What are the best Hades 2 boons? Much of Hades 2 is a mystery, but what we do know is that Melinoë has quite a task ahead of her. Not only does she plan on going toe-to-toe with the god of time, Chronos, but she has to contend with countless minions and the occasional big bad along the way.
The Hades 2 early access gives us a tantalizing look at the roguelike game, allowing us to test out new Hades 2 builds, introduce ourselves to the new, and returning, cast of Hades 2 gods, and most importantly, hand out gifts like candy. We have played as much Hades 2 as humanely possible, and have figured out the best boons so you can dominate the underworld.
All Hades 2 boons
In addition to ranks, which increase the effect of the boon, they all have an elemental affinity. After unlocking the Divination of the Elements at the cauldron, you’ll see an element on the top left corner of the skill as you choose it.
Generally speaking, these are the same as that of the god or goddess, so Zeus tends to have Air, and Poseidon has water. However, there are exceptions, and some gods have multiple elements that their skills tap into. These matter because some boons require you to have an affinity for specific elements by collecting some of them from your previously selected skills. There are other ways to collect elements; one of Narcissus’ perks gives you one of each.
Here are all of the Hades 2 boons and perks we found during the early access, along with our picks for the best ones for each god and NPC:
Aphrodite
The main trick with Aphrodite is to stack any Weak effects, which reduces any afflicted enemy’s damage output by 30%. This means it’s much safer to damage foes while up close. The best Aphrodite perks are Broken Resolve, Rapture Ring, Glamor Gain, and Secret Crush.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Broken Resolve | Your Weak effects are more potent. (Water) | Common: +10% Weak damage reduction. Rare: +12% Weak damage reduction. Epic: +14% Weak damage reduction. Heroic: +16% Weak damage reduction. |
| Burning Desire | Up to 120 Lone Shades appear in locations. Sprint into them to launch a fiery blast. | Duo: 160 Lone Shade area damage (Duo with Hestia) |
| Ecstatic Obsession | During encounters with multiple foes, one foe is always afflicted with Charm. | Legendary: 3 foes required. |
| Flutter Flourish | Your Specials deal more damage to nearby foes. (Water) | Common: +100% close-up damage. Rare: +150% close-up damage. Epic: +200% close-up damage. Heroic: +250% close-up damage. |
| Flutter Strike | Your attacks deal more damage to nearby foes. (Water) | Common: +80% close-up damage. Rare: +100% close-up damage. Epic: +120% close-up damage. Heroic: +140% close-up damage. |
| Glamor Gain | In each encounter, one foe is always Weak. You gradually restore Magick near Weak foes. (Air) | Common: six Magick restored every second. Rare: eight Magick restored every second Epic: ten Magick restored every second. Heroic: 12 Magick restored every second. |
| Healthy Rebound | Whenever you exit a location, restore 100% of your life if you’ve not lost under a percentage. (Water) | Common: 80% life required. Rare: 60% life required. Epic: 70% life required. Heroic: 50% life required. |
| Heart Breaker | Whenever you use 30 Magick, create a Hearthrob. This is an explosive that revolves around you and expires after 20 seconds. (Water) | Common: 120 Hearthrob area damage. Rare: 180 Hearthrob area damage. Epic: 240 Hearthrob area damage. Heroic: 300 Hearthrob area damage. |
| Island Getaway | You take less damage from nearby foes. Boons of Aphrodite treat all foes as nearby. | Duo with Poseidon |
| Life Affirmation | Any max life rewards you find will have a greater effect. (Air) | Common: +40% life gain. Rare : +50% life gain. Epic: +60% life gain. Heroic: +70% life gain. |
| Passion Dash | Your Dash blasts foes near where you start and end, and also inflicts Weak. (Air) | Common: does 20 blast damage. Rare: does 30 blast damage. Epic: does 40 blast damage. Heroic: does 50 blast damage. |
| Rapture Ring | Your Casts drag foes in and inflict Weak. (Air) | Common: +10% Weak damage reduction. Rare: +15% Weak damage reduction. Epic: +20% Weak damage reduction. Heroic: +25% Weak damage reduction. |
| Romantic Spark | If you sprint into Blitz-afflicted foes, the effect activates immediately and is stronger. | Duo: +200% Bonus Blitz Damage. (Duo with Zeus) |
| Secret Crush | After you enter a location, Prime 20 Magick to add Power to your attack. (Air) | Common: +5% attack power. Rare: +7% attack power. Epic: +9% attack power. Heroic: +11% attack power. |
| Shameless Attitude | While you have at least 80% health, you deal more damage. (Air) | Common: +10% increased damage while at high life. Rare: +15% increased damage while at high life. Epic: +20% increased damage while at high life. Heroic: +25% increased damage while at high life. |
| Soft Caress | The first time you would take damage in each Encounter, get HP instead. | Duo: 100% damage turned to healing. (Duo with Hephaestus) |
| Soul Mate | Foes with Hitch take more damage and are Weak, but only two can be afflicted at a time. | Duo: +20% Damage vs. Hitched foes. (Duo with Hera) |
| Sunny Disposition | Whenever you create Heartthrobs, create more. | Duo: +2 Heartthrobs (Duo with Aphrodite) |
| Wispy Wiles | While you have at least four Air Boons, you may dodge any damage. | Infusion: +15% dodge chance. |
Apollo
Apollo’s boons grant you the power to curse your enemies with the Daze ailment, which has a chance to cause enemies to deal no damage whenever they hit you. While it’s not something that triggers often, it can come in clutch during difficult boss fights. The best Apollo perks are Back Burner, Blinding Sprint, Critical Miss, Dazzling Display, Extra Dose, and Nova Strike.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Back Burner | Foes with Daze take more damage if struck from behind. (Fire) | Common: +50% backstab damage. Rare: +75% backstab damage. Epic: +100% backstab damage. Heroic: +125% backstab damage. |
| Beach Ball | Your sprint creates a watery sphere behind you. After it stops, it surges ahead and bursts. (Aether) | Duo: 140 Blast Damage. (Duo with Poseidon) |
| Blinding Sprint | Your sprint is fast and inflicts Daze on nearby foes. (Fire) | Common: +30% Sprint Speed. Rare: +40% Sprint Speed. Epic: +50% Sprint Speed. Heroic: +60% Sprint Speed. |
| Critical Miss | Foes take damage whenever Daze causes them to miss. (Air) | Common: 100 Daze damage. Rare: 150 Daze damage. Epic: 200 Daze damage. Heroic: 250 Daze damage. |
| Dazzling Display | Your attacks may inflict Daze. (Fire) | Common: +10% Daze chance. Rare: +15% Daze chance. Epic: +20% Daze chance. Heroic: +25% Daze chance. |
| Exceptional Talent | Your Omega Attack and Omega Special fires two times, but use up more Magick. (Air) | Legendary: +20% Omega Move Magick cost. |
| Extra Dose | Your attack has the chance to hit multiple times. (Fire) | Common: +5% double strike chance. Rare: +8% double strike chance. Epic: +10% double strike chance. Heroic: +13% double strike chance. |
| Glorious Disaster | You can channel +30 Magick into your Cast to repeatedly strike foes with lightning bolts. | Duo: 50 Bolt damage every 0.13 seconds. (Duo with Zeus) |
| Light Smite | After you take damage, your foe takes damage and you inflict Daze on all foes. (Fire) | Common: 50 counterattack damage. Rare: 75 counterattack damage. Epic: 100 counterattack damage. Heroic: 125 counterattack damage. |
| Lucid Gain | While standing in your Casts, gradually restore Magick. (Air) | Common: +12 Magick Restoration every second. Rare: +18 Magick Restoration every second. Epic: +24 Magick Restoration every second. Heroic: +30 Magick Restoration every second. |
