Weapon Aspects Guide: Best Aspects and Upgrades

Weapon Aspects are variations of Nocturnal Arms that allow you to use new skills in Hades 2. See how to unlock Weapon Aspects, the best weapon aspect upgrades, and more in this guide!

How to Unlock Weapon Aspects

To unlock the different Weapon Aspects, you'll have to ensure you've completed the following steps:

1. Craft All Base Weapons
2. Receive the Aspects of Night and Darkness Incantation
3. Cast the Incantation at the Crossroads
4. Unlock Each Aspect at the Silver Pool

Craft All Base Weapons

Weapon	Description	Crafting Materials
Witch's Staff	Strike with a quick close-range Attack, or long-range Specials and Omega Moves.	・N/A
Sister Blades	Slash with furious Attacks, or strike afar with a flurry of Specials.	・Silver x 1
Umbral Flames	Launch damaging ranged Attacks as you move, or Specials that orbit around you.	・Silver x 3 ・Cinder x 3
Moonstone Axe	Deliver slow but devastating Attacks, or defend and retaliate with your Specials.	・Silver x 15
Argent Skull	Blast foes with explosive Attacks, and retreive the Shells with lunging Specials.	・Bronze x 1 ・G.Rock x 2

The first thing you'll have to do to unlock Weapon Aspects is to craft all of the Nocturnal Arms. These base versions serve as the Aspects of Melinoe and will be a prerequisite to unlocking the rest of the Aspects.

Best Weapons and Nocturnal Arms Tier List

Receive the Aspects of Night and Darkness Incantation

Once you have all the weapons crafted, and have defeated Hecate with each one, there is a chance that she will share the Aspects of Night and Darkness Incantation with you after you defeat her in combat.

You'll know you've unlocked it if you trigger her dialogue where she talks about a deeper understanding required to master the use of each Nocturnal Arm.

How to Beat Hecate

Cast the Incantation at the Crossroads

Incantation	Effects	Cost
Aspects of Night and Darkness	Reveal Aspects within the Silver Pool that further empower each Main Weapon.	・N.Shade x1 ・Bronze x5

When you return to the Crossroads, you should now find the Incantation that unlocks Aspects at the Witch's Cauldron. Casting it will require 1 Nightshade and 5 Bronze.

Nightshade can be grown from Nightshade Seeds found in Erebus, while Bronze can be mined in the City of Ephyra.

Unlock Each Aspect at the Silver Pool

After successfully completing the incantation, a new menu will appear when you interact with the Silver Pool. The second tab will list each of the new Aspects you can unlock, while also letting you upgrade each aspect up to Rank 5.

Each upgrade will require increasingly more materials so be ready to farm more items to further strengthen your weapons.

Each Tool Required for Each Resource

List of Weapon Aspects

Witch's Staff Aspects

Weapon
Witch's Staff
Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	You Channel your Omega Moves faster.	N/A
Circe	After landing 21 Attacks or Specials, gain Serenity.	・Silver x5 ・Lotus x5
Momus	While you have no more than 50% HP, absorb your Omega Special blast to restore 5 HP.	・Lime x2 ・Pearl x1

Aspect of Melinoe is the default aspect, and focuses on Omega-heavy gameplay. Aspect of Circe grants Serenity, which makes Omega Moves faster, and rapidly recovers Magick. Circe's Aspect allows Melinoe to recover HP through her Omega Special's blast while also increasing its damage.

Sister Blades Aspects

Weapon
Sister Blades
Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Attacks deal more damage from behind.	・Silver x1
Artemis	Channeling Omega Attacks have a chance to Parry and Riposte after.	・Silver x15 ・G.Rock x1
Pan	Specials seek foes in Casts, and fires more blades after you Channel.	・Wool x1 ・Shaderot x2

Aspect of Melinoe provides additional backstab damage, which is easy to trigger through your Omega Attack. Artemis' aspect provides a decent defensive option, with an offensive buff payout. Aspect of Pan is more centered on Special usage, relying on your Cast in conjunction with your Specials.

