As you venture into the depths of the Underworld in Hades 2, you’ll discover that you’re not alone in your fight against Chronos. The game introduces animal companions, known as Familiars, who can significantly aid Melinoe on her perilous journey. These creatures are more than just cute sidekicks; they are valuable allies capable of fighting alongside you, gathering essential resources, and providing passive boons that can enhance your abilities.
However, in each run, Melinoe can only be accompanied by one familiar. Choosing the right companion is crucial, as each familiar offers unique benefits that can complement different playstyles and builds. Understanding each familiar’s strengths and how they can contribute to your success is key to mastering Hades 2.
The Hades 2 Early Access period has already seen significant updates, including the Warsong update, which introduced a brand new familiar, Gale the Polecat, further expanding the strategic options available to players. This guide will provide a detailed overview of all the familiars currently available in Hades 2, explaining how to unlock them, their unique abilities, and how to upgrade them to maximize their potential.
Unlocking Familiars in Hades 2: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before you can enlist the help of these loyal companions, you’ll need to unlock the ability to recruit familiars in Hades 2. This is achieved through an Incantation at the Cauldron in the Crossroads.
Essential First Steps
Melinoe contemplating how to unlock Familiars in Hades 2.
To unlock familiars, you’ll need to cast the “Faith of Familiar Spirits” Incantation. Here’s how to prepare for it:
- Gathering Tools are Key: Ensure you have acquired all the Gathering Tools (like the Crescent Pick, Silver Spade, Rod of Fishing, and Tablet of Peace).
- Use Each Tool Twice: Use each of these tools at least twice in your runs. This action is essential to progress the necessary questline.
- Defeat Hecate: You must defeat Hecate, the guardian boss at the end of Erebus. Prior to your fight after fulfilling the above conditions, Hecate will have a special dialogue about familiars, indicating you are on the right track.
Once you’ve met these prerequisites and returned to the Crossroads, interact with the Cauldron. The “Faith of Familiar Spirits” incantation will now be available. Casting this requires 2x Nectar and 1x Lotus Flower.
- Nectar Acquisition: Nectar is commonly found as room rewards (look for the Nectar symbol) or purchasable from the Wretched Broker for 50 Bones.
- Lotus Flower Location: Lotus Flowers are found in various chambers throughout Oceanus.
After successfully casting “Faith of Familiar Spirits“, you will receive 1 Witch’s Delight. This treat is the key to befriending and recruiting your first familiar. Simply give a Witch’s Delight to an animal companion, and they will pledge their loyalty to Melinoe for all future runs.
Currently, Hades 2 offers five distinct animal familiars: Frinos the Frog, Toula the Cat, Raki the Raven, Hecuba the Hound, and the newly added Gale the Polecat. Each familiar is associated with specific materials and offers unique combat and passive abilities. Choosing a familiar that aligns with your resource needs or combat strategy can significantly enhance your runs, making material gathering more efficient and combat encounters more manageable. For instance, Toula simplifies fishing and increases the likelihood of encountering fishing spots. With Toula by your side, fishing becomes automatic, bypassing the mini-game entirely.
Frinos the Frog: The Psyche-Seeking Projectile Protector
A Hoppy Healer and Damage Dealer
Melinoe bonding with Frinos the Frog, her new familiar in Hades 2.
Frinos the Frog is found near Melinoe’s tent at the Crossroads. This amphibian companion is not only adorable but also provides valuable defensive and supportive capabilities. Frinos increases Melinoe’s maximum HP and has the unique ability to intercept projectiles, offering crucial protection against ranged attacks. This is especially advantageous against bosses like Hecate, as Frinos can even devour her polymorphing curse projectiles.
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Bond | Increases bonus to find Lost Shades by 25%. | Increases bonus to find Lost Shades by an additional 25% (50% total). | Increases bonus to find Lost Shades by another 25% (75% total). |
| Strength Bond | Deals +10 additional damage when leaping onto foes. | Deals an additional +10 damage (total +20 damage). | Deals an additional +10 damage (total +30 damage). |
| Life Bond | Grants +10 Max Life. | Grants an additional +10 Max Life (total +20 Max Life). | Grants an additional +10 Max Life (total +30 Max Life). |
Frinos is an excellent choice for players who prioritize survivability and resource gathering related to Lost Shades. His projectile-blocking ability can be a lifesaver in chaotic encounters, and his Life Bond upgrades provide a consistent boost to Melinoe’s health pool.
Toula the Cat: The Feline of Extra Lives and Fishing Fortunes
Nine Lives and Nautical Niceties
Toula the Cat is a bit more elusive than Frinos. You’ll first encounter Toula in the fountain room of Erebus after casting the “Woodsy Lifespring” Incantation. After your initial interaction in Erebus, Toula will relocate to the Surface.
