Unlocking Thanatos’ Ambrosia in Hades: A Complete Guide
The elusive and enigmatic Thanatos, the personification of death in Hades, is a character many players find themselves drawn to. Not only is he a powerful ally in your escapes from the Underworld, but he also becomes a potential romantic interest. A key part of deepening your relationship with Thanatos, and unlocking his full potential, involves gifting him Ambrosia. But how exactly do you get to that point? The process involves several steps, and this guide will break it down for you.
The Path to Ambrosia: A Step-by-Step Guide
To unlock the ability to gift Thanatos Ambrosia, you must first give him six Nectars. This is the standard practice for building initial affinity with any character in Hades. After giving Thanatos the sixth Nectar, a unique encounter is triggered:
- The “Proof of Strength” Dialogue: The next time you meet Thanatos during a run, either in a standard chamber or in a unique “Death Approaches” encounter, he will initiate a conversation. In this conversation, he’ll remark about your growing strength and how you might even be powerful enough to escape the Underworld without his help.
- House of Hades Visit: Crucially, this dialogue encounter does not allow you to give him Ambrosia immediately. Instead, the next time you encounter Thanatos in the House of Hades (not during a run), you will finally have the option to give him Ambrosia. You can find him in his usual spot near the training grounds.
In short, the steps are:
- Gift Thanatos 6 Nectars.
- Encounter Thanatos in a run after the 6th Nectar gift and receive the dialogue about your strength.
- Return to the House of Hades and seek out Thanatos to gift him Ambrosia.
This unlock allows you to continue building your bond with Thanatos, unlocking further interactions, story elements, and the chance for a romantic relationship. It’s an integral step in fully experiencing Thanatos’s character arc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the significance of gifting Thanatos Ambrosia?
Gifting Ambrosia to Thanatos significantly deepens your bond with him. It leads to more dialogue, unlocks his Companion, Mort, and ultimately allows you to pursue either a romantic relationship or remain as friends.
2. How many Ambrosia does Thanatos require to reach max affinity?
Thanatos requires a total of 4 Ambrosia to reach maximum affinity, after the initial 6 Nectar gifts. His affinity gauge maxes out at 10 hearts.
3. How do I trigger Thanatos’ “Death Approaches” encounters?
Thanatos’ “Death Approaches” encounters are unique events in Hades that have a chance to trigger randomly during your runs. There doesn’t appear to be a specific trigger, though taking damage in consecutive chambers has been suggested as a potential factor.
4. What happens if I defeat Thanatos in a “Death Approaches” encounter?
If you defeat (or tie) Thanatos in a “Death Approaches” encounter, you are rewarded with a slight boost in your run, and it is also a requirement for unlocking his locked heart on the affinity gauge. This encounter is also a stepping stone for unlocking his Ambrosia gifting.
5. Can I romance both Thanatos and Megaera?
Yes, you can. The game allows you to pursue relationships with both Thanatos and Megaera simultaneously without any negative consequences. There’s even a scene later on that indicates that they have reached an “understanding” among themselves about the relationship with Zagreus.
6. Is Thanatos actually in love with Zagreus?
Yes, unlike Dusa, Thanatos does have romantic feelings for Zagreus. This is evident in his dialogue and actions as your bond with him deepens. Ultimately, the decision to reciprocate these feelings is up to the player.
7. What is the “locked heart” on Thanatos’ affinity gauge?
The “locked heart” represents the final stage of deepening your relationship with Thanatos. It can only be unlocked by defeating or tying with him during his “Death Approaches” encounter. Afterward, continue talking to him in the House of Hades and during his encounters will fully unlock his heart and dialogue.
8. Why does it take so long for Thanatos to show up in my runs?
Thanatos’s appearance in a run is largely random. Some players have suggested that taking damage in multiple chambers in a row might increase the chance of his spawning, but this isn’t confirmed. It is important to note that he will eventually appear if all the requirements for his appearance are met (six Nectar gifts).
9. Can I miss the chance to give Thanatos Ambrosia?
No, you cannot permanently miss the chance to give Thanatos Ambrosia. As long as you fulfill the requirements of gifting him six nectars and encountering him to hear his unique dialogue, you will eventually be able to gift him Ambrosia whenever he’s in the House of Hades.
10. What is the significance of Thanatos’ Companion, Mort?
Mort is a powerful summon you gain by gifting Thanatos Ambrosia. Mort can deal significant damage during your runs, acting as a valuable aid in your escape attempts. Mort will deal a set amount of damage when used.
11. What does “max affinity” with Thanatos entail?
Reaching max affinity with Thanatos means you have filled his entire affinity gauge of 10 hearts through a combination of gifting Nectar and Ambrosia. At that point, you will have the option to pursue either a romantic relationship with him or to remain friends.
12. Is Thanatos stronger than Hades in a fight?
No, Hades is considered stronger than Thanatos in the lore of the game, mirroring the traditional Greek mythological hierarchy. Hades is one of the most powerful deities in the game’s universe, whereas Thanatos, while powerful, is ultimately subordinate to Hades.
13. What is Thanatos the God of?
Thanatos is the Greek God of Death who is in direct charge of the natural passing of life in the underworld. This differs from Hades who is the god and ruler of the underworld.
14. Can I have a platonic relationship with Thanatos?
Yes, at maximum affinity, you are presented with the choice to either pursue a romantic relationship or remain friends with Thanatos. This allows you to tailor your experience based on your preferences.
15. Where can I find Ambrosia in Hades?
Ambrosia is a late-game resource, obtained primarily from completing bounties on boss encounters and sometimes from Chaos and Charon’s shop. You won’t find it until you start reaching the Elysium section of your runs. This makes it important to plan your resource management carefully.
By following these steps and understanding the requirements, you’ll be able to unlock Thanatos’ Ambrosia and deepen your bond with this compelling character in Hades. Enjoy your journey through the Underworld and the connections you forge along the way!