Clearing runs in Hades 2 relies on you mixing and matching boons and weapons. You need to think about how these things synergize to create a Time-stopping build. The best boons in Hades 2 don’t need outside help; they pretty much break the game on their own.
As it is with many newly launched games, Hades 2 is no outlier to busted items. The game is in Early Access, so it’s likely we’ll see buffs and nerfs to weapons, items, boons, and other upgrades while it’s in development. But until then, there are a few boons you should seek out before they’re changed (if they get changed).
How to break Hades 2 with the best-overpowered boons
Poseidon offers one of my favorite boons in the game merely due to its game-breaking potential. And it’s not alone in that category. As also spotted by others in the community, several boons completely break Hades 2 at nearly no penalty at all. We’re talking boons that give you free items, nearly unlimited Magick, and invulnerability to projectiles. If you’ve been struggling against the ravages of Time, consider these god-like boons as options.
Poseidon – Double Up
As hinted earlier, Poseidon’s best boon in Hades 2 is Double Up. It doesn’t increase your damage… at least not directly. Damp uncle’s most useful boon has a chance to create a duplicate of a “Minor Find” — items such as Gold Crowns, Psyche, and Ash. But did you know it also counts toward Poms of Power and Gifts of the Moon? Selene’s boons seem minor at first, but the Path of Stars can make you powerful or temporarily invulnerable with the right upgrades. Having double the points for upgrades is nothing to turn your nose at.
The duplication effect isn’t a rare occurrence, either. At its base rarity, the boon has a 25% chance to double an award. It rises to 30% at the next level up. That’s a duped item practically one out of every three times, all for free. Can you imagine what’s possible with a triple Pom?
To increase your odds of getting the boon, use Poseidon’s Keepsake ‘Vivid Sea’. Hell, I’d suggest hunting down the boon just to hear Poseidon’s fantastic laugh whenever it procs.
Hestia – Soot Sprint
Soot Sprint is easily the most useful boon gifted by the goddess Hestia. When taken, the boon destroys all nearby projectiles as you sprint while inflicting the Scorch curse on the enemies that fired. Perhaps that doesn’t sound too fantastic at first since Scorch isn’t exactly the most impressive curse. But Soot Sprint deletes all damaging projectiles near Melinoe as she sprints while damaging foes, all for free. There is no Magick needed to prime for Soot Sprint to do its thing; you run, and projectiles are erased just like that.
For those who have it rough in Oceanus, Soot Sprint is a godsend. Well, literally, I guess. Fellow enjoyers of the original Hades still sing the praises of Athena’s Divine Dash, her best boon, which gave you invulnerability and reflection on dash. Soot Sprint is just as good, and arguably better, as it lasts for as long as you hold the sprint button down.
If you want to give Soot Sprint a chance, you can improve your odds of getting it by equipping Hestia’s Keepsake ‘Everlasting Ember’.
Hera – Born Gain
Hera’s Born Gain boon gives you almost unlimited Magick. No, that’s not hyperbole. Every time you reach zero Magick, your Magick bar is restored with the caveat of having a small amount permanently primed. By primed, I mean a small portion of your Magick meter is reduced. Some boons prime Magick to be used, which means you’ll need to weigh the positives and negatives of having a reduced bar. Usually, that means giving up several dozen Magick points.
Born Gain, though, uses ten at its most basic rarity. Yes, ten. It takes even less as it levels up. At Epic, it only primes six Magick. If you’re rocking more than 150 Magick before taking the gift, this is a laughable penalty. And it can go lower. If you’re equipped with Poseidon’s Fluid Gain, which drops a bubble that replenishes a small amount of Magick, or the Arcana Card ‘The Unseen’, which passively restores Magick, Born Again’s caveat becomes inconsequential. Keep grabbing Soul Tonics as you see them, and you’ll never run dry of Magick.
To up the odds of getting Born Gain, equip Hera’s Keepsake ‘Iridescent Fan‘.
