In Hades 2, refining your strategy and building your strengths are the name of the game. Thanks to the variety of Nocturnal Arms (weapons), Boons, Arcana, and other in-game power-ups, there are many different ways to craft your ideal build. For many bosses in Hades 2, keeping your distance is key for avoiding many of their most lethal attacks. So, I personally prefer a solid ranged build for Melinoe to tackle her foes from afar. While this isn’t the only approach, it’s the one I leaned into the most during my time in the Underworld. If you, too, are looking for a solid ranged build, I’m here to help.
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The more you progress in Hades 2, the more options you’ll have. New weapons, weapon aspects, and abilities will open up to you. So, your ideal build is going to evolve over time. However, there are a few Nocturnal Arms and Boons that will suit a ranged build better than others. Here are my suggestions for guiding your nightly ventures towards impressive ranged abilities in Hades 2.
Best Nocturnal Arms for Ranged Attacks in Hades 2
Most of the Nocturnal Arms offer something in the way of ranged attacks, but some are certainly better for striking from afar than others. When looking to stay at a distance from your foes, I recommend selecting one of these weapons for the night:
- Witch’s Staff – versatile early game weapon with decent ranged capabilities
- Umbral Flames – fully ranged option with magical blows from afar
- Black Coat – late-game unlock with the ability to seek targets at range
Personally, I prefer the Witch’s Staff for its versatility here. The Umbral Flames can be tricky at close range, and the Black Coat doesn’t unlock until relatively late in the game. While it’s certainly powerful, you’ll have learned the other weapons well by the time you unlock it. This, and the futuristic aesthetics of it, lead me away from it – but you may want to try it out for sheer firepower.
Best Arcana Cards for a Ranged Build
Unlike nightly Boons, your Arcana abilities are guaranteed each night. So long as you unlock and activate an Arcana card, you will gain the abilities it lends you. This is one way you can get a bit of stability out of your build in Hades 2, compared to the random whims of the Gods and Goddesses with boons. There are a few specific cards that are especially helpful for getting around quickly and evading your foes when prioritizing ranged attacks.
- IV: Eternity – Slows foes down when using your Omega moves, helping keep them at bay
- VI: The Furies – Increases how much damage you deal to foes trapped in your Casts, helping you ensnare and strike down foes at range
- VII: The Messenger – Lets you briefly become impervious when using Casts, and increases your move speed for better dodging
- XI: The Swift Runner – Increases the speed of your Spring and helps you pass through foes that block your path
These cards are helpful for getting more speed and dealing more damage without needing to get close up to foes. I recommend adding them alongside your other favorite Arcana card abilities for a solid ranged build. I also like to have XIII: The Centaur for the extra healing it offers and XII: Death for the Death Defiance boost. These are solid choices for any build, as they help increase Melinoe’s staying power.
Which Boons to Prioritize for a Ranged Build in Hades 2
Boons are a bit trickier to work into a build, because you never quite know what you’re going to get. The appearance of each God and Goddess is random each night, as is the specific list of Boons they offer at each time. Still, there are a few types of Boons to look out for when prepping Melinoe to deal damage at range.
Boons that Deal Cast Damage
Most of the Gods and Goddesses offer at least one Boon that will add a damaging effect to your Cast. When playing at range, ensaring foes in your Cast helps keep them afar. Why not have that Cast also deal damage while you’re at it? In particular, Zeus, Hestia, and Poseidon offer solid elemental Boons that hit your foes inside your Cast early on.
Most of them cannot be combined, so you’ll need to either stick with the first one you find or sacrifice a Boon to replace it. However, Demeter offers a Gust ability that will stack with other Cast damage, so I like to add this one in when I can. Several Boons also let you aim your cast, rather than having it appear where you’re standing, which is especially useful for staying far from your foes.
Boons that Extend Your Attack & Special Range
Certain Boons will increase the striking distance for your standard Attack or Special. These naturally are a huge help with a ranged build in Hades 2, as they let you hit more enemies at once. The Daedalus Hammer can help here, as can boons from swift Hermes. I especilly like Daedalus’ Cross-Cataclysm as it causes your Omega Attack to strike in two directions and hit far more foes.
Boons that Increase Speed & Dodge
When darting around the battlefield to avoid your foes at range, being faster helps – as does an increased chance to dodge. Keep an eye out for Boons that will increase your speed or your ability to dodge. I’m especially partial to a later-game boon from Hera called Ice Queen, which gives you a shield to block one instance of damage at the start of each new area. Hermes also offers speedy Boons fairly often, given his role as the swift messenger of the gods.
Best Familiar for Fighting at Range in Hades 2
With Familiars, there are pros and cons to each option. Frinos, Toula, and Hecuba each help collect certain materials and offer a specific aid in battle. When it comes to working at a distance, they all have their uses. So, it really depends on what you need most, depending on your playstyle. Here’s how each Familiar will aid in battle:
- Frinos – Sometimes absorbs an instance of damage for you, including Hecate’s transformation spell. Helpful, but not necessarily as noticeable in large clusters of foes or with Guardians.
- Toula – Attacks your foes, but only for a brief time after you sprint through her. She also grants you an extra Death Defiance. Toula is my personal favorite for ranged builds, since she’ll attack even if you’re nowhere near the enemy.
- Hecuba – Occasionally stuns your enemies. Personally, my least favorite options, but can be helpful in large hoards of foes.
- Raki – Increases your critical chances and pecks your foes for damage. Similar usefulness to Toula in terms of doing damage, but doesn’t offer Death Defiance.
- Gale – Blocks some attacks, then counterattacks. Similar to Frinos, but with more damage ability.
As noted, I tend to go with Toula for a ranged build in Hades 2, though Frinos is also helpful in certain instances. Once you get access to Gale, the combo of blocks and counterattacks can also be pretty solid. Personally, though, I like as many Death Defiance options as I can get.
Ultimately, the best build is going to come down to what works for your playstyle. For me, this combination of Boons, Nocturnal Arms, Arcana, and Familiars has served me well in the fight to stop Time.
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