[Top 10] Hades 2 Best Builds For Each Weapon

Updated:

01 Jan 2025

Top 10 Hades 2 Best Builds For Each Weapon

Hades 2 is an extremely fun entry into the roguelike genre, and with every roguelike comes the strategy of finding the best builds and techniques to go through each run. Much like the first Hades game, you have a selection of weapons, boons, and keepsakes.Now with the addition of Hexes there’s even more ways to customize your run.

Melinoë goes from a mix of high speed attacks with her Sister Blades, to slow and destructive attacks with her Moonstone Axe. But her specialty tends to be her ranged options with Ardent Skull, Umbral Flames and Witch’s Staff. Whichever weapon you prefer there is the best build to go with it. If you’re ready to conquer the realm of Hades, uncover the strongest builds in Hades 2 and take down the Titan of Time Chronos.

10. Explosive Bone Argent Skull

This build focuses on purely the burst potential of the skull’s attack, pairing with the Zeus tree for damage. Taking Heaven’s Strike as well as Electric Overload and Double Strike for multiple procs of lightning. This works best as a hit and run build so pick up Rocket Bombard and Fletchling Array. So you don’t have to go out of your way to pickup skulls. Hestia’s boons are a great secondary option with Flame Strike and Flame Flourish as well as Smoulder Ring.

Both Zeus and Hestia’s build trees are focused on burst and damage overtime, with the Blitz curse proccing another strike of lightning, and Hestia’s scorch curse burning foes every second. The most dangerous enemies are the ones that engage in close combat, since we’re maximizing damage not defense. But with the constant chain lightning as well as burn damage a large number of enemies will easily get wiped out.

Explosive Bone Excels in:

Spealizes in strong ranged combat, utilizing a mixture of Omega and regular attacks to fight from afar.
Has great burst damage, utilizing the raw damage of Argent Skull with Lighting and Fire boons for instant damage build up.
Has a glass cannon playstyle, lowering health for magic restoration, but allowing for Omega attacks to be used frequently.
Great for bosses, as most bosses don’t move across the map as much and typically stay in one spot. It’s great for keeping them at a distance while chunking their health down.
Great for AOE (Area of Effect), there will be a lot of times where there will be an army of enemies, this build is great for getting them all in one go.

Build details:

Weapon:Argent Skull

Arcana: The Huntress, The Titan, Swift Runner

Keepsake:Cloud Bangle, Everlasting Amber

Boons:Heaven Strike, Electric Overload, Double Strike. Flame Strike, Flame Flourish, Smoulder Ring, Hearth Gain, Rocket Bombard, Fletchling Array.

9. Ice Smith Argent Skull

This build has a focus on the timed nature of Hephaestus’s Volcanic Stirke. Utilizing Demeter’s Frost Flourish to push through enemies retrieving the skulls to start the cycle again. Paired with the cast Geyser Ring to give you much needed space, and hearth gain for magick regen. Argent Skull has some of the best damage with it’s omega, so adding Weed Killer to your boons is a must.

As for Daedulus boons, picking up Bolstered Array for extra skulls makes for more consistent attacks. Colossus Tackle is optimal for mitigating damage and putting a little extra power in your special. Once you get used to Argent Skull’s pattern this makes a great mid to late game build.

This build is all about timing, knowing when the Volcanic Strike cooldown is backup, keeping an eye on your magick, and knowing when to collect the skulls using your special. Once you master the playstyle you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to clear through the floors of Hades.

Ice Smith Argent Skull Excels In:

Volcanic Strike works great with the Argent Skull playstyle.
Ice Flourish freezes enemies to mitigate the risk of picking up skulls.
The extremely high damage makes up for the high magic cost.
Because of the increased number of skulls you can typically clear a room before needing to collect skulls.
Rounding out the build with Room Temperature can keep enemies in a constant state of freeze.

