Like in the original Hades, you can grow closer to several characters in Hades 2. Maintaining relationships in Hades 2 requires effort, requiring gifts, and upgrades to the Crossroads, but that friendship, and the possible romance options, make it an enjoyable side activity. Also, Hot Springs. Hot Springs.
By offering the gift of Nectar, you can grow closer to most NPCs in the game (earning their Keepsake), but you can go even further with several others. These are special characters whom Melinoë can offer many types of gifts. In return, they are coerced to chat about themselves, their histories, and their personal feelings, while also participating in communal events such as visiting the Hot Springs or Fishing Pier. Some of these characters may even be interested in a romantic fling someday.
All the Hades 2 NPCs with whom you can share this kind of unique relationship will be located in the Crossroads. So, clearly, you can’t invite Arachne or even Narcissus over to party. You know poor Arachne has a thing against gods, and Narcissus probably won’t chill with anyone unless you persuade him over with a particularly polished mirror for him to ogle.
All characters you can create relationships with in Hades 2
There are six characters you can grow relationships with in Hades 2. Four of them are hanging out in the Crossroads from the start, but one needs an invite, while the other appears much later.
On that note, there are mild spoilers in this guide.
A handful of gods and at least one lucky former mortal are all vying for Melinoë’s friendship in this episode of “Romance in the Crossroads.” Let’s take a look at our contestants now!
| Character | Name | Info | Typical Location | Voiced By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Headmistress Hecate | Goddess of witchcraft and mentor to Melinoë, who respects her greatly. | Next to the Cauldron in the Crossroads. | Amelia Tyler |
 | Dora | An ancient shade who often haunts Melinoë’s tent. The two are as about as close to friends as you can get between a goddess and a spooky ghost. | Melinoë’s tent in the Crossroads. | Erin Yvette |
 | Odysseus | A former mortal and famous explorer and strategist. An “uncle-like” figure, he often lends Melinoë advice and an ear. | In front of a water feature to the southeast of the Cauldron. | Jason Marnocha |
 | Nemesis | Goddess of retribution and daughter to Nyx. Nemesis has a competitive streak and is always butting heads with Melinoë. | Standing on a raised area to the south of the Cauldron. | Becca Q. Co |
 | Moros | Doom incarnate and son of Nyx. Moros is a bit reserved considering his station, but is disarmingly friendly. | Next to the Fated List just past Melinoë’s tent. | Sterling Sulieman |
 | Eris | Goddess of strife and daughter of Nyx. Eris is a bit of a brat but has more layers than what you see at first blush. | Up the path leading left away from the Fated List and before the Pier. | Brianna Bryan |
How to invite Moros to the Crossroads in Hades 2
Moros won’t arrive at the Crossroads in Hades 2 until after you complete the ‘Fated Intervention’ Incantation to summon the Fated List. After your next run ends, he will appear to Melinoë in a dream. Check the Fated List for the ‘Harbinger of Doom’ task and cast the ‘Doomed Beckoning’ Incantation. Once all this is complete, Moros becomes a permanent member of the ragtag Crossroad buddies.
How to invite Eris to the Crossroads in Hades 2
Eris appears long after you invite Moros to join the shindig, and you’ll need to hop through many hoops before it happens. She should first appear to you very early in your quest to take down Chronos. Eris often shows up by the time you reach the second region of Oceanus, playfully giving you a weakening curse likely meant to keep you from going too far during your first few hours of the game.
To get Eris to the Crossroads, you’ll need to reach her on the surface. First, you must complete the Incantations that remove the protective wards and allow you to survive on the surface. Next, you must face Eris as the Guardian of the second Region on the surface, the Rift of Thessaly. You shouldn’t need to beat her; after you two square off, Eris appears down the path to the left of Moros while casually dropping Rubbish on the ground. She’s flighty, so don’t expect her to be there all the time.
Hades 2 relationships: Gift Guide
There are four gifts in Hades 2 used to strengthen bonds with characters. The key gift item is, as always, Nectar. This bottled juice made from Golden Apples is the number-one item on everyone’s wish list. Offering it to characters rewards in Keepsakes, but for our aforementioned six, it’s only the start. Gifts can be purchased from the Wretched Broker after you unlock their shop at the Crossroads.
