Summary
Supergiant Games has another hit on its hands with the Early Access version ofHades 2– a direct sequel to the firstHades.Instead of having Zagreus return, fans play as his sister Melinoë and she gets an entirely new set of Nocturnal Arms to play with and, ostensibly, rescue her family from the clutches of…also her family. Primordial Chaos is back, too, with a new look and the same curiosity from the first game.
The game introduces lots of new mechanics such as resource gathering, crafting, and steamy hot springs scenes. However, perhaps the most interesting addition is theChaos Trials– specific challenges Melinoë must overcome to gain rewards from Master Chaos themself. Each one uses a specific weapon, a specific keepsake (or none), and takes place in a particular region. The difficulty rating on each trial doesn’t always indicate how hard it actually is for some players. So which challenges are the most difficult Chaos Trials inHades 2?
This article contains spoilers for Hades 2 which is currently in Early Access. All information is subject to change pending the full release of the game.
15Trial Of Origin
Difficulty Rating: 1/5
Players can unlock these trials when they accessthe Pitch Black Stonein the same area asNocturnal Arms. It shows the first Chaos Trial that has Melinoë traversingErebuswith naught but her starting equipment and a boon from Master Chaos. It’s a fairly straightforward and short run as it is the very first trial the player can access.
Players progress through the first level as usual and even fightHecateat the end. She will sometimes comment on the bizarreness of the situation, suggesting awareness of Master Chaos' tampering with the scenario. After beating Hecate, Melinoë returns to her room in The Crossroads with the challenge completed.
14Trial Of Vengeance
This time, Melinoë bearsRevaalto take down the CyclopsPolyphemus, along with theEvil Eyekeepsake from Nemesis. This provides 20% bonus damage against the last foe who defeated the player. Melinoë can also gainboons from the Queen of Olympusthroughout this trial, so she can do decent AoE damage over time.
Players shouldn’t have a difficult time with this one as the Argent Skull allows Melinoë to be extremely mobile as a direct counter to the lumbering Cyclops. Be sure to optimize what Hera boons are available throughout the trial, as well making use of any Hermes fonts along the way.
13Trial Of Labrys
This Chaos Trial has Melinoë deal less damage the further she progresses into the trial.Herakles’keepsake theLion Fanggrants Melinoë 30% bonus damage that decays by 5% after each encounter. TheMoonstone Axe, while powerful, makes Melinoë slower than other weapons, but it can also deflect projectiles and block.
Players will need to rely on the Hephaestus boons for additional damage and protection. The boss fight against Hecate may prove more of a challenge as well, depending on how comfortable a player is withZorephet.
12Trial Of Flame
Difficulty Rating: 2/5
Some players aren’t fans ofYgnium, butMoros’aspect for it makes attacks stick around for 6 seconds. If Melinoë hits them with her Special in that time, it causes an explosion, which helps to clear out lots of enemies and does burst damage to solo enemies. Pair this withHestia’sdamage over time and Melinoë’s mobility to easily crush this trial andget some stardust.
11Trial Of Vigor
Medea’skeepsake, theBlackened Fleece, pairs exceptionally well with the aspect of Momus. Melinoë will deal 20% bonus damage with her Omega moves after taking 250 points of damage. The Aspect of Momus, another son of Nyx, empowers Omega moves to fire in place up to 3 times until Mel uses them again. This effect can be extremely powerful with the right builds and play styles.
The only thing in this trial that doesn’t have much synergy is certain boons from theGoddess of Love. They require the player to do damage up close – somethingDescuraisn’t exactly good at doing.
10Trial Of Gold
Gold feels a bit easier to come by inHades 2than its predecessor, butCharon’skeepsake bankrolls Mel with an additional 100 gold. Romping throughEphyrawithLim and Orosis easy enough, even if it makes thePolyphemusboss fight a bit more threatening.
Leverage Charon’s coffers toboost health and Magickand be sure to let the Aspect of Pan do its work. Mel’s Special attacks will seek foes standing in her Cast, as well as fire more blades after she channels.
9Trial Of Salt
Friendly UnclePoseidonhelps Mel on this Chaos Trial as she wields theSister Blades. This means blast damage, the Slip status effect, knockaway effects, Magick restoration, reward bonuses, and more.
The only problems players might encounter are avoiding damage from AoE enemies likeScylla’sfront attack, the death explosion fromHippos, spin attacks fromSerpents, etc. Play it smart and Mel will emerge victorious.
8Trial Of The Moon
The Titan GoddessSelenehas a special bond with Melinoë, and she grants her a special power most nights – a power theMoon Beamkeepsake further augments. The keepsake provides an additional upgrade for Mel’s Hex ability when she finds aPath of Stars. Unfortunately, players have to rely on luck and random generation as to which Hex they might get.
Some are extremely powerful such asTotal Eclipseor provide healing likeMoon Water while others, likePhase Shift, just slow things down for a bit. Depending on player builds, different abilities can be effective, so just go with the flow here and try not to take too many hits from Hecate at the end.
7Trial Of Precarity
Difficulty Rating: 3/5
Icarus’keepsake grants Mel adifferent weapon boonevery 10 encounters, meaning that players must adjust their playstyle as they progress through the trial. These boons can do everything from prime Magick to grant additional offensive power to provide pomegranate slices and 10 healing every 5 encounters. This pairs decently well withApolloboons and the unique status effectDaze, which imparts a 20% chance for a foe’s attack not to deal damage.
WieldingRevaalalso means that Mel has a lower chance of taking damage since she can maintain distance between her and her foes most of the time. LeverageApollo’s Perfect Imageboon for an easier trial.
6Trial Of Fury
Circe’s Crystal Figurinekeepsake is one of the best in the game, as it activates a randomArcanacard after Mel takes down aGuardian. However, it won’t do much for her in the Chaos Trial since it takes place in one location:Oceanus. The Aspect ofCircegrantsDescuraSerenity after Mel lands 21 attacks. This boosts Omega move damage and restores some of Mel’s spent Magick.
Descura’sOmega moves are fantastic for line damage, so take the time to line those up – especially in the boss fight againstScylla and the Sirens. Leverage what boons are available and remember to stay mobile.
