If "Hades II" is one of your backlogs, then this is your sign to get started with the 2025 roguelike action role-playing game (RPG) title from Supergiant Games, which is also best known for being last year's Best Action Game winner at The Game Awards 2025.
Getting stronger in "Hades II" means learning how its many overlapping systems work together, from combat mechanics to Arcana Cards and weapon upgrades.
Here's a breakdown of the tips that matter most for players still getting a handle on Melinoë's journey through Erebus and beyond.
Best Combat Tips to Help You in 'Hades II'
Cast is one of the most useful tools in Melinoë's kit, letting players drop a circle that traps enemies before sprinting away to create distance. Holding it down until it reaches Omega level triggers a stronger area attack, and certain boons can make enemies caught inside take automatic damage over time.
Omega attacks themselves are worth using often, since holding down an attack or skill button until the blue circle fills grants a significantly stronger version of that move. Building up Omega attacks also charges the Hex meter, unlocking Melinoë's most powerful ability.
Hex options vary each run based on interactions with Selene, with Lunar Ray, Wolf Howl, and Moon Water considered especially beginner-friendly.
Dashing and sprinting frequently also helps avoid damage, and pairing movement with boons that trigger on dash, like certain Zeus abilities, can add extra offense without much extra effort.
Players struggling with difficulty can also turn on God Mode in the settings, which boosts both strength and defense and can be switched off once they feel more confident.
Arcana Card Hacks: What to Start With, Invest In
Arcana Cards let players customize how Melinoë plays, but she can only carry a limited number at once based on how much her ghostly arm has been strengthened.
Extending this grasp happens at the Altar of Ashes, where players invest a resource called Psyche, found by talking to wandering spirits and coaxing them back to camp through a simple minigame.
Early on, prioritizing health and defense-focused cards makes the biggest difference. The Wayward Son restores health after each room, Death grants extra lives through Death Defiance, Persistence boosts max health and magic, The Centaur increases stats after clearing rooms, and The Lovers protects against the first hits in a boss encounter.
Once those are secured, cards like Furies, The Unseen, Eternity, and Moon help strengthen Cast and Hex-based playstyles further.
Weapon Upgrade Guide on 'Hades II'
New players are encouraged to choose whichever weapon is glowing on a given night, since doing so automatically harvests Bones, a resource needed for further upgrades. Weapons can eventually be upgraded through the Silver Pool located in the Training Grounds, unlocking different Aspects that change how each weapon functions.
The Aspect of Melinoë tends to be the easiest to unlock for any given weapon, making it a solid starting point before branching into other variations. Reading each Aspect's description before committing resources helps avoid wasting materials on a playstyle that doesn't fit.
Secure and Upgrade These Keepsakes
Giving Nectar to characters throughout the game unlocks keepsakes, which are worth rotating often early on to level them up faster.
Useful early options include the Luckier Tooth for an extra life, Knuckle Bones for bonus damage and resistance against Guardians, Ghost Onion for healing between rooms, Evil Eye for bonus damage against whichever enemy last landed a hit, and Moon Beam for extra upgrade points tied to Selene's path.
