Players will be on the lookout for Athena in Hades 2, who returns in the Olympic Update as a new ally and Boon-giver.
In the first Hades, Athena was the first godly ally that original protagonist Zagreus encountered. With her powerful defensive abilities, she remained a favorite among players.
She was notably absent when the sequel Hades 2 released in early access. For months, new protagonist and Zagreus’ younger sister Melinoë was bereft of Athena’s potent deflect boons.
However, she now returns in triumphant fashion with a new armored look and a new set of boons to empower Melinoë.
How to find Athena in Hades 2?
In Hades 2, Athena will only appear when battling through the surface.
This means that players will need to progress through the Underworld until they can unlock the Cauldron spell that opens the path above ground, and gather the resources to cast the spell.
Realistically, they’ll also need to advance enough to cast the spell that allows Melinoë to survive on the surface without dying from the curse on Cthonic gods.
Once those steps are done, the player will need to progress to the third region unlocked in the Olympus update: namely, the titular location and home of the gods.
In Olympus, Athena may appear at random in a Divine Intervention event. In this event, Athena will crash down, wiping out all enemies and ending the encounter. She will then give Melinoë an option from one of six Boons.
After this initial encounter, the player can meet Athena randomly during surface runs. They can gift her Nectar before talking to her for Boons. If they do so, they will gain her Gorgon Amulet keepsake and progress Melinoë’s relationship with her.
The Gorgon Amulet is a reference to Athena’s assistance of the hero Perseus against Medusa. In the myth, Athena’s shield allowed Perseus to defeat the gorgon Medusa by using the shield’s reflection to negate her petrifying visage.
When Melinoë equips the keepsake, Athena may appear when the player has no Death’s Defiance charges with a Common/Rare/Epic/Heroic boon (based on keepsake rank).
Which boon should you choose?
Athena is as strong as ever with her boons that significantly enhances Melinoë’s defensive options. Deflect, her signature trait, grants Melinoë temporary immunity to melee attacks and even launches projectiles back at their origin.
Indeed, Athena’s boons are even stronger than in the first Hades game, since these will empower her existing Boons (not replace them). This means that players can get the Deflect option on top of other Boon effects.
Athena’s other focus is on Death Defiance, improving this ability that brings Melinoë back from the brink of death.
The Boons in Hades 2 are as follows:
- Phalanx Shot: Your Specials also launch a projectile ahead that can Deflect, rearming after 2 Sec.
- Renewed Faith: Replenish all spent uses of Death Defiance now, and improved their potency.
- Stalwart Stand: Gain +1 Death Defiance that replenishes in each Location, but you Prime Magick.
- Mental Block: Your Casts also deal a burst of damage and make you briefly Deflect.
- Divine Dash: Your Dash deals damage to surrounding foes where you end up, and can Deflect.
- Defensive Posture: After you take damage, become Impervious for 2 Sec.
All of Athena’s Boons are of the Fire elemental affinity. Athena currently has no Infusions or Duo Boons.