Build details:

Weapon: Argent Skull

Arcana: The Huntress, The Titan, Swift Runner

Keepsake: Adamant Shard, Barley Sheaf

Boons: Volcanic Strike, Frost Flourish, Geyser Ring, Soot Sprint or Frigid Sprint, Hearth Gain, Bolstered Array, Colossus Tackle, Weed Killer, Molten Touch, Room Temperature.

8. Lightning Storm Umbral Fire

I'm sure the boss is easy to dodge they said.

This build has a strong focus on Zeus and Poseidon boons, using Wave Strike and Geyser Ring to push enemies away and Heaven’s Flourish to deal damage. Most sprinting boons will work but I like to use Thunder Sprint for extra Blitz damage. Fluid Gain will be how you’ll be getting back magick as you move around the map. Lucid gain is another good alternative though if you prefer to stay in one place.

Umbral Fire has a very floaty playstyle that can definitely use a lot of magick, so utilizing the attack as a utility is great for pushing off enemies. Pairing it with the special that handles damage, will be the bread and butter of the build. Electric Overload and Slippey slope will be great for providing extra power to attacks. Since this is a range heavy build Lightning Lance turns your cast into another ranged option.

Lightning Storm Umbral Fire Excels In:

This build is great for AOE, pairing Heaven’s Flourish and Electric Overload for chain lightning damage.
The boon Melting Comet makes this build great for breaking armor consistently.
Wave Strike and Slippery Slope pushes and damages enemies as the special finishes them off.
Great for defensive ranged combat if you’re not good with close range.
Does a surprising amount of damage throughout the game especially if you collect the Killer Current boon.

Build details:

Weapon: Umbral Fire

Arcana:The Swift Runner, The Furies, The Huntress

Keepsake: Vivid Sea, Cloud Bangle

Boons: Wave Strike, Heaven Flourish, Geyser Ring, Thunder Sprint, Fluid Gain, Melting Comet, Electric Overload, Lightning Lance, Slippery Slope, Killer Current.

7. Explosive Fuse Umbral Fire

This build has a focus on Hephaestus and Hestia boons, with Volcanic Strike and Flame Flourish being the core damage. Hestia will make up a lot of the boons as scorch will be your consistent dps damage and Volcanic strike will be your secondary. Picking up Smolder Ring, Soot Sprint, and Flamable Coating to make the most out of scorch damage. Hearth Gain for Magick regen and Split Fire for extra dps.

This build is great for quickly clearing enemies in the lower levels, and destroying the armor of enemies in the late game. Boons like Flammable Coating, Melting Comet, and Molten Touch will make you feel like the armor was never there. Since dancing around enemies is a great way to take a bunch of damage, picking up Uncanny Fortitude will give you some defense as you’re already building max magick.

What Explosive Fuse Excels In:

Extremely powerful at destroying enemies with armor.
High damage from Scorch curse, burning down enemies with a lot of health.
Volcanic Strike works great against bosses with single target damage.
Some decent defensive option with the Hephaestus boon tree.
Works great against large groups of enemies.

Build details:

Weapon:Umbral Fire

Arcana:The Huntress, The Unseen, The Swift Runner

Keepsake: Adamant Shard, Everlasting Ember

Boons: Volcanic Strike, Flame Flourish, Smolder Ring, Soot Sprint, Hearth Gain, Melting Comet, Split Fire, Flammable coating, Uncanny Fortitude, Molten Touch, Chain Reaction.

6. Aphrodite’s Rage Moonstone Axe

The main focus of this build will be Aphrodite’s boons hence the name Aphrodite’s Rage. Due to the god’s specialization of close ranged damage with Flutter Strike, it works perfectly with Moonstone Axe. The most dangerous playstyle in Hades 2 is close ranged, so the weak curse is great for reducing damage.

The main damage comes from Flutter Strike and Nova Flourish, with Rapture Ring for pulling enemies towards you and weakening them. Glamour Gain is good for recovering magick while also lowering the damage of a foe at the start. Sweet Surrender adds extra damage for weak foes, and Healthy Rebound keeps health high between areas.

