the first time, and increase your Grasp to be able to equip more Arcana and empower each run even more.
The Fated List Of Minor Prophecies
Areturning feature from the originalHadesis the Fated List of Prophecies. Granted by the Three Fates themselves, the Fated List of Minor Prophecies essentially sets challenges to be completed over several runs. When each Prophecy is fulfilled by completing the listed prerequisites, you get a reward of some kind – usually some powerful reagents.
The Fated List of Prophecies expands with time and as you discover more areas and features of the game. For example, one of the first Prophecies that you can get is to get to the lowest level of the Underworld, while the Prophecy to collect all Daedalus Hammer effects for a weapon won’t appear until you have collected a few already.
To get the Fated List of Prophecies,complete a few runs, and the Fated Intervention incantation will appear at the Cauldron. It requires 2 Ash, 2 Moly, and 1 Silver to cast this Incantation. Afterward,Moros will appear after your next run, and give you the Fated List, which appears right outside Melinoë’s spawn location at the Crossroads.
The Broker
An extremely useful early Incantation to cast is theSummoning of Mercantile Fortune, which costs just 10 Bones andsummons the Broker to the Crossroads. The Broker, just like in the originalHades, will offer useful items to Melinoë – including materials like Fated Fabric, Ashes, Psyche, and even relationship-building items like Nectar and Bath Salts.
The Broker will also take your unwanted wares in exchange for Bones after completing another Incantation, though the list of items he will buy is relatively limited to plants and fish.
TheHades 2Broker deals in Bones, a currency that can be earned during runs or by selling items to this salesman shade. Collect Bones by choosing doors with the purple mass of bones, or by choosing to run with the Night’s Thirst weapon chosen every night for +2 Bones after every location.
The Familiars System
TheHades 2Familiar system does not become available until you have unlocked an incantation and found the room that it spawns in a run. The Incantation Woodsy Lifespring grants a chance to spawn a Life-restoring fountain room while exploring Erebus. In this room, there is a cat tucked into the corner next to the exit.
Interact with this cat, then when you return tothe Crossroads speak with Hecate.
Hecate will remark that you could use a familiar to help your quest to kill Chronos, and offers the ability to cast the Faith of Familiar Spirits Incantation. This requires 2 Nectar and 1 Lotus. Afterward, use the Witch’s Treat item on compatible familiars to recruit them to your aid.
Schelemeus' Keepsake, The Luckier Tooth
Schelemeus, who isdefinitelynot the same fast-talking Skellyfrom the originalHadesbut with a beard now, offers Melinoë one of the game’s best Keepsakes. With the Luckier Tooth equipped, you will gain a special Death Defiance that recovers a larger amount of HP than the default 50% for a standard Death Defiance. As this keepsake gets upgraded, it will eventually recover more than 100 Life when you die, and you rarely have more than 200 HP in a run unless you are specifically trying to build Life.
To get the Luckier Tooth, whichdefinitelyhas no relation to theHadesLucky Tooth keepsake, simply give Schelemeus a Nectar. As is the tradition of gift-giving, he will return the favor with a gift of his own – this Keepsake. Get Nectar during runs or from the Broker for 60 Bones after completing the Incantation of Kinship Fortune.
