Unlocking the Secrets of the Stygian Blade Aspects in Hades
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So, you’re diving deep into the Underworld with Zagreus, eh? You’re wielding the Stygian Blade and you’re looking to unlock its hidden potential. The Stygian Blade, or Stygius, as it is often called, is the first weapon you gain access to in Hades, and it’s got some serious tricks up its sleeve in the form of different aspects. Unlocking these aspects requires a combination of Titan Blood, progression, and a little bit of chatter with the right characters. Let’s break it down.
To unlock the Stygian Blade aspects, you’ll need to invest Titan Blood into the base Zagreus aspect or other non-Zagreus aspects, progress through the game (reaching the final boss at least once), and converse with specific characters until they reveal the “waking-phrase” for a particular aspect. Each aspect has its own unique requirements.
Unlocking the Aspect of Arthur
The Aspect of Arthur is a game-changer for the Stygian Blade, transforming its gameplay and offering new strategic possibilities. Here’s the path to unlock it:
- Reveal the Aspect of Guan Yu: This step, while seemingly unrelated, is a pre-requisite. You don’t necessarily need to unlock the Aspect of Guan Yu with Titan Blood, but you must at least reveal it.
- Invest in Blade Aspects: You need to have spent a total of at least 5 Titan Blood across any of the Stygian Blade’s aspects, excluding the Zagreus aspect. This means you could spend 5 on the Aspect of Nemesis, or split them between Nemesis and Poseidon, for example.
- Talk to Nyx: Keep talking to Nyx after meeting the above requirements. Eventually, she will impart the “waking-phrase” necessary to unlock the Aspect of Arthur. The specific phrase is: “I see your kingly pardon from a prison of stone.”
- Equip the Stygian Blade and Interact: Once Nyx has given you the waking phrase and you have met the Titan Blood requirements, equip the Stygian Blade and interact with the weapon itself (press the interact button near it). This will unlock the Aspect of Arthur!
Unlocking the Aspect of Poseidon
The Aspect of Poseidon offers a different playstyle centered around dislodging foes with your special. Here’s how to get your hands on it:
- Unlock the Weapon: First, if you haven’t already, make sure you’ve unlocked the Stygian Blade by spending Chthonic Keys.
- Titan Blood Investment: You’ll need at least two Titan Blood.
- Aspects: This is not dependent on unlocking other aspects.
- Equip Stygius and Interact with the Weapon: Just equip the Stygian Blade and interact with it! Spend your Titan Blood and level up the weapon!
Unlocking the Aspect of Nemesis
The Aspect of Nemesis focuses on critical hits and amplified damage. It’s unlocked in a relatively straightforward way:
- Unlock the Weapon: Make sure the Stygian Blade is accessible.
- Titan Blood Investment: You’ll need at least one Titan Blood to unlock the Aspect of Nemesis.
- Equip Stygius and Interact with the Weapon: Just equip the Stygian Blade and interact with it! Spend your Titan Blood and level up the weapon!
Unlocking the Aspect of Zagreus
The Aspect of Zagreus is the default aspect, and is unlocked from the beginning.
Additional Tips for Unlocking Aspects
- Prioritize Titan Blood: Titan Blood is a premium currency. Focus on acquiring it by completing bounties at higher Heat levels and fulfilling prophecies.
- Talk to Everyone: Regularly interact with all the characters in the House of Hades. Their dialogue is crucial for progressing the story and unlocking hidden aspects.
- Experiment with Builds: Each aspect of the Stygian Blade favors different Boon combinations. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works best for your playstyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Titan Blood are needed in total to unlock all aspects of the Stygian Blade?
To unlock all four aspects of the Stygian Blade (Zagreus, Nemesis, Poseidon, and Arthur), you’ll need a minimum of 8 Titan Blood. However, this only unlocks them at level 1. Fully upgrading all aspects to level 5 would require significantly more Titan Blood.
2. Do I need to beat Hades to unlock the Aspect of Arthur?
No, you do not need to defeat Hades to unlock the Aspect of Arthur. Reaching him is sufficient, but it’s the combination of fulfilling other requirements and talking to Nyx that triggers the unlock.
3. What is the best aspect of the Stygian Blade?
There’s no universally “best” aspect, as it depends on your playstyle. The Aspect of Arthur is popular for its defensive capabilities and powerful heavy attacks. The Aspect of Nemesis is great for damage, and the Aspect of Poseidon can be fun for crowd control. Experiment and see what clicks with you.
4. How do I farm Titan Blood effectively?
The most efficient methods for farming Titan Blood include:
- Completing bounties by defeating bosses with different weapons and at increasing Heat levels using the Pact of Punishment.
- Trading with the Wretched Broker.
- Completing prophecies from the Fated List of Minor Prophecies.
5. Does Heat level affect aspect unlocking?
No, Heat level does not directly affect the unlocking of aspects. However, increasing Heat is crucial for farming Titan Blood, which is necessary to unlock and upgrade the aspects.
6. What is the waking-phrase for the Aspect of Poseidon?
There is no waking phrase for Aspect of Poseidon. To unlock, just equip the Stygian Blade and interact with it and spend Titan Blood!
7. How many aspects are there per weapon in Hades?
Each weapon in Hades has four aspects: one default Zagreus aspect, and three hidden aspects.
8. Is it possible to reset aspects and get my Titan Blood back?
No, there is no way to reset aspects or get your Titan Blood back once you’ve invested it. Choose wisely!
9. Can I unlock the Aspect of Arthur without unlocking any other aspects first?
No, you must reveal the Aspect of Guan Yu before you can unlock the Aspect of Arthur. You must also invest a minimum of 5 Titan Blood into aspects besides the Zagreus Aspect.
10. What does the Aspect of Arthur do differently?
The Aspect of Arthur gives the Stygian Blade a slower, more deliberate playstyle. It reduces attack speed and increases the health of the player, and imbues the blade with a stationary field that grants damage reduction and damage to enemies. The Special attack becomes a powerful, slow-charging burst.
11. Do I have to equip a specific Keepsake to unlock aspects?
No, you do not need to equip any specific Keepsake to unlock any of the Stygian Blade’s aspects. The Keepsake only help you obtain boons of a certain God.
12. Is there a limit to how many times I can talk to Nyx or Achilles to get the waking-phrases?
No, there is no limit. Just keep interacting with them whenever possible. The dialogue is somewhat randomized, so it might take multiple conversations before they reveal the necessary phrases.
13. Where can I find the Fated List of Minor Prophecies?
The Fated List of Minor Prophecies can be purchased from the House Contractor for 20 gemstones. It’s highly recommended to buy it early as it offers significant rewards for completing various tasks.
14. Is the Stygian Blade a good weapon for beginners?
Yes, the Stygian Blade is an excellent weapon for beginners. It’s relatively simple to use, has good all-around stats, and the Zagreus aspect provides a solid foundation for learning the game.
15. How do I level up the Aspects once I have unlocked them?
Once you have unlocked an Aspect, interact with the weapon at the Courtyard and spend Titan Blood to upgrade each aspect by up to five levels. Each level increases the effectiveness of the aspect’s unique bonuses.
Unlocking and mastering the Stygian Blade aspects in Hades is a rewarding journey. By understanding the requirements, prioritizing Titan Blood acquisition, and engaging with the characters, you’ll be well on your way to dominating the Underworld. The combination of fun gameplay and a focus on learning make Hades a great example of how games can be used for educational purposes, as explored by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Good luck, and may your runs be ever in your favor!