Aphrodite’s Rage Excels In:

A very defensive build utilizing the weak curse and choice boons for defense and weakening enemies.
Allow for very aggressive attacks due to Moonstone Axe’s high damage, paired with Rapid Strike for more attack speed.
Has a ranged option in special attack, with Nova Flourish to make it cover the map.
Has decent mobility with Blinding Sprint allowing for some damage to be dodged when dashing.
Has great early to mid game potential since the build path essentially nerfs the early floor enemies.

Build details:

Weapon: Moonstone Axe

Arcana: The Huntress, The Swift Runner, The Titan

Keepsake: Beautiful Mirror, Moonbeam

Boons: Flutter Strike, Nova Flourish, Rapture Ring, Blinding Sprint, Glamour Gain, Executioners Chop, Rapid Slash, Sweet Surrender, Healthy Rebound, Secret Crush, Super Nova

5. Poseidon’s Wrath Moonstone Axe

This build’s focus is on Poseidon boons, keeping foes at a range and slamming then into walls. Utilizing attacks like Wave Strike and Wave Flourish to constantly push enemies and disrupt attacks. Breaker Sprint is picked up for repositioning when surrounded, and Fluid Gain for magick regen bubbles around the map. If you ever felt particularly inconvenienced by Moonstone Axe’s slow attacks, this is your strongest alternative.

Unyielding Slash and Flood Control reduce damage since the biggest weakness of this build are ranged attacks. Choosing Slippery Slope and Crashing Wave finishes the build as every enemy sent flying explodes. Make sure to account for positioning, as getting caught off guard could result and getting frequently hit.

Poseidon’s Wrath Excels In:

An easy to learn playstyle.
Has good defensive options for the mid game in Unyielding slash and Poseidon boons.
Hydraulic Might allows for floors to be cleared quickly, when upgraded can be great for bosses.
Has amazing Aoe potential with damage and wave boons.
Arctic Ring is a good utility to act as a stun which is helpful for Moonstone Axe’s windup.

Build details:

Weapon: Moonstone Axe

Arcana: The Huntress, The Unseen, The Titan

Keepsake: Vivid Sea

Boons: Wave Strike, Wave Flourish, Arctic Ring, Breaker Sprint, Fluid Gain, Unyielding Slash, Melting Shredder, Flood Control, Hydraulic Might, Slippery Slope, Crashing Wave.

4. Beautiful Death Sister Blades

Aprodite boons will be another focus here, as Sister Blades has a very close ranged assassin playstyle. With Flutter Strike and Flutter Flourish for the damage focus, paired with Skulking Slice and Sudden Flurry for Omega backstab attacks. Anvil Ring acts as bomb in between attacks as it activates 3 times. And Soot Sprint works as a protection against projectiles.

Molten Touch burns through armor while Sweet Surrender deals extra damage on weak foes. Picking up Hearth Gain for magick regen works in tandem with Secret Crush as it provides even more damage at the cost of primed magick. Make sure to constantly be on the move switching between backstabs with omega attacks, and bursting with cast and special.

Beautiful Death Excels In:

This build is great for single target damage through utilizing Omega attacks.
Flutter Flourish provides range and AOE options where the build would normally lack.
Has great capability in mid to late game since it can pierce armor and nuke down bosses.
Soft Caress provides sustainability in the late game against high damage enemies.
Extremely fast build which makes up for it’s lack of AOE options.

