How to unlock Weapon Aspects in Hades 2 – Best Aspects list

Glow up.

In the original Hades, you could unlock Aspects for your weapons, changing their form and function in a way that made each run feel different. It could even have been the difference maker. You can unlock Weapon Aspects in Hades 2 as well, and here’s how.

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Weapon Aspects are unlocked in Hades 2 after receiving the Aspects of Night and Darkness Incantation. It’s offered to you by Hecate, but not freely. You’ll have to prove you earned it first.

Hades 2: How to unlock Aspects for main weapons

It’ll take time to unlock Weapon Aspects in Hades 2. In my experience, I didn’t get the Incantation until I was roughly 20 hours into the game and had seen most of the available Regions. The game is also a bit clandestine regarding unlocks, so I’ll go over what I did to finally get the Aspects of Night and Darkness.

Hereꦗ are some things you can do to try and get 🀅the Weapon Aspects Incantation to appear:

  • Reach every Region in Hades 2, including those on the surface (here’s how to go above).
  • Collect surface resources such as Bronze, which is used for the Incantation.
  • Unlock all available weapons (here’s how).
  • Defeat Hecate as the Guardian of Erebus with each weapon at least once.

Hecate often hands over new Incantations as you progress. Early on, you’ll get many offered after your fights and conversations with her. She’ll do the same for the Weapon Aspects Incantation, but you may need to be patient. If you’ve completed the above tasks and haven’t received the Incantation yet, keep playing through the game and making progress.

Hecate will soon bring up the resp♏onsibility of🌞 the Nocturnal Arms and will gift you the Incantation.

To unlock new Weapon Aspects in Hades 2, activate the Aspects of Light and Darkness Incantation at the cauldron in the Crossroads.

The incantation requires:

  • 5 Bronze
  • 1 Nightshade

The list of ingredients is thankfully short. Bronze is gathered from Bronze Outcroppings on the surface Region of the City of Ephyra. You’ll need the Crescent Pick, which you should have unlocked by now. Nightshade is plentiful, but if you need seeds you can find them in Erebus.

Once you activate the incantation, head down to the Crossroads Training Grounds to unlock weapons and their Aspects. Enter the weapons menu in the Silver Pool. You should now see multiple tabs. The first is an anvil, which allows you to unlock new weapons. Select the weapon tabs to upgrade that Aspect’s unique ability even further.

How to unlock and upgrade Weapon Aspects in Hades 2

Unlocking and upgrading Weapon Aspects in Hades 2 requires raw materials you can gather in the various Regions or via trials. The default Aspect is the Aspect of Melinoë, but each weapon comes with two additional Aspects to unlock. Weapon upgrades can require Guardian materials, such as Cinder, along with other resources like Lime, Ash, or Adamant. Select a weapon tab and look for the list oꦜf required materials at the bottom-left portion of the screen.

Nightmare is a required resource for upgrading some Aspects. It is also the most difficult to collect. To get Nightmare, you must take the Oath of the Unseen. You can find the Oath of the Unseen standing between the two gates after it’s unlocked. Completing runs rewards you with Nightmare, which you can spend on upgrades. Follow our guide for more details.

How to unlock Chaos Trials

Once you start unlocking Aspects, you can use them during the Chaos Trials. Find out how to scry the Pitch-Black Stone to unlock Chaos Trials here. Doing so 𝔍wil🥂l earn you a rare resource called Star Dust.

Best Weapon Aspects in Hades 2

There are three Aspects per weapon in Hades 2, but which ones are the best? Honestly, the answer is mostly subjective. After all, the Aspects change up the weapons’ behaviors and functions in such a way that the best ones for you are what jive with you the most. But in all my dozens of hours playing the game, I feel you can’t go wrong with the choices below.

Best Witch’s Staff Aspect

WeaponBest AspectMaterial CostWhat it does
Descura – The Witch’s StaffAspect of Circe5 Silver
5 Lotus
After your Attack or Special hit 12 times, gain Serenity with your next Omega Move.

