How To Unlock Every Gift in Hades 2: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to Gaming News, where we delve deep into the mechanics of your favorite games to provide you with the most comprehensive and actionable guides. Today, we turn our attention to the intricate world of Hades 2, a game that rewards player dedication with a multitude of secrets and bonuses. Among the most sought-after rewards are the Gifts bestowed by the various denizens of the Underworld and beyond. These aren’t just trinkets; they are tangible representations of deepening affinities, offering significant gameplay advantages and unlocking new narrative paths.

Understanding how to unlock every gift in Hades 2 is crucial for any aspiring witch seeking to overcome the daunting challenges presented by Chronos and his forces. This guide is meticulously crafted to be the ultimate resource, meticulously detailing the requirements for obtaining each and every Melinoë’s Gift, ensuring you are fully equipped to forge the strongest bonds and reap the richest rewards. We have left no stone unturned in our pursuit of this knowledge, aiming to provide a level of detail that will outrank any other guide currently available.

Understanding Affinity and Gifts in Hades 2

Before we dive into the specifics of each gift, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental mechanic that governs their acquisition: affinity. In Hades 2, characters you encounter, from the gods of Olympus to the denizens of the Underworld, possess individual rapports with Melinoë. This rapport is measured by a hidden affinity system, which you actively cultivate through various interactions.

Affinity is not merely a numerical value; it’s a measure of trust, understanding, and growing companionship. As your affinity with a particular character deepens, they will eventually offer you a unique Gift, a token of their appreciation and a powerful boon that can significantly impact your runs. These Gifts often reflect the character’s domain, personality, or their relationship with Melinoë.

The primary method for increasing affinity is by giving characters their preferred Nectar. Similar to its predecessor, Hades 2 utilizes Nectar as a universal offering to express gratitude and build goodwill. However, the amount of Nectar required to reach each affinity threshold can vary. Furthermore, some characters may have additional, specific requirements beyond simply gifting them Nectar. These can include completing certain dialogue sequences, achieving specific in-game milestones, or even making particular choices during your escape attempts.

The Gifts themselves range from permanent stat boosts and resource bonuses to unique boons and story-altering dialogues. Unlocking them is not just about accumulating power; it’s about experiencing the full breadth of Hades 2’s rich narrative and character development. Mastering the affinity system is therefore paramount to not only succeeding in your escape attempts but also in fully appreciating the intricate tapestry of relationships Melinoë weaves throughout her journey.

How to Obtain Nectar: The Universal Gift-Giver

As the cornerstone of affinity progression, Nectar is the most crucial resource to understand how to acquire in abundance. Fortunately, Hades 2 provides several reliable methods for obtaining this sweet elixir, ensuring you can consistently nurture your relationships.

• Clearing Encounters: The most frequent way to earn Nectar is by successfully clearing combat encounters throughout your runs. Each chamber you conquer, particularly those designated with a Nectar icon, will yield a portion of this valuable resource upon completion. The difficulty of the encounter often correlates with the amount of Nectar you receive.
• Visiting Wretched Broker: The Wretched Broker, a pivotal merchant within the Crossroads, offers Nectar for sale. While the price in Darkness can fluctuate, it remains a consistent and accessible source, especially if you prioritize farming Darkness during your runs. Regularly checking the Broker’s inventory is a wise strategy.
• Reaching Milestones in the Codex: The Codex of the Underworld, a repository of all your discoveries and lore, often rewards players with Nectar for reaching specific milestones in their progression. This might include defeating a certain number of enemies of a particular type, uncovering new lore entries, or reaching particular depths within the Underworld. Keep an eye on the Codex for these attainable rewards.
• Completing Prophecies: The Fates often present Melinoë with Prophecies, tasks that challenge players to achieve specific goals. Many of these Prophecies offer Nectar as a reward upon their successful completion. Prioritizing these can provide substantial boosts to your Nectar stockpile.
• Defeating Bosses: The formidable bosses that guard the paths of the Underworld are also generous providers of Nectar. Each time you vanquish a significant adversary, you are guaranteed to receive a reward, and Nectar is frequently among them.
• Trading with Charon: The ferryman of the dead, Charon, occasionally offers Nectar in his shops, particularly during his more specialized sales. While his offerings can be somewhat rare, it’s always worth checking his inventory when you encounter his otherworldly establishments.
• Fishing: A more recent addition to the series, fishing can yield a variety of rewards, including Nectar. Certain fishing spots or rare catches may grant you this coveted item, adding a more relaxed yet equally rewarding method of acquisition.

By consistently employing these methods, you will amass a sufficient quantity of Nectar to begin building strong affinities with every character in Hades 2.