| Nova Flourish | Your Specials deal more damage in a larger area. (Air) | Common: +60% Special damage. Rare: +80% Special damage. Epic: +100% Special damage. Heroic: +120% Special damage. |
| Nova Strike | Your attacks deal more damage in a larger area. (Air) | Common: +40% attack damage. Rare: +50% attack damage. Epic: +60% attack damage. Heroic: +70% attack damage. |
| Perfect Image | In each encounter, you deal more damage until you take damage. (Air) | Common: +10% bonus damage. Rare: +15% bonus damage. Epic: +20% bonus damage. Heroic: +25% bonus damage. |
| Phoenix Skin | Give up 100 HP. If you do not take or deal damage for three seconds, rapidly restore HP. | Duo: 3 HP restoration every second. (Duo with Hestia) |
| Self Healing | While you have at least three fire boons, whenever you take damage, restore some life. | Infusion: 30% damage recovered over five seconds. |
| Solar Ring | After your Omega Cast expires, rapidly deal damage in the area for two seconds. (Fire) | Common: 10 Omega Cast damage every 0.13 seconds. Rare: 15 Omega Cast damage every 0.13 seconds. Epic: 20 Omega Cast damage every 0.13 seconds. Heroic: 25 Omega Cast damage every 0.13 seconds. |
| Stellar Slam | Your blast effects from Hephaestus deal damage in a larger area. | Duo: +50% Blast area. (Duo with Hephaestus) |
| Sun Worshiper | In each encounter, the first foe you kill returns to fight alongside you. | Duo: 75 Servant damage. (Duo with Hera) |
| Sunny Disposition | Whenever you create Heartthrobs, create more. | Duo: +2 Heartthrobs (Duo with Aphrodite) |
| Super Nova | Your Casts expand in size until they expire. (Air) | Common: +40% max Cast size. Rare: +50% max Cast size. Epic: +60% max Cast size. Heroic: +70% max Cast size. |
| Torrential Downpour | Each time you use your Omega Cast in an encounter, it gets stronger, but also uses +5 Magick. | Duo: +20% damage per Omega Cast. (Duo with Demeter) |
Arachne
Arachne is the NPC encounter you can find in the first area, Erebus. You can choose one of three dresses, each granting you a significant buff to your armor and a set perk. Any armor purchased at Charon’s shop will grant you the armor again should it run out, and Arcana Cards can help you keep it by adding more durability.
The best ones are the Azure Dress or Lavender Dress if you want to use magick, the Emerald Dress if you want guaranteed health recovery, or Scarlet Dress if you want more AoE damage.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Azure Dress | Don a +40 armor outfit that makes you restore five Magick every second. | N/A |
| Emerald Dress | Don a +50 armor outfit that makes you restore two life whenever you exit a location. | N/A |
| Lavender Dress | Don a +30 armor outfit that makes you channel 40% faster. | N/A |
| Moonlight Dress | Don a +20 armor outfit that grants plus five gold whenever you exit a location. | N/A |
| Onyx Dress | Don a +60 armor outfit that creates +1 Fate Fabric now. | N/A |
| Scarlet Dress | Don a +10 armor outfit that makes your Casts deal +100% damage | N/A |
Artemis
Artemis occasionally assists off-screen during a run to take on a large wave of enemies. Upon their defeat, she’ll appear, and you can talk to her to get one of her boons. They mostly increase your chance of dishing out critical hits or giving you extra attacks, so our picks for the best ones are Easy Shot, First Blood, Lethal Snare, or Support Fire.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Death Warrant | A random foe occasionally becomes Marked. if it takes Critical damage, this repeats. (Earth) | Common: 20-second time between marks. Rare: 18-second time between marks. Epic: 16-second time between marks. Heroic: 14-second time between marks. |
| Easy Shot | A piercing arrow fires toward any foe damaged by your Casts. | Common: 20 arrow damage. Rare: 30 arrow damage. Epic: 40 arrow damage. Heroic: 50 arrow damage. |
| First Blood | Foes with at least 80% health or 80% armor may take critical damage. (Earth) | Common: +10% Critical Chance. Rare: TBC. Epic: TBC. Heroic: TBC. |
| Lethal Snare | Foes in your Casts may take critical damage from your attacks. (Earth | Common: +8% Critical Chance. Rare: TBC. Epic: TBC. Heroic: TBC. |
| Pressure Points | Any damage you deal may be Critical. | Common: +3% Critical Chance. Rare: +4% Critical Chance. Epic: +5% Critical Chance. Heroic: +6% Critical Chance. |
| Silver Streak | After you dash, your Omega moves deal more damage for two seconds. (Air) | Common: +10% bonus Omega damage. Rare: +15% bonus Omega damage. Epic: +20% bonus Omega damage. Heroic: +25% bonus Omega damage. |
| Support Fire | After you hit with your attacks or Specials, fire a seeking bow. (Air) | Common: 10 Arrow damage. Rare: 15 Arrow damage. Epic: 20 Arrow damage. Heroic: 25 Arrow damage. |
Chaos
Chaos is one of the stranger boons you get. Firstly, you normally sacrifice some health to enter their domain, and then you’re essentially cursed for the next few encounters before gaining a powerful buff. There are quite a lot of them to choose from, but the simplest to complete curses with the biggest reward are Addled Blood, Fixated Affluence, Ordinary Defiance, and Rejected Will.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Addled Blood | For the next three encounters, each time you use Casts, you get hit for -6 life. Afterward, whenever you exit a location, restore ten life. | Rare |
| Addled Flourish | For the next three encounters, each time you use Casts, you get hit for -6 life. Afterward, your Specials deal +71% additional damage. | Rare |
| Addled Mind | For the next three encounters, each time you use Casts, you get hit for -6 life. Afterward, gain max Magick. | Common: TBC Rare: +56 max Magick Epic: +61 max Magick. Heroic: TBC |
| Atrophic Affluence | For the next four encounters, you have -22 Max life. Afterward, any Gold Crown you find is worth +50%. | Common |
| Atrophic Discovery | For the next four encounters, you have -22 Max life. Afterward, you have a 62% chance to find +100% resources with your Gathering Tools. | Common |
| Atrophic Flourish | For the next four encounters, you have -22 Max life. Afterward, your Specials deal +80% additional damage. | Epic |
| Atrophic Revelation | For the next four encounters, you have -22 Max life. Afterward, you channel your Omega moves 10% faster. | Common |
| Atrophic Soul | For the next four encounters, you have -22 Max life. Afterward, gain +35 Max life. | Common |
| Caustic Celerity | For the next X encounters, slain foes toss an Inferno-Bomb at you. Afterward, you move and Sprint faster | Common: TBC Rare: five encounters and +40% Sprint speed. Epic: four encounters and +50% Sprint speed. |
| Caustic Creation | For the next three encounters, slain foes toss an Inferno-Bomb at you. Afterward, gain one of each elemental stone. | Rare |
| Caustic Favor | For the next three encounters, slain foes toss an Inferno-Bomb at you. Afterward, Boons have a +47% chance to be Rare or better. | Common |
| Caustic Talent | For the next three encounters, slain foes toss an Inferno-Bomb at you. Afterward, you use -45% Magick. | Rare |
| Doomed Affluence | You have 120 seconds to clear the next three encounters, or you get hit for -500 life. Afterward, any Gold Crown you find is worth +105%. | Common: 45% increased Gold Crown. Rare: 105% increased Gold Crown. Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
| Doomed Chasm | You have 120 seconds to clear the next two encounters, or you get hit for -500 life. Afterward, your Casts deal +66% additional damage. | Rare |
