Mastering Max Weapon Upgrades in Hades: A Deep Dive

The max weapon upgrade in Hades depends on the Aspect you’re referring to. Each of the six Infernal Arms has four Aspects, each of which can be leveled up to a maximum of Level 5. Upgrading Aspects requires Titan Blood, a rare and valuable resource, and the higher the level, the more effective the Aspect’s bonuses become. Achieving maximum level across all Aspects on all weapons is a significant undertaking, demanding strategic resource management and persistent gameplay.

Understanding Weapon Aspects and Titan Blood

Hades boasts a compelling weapon system, where the six core weapons aren’t just static instruments of destruction. Each weapon possesses four distinct Aspects, each fundamentally altering its playstyle and effectiveness. These Aspects are essentially different variations of the weapon, each offering unique bonuses and special abilities.

The Infernal Arms

Let’s briefly touch upon the six Infernal Arms:

• Stygian Blade (Sword): A balanced weapon with good damage and reach.
• Eternal Spear (Spear): Offers versatility with its ranged attacks and close-quarters options.
• Shield of Chaos (Shield): Provides excellent defense and powerful charging attacks.
• Heart-Seeking Bow (Bow): Focuses on ranged damage and strategic targeting.
• Adamant Rail (Gun): A rapid-fire weapon that excels at sustained damage.
• Twin Fists of Malphon (Fists): Fast-paced, close-range combat with a focus on combos.

Titan Blood: The Upgrade Currency

Titan Blood is the lifeblood of weapon customization in Hades. This rare resource is primarily obtained by defeating bosses, completing prophecies, and trading with the Wretched Broker. It’s essential for both unlocking and upgrading weapon Aspects. Each Aspect level requires an increasing amount of Titan Blood, making wise spending crucial for long-term progression. Choosing which Aspects to prioritize early on can significantly impact your success. Prioritizing weapons that match your playstyle will give you the greatest advantage.

Unlocking and Leveling Weapon Aspects

To unlock the full potential of your weapons, you need to unlock their hidden Aspects.

Unlocking Hidden Aspects

The process of unlocking a weapon’s hidden Aspect involves a few key steps:

1. Acquire the Fated List of Minor Prophecies: Purchase this from the House Contractor for 20 gemstones.
2. Reach Hades (the Final Boss): You need to encounter the final boss at least once. Winning isn’t necessarily required for the unlock sequence to begin.
3. Unlock Other Aspects: You must unlock at least five Aspects across any combination of weapons.
4. Specific Conversation Triggers: After fulfilling the above requirements, you’ll need to converse with specific characters to trigger the unlock dialogue for each hidden Aspect. These characters include Achilles for the Spear, Nyx for the Sword, Chaos for the Shield, Artemis for the Bow, Zeus for the Rail, and Asterius for the Fists. Note: These conversations are tied to the game’s procedural elements and may require multiple runs before they appear.

The Leveling Process

Once an Aspect is unlocked, you can begin leveling it up using Titan Blood. Each level provides specific improvements to the Aspect’s base stats or special abilities. The cost in Titan Blood increases with each level. Careful consideration should be given to which Aspects to prioritize, especially early in the game when Titan Blood is scarce.

The Power of Prioritization

Choosing the right Aspects to max out early on can drastically improve your chances of success. Aspects like the Eris Rail, Chiron Bow, and Achilles Spear are often recommended as excellent choices for beginners due to their consistent performance at lower heat levels. Strategic allocation of Titan Blood can make the difference between struggling and consistently clearing runs.

The True Ending and Beyond

While fully upgrading every weapon isn’t strictly necessary to “beat” Hades, it’s a key component of maximizing your power and unlocking the game’s full potential. The game continues to provide challenges and rewards long after the initial credits roll, incentivizing players to master all aspects of the gameplay, including weapon upgrades.