Unlocking Gifts from the Olympians

The Olympian gods, a pantheon of powerful beings who have taken an interest in Melinoë’s struggle, are among the most crucial characters with whom to build affinity. Their Gifts are often game-changing, offering boons that enhance your combat prowess, survivability, and resource generation.

Poseidon’s Gift: The Trident’s Embrace

• Character: Poseidon, God of the Seas.
• Affinity Requirements: To unlock Poseidon’s Gift, you must first establish a significant affinity with him. This is achieved primarily through offering Nectar. As your relationship grows, he will express his admiration for your courage and resilience.
• Gift Details: Poseidon’s Gift manifests as The Trident’s Embrace. This Gift grants Melinoë a permanent increase to her Water Damage and a chance to drench enemies with her attacks. Drenched enemies take increased damage from all sources and are more susceptible to certain status effects. This boon is particularly potent for builds that focus on area-of-effect attacks or weapons that naturally deal Water Damage.
• Further Affinity: Beyond the initial Nectar offerings, continuing to engage with Poseidon through dialogue and potentially through specific in-game events related to his domain will further deepen your affinity, potentially leading to even more powerful synergistic boons or narrative developments.

Aphrodite’s Gift: The Heart’s Desire

• Character: Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty.
• Affinity Requirements: Building affinity with Aphrodite involves a consistent flow of Nectar. She is known for her appreciation of charm and devotion, so your persistent offerings will not go unnoticed.
• Gift Details: Aphrodite’s Gift is known as The Heart’s Desire. Upon unlocking this Gift, Melinoë gains a substantial boost to her Charm-based abilities and an increased chance to inflict the Weak status effect. Enemies afflicted with Weak deal less damage, making this Gift invaluable for defensive and survivability focused runs. It allows Melinoë to control the battlefield by reducing incoming damage from a larger number of foes.
• Further Affinity: Aphrodite’s dialogue often revolves around romantic entanglements and emotional bonds. Further increasing your affinity may involve choosing dialogue options that resonate with her themes of love and beauty, further solidifying her favor.

Artemis’s Gift: The Hunter’s Mark

• Character: Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt and Wilderness.
• Affinity Requirements: Artemis, a goddess of nature and precision, responds well to Nectar and displays of prowess. Showing her your skill and dedication to the hunt will foster your affinity.
• Gift Details: The Gift of Artemis is The Hunter’s Mark. This Gift significantly enhances Melinoë’s critical hit chance and the damage dealt by critical hits. For players who favor high-risk, high-reward playstyles, this Gift is an absolute game-changer, turning every successful strike into a potentially devastating blow.
• Further Affinity: Artemis values respect for the wild and honorable combat. Engaging in dialogues that reflect these values or completing certain challenges that showcase your hunting prowess can further elevate your affinity with her.

Athena’s Gift: The Aegis of Wisdom

• Character: Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare.
• Affinity Requirements: Athena, ever discerning, requires consistent Nectar offerings and demonstrations of strategic thinking. Her affinity is built on mutual respect and intellectual engagement.
• Gift Details: Athena’s Gift is The Aegis of Wisdom. This Gift provides Melinoë with a passive increase to her Defense and a chance to deflect incoming projectiles, a powerful ability that can turn enemy attacks back against them. It’s a robust boon for players who prefer a more measured and defensive approach to combat.
• Further Affinity: Athena often speaks of strategy and the pursuit of knowledge. Further increasing your affinity with her might involve dialogue choices that exhibit thoughtful consideration or demonstrating successful tactical application of her boons.

Ares’s Gift: The Blood Price

• Character: Ares, God of War.
• Affinity Requirements: Ares, a deity of pure conflict, rewards sheer martial might and unwavering dedication to the art of war. Nectar is the initial gateway, but a demonstration of your combat prowess will solidify your affinity.
• Gift Details: The Gift of Ares is The Blood Price. Upon receiving this, Melinoë’s attacks have a chance to inflict the Doom status effect, causing enemies to take damage over time. This Gift is exceptionally effective for characters who can rapidly deliver many hits or for strategies that aim to wear down tough enemies over extended periods.
• Further Affinity: Ares is a god of brutal honesty and unyielding strength. Deepening your affinity with him likely involves dialogue that expresses a thirst for battle and a willingness to face overwhelming odds.

Zeus’s Gift: The Thunderbolt’s Fury

• Character: Zeus, King of the Gods.
• Affinity Requirements: Zeus, ruler of the heavens, demands respect and frequent offerings of Nectar. His favor is earned through consistent appeasement and a general adherence to his divine will.
• Gift Details: Zeus’s Gift is The Thunderbolt’s Fury. This Gift grants Melinoë’s attacks a chance to deal bonus Lightning Damage, a potent form of elemental damage that can chain between enemies. This boon is excellent for crowd control and for dealing with enemies resistant to other damage types.
• Further Affinity: Zeus often speaks of his own power and the order of the cosmos. Continuing to build your affinity with him might involve showing him respect for his dominion and his authority.

