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Can You Romance Both Meg and Thanatos in Hades? A Deep Dive into Underworld Relationships

Absolutely! In the critically acclaimed roguelike Hades, Zagreus, the Prince of the Underworld, can indeed pursue romantic relationships with both Megaera (Meg) and Thanatos simultaneously. In fact, you can even pursue a relationship with Dusa concurrently, without any negative repercussions. The game cleverly avoids traditional jealousy mechanics, allowing you to explore polyamorous options and fully experience the different perspectives on love it offers. Prepare for some interesting and heart-warming (or heart-wrenching, depending on your choices) cutscenes as you navigate the complexities of affection in the Underworld.

Understanding Romance in Hades

Hades offers a refreshing take on romance in video games. It’s not just about ticking boxes or collecting partners. Each relationship is unique and provides insight into Zagreus’s personality and the different characters who inhabit his world. The game treats these relationships with respect and maturity, allowing for genuine connections to form.

How to Initiate Romance

The first step to romancing any character in Hades is to offer them Nectar. Most characters in the game will accept Nectar, but only a select few can be romanced: Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos.

Nectar: This is the initial gift that unlocks a character’s favor. Gift enough Nectar, and you’ll receive a Keepsake in return.
Ambrosia: After you max out a character’s favor with Nectar, you’ll then need to give them Ambrosia to further develop the relationship and unlock romantic scenes. This symbolizes a deeper level of commitment and trust.
Dialogue is Key: Pay close attention to the dialogue options available. These conversations will reveal more about the character’s personality, their feelings toward Zagreus, and their perspective on the world.

Romance Isn’t Just About Sex

It is important to note that relationships in Hades are more than just physical attraction. The characters in the game each have diverse personalities and perspectives, and they want different things from their relationships with Zagreus.

Megaera: Her relationship with Zagreus is fiery and complex. She is an ambitious and passionate Fury, always fiercely loyal to Hades.
Thanatos: Thanatos is an introspective and stoic god of death. His relationship with Zagreus blossoms from a shared respect and admiration for each other’s abilities.
Dusa: Dusa’s relationship with Zagreus is more of a platonic nature.

Romancing Megaera and Thanatos: A Step-by-Step Guide

Successfully romancing both Meg and Thanatos requires some patience and dedication. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Gather Nectar and Ambrosia: These are the primary resources you’ll need. Nectar can be obtained through various means, including trading with the Resource Director, purchasing from Charon’s shop, and receiving it as a reward from chambers. Ambrosia is rarer and is usually earned through completing late-game prophecies or defeating bosses with high Heat levels.
Gift Nectar to Megaera and Thanatos: Whenever you encounter Meg in the House of Hades (usually after a failed escape attempt) or Thanatos during your escape attempts, gift them Nectar.
Complete Their Favors: Each character has a specific favor that must be completed before you can proceed to romance. These favors usually involve fulfilling a request or completing a specific task.
Gift Ambrosia: Once you’ve completed their favors, gift Ambrosia to both Meg and Thanatos. This will unlock special scenes and dialogue options that progress the romantic relationship.
“The Courtship”: After gifting both of them enough Ambrosia and fulfilling their favor, eventually, both Thanatos and Megaera will appear in Zagreus’ room, resulting in a cutscene where the three characters agree to a polyamorous relationship.

The Polyamorous Relationship

The beautiful thing about Hades is that it doesn’t force you to choose. Once you’ve romanced both Meg and Thanatos (and Dusa, if you choose), a special scene will trigger in Zagreus’s bedroom. This scene depicts a mature and respectful discussion between all parties, resulting in an agreement to enter a polyamorous relationship. It’s a testament to the game’s thoughtful approach to relationships and its willingness to explore unconventional dynamics.

Benefits of Romancing Multiple Characters

While there aren’t specific gameplay advantages to romancing multiple characters, the narrative and emotional rewards are significant.

Deeper Understanding of Characters: Each relationship reveals more about the character’s backstory, motivations, and personal struggles.
Expanded Lore: The game’s lore is enriched through these interactions, providing more context to the events unfolding in the Underworld.
Emotional Investment: By investing in these relationships, you become more emotionally connected to the game and its characters, enhancing the overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about romancing characters in Hades:

Can you romance all three characters (Meg, Thanatos, and Dusa) simultaneously? Yes, you can romance all three characters at the same time without any negative consequences. Hades is designed to allow for polyamorous relationships.
Does romancing one character prevent you from romancing others? No, pursuing a relationship with one character does not lock you out of romancing others. You are free to pursue all available romantic options.
What happens if you neglect a relationship? There are no negative consequences for neglecting a relationship in Hades. The characters will not express jealousy or break up with Zagreus.
How do you give Nectar and Ambrosia? You can gift Nectar and Ambrosia by talking to the desired character. If you have the item in your inventory, a gift option will appear in the dialogue menu.
What are Keepsakes, and how do they relate to romance? Keepsakes are special items obtained by gifting Nectar to characters for the first time. They provide gameplay bonuses when equipped and are a sign of a budding relationship.
How many Nectar/Ambrosia do you need to romance someone? You will need to give them 6 Nectar to get their keepsake, and then as much Ambrosia as is required to reach max affinity and trigger the “companion” quest.
Can you break up with a character? No, there is no option to break up with a character in Hades. Once a relationship is established, it remains that way. You can remain friends without negative gameplay repercussions.
Are there any gender restrictions on romance? No, Zagreus can romance any of the available characters regardless of gender.
Does romancing a character change the gameplay? Not directly. Romancing characters primarily affects the narrative and provides unique dialogue and cutscenes.
What is the point of romancing characters in Hades? Romancing characters adds depth to the narrative, provides emotional investment, and unlocks new story elements. It enhances the overall gaming experience by exploring different facets of love and relationships.
Is there an actual sex scene in the game when romancing Thanatos and Megaera? No, the fade-to-black trope is used. The scene fades out as the three characters enter Zagreus’ bedroom, implying intimacy without explicitly depicting it.
How do I know I’m making progress in a relationship? Pay attention to the dialogue and cutscenes. As you gift Nectar and Ambrosia, the characters will reveal more about their feelings toward Zagreus. When you reach max affinity, a heart will appear next to their name.
Where can I find more information about Hades and its characters? The Hades Wiki is a comprehensive resource for information about the game. You can also find helpful guides and discussions on various gaming forums and communities.
What is the best way to farm Nectar and Ambrosia? Nectar can be obtained through trading with the Resource Director and purchasing it from Charon’s shop. Ambrosia is usually earned through completing late-game prophecies and defeating bosses with high Heat levels.
Are Megaera and Megara the same person? No, Megaera is one of the three Furies in Hades, while Megara is a separate figure in Greek mythology, known as the wife of Heracles.

The Enduring Appeal of Hades

Hades’ strength lies not only in its addictive gameplay loop and stunning visuals but also in its compelling characters and nuanced storytelling. The ability to form meaningful relationships, even unconventional ones, adds a layer of depth that resonates with players on an emotional level. By allowing players to explore different facets of love, Hades creates a truly unforgettable experience that stays with you long after you’ve escaped the Underworld. For more information about the impact of games on learning and engagement, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey and embrace the opportunity to connect with these fascinating characters in the Underworld. Good luck, and may your escapes be both successful and romantic!

Can you romance both Meg and Thanatos?