Umbral Flames Aspects

Weapon
Umbral Flames
Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Flames from your Omega Special burn longer before expiring.	・Silver x3 ・Cinder x3
Moros	Your Attacks linger for 6 Seconds, and explode in a blast if struck by your Special.	・Bronze x2 ・Tears x2
Eos	Your Attacks grow bigger and stronger over 4 Seconds, and return whenever you Sprint.	・Silver x3 ・Cinder x3

The aspect of Melinoe and Moros are pretty similar, in the sense that they both capitalize on Specials to deal more damage. Aspect of Eos, on the other hand, focuses on buffing Attacks, essentially allowing you to focus on strafing while attacking.

Moonstone Axe Aspects

Weapon
Moonstone Axe
Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	You recover faster after using your Attacks and Specials	・Silver x15
Charon	Your Cast lasts +3 Seconds, and erupts like your Omega Cast if struck by your Omega Special	・Pearl x5 ・O.Points x1
Thanatos	Whenever you hit with Omega Moves, gain +1% Critical chance until you take damage.	・G.Rock x3 ・Dark x1

Melinoe's aspect allows you to recover faster, basically reducing the interval between your combos. Aspect of Charon focuses more on combining your Omega Special and Cast, to deal AoE damage. Thanatos' Aspect provides you with Critical Strike chance that persists until you take damage.

Argent Skull Aspects

Weapon
Argent Skull
Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Your Attacks have more Power for each Shell fired and not yet retrieved.	・G.Rock x2 ・Bronze x1
Medea	Your Attacks stays within reach, and explodes in a large area on impact or after 3 Seconds.	・Iron x4 ・N.Shade x1
Persephone	Any damage you deal generates Glory, which enhances your Omega Special.	・Moss x1 ・Poppy x5

Both Melinoe and Medea's Aspects focus on an attack-centered playstyle, with Melinoe's focusing on ranged playstyle, and Medea with more of a close-range playstyle. The Aspect of Persephone leans more into a Omega Special playstyle, since it buffs your damage and dash duration.

Best Aspect Upgrades

Best Weapon Aspects
	・ Lim and Oros, Aspect of Melinoe ・ Zorephet, Aspect of Thanatos ・ Revaal, Aspect of Melinoe
	・ Descura, Aspect of Circe ・ Ygnium, Aspect of Eos ・ Lim and Oros, Aspect of Artemis ・ Lim and Oros, Aspect of Pan ・ Revaal, Aspect of Persephone ・ Revaal, Aspect of Medea
	・ Ygnium, Aspect of Moros ・ Descura, Aspect of Momus ・ Ygnium, Aspect of Melinoe
	・ Descura, Aspect of Melinoe ・ Zorephet, Aspect of Charon ・ Zorephet, Aspect of Melinoe

Witch's Staff Aspect Upgrades

Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Rank 1: Channel Speed +0%	・N/A
	Rank 2: Channel Speed +15%	・Psyche x 20 ・Silver x 2
	Rank 3: Channel Speed +20%	・Psyche 30 ・Silver x 3
	Rank 4: Channel Speed +25%	・Psyche 40 ・Silver 4
	Rank 5: Channel Speed +30%	・Psyche 100 ・Silver 10
Circe	Rank 1: Serenity Duration 6 Sec.	・Silver x 5 ・Lotus x 5
	Rank 2: Serenity Duration 7 Sec.	・N.Mare 1
	Rank 3: Serenity Duration 8 Sec.	・N.Mare 1
	Rank 4: Serenity Duration 9 Sec.	・N.Mare 2
	Rank 5: Serenity Duration 10 Sec.	・N.Mare 3
Momus	Rank 1: Special Power +10	・Lime x 2 ・Pearl x 1
	Rank 2: Special Power +15	・N.Mare 1
	Rank 3: Special Power +20	・N.Mare 1
	Rank 4: Special Power +25	・N.Mare 2
	Rank 5: Special Power +30	・N.Mare 3

While each aspect features a specific gameplay niche, the best Aspect to use is the Aspect of Circe. The Serenity buff essentially provides you with unlimited Magick Recovery, as long as you continue dealing damage with attacks and specials.

