In Hades, there is a fantastic cast of characters, from inhabitants of the Underworld to charismatic Olympian Gods. When Zagreus gives (almost) any character a Nectar, they'll return the nicety with a Keepsake. All of the Hades Keepsakes have different effects, which can be improved by using that particular Keepsake enough times.

It takes 25 chamber clears with the Keepsake equipped for it to reach level two, and 50 more for it to reach level three. Not all Keepsakes are created equal, but it's worth playing around with them to find what works best for you and your playstyle, though the best ones will shine very brightly.

Updated on February 13, 2024, by Tallis Spalding: As you prepare for the release of Hades 2's early access in quarter two of 2024, it's worth looking back to the game that started it all. Whether you're attempting to escape for the first time or the thousandth time, playing around with the Keepsakes in Hades can enhance (or ruin) your gameplay.

The Keepsakes really haven't changed over the years since Hades release, but opinions on them certainly have. You'll love some, and you'll hate others (sadly enough), but they were all given to Zagreus with gratitude.

18 🌃 Harpy Feather Duster 🉐

You probably feel horrible about it, but Dusa's Keepsake isn't great. It might be a bit harsh to say it sucks, but... it kind of does. Sure, it's sweet to think that Dusa might be stashing food in the urns throughout the Underworld for Zagreus, but there's no guarantee you'll even get to use the benefits of her Keepsake.

Yes, healing during each run can be incredibly beneficial but... that's if you even get the chance to heal. Sometimes the best defense is offense... or an actual defense and not relying on the chance to heal. 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Her friendship is fantastic, but her Keepsake is not.

17 Ol💟ympic Keepsakes 🐻

Unless you're going for a specific build, there are much better Keepsakes out there than the ones given to you by the Olympians. Sure, they're great for crossing tasks off of the Fated List of Minor Prophecies (or reaching that nigh-impossible 100 percent completion), but that's about it.

There are much better Keepsakes you can pair yourself with when you go out on your dashing adventure. Plus, if you're attempting a boon-free run, then these Keepsakes move from incredibly useless to downright hazardous. Regardless oꦜf how much you love specific Olympians, they all treat you the same, which is just a tad 🏅bit unfortunate.

16 ♛ Cosmic Egg

The Cosmic Egg is only slightly better than your standard Olympian boon purely because you get an additional benefit. Not only do Chaos's boons have a chance to be Rare or better, but you don't take damage from using the Chaos Gate either.

If you see a Chaos Gate, you should take it because they're not super common, and you get to talk to Chaos, which, in itself, is a perk. Of course, it's not the best Keepsake you can have, given that its utility begins and ends with Chaos.

15 🔯 Skull Earring

Once you defeat Megaera for the first time, she'll appear in the House of Hades. From then on, she'll appear sometimes after defeating her. Once she starts hanging around, you'll be able to gift her with some Nectar. In return, she'll give you the Skull Earring.

This Keepsake will cause you to deal bonus damage when your health is below 35 percent of its maximum. If you level it up, it will increase the amount of damage you deal. At the first level, you'll deal 20 percent bonus damage, at the second level, you'll deal 30 percent more, and at the final level, you'll deal out a whopping extra 40 percent damage.

14 Shattered Shackle 🌠

Sisyphus has a bone to pick with the gods, and it shows, given what his Keepsake does. If you're doing a boon-free run, then this is absolutely one of the Keepsakes you should consider having on hand. Unfortunately, most of the time, you're likely not going to be doing a boon-free run.

Still, it's worth considering trying it out at least once... or a few times. The damage increase is significant enough that, when bolstered by the Mirror of Night and empowered weapons, it becomes a relatively useful Keepsake.

13 ꦏ Myrmidon Bracer

The Myrmidon Bracer is an interesting play on the traditional "Achilles Heel" given that you take far less damage from the front, but if you leave your back exposed, things can get tricky. Achilles' Keepsake probably isn't one that you want to use with weapons that throw you into the middle of the fray.

Pickin𒊎g your weapon carefully and being able to control where youไ are on the battlefield at all times is essential with this Keepsake. You can be a complete powerhouse if you play your cards right, but the drawbacks are severe if you grow careless enough.

12 🐼 Distant Memory ♏

At the onset of the game, Orpheus will not be present in the House of Hades. He's apparently in solitary confinement at Hades' decree because he refused to sing. You can commute his sentence at the House Contractor with a Diamond. Once he begins to appear in the House of Hades, you can give him Nectar, and he'll give you the Distant Memory.

This Keepsake, like Meg's, will increase the damage you deal, but under different conditions. With this Keepsake equipped, you'll deal bonus damage to enemies that are far away from you (500 in-game units away, that is). Level one grants 10% bonus damage, level two gives 20%, and level three will increase the damage you deal by a 30% bonus.

11 Bonಞe Hourglass ༒

After giving Nectar to the boatman of the Styx, Charon, he'll give Zagreus the Bone Hourglass. When you purchase an item from the various Wells of Charon, it'll have a set number of encounters before it disappears. This Keepsake increases the number of encounters that those items will last for. At the first level, it increases their duration by four encounters; at level two, it's an additional six encounters; and the final level will increase the number of encounters by eight.

This can be the difference between victory and loss if applied correctly. Some items from the Well of Charon give Zagreus the edge he needs to def💫eat a ⭕boss, but they could run out before he reaches the boss chamber. The Bone Hourglass can ensure the effect lasts long enough.

10 𒁏 🐓 Chthonic Coin Purse

Give some Nectar to faithful Hypnos, and he'll return the favor with the Chthonic Coin Purse. This Keepsake also affects purchasing things from Charon or his well. The Coin Purse adds money to Zagreus without any strings. Level one adds 100 Obols, level two adds 125, and level three adds 150.

Many players choose this at the beginning of a run and then swap it out after they finish Tartarus for another Keepsake. It doesn't subtract the money — you get to keep it after returning the Keepsake to the case.

9 ඣ Old ꦬSpiked Collar

Sometimes the winning strategy is to just build up Zagreus' health to an immense level, making him a tank on the battlefield, even if it means losing some offensive power. Centaur Hearts are the main way to do this, increasing Zagreus' overall health.

However, the Old Spiked Collar is another great way to extend the time you get to dash around the Underworld. For each level you raise the spiked collar you'll get more health, which is kind of sweet to think about — Cerberus wants to be sure that you 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:make it to him at the Temple of Styx and don't face a premature return to the House of Hades.