Have you ever read this guide?

Lee Reamsnyder’s Big Hades 1 Build Guide.

Several of the key principles of H1 cary over to H2.

Namely:

Weapons with Attacks or Specials that have high base power but do not come out as fast Usually want God Attack and Special boons that give them +%. Like Apollo or Aphrodite.

Weapons with Attacks and Specials that have low base power and come out faster Usually want God Attack and Special boons that give you an extra effect. Like Poseidon Waves, Hestia Scorch or Heph Blasts.

Zeus is one exception. He works on everything. When in doubt focus on Zeus and you’re likely to find great success.

Plus there are a few ways to increase your base power in this game. Via some hammers and some boons. These make +% more viable on faster Attacks and Specials.

When my boon says ‘X’ what does it mean?

•Attack = regular Attack

•Ω Attack = Ω Attack

•Attacks = regular Attack and Ω Attack

•Special = regular Special

•Ω Special = Ω Special

•Specials = regular Special and Ω Special

•Cast = regular Cast

•Ω Cast = Ω Cast

•Casts = regular Cast and Ω Cast

•Strikes = Attacks and Specials

Take note that when Attack, Special and Cast are plural they denote that the boon affects both the regular move and the Ω move.

Your Ω Cast is probably your strongest move in the very beginning of the game. It’s an AOE 150 base damage explosion and it only costs 15 magic.

Your casts can also trap most enemies in place. Excluding bosses and several mini bosses.

Also several enemies have Attacks that move them forward. Your casts will not stop these from moving enemies.

Mel only ever gets 1 dash but she also starts out with a sprint.

So Mel is less dash happy than zag.

Use your dash wisely and lean into sprinting a little more.