Choosing the Best Keepsake in Hades: A Detailed Guide

In Hades, selecting the right Keepsake to kick off your run is crucial for optimizing your build and increasing your chances of success. This guide will help navigate your choices based on your current strategy, build components, and desired playstyle.

Understanding Keepsakes

Keepsakes are special items that provide Zagreus with unique passive bonuses during his escape attempts from the Underworld. Each Keepsake is linked to a specific character in the game and can be acquired by giving them Nectar—one of the game’s key items. While you can only equip one Keepsake at a time, additional Legendary Keepsakes or Companions can be used to further enhance your abilities.

Evaluating Your Build

In Hades, your overall build will hinge on three primary elements:

1. Infernal Arms (Weapons): Each weapon offers a distinct style of play, from ranged attacks with the Twin Fists of Malphon to the slow but powerful Charged Shot of the Rail.

2. Aspects: These are enhancements for your weapons that can significantly alter their damage output and playstyle, tailoring them to your preferred method of combat.

3. Godly Boons: Blessings bestowed by the Olympian gods provide various utility and combat advantages, impactful in shaping your overall strategy.

Choosing the Best Keepsake

When selecting a Keepsake, consider the following factors:

1. Weapon and Aspect Synergy:
– For high-damage weapon builds, consider Keepsakes like Lamb’s Gold Hoop, boosting damage when Zagreus’s health is above a certain level.
– If utilizing a weapon that deals rapid attacks, a Keepsake enhancing critical hit chances—such as Lion’s Tooth from Ares—can significantly elevate your damage output.

2. Godly Boon Focus:
– Identify the gods whose boons you plan to emphasize. If you’re gravitating towards Ares’s offensive capabilities, opt for Keepsakes that augment critical hits or offensive capabilities.
– Additionally, if using multiple Poseidon boons, targeting Keepsakes that amplify knockback effects may yield synergies enhancing your combat strategy.

3. Defensive or Supportive Playstyle:
– For players leaning towards defense or support roles, Keepsakes such as Chthonic Coin Purse or Old Spiked Collar can be invaluable. The former increases your starting gold, while the latter provides better chances for rare item encounters, enhancing overall resource management.

4. Aggressive Playstyle:
– Builds prioritizing aggressive engagement should consider Keepsakes that bolster attack speed or critical hit potential. Faded List of Selecting can also help increase damage capabilities through higher frequency of hits.

5. Mobility and Survival Focus:
– If your strategy emphasizes dodging and survivability, the Evergreen Acorn from Demeter can provide greater healing under specific circumstances. This is beneficial, illuminating advantages during boss encounters or crowded levels.

Utilizing a Keepsake Tier List

To further refine your choice, consult a Keepsake tier list. These lists reflect community consensus on the most effective and versatile Keepsakes, offering insights that can be pivotal in optimizing your strategy.

Testing and Adaptation

– Use the Keepsake cabinet in Zagreus’ chamber or the courtyard to play around with different Keepsakes before embarking on your runs. This in-game experimentation allows you to see what meshes well with your playstyle.
– Stay flexible; be ready to adapt your Keepsake selection if you encounter unforeseen challenges or realize certain aspects of your build aren’t functioning as expected during your run.

Conclusion

By carefully considering your weapon, boons, playstyle preferences, and testing various combinations, you can determine the optimal Keepsake to enhance your build and fortify your chances of escaping the Underworld. Experimentation and adaptability are key to mastering the myriad possibilities presented in Hades. Happy escaping!