A Guide to Hades 2 Characters, Gods, and Their Roles

Overview of Hades 2 Characters

In "Hades 2," you’ll encounter a variety of characters from Greek mythology as you explore the Crossroads, the Underworld, and the Surface. Your journey will involve engaging with powerful gods, divine beings, and heroic mortals who can provide you with Boons, combat enhancements, and overall support in your battles. With threats from Titans and other formidable foes, you’ll definitely need their assistance throughout your journey. Here’s a detailed list of the characters you can meet in "Hades 2" and how they can aid Melinoe.

Spoiler Alert! This guide contains significant spoilers for "Hades 2," including the full roster of new and returning characters along with their respective locations. If you’re hoping to play without any spoilers, please skip this section.

Who is Melinoe in Hades 2?

Melinoe (pronounced Mel-in-OH-ee) is the protagonist of "Hades 2." She is the daughter of Hades and Persephone, and the younger sister of Zagreus, making her the Princess of the Underworld. After Melinoe’s birth, the Titan of Time, Chronos, broke free from his imprisonment in Tartarus, wreaking havoc on the House of Hades and forcing many Underworld inhabitants to flee. Among those who fled was Hecate, who took Melinoe under her wing.

Set many years after these events, Melinoe resides in Hecate’s domain known as the Crossroads, a place that serves as a refuge for loyalists of the House of Hades. Hecate has been training her to confront and defeat Chronos. Each night, Melinoe descends into the Underworld to confront challenges and rescue her family, whom she barely remembers, with help from various figures from ancient mythology.

All Characters in Hades 2

Below, you’ll find a list of characters featured in "Hades 2," complete with brief descriptions explaining their roles and contributions. This guide is based on the current early access build of the game following the Olympic Update. While many characters are fully depicted with artwork, some may still be in development. We will continue to update this guide as new images and characters are introduced.

Hades 2 Gods and Divine Beings

In "Hades 2," numerous Greek gods provide Melinoe with Boons after victorious encounters. Presenting them with gifts, such as Nectar and keepsakes, can lead to additional rewards that may be beneficial in your journey.

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love: Grants Boons that enhance close-range damage and apply the Weak effect to opponents.
Apollo, God of Light: Provides Boons that enlarge Melinoe’s powers, apply Dazed effects, and grant various buffs related to damage.
Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt: Her Boons increase the likelihood of dealing Critical damage and fire arrows at enemies. Artemis appears randomly during encounters, rather than as an Encounter reward.
Athena, Goddess of Wisdom: A returning character granting defensive Boons and the Deflect status effect.
Chaos, Primordial Originator: Offers powerful Boons activated after a specific number of encounters, initially with negative effects. Accessed through Chaos Gates, which cost Melinoe a portion of her health.
Charon, Stygian Boatman: The ferryman of souls operates a shop providing divine Boons and power-ups in exchange for Gold collected during runs.
Demeter, Goddess of Seasons: Grants winter-themed Boons that can inflict Freeze and create Cyclones.
Dionysus, God of Wine: Offers abilities that enhance combat effectiveness while inflicting effects like Festive Fog on enemies.
Hephaestus, God of the Forge: His Boons add explosive effects to Melinoe’s abilities and can also improve her defense.
Hera, Queen of the Olympians: Provides Boons that apply or amplify the Hitch effect to link enemies and spread damage.
Hermes, God of Swiftness: His gifts improve Melinoe’s dodging ability, speed, and reduce the cost of certain powerful moves.
Hestia, Goddess of Flame: Grants fiery Boons that allow Melinoe to apply Scorch and launch fire projectiles.
Poseidon, God of the Sea: Offers knockback buffs and opportunities for additional loot.
Selene, Moon Incarnate: Provides Hexes, special powers earned by spending Magick during encounters, and Paths of Stars to enhance these abilities.
Zeus, King of the Olympians: His Boons allow Melinoe to unleash devastating lightning strikes on adversaries.

Characters Found at the Crossroads

The Crossroads features a smaller but significant cast of characters who may not always be present. Interacting with them between runs and giving gifts like Bath Salts or Twin Lures can enhance your experience.

Frinos the Frog: A friendly frog will provide company after encounters and is likely the first Familiar you’ll acquire.
Dora, Listless Shade: A ghostly figure offering redecorating services in exchange for resources. Her name may reference Pandora, although she possesses no recollection of her living life.
Hecate, Witch of the Crossroads: Melinoe’s mentor who trains her for the confrontation against Chronos and leads the Silver Sisters, consisting of herself, Melinoe, Selene, and Artemis.
Nemesis, Retribution Incarnate: A brooding warrior who feels addressed to do Melinoe’s job, given her nature of vengeance.
Odysseus, Veteran Tactician: The spirit of the former King of Ithaca acts as a military strategist at the Crossroads.
Hypnos, Sleep Incarnate: This son of Nyx is often found asleep, but you can still offer him gifts.
Schelemeus, Training Master: Previously known as Skelly from "Hades 1," he provides training tips and advice.
Wretched Broker: A Shade who trades items and resources for Bones, offering a familiar face.
Moros, Doom Incarnate: Tied to the Fates, he oversees a list of Minor Prophecies at the Crossroads.
Eris, Strife Incarnate: Occasionally appears at the Crossroads to sow chaos, creating doubts among those nearby.

Characters Found in the Underworld

Many characters are exclusive to the Underworld regions, including Erebus, Oceanus, Mourning Fields, and Tartarus, acting as vendors or bosses.

Hecate, Witch of the Crossroads: The first major boss in the Underworld, serving as a significant challenge.
Arachne, Silk Weaver: A spider offering outfits that grant temporary armor and buffs.
Raki the Raven: Unlockable as a familiar in Erebus.
Nemesis, Retribution Incarnate: Engages Melinoe in challenges and trades Boons throughout her journey.
Narcissus, Beautiful Flower: Offers Second-Hand Gifts containing helpful resources.
Scylla and the Sirens: Guardians of Oceanus who pose a significant threat in battle.
Echo, Dispirited Nymph: Grants buffs in exchange for completing tasks.
Hecuba the Hound: A potential familiar encountered in the Fields of Mourning.
Infernal Cerberus: The loyal three-headed guardian of the Underworld and a daunting challenge.
Uh-Oh: An especially dangerous rat boss found in Oceanus.
Hades, Prisoner of Time, and Cerberus: Melinoe’s father provides assistance during confrontations.
Chronos, Titan of Time: The main antagonist and final challenge of the Underworld path, seeking a new Golden Age free of Olympians.

Characters Found on the Surface

Most of the characters on the Surface can be found in the City of Ephyra, the Rift of Thessaly, and Mount Olympus. Understanding how to navigate to these locales is crucial for meeting these figures.

Heracles, Mightiest of Men: Appears to challenge Melinoe in combat against enemies.
Medea, Witch of Shadow: Provides buffs that benefit Melinoe during encounters.
Polyphemus, Infamous Cyclops: The first boss encountered in the Surface path.
Toula the Cat: An unexpected feline companion found in the Rift of Thessaly.
Icarus, Free Spirit: Offers help through bombing runs and buffs during warship encounters.
Circe, Witch of the Changing: Uses her powers to provide transformative abilities to Melinoe.
Charybdis the Devouring: A named sea monster hindering progress in the Rift of Thessaly.
Eris, Strife Incarnate: The second major Surface boss who poses a fierce challenge.
Prometheus, Titan of Foresight: The final boss on the Surface path, leading the charge against the Olympians.