| Doomed Favor | You have 120 seconds to clear the next two encounters, or you get hit for -500 life. Afterward, Boons have a 44% chance to be Rare of better. | Common |
| Doomed Mind | You have 120 seconds to clear the next three encounters, or you get hit for -500 life. Afterward, gain +62 max Magick. | Epic |
| Doomed Revelation | You have 120 seconds to clear two encounters or get hit for -500 life. Afterward, you can Channel your Omega Moves 15% faster. | Rare |
| Doomed Will | You have 120 seconds to clear two encounters or get hit for -500 life. Afterward, restore five Magick every one second. | Common |
| Enshrouded Chant | For the next five locations, location reward previews are hidden. Afterward, your Omega moves deal 36% additional damage for each Aether you have. | Rare |
| Enshrouded Soul | For the next four locations, location reward previews are hidden. Afterward, gain 27 max life. | Common |
| Enshrouded Will | For the next five locations, location reward previews are hidden. Afterward, restore five Magick every second. | Common |
| Excruciating Affluence | For the next five encounters, you take +33% damage. Afterward, any Gold Crown you find is worth +40% | Common |
| Excruciating Blood | For the next five encounters, you take +33% damage. Afterward, whenever you exit a location, restore 11 life. | Rare |
| Excruciating Celerity | For the next four encounters, you take +33% damage. Afterward, you move and sprint faster. | Rare |
| Excruciating Creation | For the next five encounters, you take +33% damage. Afterward, gain Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether. | Rare |
| Excruciating Talent | For the next three encounters, you take +33% damage. Afterward, you use -35% Magick. | Rare |
| Excruciating Will | For the next five encounters, you take +33% damage. Afterward, restore 8.5 Magick every second. | Rare |
| Fixated Affluence | For the next three encounters, whenever you use Magick, Prime it. Afterward, your attacks deal +21% damage. | Common |
| Fixated Blood | For the next five encounters, whenever you use Magick, Prime it. Afterward, whenever you exit a location, restore life. | Common: TBC Rare: 10 life healed. Epic: 17 life healed. Heroic: TBC |
| Fixated Chasm | For the next three encounters, whenever you use Magick, Prime it. Afterward, your Cast deals +71% damage. | Rare |
| Fixated Discovery | For the next three encounters, whenever you use Magick, Prime it. Afterward, you have a 75% chance to find +100% resources with your Harvesting Tool. | Rare |
| Fixated Mind | For the next four encounters, whenever you use Magick, Prime it. Afterward, gain +33 Max Magick. | Rare |
| Fixated Soul | For the next four encounters, whenever you use Magick, Prime it. Afterward, gain 60 max life. | Rare |
| Flayed Blood | For the next four encounters, each time you use Specials, you get hit for -5 life. Afterward, whenever you exit a location, restore 11 life. | Rare |
| Flayed Favor | For the next four encounters, each time you use Specials, you get hit for -5 life. Afterward, Boons have a chance to be Rare or better. | Common: +48% chance to be Rare or better. Rare: TBC Epic: +70% chance to be Rare or better. Heroic: TBC |
| Flayed Mind | For the next four encounters, each time you use Specials, you get hit for -5 life. Afterward, gain +48 Max Magick. | Rare |
| Flayed Will | For the next four encounters, each time you use Specials, you get hit for -5 life. Afterward, restore 13.5 Magick every second. | Epic |
| Gagged Discovery | For the next three encounters, each time you use Omega Moves, you get hit for -6 Life. Afterward, you have a 66% chance to find +100% resources with your Harvesting Tool. | Rare |
| Gagged Revelation | For the next three encounters, each time you use Omega Moves, you get hit for -6 Life. Afterward, you channel your Omega Moves 18% faster. | Rare |
| Gagged Talent | For the next three encounters, each time you use Omega Moves, you get hit for -6 Life. Afterward, you use -40% Magick. | Rare |
| Hobbled Affluence | For the next five encounters, your Dash is slower and also uses five Magick. Afterward, any Gold Crown you find is worth 50% more. | Common |
| Hobbled Creation | For the next five encounters, your Dash is slower and also uses five Magick. Afterward, gain +2 Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether. | Rare |
| Hobbled Favor | For the next four encounters, your Dash is slower and also uses five Magick. Afterward, Boons have a +55% chance to be Rare or better. | Rare |
| Hobbled Soul | For the next five encounters, your Dash is slower and also uses five Magick. Afterward, you gain +30 Max Life. | Common |
| Maimed Chasm | For the next four encounters, each time you use Attacks, you get hit for -5 Life. Afterward, your Casts deal +47% damage. | Common |
| Maimed Favor | For the next three encounters, each time you use Attacks, you get hit for -5 Life. Afterward, your Casts deal additional damage | Common: +45% damage. Rare: +57% damage. Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
| Maimed Revelation | For the next four encounters, each time you use Attacks, you get hit for -5 Life. Afterward, you channel your Omega Moves 24% faster. | Rare |
| Maimed Soul | For the next four encounters, each time you use Attacks, you get hit for -5 Life. Afterward, gain +30 Max Life. | Common |
| Maimed Wall | For the next four encounters, each time you use Attacks, you get hit for -5 Life. Afterward, restore 10.5 Magick every second. | Epic |
| Ordinary Affluence | The next two boons you find are limited to Common blessings. Afterward, any Gold Crown you find is worth +85% more. | Rare |
| Ordinary Defiance | The next three Boons you find are limited to Common blessings. Afterward, you gain +1 use of Death Defiance this night. | Common |
| Ordinary Discovery | The next three Boons you find are limited to Common blessings. Afterward, you have a set chance to find +100% resources with gathering tools. | Common: TBC Rare: 60% chance. Epic: TBC Heroic: 63% chance. |
| Ordinary Revelation | The next two Boons you find are limited to Common blessings. Afterward, you Channel your Omega moves 15% faster. | Common |
| Ordinary Strike | The next two Boons you find are limited to Common blessings. Afterward, your Attacks deal +29% damage. | Common |
| Ordinary Will | The next two Boons you find are limited to Common blessings. Afterward, restore Magick every second. | Common: four Magick every second. Rare: eight Magick every second. Epic: 12 Magick every second. Heroic: 16 Magick every second. |
| Paralyzing Blood | For the next four encounters, whenever you take damage, you are stunned for 1.1 seconds. Afterward, whenever you exit a location, restore 20 Life. | Epic |
| Paralyzing Charm | For the next five encounters, whenever you take damage, you are stunned for 0.5 seconds. Afterward, your Casts deal +55% additional damage. | Rare |
| Paralyzing Chasm | For the next four encounters, whenever you take damage, you are stunned for 1.1 seconds. Afterward, your Casts deal +29% damage. | Common |
| Paralyzing Strike | For the next four encounters, whenever you take damage, you are stunned for 0.9 seconds. Afterward, your attacks deal +41% damage. | Rare |
| Paralyzing Talent | For the next four encounters, whenever you take damage, you are stunned for 1.1 seconds. Afterward, you use -60% Magick. | Epic |
| Pauper’s Revelation | For the next three encounters, you cannot earn Gold Crowns. Afterward, you Channel your Omega Moves 14% faster. | Rare |
| Rejected Chasm | The next three Boons you find have one fewer blessing to choose from. Afterward, your Casts deal +45% damage. | Common |