To recruit Toula, you need to:
- Start a Surface Run: Embark on a run to the Surface.
- Defeat Polyphemus in Ephyra: Progress through Ephyra and defeat the boss, Polyphemus.
- Reach the Pier Area: Continue to the Pier area in Ephyra.
- Locate Toula: Before exiting the Pier area, look to the far left side of the pier. Toula will be waiting there.
Give Toula a Witch’s Delight, and this feline familiar will join your cause. Toula is particularly valuable for her combat support and resource-gathering prowess, especially in fishing. Toula grants Melinoe an extra Death Defiance, providing a crucial second chance in challenging encounters. Furthermore, Toula significantly enhances fishing, increasing the chance of finding fishing spots and automatically catching fish, making resource acquisition effortless.
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claw Bond | +1 strike | +1 additional strike (+2 strikes total). | +1 additional strike (+3 strikes total). |
| Heart Bond | Grants an additional Death Defiance. Restores +10 health. | Restores an additional +10 health (total +20 health). | Restores an additional +10 health (total +30 health). |
| Soul Bond | Increases bonus to find Fishing Spots by 15%. | Increases bonus to find Fishing Spots by an additional 25% (40% total). | Increases bonus to find Fishing Spots by another 25% (65% total). |
Toula is an excellent pick for players who want increased survivability through an extra Death Defiance and those who frequently engage in fishing for resources. Her Heart Bond upgrades further enhance her supportive role by providing additional health restoration.
Raki the Raven: The Critical Mining Master
Pecking Power and Prospecting Prowess
Raki the Raven is found in the fountain room of the Crossroads. Recruiting Raki involves a series of encounters across different runs:
- First Crossroads Encounter: Find Raki in the fountain room at the Crossroads. Interacting with Raki will make him disappear.
- First Erebus Encounter: In your next Underworld run, find Raki again in the fountain room of Erebus. Interact with him; he will disappear again.
- Second Erebus Encounter: In the subsequent Underworld run, return to the fountain room in Erebus. This time, Raki will be ready to bond.
Offer Raki a Witch’s Delight, and this intelligent raven will become your familiar. Raki excels in combat and resource gathering, particularly in mining. Raki provides a passive critical hit chance bonus, increasing your damage output. He also actively participates in combat by swooping down to peck at enemies. Furthermore, Raki increases your chances of finding Outcroppings, making mining for materials more rewarding.
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Bond | +1% greater chance for damage to be Critical. | +1% greater chance than before for damage to be Critical (+2% total Critical chance). | An additional +1% for damage to be a Critical (+3% total Critical Chance). |
| Stone Bond | Increases bonus to find Outcroppings by 15%. | Increases bonus to find Outcroppings by an additional 25% (+40% total chance). | Increases bonus to find Outcroppings by another 25% (+65% total chance). |
| Wing Bond | Raki swoops down to peck at foes 25% more often. | Raki swoops down to peck at foes 25% more often than before (+50% chance to peck at enemies). | Raki swoops down to peck at foes 25% more often than before (+75% chance to peck at enemies). |
Raki is an excellent choice for players who focus on damage output and resource gathering through mining. His Blood Bond upgrades provide a consistent damage boost, while his Stone Bond upgrades ensure a steady supply of mining materials.
Hecuba the Hound: The Magic-Boosting Seed Seeker
Magical Might and Mother Earth’s Bounty
To recruit Hecuba the Hound, you must venture into the Underworld and locate Echo in the Fields of Mourning.
- Find Hecuba near Echo: In the Fields of Mourning, follow the path towards the exit. Hecuba sometimes appears near the exit doors. Her dark fur can make her blend into the environment, so keep a close eye out.
- Initial Encounters: Talk to Hecuba. She will disappear after each encounter. Repeat this process and level up other familiars at the Crossroads until Hecate has an exclamation mark above her head.
- “Shared Familiar Bonds” Permission: Speak to Hecate. She will grant the “Shared Familiar Bonds” permission, allowing you to recruit her familiars, Hecuba and Gale.
- Final Encounter: In your next Underworld run, find Hecuba again in the Fields of Mourning. This time, you will have the option to give her a treat.
Offer Hecuba a Witch’s Delight, and this loyal hound will join your team. Hecuba is a valuable asset for magic-focused builds and those who need seeds for cultivation. Hecuba increases Melinoe’s maximum Magic, allowing for more frequent and potent spellcasting. She also enhances digging for seeds, increasing your chances of finding Digging Spots. In combat, Hecuba can periodically stun surrounding foes, providing valuable crowd control.
