In Hades 2, weapon customization goes far beyond simple upgrades. Every Nocturnal Arm offers multiple Aspects, and among them are the elusive Hidden Aspects, which fundamentally change how a weapon plays. These powerful forms give new mechanics, enhanced movesets, and unique abilities. Unlocking them requires more than basic progression, it demands mastery of core systems, NPC interactions, and specific conditions.
Hidden Aspects aren’t just additional upgrades, they overhaul a weapon’s combat style, creating fresh playstyles and strategic depth. There are six Hidden Aspects, one for each weapon in the game.
What Are Hidden Aspects and Why They Matter
Hidden Aspects are the highest-tier forms of weapons in Hades 2. Unlike standard Aspects that provide incremental boosts, Hidden Aspects often change the weapon’s mechanics, introduce new moves, and redefine combat style. Because of this, they are among the most sought-after unlocks for players who want to optimize builds or dominate high-Fear and endgame content.
Before unlocking a Hidden Aspect, you must fully complete a weapon’s standard progression, but that just begins the journey.
Basic Requirements to Unlock Hidden Aspects
To start unlocking Hidden Aspects, you need to meet several core requirements for a weapon:
- Unlock all other Aspects of that weapon. Every weapon normally has three standard Aspects.
- Upgrade at least one of those Aspects to Level V (max rank).
- Talk to the NPC associated with the weapon’s Waking Phrase giver to learn the phrase needed to reveal the Hidden Aspect.
- Interact with the Waking Pool after learning the phrase to enable the Hidden Aspect at the Silver Pool.
- Forge the Hidden Aspect with its required materials once it’s available.
This process ties together weapon mastery, resource gathering, dialogue progression, and exploration, ensuring that only dedicated players unlock these ultimate forms.
Step-by-Step: Unlock Hidden Aspects
1. Unlock and Max Out Standard Aspects
Every weapon has multiple standard Aspects. Before a Hidden Aspect can appear, you must unlock all of them for a given weapon and bring at least one of those Aspects to Level V. This ensures you’ve invested enough in that weapon’s progression.
2. Learn the Waking Phrase from Specific NPCs
Each Hidden Aspect is tied to a Waking Phrase that specific characters give you. These phrases unlock only after completing the above conditions, and NPCs will share them during encounters:
- Moonstone Axe, Aspect of Nergal: Learn from Charon.
- Black Coat, Aspect of Shiva: Learn from Selene.
- Argent Skull, Aspect of Hel: Learn from Medea.
- Witch’s Staff, Aspect of Anubis: Learn from Circe.
- Sister Blades, Aspect of Morrigan: Learn from Artemis.
- Umbral Flames, Aspect of Supay: Learn from Moros.
Dialogue with these NPCs may require multiple encounters to trigger, and other dialogue priorities can sometimes delay phrase discovery.
3. Use the Waking Pool and Silver Pool
After learning a weapon’s Waking Phrase, interact with the Waking Pool to register it. Then the Silver Pool at the Training Grounds will display the Hidden Aspect for purchase once you have the necessary crafting materials.
4. Prepare Necessary Materials
Each Hidden Aspect has specific crafting costs. For example:
- Aspect of Nergal (Moonstone Axe): 15 Iron and 5 Serpent Scales
- Aspect of Shiva (Black Coat): 4 Nightmares and 2 Void Lenses
- Aspect of Hel (Argent Skull): 12 Adamant and 2 Snake Reeds
Other Hidden Aspects require unique resource combinations before they can be forged. Once you have the required resources, you can craft the Hidden Aspect, unlocking its new moveset and abilities.
How Hidden Aspects Transform Gameplay
Each Hidden Aspect dramatically changes how its weapon works:
- Aspect of Nergal: Enables berserk states on hit
- Aspect of Shiva: Grants unique Purifying Grace mechanics
- Aspect of Hel: Boosts special move combinations
- Aspect of Morrigan: Adds Blood Triad rituals with high damage potential
- Aspect of Supay: Enhances rush-focused builds
- Aspect of Anubis: Improves movement and damage synergy
These changes make Hidden Aspects not just upgrades, but entirely new ways to play, giving Hades 2 remarkable replayability and strategic depth.
Mastering Hidden Aspects for Maximum Power
Unlocking Hidden Aspects in Hades 2 is a rewarding journey that combines weapon mastery, exploration, and dialogue engagement. To achieve every Hidden Aspect, unlock all standard Aspects, max one to Level V, learn Waking Phrases from the right NPCs, and gather the required crafting materials.
By following these steps, players gain access to the ultimate versions of each Nocturnal Arm, expanding combat possibilities and making high-level runs more strategic and exciting. Hidden Aspects elevate gameplay and reward those willing to explore every corner of Hades 2.
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