Here are all the items used in building relationships and how to get them:
| Item | Name | How to Unlock | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Nectar | Activate the Kinship Fortune Incantation to purchase Nectar from the Wretched Broker. | One awarded for the Fated List task, ‘Harbinger of Doom’. Awarded for the Incantation ‘Kinship Fortune’. Uncommon award for clearing Encounters. Wretched Broker’s shop for 30 Bones each. |
 | Bath Salts | Unlock the Crossroads Hot Springs. | One awarded for the Incantation ‘Rite of Vapor-Cleansing’ Wretched Broker’s shop for 50 Bones each. |
 | Twin Lures | Unlock the Crossroads Fishing Pier. | One awarded for the Incantation ‘Rite of River-Fording’ Wretched Broker’s shop for 100 Bones each. |
 | Ambrosia | Unlock the Crossroads Taverna. | One awarded for the Incantation ‘Rite of Social Solidarity’. Wretched Broker’s shop for 500 Bones each. |
The Wretched Broker’s stock on gift items is limited. You can only buy one gift in the list per visit to the Crossroads, so be sure to stock up whenever you can. If you need help getting Bones, check out our farming guide.
How to unlock the Crossroads Taverna and Fishing Pier in Hades 2
There are three areas you can unlock to expand the Crossroads. These places are required to grow relationships, so it’s not like you can skip out if that’s what you want to do. The Hot Springs are the first place you unlock, and you can learn how to do it here.
There are two other places to discover, and here’s how to get them:
- Crossroads Taverna
- Activate the ‘Rite of Social Solidarity’ Incantation after it becomes available. It should appear not long after you’re able to visit the surface.
- Crossroads Fishing Pier
- Activate the ‘Rite of River-Fording’ Incantation after it becomes available. It should appear after you discover the Taverna Incantation.
If you don’t see the Incantations in the list at the Cauldron, keep playing the game. Progress the story while also deepening your bonds with the characters. If you need some help on that latter bit, keep scrolling.
How to track relationship status and choose the right gifts
Early in the game, Headmistress Hecate will offer you the Book of Shadows after one of her defeats. The tool lets you read information on weapons, tools, characters, Regions, and more, unlocking more entries as you go. But the book becomes even more useful after you complete the ‘Empath’s Intuition’ Incantation, which gives you insight into your relationships. It’s like a Game Genie for emotions — now, that’s a throwback.
The Incantation should come available pretty early in the game. If you don’t see it at around the time you learn how to remove wards, keep playing and chat with allies while giving them gifts. It should appear to you eventually.
The updated Book of Shadows is key to knowing what gifts to pick per character in Hades 2. It shows you rows of hearts, along with a hint at what gift to give the character next. Each accepted gift fills a heart. A bottle of Nectar is what’s required for the first heart, and the book will show you icons of gifts needed to get another heart. Keep in mind that you’ll have to experiment with characters and what gifts they accept until you get Empath’s Intuition.
Here are some tips:
- When a Heart is locked, the hint may say “[Character] will be open to [Gift] when possible. You may need to grow closer…” Try offering a bottle of Nectar or keep chatting with them to complete some hidden requirement. Be persistent.
- Nemesis is a tough cookie and needs a lot of coaxing to get a relationship going. Keep offering Nectar and she will crack.
- You can typically only offer one gift per character during each revisit to the Crossroads. You can’t shower them with gifts to speed run the relationship. But you can offer gifts to multiple characters before your next run.
- When you’re successful, a small red heart appears above the character’s head. Otherwise, the gift is returned to your inventory.
Who can you romance in Hades 2?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem you can romance anyone in Hades 2 right now. There may be some options after the game fully launches out of Early Access, however. In the first game, Zagreus was able to have closer relationships with a couple of characters. For now, it seems like romance isn’t on the table for Melinoë.
There may also be no planned characters to romance; some are unlikely to ever fit that category. Hecate, for example, is a person Melinoë feels affection for as one would a surrogate mother. Odysseus is not interested in Melinoë at all, and looks to her more like a niece. Our favorite nihilist, Nemesis, may be an option. Some believe the moment during a Hot Springs trip where she admitted needing help removing her bulky armor is her way of teasing. Maybe Dora? Nah.
I’ve managed to push relationships with most of the characters as far as Early Access is willing to let me go. The book tells me “[Character] wants nothing more from you for now (perhaps in the future…).” Aye, perhaps in the future we can get more Moros time in the Hot Springs. The official launch can’t arrive soon enough.
Published: May 22, 2024 12:42 pm