| Rejected Creation | The next three Boons you find have one fewer blessing to choose from. Afterward, gain +1 Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Aether. | Common |
| Rejected Mind | The next three Boons you find have one fewer blessing to choose from. Afterward, gain max Magick. | Common: +40 max Magick. Rare: +60 max Magick. Epic: +80 max Magick. Heroic: +100 max Magick. |
| Rejected Revelation | The next four Boons you find have one fewer blessing to choose from. Afterward, you Channel your Omega moves 13% faster. | Common |
| Rejected Will | The next three Boons you find have one fewer blessing to choose from. Afterward, restore 8.5 Magick every one second. | Rare |
| Slothful Blood | For the next four encounters, your movement and sprint are 59% slower. Afterward, whenever you exit a location, restore four Life. | Common |
| Slothful Celerity | For the next three encounters, your movement and sprint are 59% slower. Afterward, you move and sprint faster. | Common: +30% move and sprint speed. Rare: +40% move and sprint speed. Epic: +50% move and sprint speed. Heroic: +60% move and sprint speed. |
| Slothful Favor | For the next four encounters, your movement and sprint are 59% slower. Afterward, Boons have a 63% chance to be Rare or better. | Rare |
| Slothful Strike | For the next five encounters, your movement and sprint are 59% slower. Afterward, your attacks deal 25% additional damage. | Common |
Circe
You find the enchantress Circe in the Rift of Thessaly, and she’ll offer one of three upgrades. The best ones are Old Herbal Remedy, Lapis Lazuli Insight, and Red Cirtrine Diviniation.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Lapis Lazuli Insight | Randomly draw one of your active Arcana and upgrade it this night. | N/A |
| Old Herbal Remedy | Any healing effects are +25% stronger. Gain 50% life now. | N/A |
| Red Citrine Divination | Randomly draw one of your inactive Arcana and activate it this night. | N/A |
| Word of Greater Girth | Grow in size, so that your strikes deal +15% damage. | N/A |
| Word of Smaller Stature | Shrink in size, so you move +15% faster and have a +15% chance to Dodge. | N/A |
Demeter
Melinoë’s grandmother will bestow her with a chilly touch to her attacks, allowing her to freeze an opponent to the ground. This can be particularly handy when dealing with shielded and highly aggressive opponents, making it a decent option for ranged weapons or attacks. The best Demeter boons are Arctic Ring, Cold Storage, and Ice Flourish for freezing ability, while Rare Crop is good for buffing your other perks, and Winter Coat gives you a defensive shield.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Apocalyptic Storm | Your Blitz effects last longer and activate against all Blitz-afflicted foes at once. | Duo with Zeus |
| Arctic Ring | Your Casts repeatedly deal damage in the area and inflict Freeze. (Water) | Common: ten Cast damage every 0.5 seconds. Rare: 15 Cast damage every 0.5 seconds. Epic: 20 Cast damage every 0.5 seconds. Heroic: 25 Cast damage every 0.5 seconds. |
| Cherished Heirloom | Most other Keepsakes you equip are stronger this night (if possible). (Aether) | Duo: +1 Bonus Keepsake ranks. (Duo with Hera) |
| Coarse Grit | While you have at least six Earth Boons, you cannot take more damage per hit than the limit. | Infusion: 15 max damage per hit. |
| Cold Storage | Your Freeze effects last longer. | Common: +2 second Freeze Duration. Rare: +3 second Freeze Duration. Epic: +4 second Freeze Duration. Heroic: +5 second Freeze Duration. |
| Freezer Burn | Whenever you inflict Freeze, amplify any Scorch effects already on the foe. | Duo with Hestia |
| Frigid Sprint | Your sprint forms a cyclone around you that lingers after you stop. (Water) | Common: four Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. Rare: six Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. Epic: eight Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. Heroic: ten Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. |
| Gale Force | Your Casts also create a Cyclone at the binding circle. (Water) | Common: four Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. Rare: eight Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. Epic: 12 Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. Heroic: 16 Cyclone damage every 0.25 seconds. |
| Hearty Appetite | You deal more damage the more life you have. | Duo with Aphrodite |
| Ice Flourish | Your Specials deal more damage and inflict freeze. (Water) | Common: +40% Special damage. Rare: +60% Special damage. Epic: +80% Special damage. Heroic: +100% Special damage. |
| Ice Strike | Your attacks deal more damage and inflict freeze. (Water) | Common: +30% attack damage. Rare: +45% attack damage. Epic: +60% attack damage. Heroic: +75% attack damage. |
| Local Climate | Your Omega Cast deals bonus damage and follows you, even as you start to channel it. | Common: +20% Cast damage. Rare: +30% Cast damage. Epic: +40% Cast damage. Heroic: +50% Cast damage. |
| Natural Selection | Location rewards exclude max life, max magic, and Gold Crowns. Boons are more likely to be Rare or better. (Aether) | Duo: 20% improved rarity chance. (Duo with Poseidon) |
| Plentiful Forage | Whenever you gather plants, seeds, or mushrooms, gain Max Life. Receive one Mystery Seed now. (Earth) | Common: +5 Max life gained. Rare: +8 Max life gained. Epic: +10 Max life gained. Heroic: TBC |
| Rare Crop | Your boons become common, then gain rarity every three encounters. (Earth) | Common: one random Boon affected. Rare: two random Boons affected. Epic: three random Boons affected. Heroic: four random Boons affected. |
| Room Temperature | Your Blast effects from Hephaestus clear Freeze. | Duo with Hephaestus |
| Torrential Downpour | Each time you use your Omega Cast in an encounter, it gets stronger but also uses +5 Magick. (Aether) | Duo: +20% damage per Omega Cast. (Duo with Apollo) |
| Tranquil Gain | After remaining inactive for one second, rapidly restore Magick until you act. (Earth) | Common: +25 Magick Restoration every second. Rare: +35 Magick Restoration every second. Epic: +45 Magick Restoration every second. Heroic: +55 Magick Restoration every second. |
| Weed Killer | Your Omega Attack deals more damage, but uses ten Magick. (Earth) | Common: +50% Omega attack damage. Rare: +75% Omega attack damage. Epic: +100% Omega attack damage. Heroic: +125% Omega attack damage. |
| Winter Coat | After you enter a location, Prime a barrier that absorbs one instance of damage. (Earth) | Common: 20 Magick Primed. Rare: 15 Magick Primed. Epic: 10 Magick Primed. Heroic: 5 Magick Primed. |
| Winter Harvest | Freeze-afflicted foes shatter at 10% HP, dealing damage in the area. | Legendary |
Echo
Upon meeting a cloaked figure in the Mourning Fields, you’ll soon realize she can’t say much beyond what she last heard. The best perks here largely depend on your current situation. If you had a particularly good run prior to the one you’re on now, you can get some of that former power back with Boon Boon Boon. Reward Reward Reward is the other mostly default option as your previous item is likely something that buffed your current build.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Boon Boon Boon | Gain a random Boon from the previous night. | N/A |
| Evade Evade Evade | Gain +50% dodge, but lose 2% of this every time you dodge. | N/A |
| Fight Fight Fight | Gain +50% life and Magick based on their limits, but lose 5% of this after each location. | N/A |
| Reward Reward Reward | Manifest a copy of your most recently claimed Reward. | N/A |