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Bond | Grants +15 maximum Magic. | Increases bonus to find Digging Spots by an additional 25%. | Increases bonus to find Digging Spots by another 25%. |
| Earth Bond | Increases bonus to find Digging Spots by 25%. | Increases bonus to find Digging Spots by an additional 25%. | Increases bonus to find Digging Spots by another 25%. |
| Guard Bond | Hecuba stuns surrounding foes 15% more often. | Hecuba stuns surrounding foes 15% more often than before. | Hecuba stuns surrounding foes 15% more often than before. |
Hecuba is ideal for players who rely heavily on magic and need a consistent supply of seeds for gardening at the Crossroads. Her Spirit Bond upgrades directly boost your magic capacity, while her Earth Bond upgrades ensure plentiful seed resources.
Gale the Polecat: The Agile Flora Finder
Swiftness and Scratching Supremacy
Gale the Polecat is the newest familiar, introduced with the Warsong Update. Recruiting Gale requires completing both the “Faith of Familial Spirits” and “Shared Familiar Bonds” Incantations.
To find Gale:
- Surface Run Required: Begin a run to the Surface.
- Final Chamber Before Prometheus: Gale is located in the final chamber of Mount Olympus, just before the boss encounter with Prometheus. This means you need to clear Ephyra, the Rift of Thessaly, and ascend Mount Olympus to the lower levels.
- Locate Gale Near the Shop: At the end of Mount Olympus, in the chamber with the shop, find Gale on the right side of the path, just before the door to Prometheus.
- Recruitment Encounter: You might need to encounter Gale twice. The first time, interacting with him might just make him disappear. The second time you encounter him in the same location, you should be able to offer him a Witch’s Delight.
Give Gale a Witch’s Delight to recruit this agile polecat. Gale’s primary combat ability is blocking attacks and immediately retaliating with a scratch attack. While the exact mechanics of his blocking are still being explored, Gale appears to block a certain number of attacks per encounter. Beyond combat, Gale increases your Dodge Chance and Movement Speed, enhancing Melinoe’s agility. He also boosts your chances of finding Flora, making gathering plant-based resources more efficient.
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veil Bond | Each rank increases Dodge Chance % and Movement Speed. | Each rank further increases Dodge Chance % and Movement Speed. | Each rank further increases Dodge Chance % and Movement Speed. |
| Nature Bond | Each rank increases the chance of finding Flora. | Each rank further increases the chance of finding Flora. | Each rank further increases the chance of finding Flora. |
| Wild Bond | Gale deals increased scratching damage after a block with each new rank. | Gale deals further increased scratching damage after a block with each rank. | Gale deals even further increased scratching damage after a block with each rank. |
Gale is a fantastic choice for players who favor agile combat styles and rely on Flora for crafting or other purposes. His Veil Bond upgrades significantly improve mobility and survivability, while his Nature Bond ensures a steady supply of Flora.
Upgrading Your Familiars in Hades 2
Witch’s Delight: The Key to Familiar Growth
To enhance your familiars’ abilities, you need to upgrade them using Witch’s Delight. To upgrade a familiar:
- Visit the Crossroads Training Area: Approach the familiar you wish to upgrade at their designated spot in the training area at the Crossroads. For the familiar currently accompanying Melinoe, you’ll need to tell them to rest first.
- Give Witch’s Delight: Interact with the familiar and offer them a Witch’s Delight. This will upgrade one of their Bond types to the next rank, enhancing its associated benefits.
To craft more Witch’s Delight, you’ll need the “Beast-Loved Morsel” Alchemy recipe at the Cauldron. This recipe becomes available after casting the “Faith of Familiar Spirits” incantation. The recipe requires Star Dust, which can be obtained in several ways:
- Abyssal Night Incantation: Cast the “Abyssal Night” Incantation, obtainable from Chaos at the Crossroads near the Pitch-Block Stone. This incantation allows you to access Chaos Trials, which reward Star Dust.
- Chaos Trials: Completing Chaos Trials is a reliable way to earn Star Dust.
- Wretched Broker: Star Dust can be purchased from the Wretched Broker for 600 Bones, though this is a less efficient method.
By strategically upgrading your familiars, you can tailor their abilities to perfectly complement your playstyle and resource needs, making them invaluable assets in your quest to defeat Chronos in Hades 2.
Hades 2 Tag Page Cover Art Hades 2
Action
Roguelite
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating: 90/100
Critics Recommend: 100%
Franchise
Hades
Platform(s)
PC
Released
May 6, 2024
Developer(s)
Supergiant Games
Publisher(s)
Supergiant Games
Engine
Proprietary Engine
ESRB
t
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty
