Hades 2 Patch 4 is smaller, but notes big changes to Boons and Hammers

Supergiant Games has released Patch 4 for Hades 2, but the notes are much shorter this time around. The patch brings additional changes to Boons and Daedalus Hammer upgrades, while addressing some concerns brought about by Patch 3.

In June, Supergiant mentioned it was slowing things down to focus on the next Major Update, but in development, there are always things that need fixing. In this case, the team writes in its patch notes that Patch 4 is aimed at clearing up “various issues we’ve observed since our previous patches, which we wanted to alleviate before our first Major Update later this year.”

Hades 2 Patch 3 was quite significant, adding new Incantations while reworking or replacing a list of Boons and Blessings. Patch 4 is a continuation of this effort, but more subdued this time around.

Hades 2 Patch 4 notes bring changes to Boons

Hades 2 Patch 4 once again reworks upgrades. Zeus’ ‘Spirit Surge’ has been reworked, for example, as has Hera’s ‘Engagement Ring’. Her ‘Family Trade’, however, has been replaced by a Boon that allows your Omega Cast to damage enemies when they spawn into the fight.

Check out the Boon changes below (courtesy of Supergiant Games):

• Lightning Lance (Zeus): improved targeting while using gamepad controls
• Spirit Surge (Zeus): reworked; now whenever you use magick, a surrounding foe is struck by lightning
• Sworn Strike (Hera): slightly reduced bonus from Poms of Power
• Engagement Ring (Hera): reworked; inflicts Hitch on foes, and any slain in the circle deal area damage
• Family Trade (Hera): cut from game; replaced with…
  • Rousing Reception (Hera): new! Your Casts damage foes as they enter the Encounter, wherever they appear (this effect was previously innate to Engagement Ring)
• Golden Rule (Hera X Poseidon): now applies a multiplicative global damage bonus, rather than a flat bonus only to Attacks and Specials
• Beach Ball (Poseidon x Apollo): added greater damage and area scaling over a brief charge-up duration
• Mint Condition (Hephaestus): invulnerability effect now resets between Encounters in same Location

Daedalus Hammer changes

Patch 4 is bringing changes to Daedalus Hammer upgrades, reworking a number of them for every weapon in the game. I am also happy to report that my picks for best Daedalus Upgrades in Hades 2 have been spared by Patch 4, save for one. Destructive Array for the Argent Skull once performed 50% Attack damage every 2.5 seconds. Now, the Shells only dish out said damage when they land.

Here are the Daedalus Hammer changes:

• Mirrored Thrasher (Staff): removed Life penalty; now requires Magick instead
• Skulking Slice (Blades): reduced bonus damage striking foes from behind
• Escalating Ambush (Blades): cut from game; replaced with…
  • Wicked Onslaught (Blades): new! Adds power to Attacks
• Melting Shredder (Axe): increased damage to Armor
• Inverted Spark (Flames): now also causes projectiles to linger for longer
• Whirling Coil (Flames): projectiles no longer spin in place; renamed from Origin Coil
• Crushing Comet (Flames): cut from game; replaced with…
  • Triple Comet (Flames): new! Your Special fires more projectiles
• Destructive Array (Skull): now deals a percentage of your Attack damage whenever your Shells drop
• Rocket Bombard (Skull): increased damage

Patch 4 addresses dozens of bugs and other issues, most of which came from community feedback. Check out the notes for the full list.