| Survive Survive Survive | Replace all spent uses of Death Defiance with ones that restore life and Magick, then less and less. | N/A |
Hades
Trapped in Tartarus, the former God of the Dead, Hades, is shackled next to his trusty guard dog Cerberus. His gimmick is that his perks either affect aspects of the final boss or give you a powerful perk to help eliminate them quickly. Deep Dissent and Old Grudge are great options for messing with Chronos, while Howling Soul is the most consistent of the rest of your options.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Deep Dissent | In your confrontation, Chronos summons fewer reinforcements. | Common: 50% Chronos Foes summoned. |
| Howling Soul | Your Casts launch a projectile dead ahead. The binding circle forms where it hits. | Common: 200 Impact damage. |
| Last Gasp | Deal more damage for each spent Death Defiance. | Common: +10% damage per Death Defiance use. |
| Life Tax | Restore life for 1% of the damage you deal until you reach the limit. | Common: 100 max total life restored. |
| Old Grudge | In your confrontation, Chronos takes a burst of damage after the first three seconds. | Common: -20% Chronos life. |
| Unseen Ire | After you take damage, go Dark for ten seconds. Recharge in 40 seconds. | Common: +100% damage while Dark. |
Hephaestus
Hephaestus is one the best of the godly bunch and easily one you can build around if you’re using ranged weapons. His earth-based perks give you boosts to overall damage or apply Vent to hit enemies for an extra hit of burst damage. This has the potential to make short work of even the toughest foes. Our picks for the best Hephaestus boons are Furnace Blast, Molten Touch, Tough Trade, and Volcanic Flourish for damage, while Fixed Gain gives you bonus defense and magick recovery.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Anvil Ring | Your Casts deal damage three times in succession but in a small area. (Earth) | Common: 50 Cast damage every second. Rare: 70 Cast damage every second. Epic: 80 Cast damage every second. Heroic: TBC |
| Chain Reaction | If you use your blast effects from Hephaestus just after they recharge, they fire two times. | Duo with Hestia |
| Fine Tuning | Your Aspect on the Nocturnal Arms is even stronger. | Legendary |
| Fixed Gain | You take -10% damage and restore some Magick whenever you take damage. (Earth) | Common: 50 Magick restored from damage. Rare: 75 Magick restored from damage. Epic: 100 Magick restored from damage. Heroic: 125 Magick restored from damage. |
| Furnace Blast | Your blast effects from Hephaestus also inflict Vent on foes. (Fire) | Common: 300 Vent damage. Rare: 400 Vent damage. Epic: 500 Vent damage. Heroic: 600 Vent damage. |
| Heavy Metal | Gain some armor. Foes’ attacks cannot knock you away. (Earth) | Common: +50 armor gained. Rare: +75 armor gained. Epic: +100 armor gained. Heroic: +125 armor gained. |
| Martial Art | Your attack and Special deal more damage for each Earth Boon you have. | Infusion: +5 damage per Earth Boon. |
| Master Conductor | Your chain-lightning deals more damage per bounce and can bounce to you. | Duo with Zeus |
| Mint Condition | At the start of each encounter, you are briefly Impervious. (Earth) | Common: eight-second Impervious duration Rare: ten-second Impervious duration Epic: 12-second Impervious duration Heroic: 14-second Impervious duration |
| Molten Touch | Your attacks and Specials deal bonus damage to armor. (Fire) | Common: +20% damage to armored foes. Rare: +30% damage to armored foes. Epic: +40% damage to armored foes. Heroic: +50% damage to armored foes. |
| Room Temperature | Your blast effects from Hephaestus clear Freeze. | Duo with Demeter |
| Seismic Hammer | Your Cast occasionally creates a blast that deals 500 damage in the area. | Duo with Posiedon |
| Smithy Sprint | After you Sprint for one second, use ten Magick to create a blast that deals damage to nearby foes. (Fire) | Common: 200 area damage. Rare: 300 area damage. Epic: 400 area damage. Heroic: 500 area damage. |
| Soft Caress | The first time you would take damage in each encounter, get HP instead. | Duo: 100% damage turned into healing. Duo with Aphrodite |
| Spiteful Strength | Your attacks and specials deal more damage while not empowered by Boons. | Duo with Hera |
| Stellar Slam | Your blast effects from Hephaestus deal damage in a larger area. | Duo: +50% blast area. (Duo with Apollo) |
| Tough Trade | If you take damage during your attacks or Specials, they are stronger if they hit. (Fire) | Common: +100% bonus weapon damage. Rare: +125% bonus weapon damage. Epic: +150% bonus weapon damage. Heroic: +175% bonus weapon damage. |
| Trusty Shield | After you enter a location, Prime 30 Magick to gain armor until the next location. (Earth) | Common: +10 starting armor. Rare: +15 starting armor. Epic: +20 starting armor. Heroic: +25 starting armor. |
| Uncanny Fortitude | Gain bonus max life based on your Magick limit. (Earth) | Common: +20 max life from Magick. Rare: +30 max life from Magick. Epic: +40 max life from Magick. Heroic: +50 max life from Magick. |
| Volcanic Flourish | Your Specials occasionally create a blast that deals 400 damage in the area (Fire) | Common: 20-second Blast Recharge time. Rare: 18-second Blast Recharge time. Epic: 16-second Blast Recharge time. Heroic: 14-second Blast Recharge time. |
| Volcanic Strike | Your attacks occasionally create a blast that deals 200 damage in the area. (Fire) | Common: 12-second Blast Recharge time. Rare: ten-second Blast Recharge time. Epic: eight-second Blast Recharge time. Heroic: six-second Blast Recharge time. |
Hera
Hera’s main boon perk she gives you is the ability to deal damage to multiple enemies at once with the Hitch ability. As soon as you affect one enemy with this ailment, each subsequent hit you inflict upon them will splash out the damage to every other enemy on screen. This is best used with ranged weapons, and our picks for the best boons are Dying Wish, Hereditary Bane, Sworn Flourish, and Nasty Comeback.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Born Gain | Whenever you run out of Magick, Prime to restore all Magick up to the reduced limit. (Earth) | Common: 10 Magick Primed. Rare: 8 Magick Primed. Epic: 6 Magick Primed. Heroic: 4 Magick Primed. |
| Brace Face | Automatically use Magick to resist up to 50% of any damage. | Legendary |
| Bridal Glow | Your Boons become Heroic, then lose rarity every X encounters. (Two random Boons affected) (Earth) | Common: loses rarity every five encounters. Rare: loses rarity every seven encounters. Epic: loses rarity every eight encounters. Heroic: TBC |
| Cherished Heirloom | Most other Keepsakes you equip this night are stronger if possible. | Duo: +1 Keepsake ranks. Duo with Demeter |
| Dying Wish | Whenever Hitch-afflicted foes are slain, damage all other Hitch-affected foes. (Earth) | Common: 40 Hitch Death damage. Rare: 60 Hitch Death damage. Epic: 80 Hitch Death damage. Heroic: 100 Hitch Death damage. |
| Engagement Ring | Your Casts last 200% longer and deals damage to every foe that joins the encounter. (Earth) | Common: 70 on-spawn damage. Rare: 100 on-spawn damage. Epic: 130 on-spawn damage. Heroic: 160 on-spawn damage. |
| Family Trade | Any Sacrifice Boons you choose are stronger. One will be offered as soon as possible. (Earth) | Common: +2 bonus levels. Rare: +3 bonus levels. Epic: +4 bonus levels. Heroic: +5 bonus levels. |
| Funeral Pyre | While you channel your Omega Moves, repeatedly inflict Scorch on foes. | Duo with Hestia |
| Golden Rule | You deal more damage the more gold you have. | Duo with Poseidon |
