Supergiant Games’ Hades has become one of the most celebrated roguelikes of all time, blending fast-paced combat, deep storylines, and endlessly replayable runs. Whether you’re just starting as Zagreus or you’re a seasoned veteran trying to clear Heat levels with the Pact of Punishment, this Hades walkthrough will give you everything you need to succeed.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Step-by-step walkthrough for progressing through the Underworld.
- Best builds in Hades including weapons, boons, and keepsakes.
- Strategies for each boss encounter.
- How to unlock hidden aspects and upgrades.
- Endgame tips for consistent clears.
1. Getting Started in Hades – Beginner’s Guide
Learn the Basics of Zagreus
You begin as Zagreus, the son of Hades, determined to escape the Underworld. Each run takes you through four main biomes:
- Tartarus – introductory enemies and mechanics.
- Asphodel – lava-filled arena battles.
- Elysium – armored foes and difficult bosses.
- Styx – final biome before confronting Hades.
Early on, focus on learning enemy attack patterns. Dodging, dashing, and positioning are far more important than raw damage.
Prioritize Mirror of Night Upgrades
Use Darkness collected during runs to upgrade Zagreus’ permanent abilities. For beginners, prioritize:
- Death Defiance – revive after death.
- Greater Reflex – additional dash.
- Infernal Soul or Stygian Soul – depending on your preferred Cast playstyle.
These upgrades will drastically increase survivability.
2. Weapons Guide – Choosing the Best Infernal Arms
Each weapon in Hades offers unique playstyles. Unlock them using Chthonic Keys.
Sword (Stygius)
- Balanced and beginner-friendly.
- Best with Athena or Poseidon boons for defense and knockback.
Bow (Coronacht)
- Strong ranged damage.
- Synergizes well with Dionysus or Artemis boons.
Shield (Aegis)
- Excellent defense and offense.
- The Aspect of Beowulf turns it into a powerful Cast weapon.
Spear (Varatha)
- Great reach and mobility.
- Works well with Zeus’ chain lightning for high DPS.
Twin Fists (Malphon)
- Fast, close-range attacks.
- Combine with Aphrodite for high damage and crowd control.
Railgun (Exagryph)
- Ranged machine-gun style.
- Best with Demeter or Dionysus boons for status effects.
Pro Tip: Experiment with all weapons to discover personal favorites. Each weapon has hidden aspects that completely change playstyle.
3. Best Boons in Hades – Choosing the Right Gods
Boons define your run. Each Olympian god offers unique effects:
- Athena: Defensive (dash deflect = must-have for survivability).
- Zeus: Chain lightning, great for rapid weapons like fists or spear.
- Poseidon: Knockback, excellent for controlling enemies.
- Aphrodite: High damage, reduces enemy attack power.
- Artemis: Critical chance boosts.
- Dionysus: Poison (Hangover) effects for damage over time.
- Demeter: Chill debuff and healing boons.
Recommended Combos:
- Zeus + Dionysus (Lightning + Hangover = devastating).
- Artemis + Aphrodite (Crits + Charm).
- Athena + Any (Deflect keeps you alive while you scale damage).
4. Keepsakes and Companions – Maximizing Your Chances
Keepsakes
Keepsakes are obtained by gifting Nectar to NPCs. Early on, the best keepsakes are:
- Athena’s Owl Pendant – guarantees Athena’s boon early.
- Skelly’s Lucky Tooth – extra revive.
- Chthonic Coin Purse – more money to start shopping.
Companions
Later in the game, you’ll unlock Companions (summons). Battie (Megaera’s Companion) and Mort (Thanatos’ Companion) are among the strongest.
5. Step-by-Step Walkthrough by Biome
Tartarus Strategy
- Clear rooms carefully, avoid unnecessary damage.
- Prioritize Centaur Hearts (HP) and Darkness.
- First boss: Furies (Megaera, Tisiphone, or Alecto) – learn attack patterns, focus on dodging.
Asphodel Strategy
- Lava pools deal constant damage – always stay mobile.
- Enemies appear in waves. Focus on ranged threats first.
- Boss: Bone Hydra – destroy heads quickly, then focus Hydra.
Elysium Strategy
- Armored enemies resurrect after death. Destroy their spirits fast.
- Chariots explode on death – dash away.
- Boss: Theseus and Asterius – focus Minotaur first, then Theseus. Stay behind cover when he calls Olympian aid.
Styx Strategy
- Short chambers, but filled with poison traps.
- Look for the Satyr Sack to unlock the exit.
- Boss: Hades (final battle) –
- Phase 1: Avoid skull attacks, dash behind him during spin moves.
- Phase 2: Adds invisibility and stronger attacks. Save Death Defiance for this phase.
6. Best Builds in Hades – Top Combinations
Sword Build – Athena + Poseidon
- Deflect Dash + Knockback damage.
- Very safe, ideal for learning bosses.
Bow Build – Artemis + Dionysus
- Poison arrows with high crit chance.
- Great for ranged playstyles.
Fists Build – Zeus + Demeter
- Fast attacks trigger lightning + chill.
- Shreds bosses quickly.
Shield Build – Beowulf Aspect + Cast-focused
- Charges Casts for massive explosions.
- Works best with Dionysus or Demeter Cast.
7. Advanced Strategies – Heat, Pact of Punishment, and Endgame
After your first escape, the game introduces Heat via the Pact of Punishment. Each run can be made harder with modifiers such as:
- Increased enemy damage.
- Tight deadlines (time limits).
- More bosses.
Tips for high Heat runs:
- Focus on survival boons first (Athena, Demeter).
- Invest in Fated Authority and Fated Persuasion from the Mirror to reroll rooms and boons.
- Unlock all weapon aspects for variety and scaling.
8. Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Ignoring Cast (Bloodstones are powerful when upgraded).
- Overvaluing damage instead of survivability.
- Not dashing enough – Hades rewards mobility.
- Forgetting to use Call (God Gauge).
9. Conclusion – Mastering Hades in 2025
Beating Hades requires a balance of skill, patience, and the right builds. With practice, you’ll learn to dodge flawlessly, pick the best boons for synergy, and take down Hades himself with style.
Whether you’re aiming for your first clear or pushing 20 Heat challenges, this Hades guide provides the foundation for success.
Keep experimenting, unlock hidden aspects, and enjoy the story-driven rewards of each escape attempt. The more you play, the deeper you’ll uncover the lore of Zagreus, the Olympian gods, and the House of Hades itself.
Final Note:Hades is as much about the journey as the victory. Don’t be afraid to lose runs – every attempt brings you closer to mastering the Underworld.
Happy escaping!
