If you’ve just started exploring the depths of Hades 2, you’ve probably already discovered how powerful new keepsakes can be. These items are more than simple trinkets; they shape your entire run, saving you from death, giving extra Magick, or even boosting your damage in critical moments. This is a clear guide to unlocking and using these game-changing items.
What Are Keepsakes in Hades 2
Keepsakes are magical accessories Melinoë can equip to gain passive bonuses. You unlock a keepsake by gifting Nectar to an NPC or Olympian for the very first time. In return, they give you their personal keepsake as a token of trust. From that moment on, you can equip it at the display case in the Crossroads.
Keepsakes rank up as you progress:
- Rank 2 unlocks after 25 encounters.
- Rank 3 unlocks after 50 encounters.
- Rank 4 (Heroic) is possible only with a rare duo boon called Cherished Heirloom from Demeter and Hera.
You cannot swap keepsakes mid-run unless you unlock the Kindred Keepsakes Incantation, which allows you to change them between regions. Once equipped, your choice matters until the next major break.
Currently, Hades 2 has around 33 keepsakes, each one with its own effect, playstyle, and strategy.
New Keepsakes and Their Effects
Here’s a closer look at some of the most notable and useful keepsakes in Hades 2:
| Keepsake | How to Unlock | Core Effect (Base Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Wheel | Gift Nectar to Hecate | Grants extra Magick for the night (50+ at base rank, scaling higher as it levels). |
| Knuckle Bones | Gift to Odysseus | The next Guardian you face starts with reduced HP, and you take less damage from Guardians. |
| Luckier Tooth | Gift to Schelemeus | Functions like an extra “Death Defiance” by restoring health once when you drop to 0 HP. |
| Ghost Onion | Gift to Dora | Fully heals you whenever you leave a location, up to a total cap per run. |
| Evil Eye | Gift to Nemesis | Gives bonus damage against the enemy who last killed you. |
| Engraved Pin | Gift to Moros | At 0 HP, you gain temporary invulnerability. If you kill all foes before the timer ends, you survive. |
| Discordant Bell | Gift to Eris | Increases your damage after each encounter but also makes you take more damage. |
| Gold Purse | Gift to Charon | Provides a flat amount of Gold at the start of the run, scaling with rank. |
| Metallic Droplet | Gift to Hermes | Increases movement, strike, and channel speed for a duration. |
| White Antler | Gift to Artemis | Grants high crit chance while at low health, but caps your maximum HP at 30. |
These are only part of the keepsake roster, but they show just how varied and strategic your choices can be. Some focus on survival, others on speed or aggression.
Tips to Use Keepsakes the Smart Way
To get the most out of keepsakes, you need to think strategically:
- Level them up early: Focus on one keepsake for several runs to unlock its stronger effects.
- Adapt between regions: Use the Kindred Keepsakes Incantation to swap bonuses when the environment changes.
- Balance risk and reward: Aggressive players may prefer items like the Evil Eye or Discordant Bell, while defensive players will lean on Luckier Tooth or Ghost Onion.
- Plan for bosses: Equipping Knuckle Bones before a Guardian fight can make the difference between a victory and a reset.
Why Keepsakes Matter
Keepsakes are more than just collectibles; they’re a way to personalize your journey through the underworld. With the right combination, you can stack survivability, boost damage, or tilt entire fights in your favor. They also keep runs fresh, letting you experiment with different builds until you find your perfect playstyle.
Final Thoughts
The new keepsakes in Hades 2 are one of the best reasons to keep experimenting run after run. Each keepsake offers a unique angle on gameplay, and the smartest players use them to cover weaknesses or enhance their strengths. Whether you want to hit harder, live longer, or move faster, there’s a keepsake tailored for you. So the next time you dive back into the underworld, don’t underestimate these small but mighty items, they may just be the key to your best run yet.
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