| Hereditary Bane | Your Hitch effects deal more damage and last +5 seconds. (Earth) | Common: +10% Hitch damage. Rare: +15% Hitch damage. Epic: +20% Hitch damage. Heroic: +25% Hitch damage. |
| Keen Intuition | Whenever you use Omega moves while you have 100% Magick, they deal more damage. (Earth) | Common: +30% Omega damage. Rare: +45% Omega damage. Epic: +60% Omega damage. Heroic: +75% Omega damage. |
| King’s Ransom | Give up all your Boons of Hera. For each, raise the level for all Boons of Zeus (Aether) | Duo: +3 Bonus levels per Hera Boon. Duo with Zeus |
| Nasty Comeback | After you take damage, inflict your foe with Hitch and deal damage in greater measure. (Earth) | Common: 500% damage reflected. Rare: 750% damage reflected. Epic: 1,000% damage reflected. Heroic: 1,250% damage reflected. |
| Nexus Sprint | Your Sprint inflicts Hitch on nearby foes, which spreads to other foes near them. (Earth) | Common: one additional foe Hitched. Rare: two additional foes Hitched. Epic: three additional foes Hitched. Heroic: four additional foes Hitched. |
| Proper Upbringing | While you have at least three Earth Boons, all your Common Boons gain rarity. | Infusion: Improved rarity to Rare. |
| Queen’s Ransom | Give up all your Boons of Zeus. For each, raise the level for all Boons of Hera. (Aether) | Duo: +3 Bonus levels per Zeus Boon. Duo with Zeus |
| Soul Mate | Foes with Hitch take more damage and are Weak, but only two can be afflicted at a time. | Duo: +20% damage vs. Htiched foes. Duo with Aphrodite |
| Spiteful Strength | Your attacks and specials deal more damage while not empowered by Boons. | Duo with Hephaestus |
| Sun Worshipper | In each encounter, the first foe you slay returns to fight for you. | Duo: 75 Servant damage Duo with Apollo |
| Sworn Flourish | Your Specials deal more damage and inflict Hitch. (Earth) | Common: +60% Special damage. Rare: +70% Special damage. Epic: +80% Special damage. Heroic: +90% Special damage. |
| Sworn Strike | Your attacks deal more damage and inflict Hitch. (Earth) | Common: +50% attack damage. Rare: +60% attack damage. Epic: +70% attack damage. Heroic: +80% attack damage. |
| Uncommon Grace | While none of your other Boons are Common, deal more damage. (Earth) | Common: +10% bonus damage. Rare: +15% bonus damage. Epic: +20% bonus damage. Heroic: +25% bonus damage. |
Hermes
The speedy messenger of the Olympian gods is perhaps the most universally beneficial boon-giver. His perks all revolve around making you dodge more easily and improving your attack speed or making enemies and their projectiles slower. You won’t get many of these during a run, but our favorites are Greater Evasion, Hard Target, Nitro Boost, Swift Flourish/Swift Strike, and Witty Retort.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Close Call | Gain +1 use of Death Defiance that makes everything else move 90% slower for eight seconds. | Legendary |
| Greater Evasion | Whenever you are struck, you may dodge any damage. (Air) | Common: +10% dodge chance. Rare: +15% dodge chance. Epic: +20% dodge chance. Heroic: +25% dodge chance. |
| Hard Target | Most foes’ ranged shots are slower. (Air) | Common: -30% foe projectile speed. Rare: -40% foe projectile speed. Epic: -50% foe projectile speed. Heroic: -60% foe projectile speed. |
| Mean Streak | Each time you slay a foe, deal more damage for the next 30 seconds. (Air) | Common: +1% bonus damage per slain foe. Rare: +1.5% bonus damage per slain foe. Epic: +2% bonus damage per slain foe. Heroic: +2.5% bonus damage per slain foe. |
| Midnight Oil | While your Hex is ready, you more and strike faster. (Air) | Common: TBC Rare: +20% bonus move and weapon speed. Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
| Nitro Boost | Your Sprint is 20% faster and gives you a barrier that ignores instances of damage. (Fire) | Common: one hit blocked per encounter. Rare: two hits blocked per encounter. Epic: three hits blocked per encounter. Heroic: four hits blocked per encounter. |
| Quick Buck | You find Gold Crowns in greater quantities. Receive 100 Gold Crowns now, plus the bonus. (Air) | Common: +20% bonus gold. Rare: TBC Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
| Saved Breath | Your Omega Cast uses less Magick. (Earth) | Common: -50% Omega Cast cost. Rare: -60% Omega Cast cost. Epic: -70% Omega Cast cost. Heroic: -80% Omega Cast cost. |
| Swift Flourish | Your Specials are faster. (Earth) | Common: +15% Special speed. Rare: +18% Special speed. Epic: +21 Special speed. Heroic: +24 Special speed. |
| Swift Strike | Your attacks are faster. (Earth) | Common: +10% attack speed. Rare: +15% attack speed. Epic: +20% attack speed. Heroic: +25% attack speed. |
| Tall Order | While you have at least two each of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire elements, you deal more damage. | Infusion: +20% Infused damage. |
| Witty Retort | Your Hex requires less Magick before it is ready. (Earth) | Common: +15% reduced Magick cost. Rare: +20% reduced Magick cost. Epic: +25% reduced Magick cost. Heroic: +30% reduced Magick cost. |
Hestia
Many of Hestia’s boons cause the Scorch ailment, which does damage over time. This can be especially handy for dealing with bosses at any range while also melting enemy shields with ease. The best Hestia perks are Fire Extinguisher, Flame Flourish/Flame Strike, Smolder Ring, Flammable Coating, and Natural Gas.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Burning Desire | Up to +12 Lone Shades appear in locations. Sprint into them to launch a fiery blast. (Aether) | Duo: 160 Lone Shade area damage. Duo with Aphrodite |
| Burnt Offering | Gain max life and max Magick, but give up one Boon selected by Hestia. (Fire) | Common: +50 max life and Magick. Rare: +60 max life and Magick. Epic: +70 max life and Magick. Heroic: +80 max life and Magick. |
| Chain Reaction | If you use blast effects from Hephaestus just after they recharge they fire twice. | Duo with Hephaestus |
| Controlled Burn | Your Omega Special also launches a fiery projectile but uses +10 Magick. (Fire) | Common: 80 Blast damage. Rare: 120 Blast damage. Epic: 160 Blast damage. Heroic: 200 Blast damage. |
| Fire Extinguisher | Foes with at least 300 Scorch take a burst of damage that consumes the effect. (Fire) | Common: 50% damage from Scorch. Rare: 62% damage from Scorch. Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
| Flame Flourish | Your Specials inflict Scorch. (Fire) | Common: 15 Scorch damage. Rare: 20 Scorch damage. Epic: 25 Scorch damage. Heroic: 30 Scorch damage. |
| Flame Strike | Your attacks inflict Scorch. (Fire) | Common: 20 Scorch damage. Rare: 25 Scorch damage. Epic: 30 Scorch damage. Heroic: 35 Scorch damage. |
| Flammable Coating | Your Scorch effects deal bonus damage to armor. (Fire) | Common: +100% Scorch damage on armor. Rare: TBC Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
| Freezer Burn | Whenever you inflict Freeze, amplify any Scorch effects already on the foe. | Duo with Demeter |
| Funeral Pyre | While you channel your Omega Moves, repeatedly inflict Scorch on foes. | Duo with Hera |
| Glowing Coal | Hold Cast to aim a fiery projectile that explodes on impact. The binding circle forms there. (Fire) | Common: 50 Blast damage. Rare: 70 Blast damage. Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
| Hearth Gain | Rapidly restore Magick, but you have 20% less health. (Fire) | Common: +7 Magick Restoration every second. Rare: +10 Magick Restoration every second. Epic: +13 Magick Restoration every second. Heroic: +16 Magick Restoration every second. |
| Natural Gas | Whenever Scorch-afflicted foes are slain, they damage nearby foes. (Fire) | Common: 60 Blast damage. Rare: 90 Blast damage. Epic: 120 Blast damage. Heroic: 150 Blast damage. |
