In the original Hades, you could unlock Aspects for your weapons, changing their form and function in a way that made each run feel different. It could even have been the difference maker. You can unlock Weapon Aspects in Hades 2 as well, and here’s how.
Like with most unlockables in Hades 2, Weapon Aspects become available after receiving the right incantation. In this case, the ‘Aspects of Night and Darkness’ incantation is the one you should be gunning for. It’s offered to you by Hecate, but not freely; you’ll have to prove you earned it first.
Hades 2: How to unlock Aspects for main weapons
It’ll take time to unlock Weapon Aspects in Hades 2. In my experience, I didn’t get the incantation until I was roughly 20 hours into the game and had seen most of the available Regions. The game is also a bit clandestine when it comes to how unlocks occur, so I’ll go over what I did to finally get the Aspects of Night and Darkness.
Some things you can do, to try and get the Weapon Aspects incantation to appear:
- Reach every Region in Hades 2, including those on the surface (here’s how to go above).
- Collect surface resources such as Bronze, which is used for the incantation.
- Unlock all available weapons (here’s how).
- Defeat Hecate as the Guardian of Erebus with each weapon at least once.
Hecate often hands over new incantations as you progress, typically at the end of your fight with her in Erebus. She’ll do the same for the weapon Aspects incantation, but you may need to be patient. If you’ve completed the above tasks and haven’t received the incantation yet, keep playing through the game and making progress. Eventually, she’ll hit you with this conversation before handing you what you need:
To unlock weapon Aspects in Hades 2, activate the Aspects of Light and Darkness incantation at the cauldron in the Crossroads. The incantation requires:
- 5 Bronze
- 1 Nightshade
The list of ingredients is thankfully short. Bronze is gathered from Bronze Ore Deposits on the surface Region of the City of Ephyra. You’ll need the Silver Pick, which you should have unlocked by now. Nightshade is plentiful, but if you need seeds you can find them in Erebus.
Once you activate the incantation, head down to the Crossroads Training Grounds to unlock your new weapon Aspects. Enter the weapons menu in the Silver Pool. You should now see different Aspects for each of your main weapons, what the Aspects do, and what materials you need to unlock them.
Getting an Aspect changes the look and behavior of that weapon. The ‘Aspect Awakenings’ tab will allow you to upgrade that Aspect’s unique ability even further.
Once you start unlocking Aspects, you’ll be able to use them during the Chaos Trials. Find out how to scry the Pitch-Black Stone to unlock Chaos Trials here. Doing so will earn you a rare resource.
Give ol’ Schelemeus a few smacks with your upgraded weapons before heading out and showing Chronos your new toys. I’m sure he’ll love them.
Best weapon Aspects in Hades 2
There are three Aspects per weapon in Hades 2, but which ones are the best? Honestly, the answer is mostly subjective. After all, the Aspects change up the weapons’ behaviors and functions in such a way that the best ones for you are what jives with you the most. But in all my dozens of hours playing the game, there is one Aspect for each weapon I feel stands out among the others.
Best Witch’s Staff Aspect
| Weapon | Best Aspect | Material Cost | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descura – The Witch’s Staff | Aspect of Circe | 5 Silver 5 Lotus | After landing 21 Attacks or Specials, gain Serenity. |
The Aspect of Circe is the best weapon Aspect for the tried-and-true Witch’s Staff. As a weapon so dependent on magic, the Aspect is a great support option. After 21 attacks or Special attacks, you gain Serenity, which allows you to cast Omega Moves 15% faster and you “rapidly” restore Magick. Later upgrades increase the amount of time Serenity lasts. You may not feel the effects of the Aspect early on in your run, but during late-game Regions, the Aspect comes in clutch during hectic boss battles.
Best Sister Blades Aspect
| Weapon | Best Aspect | Material Cost | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lim and Oros – The Sister Blades | Aspect of Pan | 1 Wool 2 Shaderot | Your Specials seek foes in your Casts, and fire more blades after you Channel. |
There’s not much argument to make here: The Aspect of Pan is nearly unbeatable as the best weapon Aspect for the Sister Blades. This Aspect allows you to chunk off the health of any enemy standing in your Omega Cast. It’s especially vicious against enemies with large health pools, such as elites and Guardians. With Daedalus Hammer upgrades like Concentrated Flurry or Spiral Knives, the blades will reach their maximum lethal potential.
Best Moonstone Axe Aspect
| Weapon | Best Aspect | Material Cost | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zorephet – The Moonstone Axe | Aspect of Charon | 5 Pearl 1 Obol Points | Your Cast lasts +3 Sec., and erupts like your Omega Cast if struck by your Omega Special. |
I had a hard time choosing what I feel is the best weapon Aspect for the Moonstone Axe, since I tend to swap between two quite frequently. I’m a fan of the Aspect of Thanatos, which ups your critical chance when you use Omega Moves. But it really only starts to shine in the late game for me, so the balance tips toward the Aspect of Charon as the axe’s best. The Aspect allows you to dish out explosive damage, which is especially great on Guardians and elites. Try it.
Best Umbral Flames Aspect
| Weapon | Best Aspect | Material Cost | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ygnium – The Umbral Flames | Aspect of Moros | 2 Bronze 2 Tears | Your Attacks linger for 6 Sec., and explode in a blast if struck by your Specials. |
The Umbral Flames have their issues, but the Aspect of Moros goes far to improve on them. Holding down attack allows you to leave flames lingering around the battlefield. This allows you to set traps for enemies, leading them into a minefield that detonates the moment you set it off with a Special attack. Holding down your special to cause flames to circle you, and tapping regular attack creates a pocket of explosions in front of Melinoe. It’s powerful enough to wipe out even the most stubborn enemies.
Best Argent Skull Aspect
| Weapon | Best Aspect | Material Cost | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revaal – The Argent Skull | Aspect of Persephone | 1 Moss 5 Poppy | Any damage you deal generates Glory, which enhances your Omega Special. |
Now, I’m a fan of the Argent Skull no matter the Aspect. It’s just great. But my favorite is the Aspect of Persephone, which can turn you into an invincible go-kart of destruction. Glory, once charged, lets you run around as a giant skull while blasting off your Omega Special for a short amount of time. I’ve managed to clear the toughest rooms in the final Region of the underworld with the Aspect. It’s so satisfying it should be illegal. But it’s not, so give it a chance next time you’re tackling time or the surface.