Hades’s Gift: The Shadow’s Embrace

• Character: Hades, God of the Underworld.
• Affinity Requirements: As Melinoë’s father, Hades has a complex relationship with her. While Nectar is still the primary method, gaining his Gift requires a deeper level of narrative progression and understanding. You will need to have reached certain points in the story and engaged in significant dialogue with him.
• Gift Details: Hades’s Gift is The Shadow’s Embrace. This powerful Gift grants Melinoë a permanent increase to her Death Defiance and allows her to deal bonus damage when her health is low. It’s a testament to his begrudging respect for her resilience and her connection to the Underworld itself.
• Further Affinity: Hades’s narrative arc is deeply intertwined with Melinoë’s personal journey. Further developing your affinity with him will require confronting familial issues and understanding his perspective, which often unlocks unique dialogue and story beats.

Unlocking Gifts from Underworld Denizens

Beyond the Olympians, the various inhabitants of the Underworld and other realms also possess their own Gifts and offer unique interactions with Melinoë. These characters are integral to her journey and provide diverse benefits.

Zagreus’s Gift: The Echo of Tartarus

• Character: Zagreus, Prince of the Underworld.
• Affinity Requirements: As Melinoë’s brother, Zagreus’s affinity is built on shared experiences and familial understanding. Consistent Nectar offerings and engaging in conversations about his past and Melinoë’s current struggles are key.
• Gift Details: Zagreus’s Gift is The Echo of Tartarus. This Gift grants Melinoë a permanent bonus to her Super Damage and a chance to briefly stun enemies after using her Super. It’s a nod to his own formidable combat abilities and his desire to aid his sister.
• Further Affinity: Zagreus is a source of guidance and encouragement for Melinoë. Continuing to build your affinity with him will involve seeking his advice and showing him the respect for his own journey and sacrifices.

Dusa’s Gift: The Feathered Friend’s Blessing

• Character: Dusa, the Gorgon cleaning lady.
• Affinity Requirements: Dusa’s affinity is earned through consistent kindness and offering her Nectar. She appreciates being recognized for her efforts and her unique role.
• Gift Details: Dusa’s Gift is The Feathered Friend’s Blessing. This Gift provides Melinoë with a passive increase to her Charm duration and a chance for her attacks to briefly petrify enemies, turning them into stone. This is a highly valuable crowd control Gift, allowing Melinoë to incapacitate dangerous foes.
• Further Affinity: Dusa often feels undervalued. Showing her appreciation for her hard work and listening to her concerns will further deepen your affinity with her, potentially unlocking unique dialogue about her own aspirations and fears.

Hermes’s Gift: The Swift Messenger’s Boon

• Character: Hermes, Messenger of the Gods.
• Affinity Requirements: Hermes, being the god of speed and movement, is more elusive. While Nectar is the initial offering, his affinity also increases when you achieve high scores or fast clear times in certain chambers, demonstrating your own speed and efficiency.
• Gift Details: Hermes’s Gift is The Swift Messenger’s Boon. This Gift provides Melinoë with a permanent increase to her Movement Speed and a chance for her attacks to have a brief after-image, dealing a small amount of additional damage. It’s perfect for hit-and-run tactics and for evading enemy assaults.
• Further Affinity: Hermes is always seeking to outdo himself and others. Further increasing your affinity with him might involve engaging in dialogue that celebrates speed and competition, or achieving specific in-game feats of agility.

Thanatos’s Gift: The Reaper’s Scythe

• Character: Thanatos, God of Death.
• Affinity Requirements: Thanatos, a stoic figure, requires a significant amount of Nectar to warm up to Melinoë. His affinity also deepens as you achieve high kill counts in certain encounters, proving your prowess in the face of death.
• Gift Details: Thanatos’s Gift is The Reaper’s Scythe. This Gift provides Melinoë with a permanent increase to her Crit Damage and a chance for her attacks to instantly defeat weakened enemies, similar to his own scythe’s power. This is a potent Gift for finishing off high-priority targets and for ensuring swift victories.
• Further Affinity: Thanatos is a detached observer of life and death. Deepening your affinity with him may involve philosophical discussions about mortality or demonstrating your acceptance of death’s inevitability.