| Phoenix Skin | Give up 100 HP. If you do not take or deal damage for three seconds, rapidly restore HP. | Duo: +3 HP restoration every second. Duo with Apollo |
| Pyro Technique | Your Scorch effects deal damage faster. | Legendary |
| Scalding Vapor | If foes with Slip are struck by fire from Hestia, they are engulfed in steam. | Duo with Poseidon |
| Slow Cooker | Your attacks and Specials gain Power for each Fire Boon you have. | Infusion: +2 Power per Fire Boon. |
| Smolder Ring | Your Casts repeatedly inflict Scorch on foes. (Fire) | Common: 30 Scorch damage every second. Rare: 45 Scorch damage every second. Epic: 60 Scorch damage every second. Heroic: 75 Scorch damage every second. |
| Soot Sprint | Your Sprint destroys most ranged shots near you, and inflicts Scorch on foes that fired. (Fire) | Common: two Scorch damage per projectile. Rare: four Scorch damage per projectile. Epic: six Scorch damage per projectile. Heroic: eight Scorch damage per projectile. |
| Spontaneous Combustion | Your Omega Special inflicts bonus Scorch if foes are unafflicted. (Fire) | Common: 60 bonus Scorch damage Rare: 90 bonus Scorch damage. Epic: 120 bonus Scorch damage Heroic: 150 bonus Scorch damage |
| Thermal Dynamics | Your Blitz effects also inflict Scorch whenever they deal damage. | Duo with Zeus |
Icarus
You can find Icarus in the Rift of Thessaly, and he’ll give you a choice of one of three inventions. The best of these by far is Destructive Coating, which has barely any downside. Supply Chain is also incredible for those looking to buff their boons quickly.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Destructive Coating | Gain +40 armor. The next time you lose all your armor, deal 4,000 damage to nearby foes. | N/A |
| Hazard Boom | Your Casts also blast the area after four seconds, dealing 500 damage to foes, but also 20 to you. | N/A |
| Ingenious Strike | After you enter a location, Prime 20 Magick to give your attacks +10 Power. | N/A |
| Protective Coating | Gain +80 armor. The next time you lose all your armor, become impervious for eight seconds. | N/A |
| Supply Chain | Each time you clear five encounters, you receive +10 Healing and three Pom Slices. | N/A |
Medea
Upon finding Medea in the City of Ephyra, the curses she can give you are some of the most powerful effects you can get for surface runs. Those using Magick builds should go with Traces of Spirit, while Life from the Dead has a small chance to give you a tiny bit of recovery. Suffering on Sight can be decent, but the randomness of its ability means you can’t rely on it to get you out of fighting a tough enemy.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Life from the Dead | After a foe is slain, it has a 5% chance to drop +10 Healing (limit of one per encounter). | N/A |
| Malice in Kind | Whenever a foe makes you lose Death Defiance, it loses 15% life. | N/A |
| Suffering on Sight | After a foe joins the encounter, it randomly takes from one to 999 damage. | N/A |
| Traces of Spirit | After each encounter, gain +10 max Magick. | N/A |
| Wealth from the Dead | After a foe is slain, it has a 10% chance to drop +20 Gold Crowns (limit of two per encounter). | N/A |
Narcissus
Within the walls of Oceanus, Narcissus’s gifts are all very good in their own way. It largely depends on what you need at any given time, but the universal best choice is Life Savings as it essentially gives you an extra life. Heartfelt Condolences gives you the most max health, while Mixed Blessings will give you a random boon from one of the gods.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Ancestral Offering | Receive a gift of +25 max life and 50 bones. | N/A |
| Heartfelt Condolences | Receive a gift of +50 max life and ten ashes. | N/A |
| Life Savings | Receive a gift of one Death Defiance and one Deathcap. | N/A |
| Mixed Blessings | Receive a gift of one mystery Boon and one Mystery Seed. | N/A |
| Mystic Secrets | Receive a gift of +30 max Magick and 20 Psyche. | N/A |
| Precious Metals | Receive a gift of six Silver and 100 Gold Crowns. | N/A |
| Verdure Sampler | Receive a gift of one Pom Slice, two Moly, and three Nightshade. | N/A |
Poseidon
As God of the Sea, it’s no surprise that Poseidon’s water-based boons focus on knocking enemies back with waves. This can help pin a tough foe into a corner, do bonus damage to those affected by his Slip ailment, or drive away anything that gets too close. Therefore, it’s better to use melee weapons where possible. Our picks for the best Poseidon perks are Breaker Spirit, Fluid Gain, Slippery Slope, Wave Strike, and Hydraulic Might.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Beach Ball | Your Sprint creates a watery sphere behind you. After you stop, it surges ahead and bursts. | Duo: 140 Blast Damage. (Duo with Poseidon) |
| Breaker Spirit | Your Sprint deals damage on impact and knocks foes away, but uses five Magick per hit. (Water) | Common: 80 impact damage. Rare: 120 impact damage. Epic: 160 impact damage. Heroic: 200 impact damage. |
| Double Up | Whenever you claim a Minor Find or similar resource reward, a copy may appear. (Water) | Common: 20% double chance reward. Rare: 25% double chance reward. Epic: 30% double chance reward. Heroic: 35% double chance reward. |
| Flood Control | After you enter a location, Prime 30 Magick to reduce damage. (Water) | Common: -2 damage reduction per hit. Rare: -3 damage reduction per hit. Epic: -4 damage reduction per hit. Heroic: -5 damage reduction per hit. |
| Fluid Gain | After you strike foes with your weapon, a Spirit Bubble may appear. (Water) | Common: +10% Spirit Bubble chance. Rare: +12% Spirit Bubble chance. Epic: +14% Spirit Bubble chance. Heroic: +16% Spirit Bubble chance. |
| Geyser Ring | Your Omega Cast immediately detonates, dealing damage and knocking foes away. (Water) | Common: 100 Omega Cast damage. Rare: 150 Omega Cast damage. Epic: 200 Omega Cast damage. Heroic: 250 Omega Cast damage. |
| Golden Rule | You deal more damage the more gold you have. | Duo with Hera |
| Hydraulic Might | At the start of each encounter, your attacks and specials are stronger for ten seconds. (Water) | Common: +100% attack and Specials boost. Rare: +133% attack and Specials boost. Epic: +166% attack and Specials boost. Heroic: +199% attack and Specials boost. |
| Island Getaway | You take less damage from nearby foes. Boons of Aphrodite treat all foes as nearby. | Duo: +15 damage resistance. Duo with Aphrodite |
| Killer Current | Your lightning deals more damage to Slip-affected foes. | Duo with Zeus |
| King Tide | Your Splash effects from Poseidon are larger and deal bonus damage to Guardians. | Legendary |
| Natural Selection | Location rewards exclude life up, Magick up, and Gold Crowns. Boons are more likely to be Rare or better. | Duo: +20% improved rarity chance. Duo with Demeter |
| Ocean’s Bounty | Any Minor Finds and Gold Crowns are worth more. (Water) | Common: +50% reward value. Rare: +75% reward value. Epic: +100% reward value. Heroic: +125% reward value. |
| Scalding Vapor | If foes with Slip are struck by fire from Hestia, they are engulfed in steam. | Duo with Hestia |
| Seismic Hammer | Your Omega Cast occasionally creates a blast that deals 500 damage in the area. | Duo with Hephaestus |
| Slippery Slope | Your splash effects from Poseidon also inflict Slip on foes. (Water) | Common: +5% Slip bonus damage. Rare: +10% Slip bonus damage. Epic: +15% Slip bonus damage. Heroic: +20% Slip bonus damage. |
| Sunken Treasure | Gain Gold Crowns, Healing, and sometimes Ashes and Psyche. (Water) | Common: +90 Gold Crowns received. Rare: +117 Gold Crowns received. Epic: +144 Gold Crowns received. Heroic: TBC |
