Roguelike games are notorious for being tough, with levels that get more challenging as players progress further. Supergiant Games’ Hades 2 lives up to this notion, especially with how it levels up combat from the first game. Melinoe is definitely different from her older brother, Zagreus, in terms of her fighting style and magic abilities, giving players a fresh experience while plowing through each Hades 2 map.
Both Hades titles put a lot of importance on weapon and skill upgrades, and the most important perk, Death Defiance, which is essentially the game’s take on extra lives. Hades 2 is actually quite generous when it comes to Death Defiance, as players have a number of ways to obtain or replenish it, and the recent Warsong Update shows why it matters so much now.
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Hades 2’s Latest Boss Battle is a Different Beast
Hades 2‘s massive Warsong Update added a brand-new area in Olympus, which has new enemies and mini-bosses on the way to the summit. It also reveals that Typhon, the Father of All Monsters, is the main source of the destruction and terror on the surface after Chronos released him from his prison.
In Greek mythology, Typhon is described as a monstrous serpentine creature and is considered one of the deadliest. Many sources, including Hesiod’s Theogony, believe that Gaia bore Typhon as a vengeful response to the gods for driving away the Titans and Giants from Olympus. Meanwhile, another account claims that Typhon is the offspring of Chronos, who was born with the goal of overthrowing Zeus. In the end, the fearsome monster falls by Zeus’ lightning bolt, and is cast into Tartarus to be imprisoned for eternity.
Hades 2 elevates this story with Melinoe battling the monster at the summit of Mount Olympus, with the help of her uncle Zeus. Compared to other boss enemies like Chronos and Prometheus, Typhon’s movements are unexpected and players won’t know if they’re doing enough damage to him because his HP bar is concealed. Fighting Typhon may feel like a lot of button-smashing, but one wrong move can be deadly for Melinoe, especially if she doesn’t have enough Death Defiance to keep her alive.
Many players have already noticed that Hades 2 gives more chances to acquire Death Defiance compared to the first game. It’s only right considering that it’s more challenging, and the boss enemies in both the Underworld and Olympus are stronger. So, stocking up on Death Defiance, as well as getting as much HP and SP as possible, matters even more, especially in the Warsong Update.
Take note that before reaching Typhon, Melinoe has to face Eris and Prometheus, who can both shave off a lot of HP and possibly use one or two Death Defiances from her initial stash. Experienced Hades players can easily adapt to boss battles in order to save Death Defiance, but it doesn’t kill to be prepared for anything. And if there’s ever a time to get as many of them as possible, the Typhon battle is the perfect opportunity.
How to Get Death Defiance in Hades 2
- Equip the Death Arcana in the Altar of Ashes. Once fully upgraded, Melinoe can get up to four Death Defiances.
- Bring Toula as an animal companion to grant an extra charge of Death Defiance.
- Equip Schelemeus’ Keepsake, Luckier Tooth.
- Choose Chaos’ Legendary Boon, Defiance.
- Choose Echo’s Survive Survive Survive in the Fields of Mourning.
- Choose Narcissus’ Life Saving in Oceanus.
- Choose Hermes’ Legendary Boom, Close Call.
- Choose Athena’s Boons, Stalwart Stand or Renewed Faith.
- Buy Kiss of Styx from the Well of Charon or the Shrine of Hermes, which costs around 200 gold.
As Hades 2 inches closer to a full version release, Supergiant Games is making sure that each element is in place. So far, it feels pretty complete sans the endgame content, but fans can start playing Hades 2 now to get the full experience before early access ends.
- Released
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May 6, 2024
- ESRB
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