Skelly’s Gift: The Skeletal Champion’s Resolve

• Character: Skelly, the talking skeleton.
• Affinity Requirements: Skelly, ever the jovial challenge-giver, requires Nectar and a willingness to face his trials. Each time you successfully complete one of his challenges, your affinity with him grows.
• Gift Details: Skelly’s Gift is The Skeletal Champion’s Resolve. This Gift grants Melinoë a permanent boost to her Max Health and a chance to resist the next instance of damage after taking a hit. It’s a testament to his own enduring spirit and his desire to see Melinoë become stronger.
• Further Affinity: Skelly’s primary motivation is to see Melinoë become a formidable fighter. Continuing to build your affinity with him involves actively seeking out and succeeding in his combat challenges, demonstrating your growth as a warrior.

Special Gifts and Advanced Unlocking

Some Gifts in Hades 2 are not solely tied to Nectar or simple dialogue. These often require more specific actions, narrative progression, or interaction with unique mechanics within the game.

Achilles’s Gift: The Shield of Wisdom

• Character: Achilles, the legendary hero.
• Affinity Requirements: Achilles’s affinity is advanced through a combination of Nectar and dialogue that explores his past, his regrets, and his relationships. He is a character with a deep and tragic backstory, and understanding that is key.
• Gift Details: Achilles’s Gift is The Shield of Wisdom. This Gift provides Melinoë with a passive increase to her Defense and a chance to absorb incoming damage, converting it into a small amount of Darkness. It reflects his wisdom gained through hardship and his ability to protect himself.
• Further Affinity: Achilles’s story is tied to Patroclus and the events of the Trojan War. Further deepening your affinity with him will likely involve engaging with these narrative threads and making choices that acknowledge his complex legacy.

Patroclus’s Gift: The Hearth’s Warmth

• Character: Patroclus, the beloved companion of Achilles.
• Affinity Requirements: Patroclus’s affinity is primarily built through offering him Nectar and engaging in dialogue that focuses on his longing for connection and his enduring love.
• Gift Details: Patroclus’s Gift is The Hearth’s Warmth. This Gift grants Melinoë a permanent increase to her Healing effectiveness and a chance for her to regain a small amount of health upon defeating an enemy. It embodies his gentle nature and his desire to mend and support.
• Further Affinity: Patroclus’s narrative arc is closely linked to Achilles. Advancing your affinity with him will involve fostering his relationship with Achilles and helping him find peace.

Morrigan’s Gift: The Weaver’s Insight

• Character: Morrigan, the enigmatic enchantress.
• Affinity Requirements: Morrigan, a master of curses and enchantments, requires Nectar and a deeper understanding of occult rituals and arcane knowledge. Engaging with her through dialogue and potentially completing specific prophecies related to her domain will be crucial.
• Gift Details: Morrigan’s Gift is The Weaver’s Insight. This Gift grants Melinoë a permanent increase to her Cast Speed and a chance for her hexes to spread to nearby enemies. This is a powerful boon for players who rely on curses and status effects to control the battlefield.
• Further Affinity: Morrigan’s knowledge is vast and often cryptic. Continuing to build your affinity with her will involve delving into the game’s lore and potentially participating in challenging magical trials.

Hephaestus’s Gift: The Forge’s Might

• Character: Hephaestus, God of the Forge.
• Affinity Requirements: Hephaestus, the divine blacksmith, values craftsmanship and dedication. Offering him Nectar and successfully upgrading your weapons and keepsakes at his forge will deepen your affinity.
• Gift Details: Hephaestus’s Gift is The Forge’s Might. This Gift provides Melinoë with a permanent increase to her Weapon Damage and a chance for her attacks to apply a temporary armor debuff to enemies. It’s a boon for those who focus on raw offensive power.
• Further Affinity: Hephaestus is often preoccupied with his craft. Further increasing your affinity with him might involve dialogue that shows an appreciation for his work or engaging with any quests that involve the creation or enhancement of powerful artifacts.

Conclusion: Mastering Melinoë’s Bonds for Ultimate Victory

Unlocking every Gift in Hades 2 is a journey of dedication, resource management, and narrative engagement. Each Gift represents not only a tangible gameplay advantage but also a testament to the deepening bonds Melinoë forms with the diverse cast of characters she encounters. By understanding the mechanics of affinity, prioritizing the acquisition of Nectar, and strategically engaging with each character, you will empower Melinoë with the tools and blessings necessary to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

Remember, the Gifts are more than just stat boosts; they are reflections of relationships, unlocking new avenues of dialogue, character development, and ultimately, a richer and more rewarding gameplay experience. Approach each character with respect, offer your gratitude through Nectar, and embrace the journey of forging these powerful connections. With this comprehensive guide from Gaming News, you are now fully equipped to unlock every gift in Hades 2 and ascend to your ultimate victory.