Status Effects | Hades Wiki

Status Effects in Hades

Status effects are conditions that impact either enemies or Zagreus, the protagonist. These effects can manifest as debuffs, which debilitate enemies in various ways, hindering their abilities or reducing their stats. Conversely, status effects can also serve as buffs, providing positive benefits to Zagreus, enhancing his abilities, and improving his performance in combat.

A vast array of status effects is an advantage that gives depth to Hades's combat. This page provides a comprehensive list of all the status effects in the game to help players know each of them and their advantages in combat. 

Increasing Damage in Hades

In order to effectively understand and utilize the buffs and debuffs in Hades, it is crucial to first identify the primary sources of damage increase within the game. By doing so, we can establish a solid foundation for Zagreus's upgrades and empower players to discern the various buffs and debuffs that will be discussed in this guide. In Hades, there are several core elements that contribute to enhancing damage output. These include weapon upgrades, boons from the gods, and the utilization of Daedalus Hammers. Weapon upgrades play a vital role in improving the base damage and attack patterns of Zagreus's weapons. These upgrades can be obtained through the Mirror of Night, the House Contractor, or by fulfilling certain requirements during runs.

Additionally, the gods of Olympus offer boons that grant Zagreus unique abilities and enhancements. These boons can be acquired by interacting with the gods during runs and can significantly augment Zagreus's attacks, special abilities, and cast abilities. Each god has their own distinct boons, providing a wide range of options for players to customize their playstyle and increase their damage potential.

In Hades, each Infernal Arm has four interchangeable forms called Aspects. Players can switch between these forms at the beginning of each run.

Weapon Aspects in Hades

Players can customize their weapon's attributes using the Daedalus Hammer. This Artifact, which enhances weapon attacks, can be found in the first room, as a room-clear reward, or purchased from Charon. The Hammer provides upgrades that vary depending on the weapon, offering anything from minor tweaks to major changes, enhancing either the Attack or Special abilities. Keep an eye out on these hammers are this will be one of your staple damage upgrades in the game. 

Each Infernal Arm in Hades offers four interchangeable forms known as Aspects, which players can switch between at the start of each run. Unlocking these Aspects requires Titan Blood, a rare resource earned by defeating bosses. Each Aspect provides a unique bonus to the weapon's moveset, and in some cases, it can completely transform the weapon's functionality.

Once an Aspect is unlocked, it can be further upgraded up to level 5 by investing additional Titan Blood, enhancing its effects and providing even greater advantages in combat. Here's an example of different Weapon Aspects for the weapon Heart-Seeking Bow.

• Aspect of Zagreus: Increases the likelihood of the bow landing a Critical Hit with its attacks.
• Aspect of Chiron: Effect: The Special automatically targets the enemy last hit by your Attack. Its initial enhancement causes your Special attack to home in on the last enemy struck by your regular attack
• Aspect of Hera: Effect: Your Cast loads Cast Ammo into your next Attack, which fires upon impact. Each cast attack deposits cast ammo onto your subsequent regular attack.
• Aspect of Rama: The weapon transforms into the Celestial Sharanga, featuring a modified move set. Additionally, it can induce the Shared Suffering status effect, distributing damage among multiple enemies.

In Hades, boons are powerful upgrades bestowed upon Zagreus by the Olympian Gods. They are essential for enhancing his abilities and increasing his chances of success in the Underworld.

Boons in Hades

Boons in Hades are essential and potent upgrades granted by the Olympian Gods. These Boons significantly influence your build for each run, making strategic selection crucial for success and escaping the Underworld. Each Boon offers unique effects that can enhance your abilities, augment your attacks, and provide various benefits.

To maximize your chances of victory, it's important to carefully evaluate each Boon's effects and choose the ones that best complement your current build and playstyle. In the example given, we can observe that some Boons can give Zagreus the ability to inflict status effects.

The Daedalus Hammer is an Artifact that enhances your weapon by upgrading its attacks.

Daedalus Hammer Upgrades in Hades

Players can customize their weapon's attributes using the Daedalus Hammer. This Artifact, which enhances weapon attacks, can be found in the first room, as a room-clear reward, or purchased from Charon. The Hammer provides upgrades that vary depending on the weapon, offering anything from minor tweaks to major changes, enhancing either the Attack or Special abilities. Keep an eye out on these hammers are this will be one of your staple damage upgrades in the game. 

All Buffs in Hades

In Hades, buffs can enhance various damage sources like Attack, Dash-Strike, and more. It is worth noting that Daedalus Hammer upgrades and Chaos Boons affect Attack and Dash-Strike separately, while buffs from other gods increase both Attack and Dash-Strike together. While the same applies to Special and Dash-Upper.

Reduced Damage

Reduced Damage in Hades affects enemy attacks and can be obtained from Aphrodite's Weak effects or Athena's Bronze Skin for example. This buff provides flat damage reduction, useful for general situations. 

Sturdy

Sturdy is a defensive effect that can be gained from certain Daedalus Hammer upgrades or Hermes' Hyper Sprint. When this buff is active, Zagreus takes 30% less damage from all sources, and his actions are not interrupted by taking damage.

Dodge

When you dodge an attack, it completely negates all damage and effects from that attack. Dodge chance is additive, so it's possible to reach 100% dodge and become nearly invincible. Dodge Buff is obtained from Hermes' Greater Evasion for instance. 

Increase Movement Speed

As the name implies, this buff increases Zagreus's overall movement speed. Increased Movement Speed is granted by Hermes boons like Greater Haste for example. This is shown by a trailing movement effect behind Zagreus. Movement Speed bonuses multiply together.

Shielded

Offer shields that protect Zagreus from incoming damage, rendering him invulnerable while shielded. These shields provide a temporary barrier that absorbs a certain amount of damage before breaking, allowing Zagreus to survive longer in the heat of battle. Athena's Divine Protection is one of the boons that grants this buff.

Status Curses or Debuffs in Hades

Status Curses are temporary effects inflicted under specific circumstances. They are granted by certain boons from most of the Olympian gods. With each curse offering unique debuffs to enemies. Knowing each status effect can give players an edge especially when experimenting with different weapon aspects.