Hades Walkthrough — Start to Endgame

Hades is the roguelike that converted people who hate roguelikes. Supergiant Games created a game where dying is genuinely fun because each death advances a rich story with fully voice-acted dialogue that changes based on how you died, what weapons you used, and which gods you interacted with. The gameplay loop sends Zagreus through four distinct regions of the Underworld, collecting boons (power-ups) from Olympian gods that synergize in wildly creative ways. Over 300 unique boon combinations mean every run feels different, and the weapon Aspect system adds another layer of build diversity. Even after your first successful escape, the Pact of Punishment adds escalating difficulty modifiers for hundreds of hours of replayability.

This walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. Follow this path to avoid common traps that stall most players.

Quick Progression Summary

Phase 1: Getting Started — Tartarus

The first region with relatively weak enemies but dangerous traps (spike floors, lava). Contains 14 chambers before the first boss: Megaera (or her sisters, depending on story progression). Focus on building your core boon loadout here. The Chaos Gates in Tartarus are worth entering for powerful Chaos boons.

Level/Difficulty: Chambers 1-14 Key Rewards: Core boon foundation, Daedalus Hammer, Chaos boons, Charon's shop

What to Do in Tartarus

1. Learn boon selection. Olympian gods offer boons (abilities) after clearing rooms. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
2. Pick Heart-Seeking Bow as your starting build. It's the most forgiving option.
3. Privileged Status from the Mirror (+40% damage to enemies with 2+ status effects) is the single strongest mirror upgrade. Build around applying two different status effects (e.g., Aphrodite Weak + Dionysus Hangover) to trigger it.
4. Acquire your first equipment upgrade — Varatha or whatever's available.
5. Clear all main content before moving on.

Phase 1 Checklist

• Understand boon selection fundamentals
• Heart-Seeking Bow selected and functional
• Tartarus main content cleared
• Ready for Asphodel

Phase 2: Early Game — Asphodel

A lava-flooded region with ranged enemies and magma hazards on the floor. Contains ~10 chambers before the Bone Hydra boss (Lernaean Bone Hydra). The Hydra is a DPS check — it spawns additional heads at 66% and 33% HP that must be killed. Asphodel is where bad builds start to struggle.

Level/Difficulty: Chambers 15-24 Key Rewards: Mid-tier boons, Eurydice (kitchen upgrades), second Daedalus Hammer

What to Do in Asphodel

1. Work on mirror upgrades. The Mirror of Night in Zagreus's bedroom provides permanent meta-progression upgrades purchased with Darkness currency. This system becomes critical from here on.
2. Farm for Varatha if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
3. Duo Boons require having prerequisite boons from both gods. Check the Codex (hotkey available in-run) to see each Duo Boon's requirements so you can plan your build.
4. Complete all objectives before pushing to Elysium.
5. Consider whether Stygian Blade might suit your playstyle better than Heart-Seeking Bow.

Phase 2 Checklist

• mirror upgrades integrated into gameplay
• Varatha acquired
• Asphodel fully cleared
• Ready for Elysium

Phase 3: Mid Game — Elysium

The hardest combat region with shielded enemies, armored exalted warriors, and the brutal mini-boss duo Theseus and Asterius. Shielded enemies require you to hit them from behind or use shield-piercing attacks. Theseus and Asterius fight together — kill Asterius first since Theseus calls in god attacks at 50% HP.

Level/Difficulty: Chambers 25-36 Key Rewards: Highest-tier boons, Patroclus (shop/buffs), Theseus/Asterius drops

What to Do in Elysium

1. Master weapon aspects. Each of the six weapons (called Infernal Arms) has four Aspects that fundamentally change how they play. This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
2. Start working toward Coronacht. It's the best equipment and becomes accessible around now.
3. The Pom of Power upgrades one random boon — prioritize it when your core attack boon is already selected. A level 5 Aphrodite Heartbreak Strike does 130% bonus damage vs. 50% at level 1.
4. This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
5. Start investing in keepsake system for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.