| Water Fitness | While you have at least four Water Boons, gain max life. | Infusion: +100 max life. |
| Wave Flourish | Your Specials hit foes with a splash that knocks other foes away. (Water) | Common: 20 Splash damage. Rare: 30 Splash damage. Epic: 40 Splash damage. Heroic: 50 Splash damage. |
| Wave Strike | Your attacks hit foes with a splash that knocks other foes away. (Water) | Common: 15 Splash damage. Rare: 20 Splash damage. Epic: 25 Splash damage. Heroic: 30 Splash damage. |
Selene
The Titaness of the Moon is an unlikely ally in the fight against Chronos, but her boons all affect your Hex attack. After hitting enemies with Omega attacks, you’ll charge up the use of this unique technique based on the Magick spent. It depends on your build as to which one is the best for you, but the best ones are either Lunar Ray for the burst damage potential, Moon Water for its unparalleled recovery, and Phase Shift because it makes everything slower and easier to avoid.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Dark Side | Your Hex turns you into an Impervious living nightmare with her own abilities for five seconds (Ready after 90 Magick). | N/A |
| Lunar Ray | Your Hex fires a beam that deals up to 1,200 damage over three seconds (Ready after 120 Magick). | N/A |
| Moon Water | Your Hex restores 25 life up to three times, which resets whenever you use fountains (Ready after 70 Magick). | N/A |
| Night Bloom | Your Hex raises one random slain foe from this encounter to fight for you for 12 seconds (Ready after 100 Magick). | N/A |
| Phase Shift | Your Hex makes everything else move 80% slower for five seconds (Ready after 150 Magick). | N/A |
| Total Eclipse | Your Hex blasts the target area for 1,000 damage after four seconds (Ready after 200 Magick). | N/A |
| Twilight Curse | Your Hex launches a seeking projectile that inflicts Morph on up to ten susceptible foes (Ready after 140 Magick). | N/A |
| Wolf Howl | Your Hex makes you rise up then crash down in the target area for 200 damage (Ready after 80 Magick). | N/A |
Zeus
Zeus’s lightning skills will curse your foes, but you can only take advantage of it by keeping up the pressure. Whenever an enemy is affected by Blitz, they are struck by lightning after they take 120 damage within the curse’s duration. You can buff this further with the best Zeus perks: Double Strike, Electric Overload, Heaven Flourish/Heaven Strike, and Storm Ring. Toasting Fork is practically mandatory for successful runs as it ensures that even if you don’t get the damage in on time, you’ll still hit them with a lightning bolt when you reach the threshold.
| Boon | Effect | Rarity upgrades |
| Air Quality | While you have at least five Air Boons, you can never deal less damage than the limit. | Infusion: 30 minimum damage per hit. |
| Apocalyptic Storm | Your Blitz effects last longer, and activate against all Blitz-afflicted foes at once. | Duo with Demeter |
| Divine Vengeance | After you take damage, your foe is struck by lightning and again 50% of the time. (Air) | Common: 100 bolt damage up to two times. Rare: 100 bolt damage up to three times. Epic: 100 bolt damage up to four times. Heroic: 100 bolt damage up to five times. |
| Double Strike | Your lightning bolt effects may strike one more time. (Air) | Common: +5% bonus strike damage. Rare: +10% bonus strike damage. Epic: +15% bonus strike damage. Heroic: +20% bonus strike damage. |
| Electric Overload | Whenever your Blitz effects activate, a bolt of chain-lightning fires from the foe. (Air) | Common: 10 lightning damage. Rare: 15 lightning damage. Epic: 20 lightning damage. Heroic: 25 lightning damage. |
| Heaven Flourish | Your Specials inflict Blitz. (Air) | Common: 100 Blitz damage Rare: 140 Blitz damage Epic: 180 Blitz damage Heroic: 220 Blitz damage |
| Glorious Disaster | You can channel +30 Magick into your Cast to repeatedly strike foes with lightning bolts. | Duo: 50 Bolt damage every 0.13 seconds. Duo with Apollo |
| Heaven Strike | Your attacks inflict Blitz. (Air) | Common: 80 Blitz damage Rare: 120 Blitz damage Epic: 160 Blitz damage Heroic: 200 Blitz damage. |
| Ionic Gain | Gradually restore Magick but your total amount is reduced by 70%. (Air) | Common: +4 Magick restoration every second. Rare: +6 Magick restoration every second. Epic: +8 Magick restoration every second. Heroic: +10 Magick restoration every second. |
| Killer Current | Your lightning deals more damage to Slip-affected foes. | Duo with Poseidon |
| King’s Ransom | Give up all your Boons of Hera. For each, raise the level for all your Boons of Zeus. | Duo: +2 bonus levels per Hera Boons. Duo with Hera |
| Lightning Lance | Hold Cast to aim where the binding circle appears. Foes within are struck by lightning. (Air) | Common: 50 bolt damage. Rare: 70 bolt damage. Epic: 90 bolt damage. Heroic: 110 bolt damage. |
| Master Conductor | Your chain-lightning deals more damage per bounce and can bounce to you. | Duo with Hephaestus |
| Queen’s Ranson | Give up all your Boons of Zeus. For each, raise the level for all your Boons of Hera. | Duo: +2 bonus levels per Zeus Boons. Duo with Hera |
| Romantic Spark | If you Sprint into Blitz-afflicted foes, the effect activates immediately and is stronger. | Duo: +200% bonus Blitz damage Duo with Aphrodite |
| Shocking Loss | Most foes may be instantly destroyed as soon as they enter the encounter. | Legendary |
| Spirit Surge | While you have no more than ten Magick, all foes are occasionally struck by lightning. (Air) | Common: 60 bolt damage every five seconds. Rare: 75 bolt damage every five seconds. Epic: 90 bolt damage every five seconds. Heroic: 105 bolt damage every five seconds. |
| Static Shock | After you enter a location, prime 50 Magick to make your strikes emit chain-lightning. (Air) | Common: 10 lightning damage. Rare: 15 lightning damage. Epic: 20 lightning damage. Heroic: 25 lightning damage. |
| Storm Ring | Your Cast also causes lightning bolts to repeatedly strike one foe at a time. (Air) | Common: 30 bolt damage every 0.25 seconds. Rare: 40 bolt damage every 0.25 seconds. Epic: 50 bolt damage every 0.25 seconds. Heroic: 60 bolt damage every 0.25 seconds. |
| Thermal Dynamics | Your Blitz effects also inflict Scorch whenever they deal damage. | Duo with Hestia |
| Thunder Sprint | Your sprint causes nearby foes to be struck by lightning bolts, which use three Magick each. (Air) | Common: 20 bolt damage every 0.15 seconds. Rare: 25 bolt damage every 0.15 seconds. Epic: 30 bolt damage every 0.15 seconds. Heroic: 35 bolt damage every 0.15 seconds. |
| Toasting Fork | Your Blitz effects deal damage even if they expire without being activated. (Air) | Common: 75% Blitz expiration damage. Rare: TBC Epic: TBC Heroic: TBC |
Are there any Legendary Boons in Hades 2?
The good news is that Legendary Boons are in Hades 2 but are also incredibly hard to find. It seems like the main way to get them to appear is to get specific Boons from a single god, and eventually, they’ll offer the Legendary Boon. We recommend using Hades 2 keepsakes, which increases the chance for a single god’s Boon icon to appear at the end of each room. Each god has one legendary boon, which you can find details about in their relevant boons section.
Now that you know our picks for the best Hades 2 boons and have all the information you could need on the rest, you can pick and choose what works for you and create an unstoppable build. Before you jump in for real, check out our guides on the Hades 2 Arcana Cards – an invaluable resource for surviving the underworld’s onslaught.