Build details:

Weapon: Sister Blades

Arcana:The Wayward Son, The Furies, The Titan

Keepsake: Beautiful Mirror

Boons: Flutter Strike, Flutter Flourish, Anvil Ring, Soot Sprint, Hearth Gain, Skulking Slice, Sudden Flurry, Molten Touch, Secret Crush, Sweet Surrender, Soft Caress

3. Infernal Iron Sister Blades

This build’s damage focus is Flutter Strike, Volcanic Flourish, and Flick Knives. With Flick turning it into a speed based shotgun build, adding your special to the dash attack. Taking Smolder ring for scorch and Smithy Sprint for damage while sprinting. Furnace Blast adds another curse on top of weak with vent giving enemies a 5 second time bomb.

Taking Uncanny Fortitude and Mint Condition for defensive options is a must, as you’ll be running up to enemies and cutting them down. To overall increase the damage output picking up Chain Reaction, creates as the name implies an insane burst of damage.

Infernal Iron Excels In:

Great late game potential with Flick Knives combining the damage of attack and special.
Multiple curse options which is great for fighting bosses and particularly tough enemies.
An extremely fast build going from one enemy to the next with dash attacks.
Has decent damage negation into the late game.
Easily burst armor and executes most enemies.

Build details:

Weapon: Sister Blades

Arcana: The Wayward Son, The Furies, The Titan

Keepsake: Everlasting Ember

Boons: Flame Strike, Volcanic Flourish, Smoulder Ring, Smithy Sprint, Hearth Gain, Flick Knives, Melting Dart, Furnace Blast, Uncanny Fortitude, Mint Condition, Chain Reaction.

2. Heavenly Bolt Witch’s Staff

This build’s focus is on Zeus and his powerful boons, Heaven Strike will be your main source of damage. Frost boons like Ice Flourish and Arctic Ring for freeze stunning, and Soot Sprint for defense against ranged attacks. Double Cataclysm makes your omega attacks particularly punishing, with Weed Killer adding even more damage to it.

Double Strike boosts your blitz and Lightning Lance gives range to your cast. This is one of the only life steal builds as well, which provides a lot of security all the way to late game. Witch’s staff omega is great against multiple enemies, it’s just a matter of lining up the attacks.

Heavenly Bolt Excels In:

High damage from Zeus boons, also adding to AOE capability.
Great sustainability with life steal boon Vampiric Cataclysm.
Omega has awesome range which means every boss can be killed from afar.
Makes up for lack of defensive options with Demeter Boons that freeze enemies.
The attack speed of Heaven Strike and it’s Omega version allows for great maneuverability.

Build details:

Weapon: Witch’s Staff

Arcana: The Huntress, The Titan, The Sorceress

Keepsake: Cloud Bangle

Boons: Heaven Strike, Ice Flourish, Arctic Ring, Soot Sprint, Hearth Gain, Double Cataclysm, Vampiric Cataclysm, Weed Killer, Double Strike, Lightning Lance.

1. Burning Nova Witch’s Staff

This essentially acts like a sniper build since Apollo’s boons are all about ranged attacks. This makes Witch’s Staff great with mid ranged and long ranged combat, taking Nova Strike and Extending Wallop. Ice Flourish is good for stunning certain enemies with freeze, while Blinding Sprint keeps you moving while forcing enemies to miss you entirely.

It’s also another lifesteal build which is great against large groups of enemies as well as late game when it can really hurt to take hits. Since this build has so much range taking Perfect Image could be great early and mid game since not getting hit gives you a ton of damage. Extra Dose finishes out this build giving it another attack for even more damage.

Burning Nova Excels In:

Great sustainability with life steal from killed enemies.
Amazing range with great close range capabilities.
Crazy damage the further you are from enemies using Extending Wallop.
Good for bosses that rely on close ranged attacks.
Has great speed useful for negating enemy attacks, with a hit and dash playstyle.

Build details:

Weapon: Witch’s Staff

Arcana: The Huntress, The Titan, Eternity

Keepsake: Purest Hope

Boons: Nova Strike, Ice Flourish, Solar Ring, Blinding Sprint, Lucid Gain, Vampiric Cataclysm, Extending Wallop, Extra Dose, Super Nova, Perfect Image.