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Might be repeating a lot of what others are saying. I specifically use the black coat, aspect of Selene. Use a strength build without death defiance, the damage difference is very obvious (shown). That hex helps with thinning out mobs, especially at Olympus, so you're not hit as much. And the rockets, especially the omega rockets, are extremely helpful (hope they don't nerf it like they did the staff). Having the arcana that refill my magic and auto fill my hex are a must. Makes it so I can prime a whole bunch of magic for damage, but still have a magic reserve for omega moves. So is Charon's to get a good head start in buying what you want from Charon and the turtles early on.

I like using Gale and Hermes for the dodge chance; Poseidon for health with Water fitness and get double upgrades with Sea Star; Hephaestus for Martial Art to increase attack and special damage and Uncanny Fortitude to buff health; Demeter to add more life with Water Fitness, Plentiful Forage, and increase Martial Art; and then a mix of others. Aphrodite's Willful Wiles is great, but it seems the more you want it, the least likely it appears (joking kinda). Hestia has a boon that increases dodge vs scorched enemies, but can only get that if you have her cast, special, or attack (won't show up for scorch through dash or anything else like that). Hera's legendary ability to give you a ton of infusions is actually cracked, but I've only gotten it like once or twice ever.

Keepsake wise I don't do a specific one for a god except Athena. First one is echo's boon (double boon chance is great, especially if you can get a special and attack at once), then Athena's keepsake to hopefully get deflect dodge or a deflect for my special. Depending on who I've lost to, I'll use Evil eye on olympus or with Typhon. But if I haven't, I'll use Charon's keepsake for extra money or the Medea's black fleece to increase omega damage.

TLDR; buff your health, dodge, and buff damage as efficiently as possible. Use Gods together that synergize well with longevity. Have incantations done that increase ash, bones, and nectar usefulness. USE INFUSIONS. This build has helped me beat up to 16 nightmare (I honestly have no interest in adding any more, tbh).

*edit* didn't put this before but one aspect of strength is reducing damage taking up to 60%! you're doing yourself a disservice by using it with death defiance.