Hades Weapon Upgrade FAQs

1. Can you fully upgrade every weapon in Hades?

Yes, eventually you can fully upgrade every weapon in Hades. However, it requires a significant amount of Titan Blood and therefore a considerable time investment. You’ll need to strategically manage your resources and prioritize which Aspects to upgrade first.

2. Does the game give you enough Titan Blood to upgrade every weapon fully?

Yes, the game does provide enough Titan Blood to fully upgrade all weapons and their Aspects, but it’s a long-term goal. You earn Titan Blood through various means, including defeating bosses at increasing heat levels and completing prophecies.

3. What is the best weapon to max first in Hades?

There isn’t a single “best” weapon, as it depends on your playstyle. However, popular choices for early upgrades include the Eris Rail, Chiron Bow, and Achilles Spear due to their consistency and effectiveness. The Games Learning Society stresses the importance of adaptability and experimentation.

4. How do you get the last weapon upgrade (hidden aspect) in Hades?

To unlock a weapon’s hidden Aspect, you need to:

1. Obtain the Fated List of Minor Prophecies from the House Contractor.
2. Reach the final boss, Hades himself.
3. Unlock at least five other Aspects across any weapons.
4. Trigger specific dialogue with certain NPCs based on the weapon.

5. What is the best upgrade for the Hades sword?

The Aspect of Arthur is considered one of the best sword upgrades. Its Hallowed Ground ability deals significant damage, and the Super Nova and Greater Consecration upgrades further enhance its effectiveness.

6. What is the max level for the sword in Hades?

Each Aspect of the Stygian Blade (Zagreus, Nemesis, Poseidon, and Arthur) can be leveled up to a max of Level 5. Reaching the highest level in all Aspects requires a significant investment of Titan Blood.

7. What is the best Hades upgrade overall?

The Mirror of Night’s Death Defiance is often considered the best upgrade overall. It provides an extra life, giving you a second chance if your HP drops to zero.

8. What is the fastest clearing weapon in Hades?

The Twin Fists of Malphon are known as one of the fastest clearing weapons due to their rapid attack speed and combo potential.

9. How do you unlock the secret gun (Adamant Rail) in Hades?

You unlock the Adamant Rail by playing the game. You have to fight the game’s final boss at least once and unlock at least 5 aspects of any Infernal Arms. Then purchase the Fated List of Minor Prophecies from the House Contractor.

10. Do you lose weapon upgrades in Hades after dying?

No, you do not lose weapon Aspect upgrades after dying in Hades. What you lose are the Boons and Daedalus Hammer upgrades acquired during that specific run. Your Titan Blood investments are permanent.

11. Are there only six weapons in Hades?

Yes, there are six base weapons in Hades. However, each weapon has four different Aspects, effectively offering 24 different weapon variations to master.

12. What is the hardest run in Hades?

The hardest run is typically considered a run at maximum Heat (64 Heat). This level layers on numerous challenges, such as increased enemy damage and speed, limited healing, and other debilitating modifiers.

13. What weapon deals the highest base damage in Hades?

The weapon and upgrade combinations that deals the highest base damages are:

• Charged Special hammers on spear and shield hidden aspects: 135.
• Hestia: 150.
• Rama power shot: 175.
• Arthur third slash: 200.
• Rail special with Hazard Bomb: 240.

14. What is Titan Blood used for in Hades?

Titan Blood is primarily used to unlock and upgrade the Aspects of the Infernal Arms, enhancing their abilities and stats.

15. Are Daedalus Hammer upgrades permanent in Hades?

No, Daedalus Hammer upgrades are temporary and only last for the duration of a single escape attempt. Permanent weapon upgrades are achieved by spending Titan Blood on Aspects.

Conclusion

Fully upgrading your weapons in Hades is a rewarding journey that requires strategic resource management and dedication. Understanding the nuances of each weapon Aspect and making informed decisions about where to invest your Titan Blood will significantly improve your chances of escaping the Underworld. Happy escaping, and remember to check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights into the educational aspects of gaming.