The Aspect of Circe is the best weapon Aspect for the tried-and-true Witch’s Staff. It’s an ideal Aspect for magic-heavy runs, which are common with the Staff. After 12 Attacks or Special attacks, you gain Serenity, which causes Omega Moves to be more powerful and restores Magick. Later upgrades increase the damage you deal with Omega Attacks while Serenity is active. You may not feel the effects of the Aspect early on in your run, but during late-game Regions, it comes in clutch during hectic boss battles.

Best Sister Blades Aspect

WeaponBest AspectMaterial CostWhat it does
Lim and Oros – The Sister BladesAspect of Pan1 Wool
2 Shaderot
Your Specials seek foes in your Casts, and fire more blades after you Channel.

There’s not much argument to make here: The Aspect of Pan is nearly unbeatable as the best weapon Aspect for the Sister Blades. This Aspect allows you to chunk off the health of any enemy standing in your Omega Cast. It’s especially vicious against enemies with large health pools, such as elites and Guardians. With Daedalus Hammer upgrades like Concentrated Flurry or Spiral Knives, the blades will reach their maximum lethal potential.

Best Moonstone Axe Aspect

WeaponBest AspectMaterial CostWhat it does
Zorephet – The Moonstone AxeAspect of Charon5 Pearl
1 Obol Points
Your Cast lasts +3 Sec., and erupts like your Omega Cast if struck by your Omega Special.

I had a hard time choosing what I feel is the best weapon Aspect for the Moonstone Axe, since I tend to swap between two quite frequently. I’m a fan of the Aspect of Thanatos, which increases attack speed critical chance when using Omega Moves. But it really only starts to shine in the late game for me, so the balance tips toward the Aspect of Charon as the axe’s best. The Aspect allows you to dish out explosive damage, which is especially great on Guardians and elites. Try it.

Best Umbral Flames Aspect

WeaponBest AspectMaterial CostWhat it does
Ygnium – The Umbral FlamesAspect of Moros2 Bronze
2 Tears
Your Attacks linger for 6 Sec., and explode in a blast if struck by your Specials.

The Umbral Flames aren’t often my first pick, but the Aspect of Moros improves them significantly. Holding down attack allows you to leave flames lingering around the battlefield. This allows you to set traps for enemies, leading them into a minefield that detonates the moment you set it off with a Special attack. Holding down your Special to cause flames to circle you, and tapping regular attack creates a pocket of explosions in front of Melinoe. It’s powerful enough to wipe out even the most stubborn enemies.

Best Argent Skull Aspect

WeaponBest AspectMaterial CostWhat it does
Revaal – The Argent SkullAspect of Persephone1 Moss
5 Poppy
Any damage you deal generates Glory, which enhances your Omega Special.

Now, I’m a fan of the Argent Skull, no matter the Aspect. It’s just great. But my favorite Aspect to use for it is the Aspect of Persephone. It enhances the power of your Omega Special, which can be used to cause massive damage while retrieving spent Shells. The Aspect increases the damage output greatly, which can be increased via upgrades. The additional time given to Omega Casts is also great, especially if you’re running for Apollo or Demeter Boons.

Best Black Coat Aspect

WeaponBest AspectMaterial CostWhat it does
Xinth – The Black CoatAspect of Selene4 Silver, 4 Moon DustYou start with Sky Fall, a hidden Hex that strikes multiple foes and applies Shine.

I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve long since been a Path of Stars fan. Selene’s Boons are mighty when used correctly, though their popularity seems to be in flux with the Hades 2 community. Regardless, the Aspect of Selene for the Black Coat make♐s my lunar fanboyism feel vindicated. With a game plan, the Aspect can be astonishingly powerful.

To maximize its potential, take the Moon Beam, Selene’s Keepsake, at the start of your run. Moon Beam gives you additional upgrade points, enough to complete one path and claim the Sublime ability for the Shine Hex. Activate the Death Arcana Card for increased critical damage chance and focus on Boons th𓆉at power your Omega moves. With luck, you can end up with a build capable of dishing ꩲout damage in the thousands.


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Cameron Woolsey
A contributing writer, Cam has been playing games for decades and writing about them for about 15 years. He specializes in action RPGs, shooters, and brawlers, but will always make a little bit of time for indies and classics.