In this Hades 2 Vow guide, we'll explore strategies for conquering Hades 2 at higher levels of fear using the Oath of the Unseen. We'll focus on Vow loadouts for 8, 16, and 32 fear levels, which are essential for unlocking Skelly's rewards. Additionally, we'll break down each individual Vow, highlighting which ones are easier, which ones are harder, and which you should avoid. While each of the 8, 16 and 32 fear setups are further editable depending on your build's strengths and weaknesses, they were made so that a generic character will be able to pass them without problems.
Individual Vows Explained
The Oath of the Unseen features a total of 16 different vows which can affect a run. Most of these have differing levels, allowing you to further increase how effective one vow is.
Vow of Blood
- Effect: Enemies deal 20%, 60%, or 100% more damage.
- Cost: 1, 2, or 3 fear respectively.
- Strategy: Up to 60% is manageable for three fear; 100% is very challenging and should be avoided unless necessary.
Vow of Dominance
- Effect: Enemies have 10%, 20%, or 30% more health.
- Cost: 1 fear per level.
- Strategy: It affects bosses and can be frustrating, so it is often avoided. If used, keep it to one level.
Vow of Rebuke
- Effect: Enemies have a barrier, costing 1 fear per level.
- Strategy: Easier if using Poseidon's splash effects or similar to knock it off. It can be manageable with specific setups.
Vow of Fury
- Effect: Enemies are 20% or 40% faster.
- Cost: 3 fear per level.
- Strategy: 20% is manageable, 40% is very challenging, especially for the Kronos fight. Use it if you plan to have a build with good mobility and crowd control.
Vow of Suffering
- Effect: Take 100% or 300% bonus damage on the first hit in each encounter.
- Cost: 2 fear per level.
- Strategy: Very challenging and often avoided. It triggers frequently and can be detrimental when combined with other vows.
Vow of Commotion
- Effect: Most encounters have 20%, 40%, or 60% more foes.
- Cost: 1 fear per level.
- Strategy: Avoid it if possible, as it extends encounters and increases damage taken.
Vow of Haunting
- Effect: Slain foes have a 25% or 50% chance to become revenants.
- Cost: 1 fear per level.
- Strategy: Annoying but often necessary. Collect the souls quickly to prevent revenants from spawning.
Vow of Wandering
- Effect: Foes have a 10% or 25% chance to be from the next region.
- Cost: 1 or 2 fear respectively.
- Strategy: Almost free fear, very easy to deal with. This vow doesn't significantly impact gameplay.
Vow of Scars
- Effect: Healing effects are less effective.
- Cost: 1 fear for the first two levels and 2 fear for the final level.
- Strategy: Manageable, especially at lower levels. Can be offset with high defense and careful play.
Vow of Destitution
- Effect: Items that cost gold are more expensive.
- Cost: 1 fear per level.
- Strategy: Not bad but reduces fun. Plan your gold spending carefully to minimize the impact.
Vow of Panic
- Effect: Enter each location with less magic.
- Cost: 1 fear.
- Strategy: Challenging as it requires an early magic regeneration boon. Avoid unless you have a reliable way to regenerate magic.
Vow of Forsaking
- Effect: After choosing a boon, two unpicked blessings will not appear again (doesn't impact hammers).
- Cost: 2 fear.
- Strategy: Almost free fear, very easy to deal with. This vow doesn't significantly impact gameplay.
Vow of Bitterness
- Effect: The first boon in each region becomes an onion instead.
- Cost: 3 fear.
- Strategy: Tough, especially in the first region. Be prepared to start with weaker setups and adapt quickly.
Vow of Arrogance
- Effect: Prime magic for each rarity greater than common.
- Cost: 1 fear for the first level and 3 fear for the second.
- Strategy: Manageable but requires attention to boon rarity. Plan your boon selections to avoid over-priming magic.
Vow of Desperation
- Effect: Time limit for each region is 9, 7, or 5 minutes.
- Cost: 1, 3, or 6 fear respectively.
- Strategy: The 5-minute limit is very challenging. Stick to 7 minutes unless you're very confident in your speed.
Vow of Abandon
- Effect: Nullifies the benefits of your Arcana cards.
- Cost: 5 fear.
- Strategy: Avoid this as it makes runs very challenging. Only use it if absolutely necessary to reach higher fear levels.
Hades 2 Vow Setups
Best 8 Fear Setup (Easiest Vows)
For an 8 fear setup, focus on the easiest vows that minimally impact gameplay.
- 2x Vow of Wandering (3 fear): Very easy, barely noticeable.
- 2x Vow of Desperation (7-minute limit per Region, 3 fear): Manageable time limit.
- 1x Vow of Forsaking (2 fear): Easy, as banishing unpicked blessings is not a big deal.
Alternatively, you could replace Vow of Desperation with Vow of Fury if you prefer no time limits and faster enemies. This setup provides a balanced challenge without overly complicating the run.
Best 16 Fear Setup
For a Hades 2 16 fear setup, you'll need to include a mix of moderately challenging vows.
- 2x Vow of Wandering (3 fear): Easy 3 fear.
- 2x Vow of Desperation (7-minute limit, 3 fear): Manageable time limit.
- 1x Vow of Forsaking (2 fear): Easy banishing of unpicked blessings.
- 1x Vow of Fury (20% faster enemies, 3 fear): Manageable speed increase.
- 2x Vow of Arrogance (4 fear): Manageable prime magic.
- 1x Vow of Destitution (1 fear): Slightly increased gold costs.
This setup balances various challenges while making sure you have the 16 fear Night's Will requirement.
Best 32 Fear Setup
For a Hades 2 32 fear setup, you'll need to carefully balance several challenging vows.
- 2x Vow of Wandering (3 fear): Easy 3 fear.
- 2x Vow of Desperation (7-minute limit, 3 fear): Manageable time limit.
- 1x Vow of Forsaking (2 fear): Easy banishing of unpicked blessings.
- 2x Vow of Fury (20% faster enemies, 6 fear): Manageable speed increase.
- 2x Vow of Arrogance (4 fear): Manageable prime magic.
- 2x Vow of Destitution (2 fear): Slightly increased gold costs.
- 3x Vow of Scars (4 fear): You can no longer heal.
- 1x Vow of Panic (1 fear): Reduced starting magic.
- 2x Vow of Haunting (2 fear): Increased chance for revenants.
- 2x Vow of Blood (3 fear): Increased enemy damage.
- 2x Vow of Rebuke (2 fear): Barrier on enemies.
This setup balances various challenges while making sure you stay within the 32 fear Night's Will requirement. You can adjust as needed based on your build strengths and weaknesses but overall this is the best generic 32 Vow setup for Hades 2.
Conclusion
These Hades 2 Vow setups should help you defeat 8, 16 and 32 fear thresholds in Hades 2. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each vow and selecting appropriate builds, you can achieve success at even the highest levels of fear.