Hades 2 introduces a captivating new system known as Prestige, a valuable mechanic for advancing your character and improving your journey through the underworld. As a rogue-like action game, it builds upon its predecessor’s foundation, offering more options for upgrades and progression. Here’s a breakdown of how to get and use Prestige in Hades 2 effectively.
What is Prestige?
Prestige in Hades 2 acts as a currency or resource that players earn during their runs. It serves as a way to enhance Melinoe, the protagonist, and unlock upgrades that can assist in surviving the treacherous paths of the Underworld. Players can gain Prestige through various actions and completing certain in-game challenges or milestones.
Unlike conventional currencies, Prestige is more challenging to obtain, and the player must be strategic in its accumulation and utilization. It is tied to the choices you make during runs, offering incentives to take on harder challenges and experiment with different playstyles.
How to Earn Prestige
Here are the main methods to gain Prestige in Hades 2:
- Overcoming Boss Fights: Defeating significant bosses or mini-bosses often rewards you with Prestige. These encounters are challenging, but conquering them can provide substantial amounts of Prestige, making it worthwhile to perfect your skills for each fight.
- Completing Runs: A successful run, where you reach the end of a section or even complete the game, rewards a considerable amount of Prestige. Finishing the game under certain conditions, such as with specific weapon modifiers or difficulty settings, may also increase the rewards.
- Using Incantations and Boons: Certain boons or incantations in the game may enhance the amount of Prestige gained during a run. Look out for these opportunities and consider altering your playstyle or path choices to maximize Prestige accumulation.
- Special Challenges: Hades 2 features optional challenges and events that can yield Prestige. Accepting these riskier encounters can increase the overall Prestige earned, but it requires careful decision-making on when to attempt these trials.
- Gift Mechanics and Relationship Building: In Hades 2, players can offer gifts like Nectar or Ambrosia to NPCs to build relationships. As relationships deepen, some characters may offer rewards that include Prestige, adding an additional layer to the game’s social system.
How to Use Prestige
Once you have acquired Prestige, it can be used to unlock several different benefits:
- Character Upgrades: Prestige is primarily used to unlock permanent upgrades for Melinoe, making her stronger, more resilient, or more efficient in combat. These upgrades may involve increasing health, boosting damage output, or even unlocking special abilities that can only be accessed through Prestige.
- Weapon Enhancements: Certain weapons or weapon modifications require Prestige to unlock. Spending Prestige on weapons can grant access to new features, unique attacks, or damage boosts, which can significantly impact how runs play out.
- Unlocking Keepsakes and Incantations: Prestige may also be used to unlock Keepsakes, which are special items that offer various buffs during runs, or to gain access to rare Incantations. Keepsakes can be equipped at the start of a run and provide unique benefits, such as increased damage or health regeneration.
- Accessing Higher-Level Challenges: In Hades 2, some advanced game modes or difficulty settings can be unlocked using Prestige. These modes can provide more challenging experiences for players seeking greater rewards or aiming for mastery of the game.
- Renovations and Upgrades in the Underworld: Players may encounter opportunities to improve the layout or facilities within the Underworld using Prestige. This includes enhancements that can make future runs easier or provide strategic advantages, such as special rooms with extra rewards.
Strategies for Maximizing Prestige
To maximize your Prestige earnings, consider these strategies:
- Plan Your Runs: Before starting a run, review your objectives and prioritize earning Prestige. This might involve choosing particular weapons, boons, or routes that lead to more Prestige rewards.
- Focus on Challenges: Take on the riskier challenges that appear throughout your runs. Though they might be more difficult, they tend to offer higher Prestige rewards, which can be crucial for faster progression.
- Upgrade Thoughtfully: Spend Prestige on upgrades that will help you earn more in the long run, such as combat enhancements or abilities that improve survivability during tougher encounters.
- Experiment with Different Builds: Different weapon configurations and boon combinations can significantly affect your ability to collect Prestige. Experiment to find combinations that balance power and Prestige earnings.
