What Happens When You Give Ambrosia to Hades?
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Absolutely nothing. You can’t give Ambrosia to Hades, the lord of the Underworld himself. He’s the only character in the game completely unreceptive to your gifts of Nectar or Ambrosia. This is likely due to your ongoing attempts to escape his domain and the inherent adversarial relationship between father and son in the game’s narrative. He won’t offer you a Keepsake, a favor, or a Companion in return. Save your valuable Ambrosia for those who will appreciate it!
Understanding Gifting in Hades
In Hades, the act of gifting Nectar and Ambrosia to the various characters you encounter is a core mechanic for building relationships, unlocking character-specific storylines, and obtaining powerful benefits. Each character has a unique affinity gauge that you fill by offering them these precious resources. While most are eager to receive your gifts, Hades remains steadfastly unimpressed.
The Significance of Nectar and Ambrosia
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Nectar: This golden liquid is the initial offering you can give to almost every character in the game. The first gift of Nectar to a character unlocks their Keepsake, a powerful item that provides specific boons during your escape attempts. Further gifts of Nectar strengthen your bond and may eventually lead to a character-specific quest or favor.
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Ambrosia: This resource is significantly rarer than Nectar and is used to deepen relationships after you’ve completed a character’s favor. Once their favor is fulfilled, gifting Ambrosia to certain characters will reward you with a Companion, a summonable ally that aids you in combat.
Why Hades is the Exception
The reason Hades doesn’t accept gifts is deeply rooted in the game’s narrative. Your character, Zagreus, is attempting to escape the Underworld against his father’s wishes. This creates a fundamental conflict that prevents any meaningful bond from forming through traditional means like gifting. In essence, offering Nectar or Ambrosia to Hades would be narratively dissonant, undermining the core conflict driving the game.
Who Should You Give Ambrosia To?
Since you can’t give Ambrosia to Hades, it’s essential to know who does benefit from your generosity. There are six characters who will reward you with a Companion upon receiving their first Ambrosia after completing their favor:
- Achilles: A loyal warrior and trainer.
- Dusa: A shy and hardworking Gorgon head.
- Megaera: One of the Fury sisters and a former romantic interest.
- Sisyphus: Eternally pushing a boulder, but remarkably cheerful.
- Skelly: A training dummy with a surprising amount of personality.
- Thanatos: Zagreus‘s childhood friend and a fellow reaper.
Understanding Favor Quests
Before you can gift Ambrosia to most characters and receive a Companion, you must complete a specific favor for them. These quests usually involve progressing through the game, fulfilling certain conditions, and engaging in dialogue with the character. Completing a favor signifies a deeper connection and unlocks the ability to deepen your bond with Ambrosia.
How to Obtain Ambrosia
Ambrosia can be acquired in several ways:
- Clearing Bounties: Complete bounties in the Temple of Styx.
- Trading: Trade for it at the Wretched Broker using other resources.
- Fishing: Occasionally, fishing in specific locations yields Ambrosia.
- Purchasing from Charon: Sometimes Charon offers Ambrosia for sale.
- Resource Director: A total of 10 Ambrosia can be traded to the Resource Director at various ranks to rank up.
The Importance of Companions
Companions are powerful summonable allies that can significantly aid you in combat. Each Companion has a unique ability based on the character who provides it. For example, Thanatos’s Companion Mort summons him to deliver a devastating strike to a targeted enemy. The effectiveness of a Companion can be further enhanced by upgrading them with more Ambrosia, making them a valuable asset in your escape attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ambrosia in Hades
1. Who is the best person to give Nectar to early in the game?
For brand new players, Cerberus and Skelly are excellent choices. Cerberus’s Keepsake, the Old Collar, grants additional health, while Skelly’s Lucky Tooth allows you to survive a fatal blow with a small amount of health remaining. These Keepsakes significantly improve survivability, which is crucial in the early game.
2. What happens if I give Chaos Ambrosia?
After you complete Chaos‘s favor, you can gift them Ambrosia. However, unlike some other characters, Chaos does not give a Companion in return. Chaos’s affinity gauge maxes out at 8 hearts, requiring 6 Nectar and 2 Ambrosia total.
3. Can I romance Hades?
No, you cannot romance Hades. The game focuses on Zagreus‘s relationships with other characters, specifically Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos.
4. What happens if I keep giving Nectar to characters?
Giving Nectar improves your affinity with the character. This can lead to unlocking their character-specific favor, which must be completed before gifting Ambrosia for a Companion (if they offer one).
5. What is the point of giving Nectar in Hades?
Nectar is used to improve your relationship with characters, unlocking their Keepsake and potentially leading to their character-specific favor. Keepsakes provide valuable boons that aid you in your escape attempts.
6. What happens if I give Nyx Ambrosia?
After completing Nyx‘s favor, you can gift her Ambrosia. Like Chaos, she does not offer a Companion. Nyx‘s affinity gauge maxes out at 9 hearts, requiring 6 Nectar and 3 Ambrosia total. Maxing out affinity with Nyx unlocks unique text above her Keepsake.
7. Who can I romance in Hades?
You can attempt to romance Dusa, Megaera, and Thanatos. Pursuing all three relationships has no consequences, though Megaera’s dialogue may change slightly depending on your other romantic relationships.
8. What happens if I give Thanatos Ambrosia?
The first time you give Thanatos Ambrosia after completing his favor, he will give you Companion Mort. Mort summons Thanatos to deliver a powerful strike to a targeted enemy.
9. What happens if I gift Charon Nectar?
If given Nectar, Charon will give you the Bone Hourglass, which increases the duration of items sold at Wells of Charon. Charon’s affinity gauge maxes out at 7 hearts.
10. How do I unlock secret Keepsakes in Hades?
Keepsakes are acquired by giving Nectar to various characters for the first time. Hades is the exception as his Keepsake is obtained on the second gift, which is only unlocked after completing the main storyline.
11. Which characters offer Companions in Hades?
The characters that offer Companions are: Achilles, Dusa, Megaera, Sisyphus, Skelly, and Thanatos.
12. Can I give Ambrosia to Hypnos?
Yes, you can give Ambrosia to Hypnos after completing his favor. However, he does not offer a Companion. Hypnos‘s affinity gauge maxes out at 8 hearts, requiring 6 Nectar and 2 Ambrosia total.
13. Is Ambrosia useful in Hades?
Yes, Ambrosia is primarily used for narrative progression and unlocks/progresses sidequests. It is also used to obtain and power up Companions, making it strategically valuable.
14. Is Dusa asexual?
In Hades, Dusa is implied to be aromantic asexual (aroace). Her storyline explores themes of friendship and non-romantic affection.
15. Does Nyx have a special relationship with Zagreus?
Nyx cares for Zagreus as if he is her own child. She supports his decision to leave the Underworld and helps him by giving him the Mirror of Night and contacting the Olympians on his behalf. This information is relevant as the Games Learning Society studies how games tell narratives through characters and stories. You can learn more about the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
In conclusion, while you can’t bribe your way into your father’s good graces with Ambrosia, there are plenty of other characters in Hades who will gladly accept your offerings and reward you handsomely for your generosity. Focus on building those relationships to unlock powerful boons and deepen your understanding of the Underworld and its inhabitants.