Phase 3 Checklist

• weapon aspects mastered
• Coronacht acquired or in progress
• Elysium fully cleared
• Ready for Temple of Styx

Phase 4: Late Game — Temple of Styx

Five short tunnel branches, each ending with a satyr mini-boss that drops a sack. One random sack contains the item needed to progress to the final boss. The Tiny Vermin (poison rats) are the most annoying enemy in the game — they're small, fast, and apply poison. Bring area damage.

Level/Difficulty: Chambers 37-42 Key Rewards: Final boon upgrades, pom of power, Satyr Sack (progression)

What to Do in Temple of Styx

1. Finalize your build. You should be running Stygian Blade or Heart-Seeking Bow with optimized gear.
2. Coronacht should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
3. Athena's Divine Dash (deflect during dash) is the best defensive boon in the game. It blocks nearly every projectile in the game and trivializes several boss attacks. Take it whenever offered.
4. relationship building optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
5. Farm this area for the resources needed to push into Surface.

Phase 4 Checklist

• Build fully optimized
• Coronacht upgraded to max
• Temple of Styx fully cleared
• Ready for Surface

Phase 5: Endgame — Surface

The final boss arena where you fight Hades himself in a two-phase battle. Phase 1 is manageable with spin attacks and skull projectiles. Phase 2 adds green vases that heal Hades if not destroyed, and his attacks become faster and harder-hitting. Death Defiance lives are often consumed here.

Level/Difficulty: Final boss Key Rewards: Successful escape (story progression), Titan Blood, Diamond

What to Do in Surface

1. Surface tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
2. When facing Theseus and Asterius in Elysium, always kill Asterius first. Theseus stays on his chariot throwing spears until 50% HP, then calls in an Olympian god's attacks. Fighting both plus god attacks is a nightmare.
3. The endgame loop: run Surface, optimize gear, push harder content.
4. Experiment with Twin Fists of Malphon for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
5. This is where relationship building mastery separates good players from great ones.

Phase 5 Checklist

• Endgame content on farm
• Best-in-slot gear acquired
• Surface fully cleared
• Ready for challenge content

Common Progression Mistakes

• Not taking Death Defiance from the Mirror — three extra lives per run is the difference between clearing and failing. Always max it first.
• Ignoring the Duo Boon prerequisites — grabbing random boons instead of building toward a specific Duo Boon like Merciful End or Ice Wine wastes your build potential.
• Selling boons at Charon's Well that have synergies with your build — always read what Privileged Status and your current effects need before selling.
• Ignoring Daedalus Hammer choices — the hammer modifies your weapon's core mechanics (like adding rocket to the rail or chain bounce to the shield). It's usually the most impactful choice in a run.
• Fighting Hades without at least two Death Defiance remaining — his phase 2 has several near-unavoidable attacks that will catch even experienced players off guard.

Key Tips for Smooth Progression

1. Privileged Status from the Mirror (+40% damage to enemies with 2+ status effects) is the single strongest mirror upgrade. Build around applying two different status effects (e.g., Aphrodite Weak + Dionysus Hangover) to trigger it.
2. Duo Boons require having prerequisite boons from both gods. Check the Codex (hotkey available in-run) to see each Duo Boon's requirements so you can plan your build.
3. The Pom of Power upgrades one random boon — prioritize it when your core attack boon is already selected. A level 5 Aphrodite Heartbreak Strike does 130% bonus damage vs. 50% at level 1.
4. Athena's Divine Dash (deflect during dash) is the best defensive boon in the game. It blocks nearly every projectile in the game and trivializes several boss attacks. Take it whenever offered.
5. When facing Theseus and Asterius in Elysium, always kill Asterius first. Theseus stays on his chariot throwing spears until 50% HP, then calls in an Olympian god's attacks. Fighting both plus god attacks is a nightmare.

For detailed build optimization, see Hades builds. For quick wins, check tips & tricks.