Witch's Staff Guide: Best Boons and Hammer Upgrades

Sister Blades Aspect Upgrades

Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Rank 1: Backstab Damage +0%	・Silver x 1
	Rank 2: Backstab Damage +10%	・Silver x 5 ・F.Fabric x 1
	Rank 3: Backstab Damage +20%	・Silver x 10 ・F.Fabric x 1
	Rank 4: Backstab Damage +30%	・Silver x 15 ・F.Fabric x 1
	Rank 5: Backstab Damage +40%	・Silver x 30 ・F.Fabric x 5
Artemis	Rank 1: Faster Omega Attack +20%	・Silver x 15 ・G.Rock x 1
	Rank 2: Faster Omega Attack +30%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Faster Omega Attack +40%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Faster Omega Attack +50%	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Faster Omega Attack +60%	・N.Mare x 3
Pan	Rank 1: Omega Bonus Blades +1	・Shaderot x 1 ・Wool x 1
	Rank 2: Omega Bonus Blades +2	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Omega Bonus Blades +3	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Omega Bonus Blades +4	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Omega Bonus Blades +5	・N.Mare x 3

The best Aspect for Sister Blades is Melinoe at max rank, since the +40% Backstab Damage is extremely useful, especially when used with your Omega Attack.

Sister Blades Guide: Best Boons and Hammer Upgrades

Umbral Flames Aspect Upgrades

Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Rank 1: Omega Special Duration +0 Sec.	・Silver x 3 ・Cinder x 3
	Rank 2: Omega Special Duration +1 Sec.	・Silver x 2 ・Cinder x 2
	Rank 3: Omega Special Duration +2 Sec.	・Silver x 3 ・Cinder x 3
	Rank 4: Omega Special Duration +3 Sec.	・Silver x 4 ・Cinder x 4
	Rank 5: Omega Special Duration +4 Sec.	・Silver x 10 ・Cinder x 5
Moros	Rank 1: Blast Damage +0%	・Bronze x 2 ・Tears x 2
	Rank 2: Blast Damage +15%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Blast Damage +30%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Blast Damage +45%	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Blast Damage +60%	・N.Mare x 3
Eos	Rank 1: Full Grown Damage +40%	・D.Wood x 2 ・G.Apple x 2
	Rank 2: Full Grown Damage +50%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Full Grown Damage +60%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Full Grown Damage +70%	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Full Grown Damage +80%	・N.Mare x 3

While the other aspects open unique gameplay mechanics, the best Aspect for Umbral Flames is the Aspect of Eos. When paired with Magick Recovery boons, you should be able to effortlessly maintain the +80% Damage Buff.

Umbral Flames Guide: Best Boons and Hammer Upgrades

Moonstone Axe Aspect Upgrades

Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Rank 1: Recovery Speed +0%	・Silver x 15
	Rank 2: Recovery Speed +10%	・Silver x 3 ・Bronze x 1
	Rank 3: Recovery Speed +15%	・Silver x 6 ・Bronze x 1
	Rank 4: Recovery Speed +20%	・Silver x 12 ・Bronze x 1
	Rank 5: Recovery Speed +25%	・Silver x 15 ・Bronze x 15
Charon	Rank 1: Cleave-Cast Size and Damage +10%	・O.Points x 1 ・Pearl x 5
	Rank 2: Cleave-Cast Size and Damage +15%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Cleave-Cast Size and Damage +20%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Cleave-Cast Size and Damage +25%	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Cleave-Cast Size and Damage +30%	・N.Mare x 3
Thanatos	Rank 1: Max Critical Chance +4%	・G.Rock x 3 ・Dark x 1
	Rank 2: Max Critical Chance +8%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Max Critical Chance +12%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Max Critical Chance +16%	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Max Critical Chance +20%	・N.Mare x 3

The best aspect for Moonstone Axe is the Aspect of Thanatos, since it provides Melinoe additional Crit Chance when landing Omega moves, which can be achieved easily by your Omega Attack or Special.

Moonstone Axe Guide: Best Boons and Hammer Upgrades

Argent Skull Aspect Upgrades

Aspect	Effect	Materials
Melinoe	Rank 1: Power per Spent Shell +0	・Bronze x 1 ・G.Rock x 2
	Rank 2: Power per Spent Shell +5	・Ash x 5 ・Lime x 1
	Rank 3: Power per Spent Shell +10	・Ash x 10 ・Lime x 2
	Rank 4: Power per Spent Shell +15	・Ash x 15 ・Lime x 3
	Rank 5: Power per Spent Shell +20	・Ash x 25 ・Lime x 25
Medea	Rank 1: Attack and Special Damage +20%	・N.Shade x 1 ・Iron x 4
	Rank 2: Attack and Special Damage +30%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Attack and Special Damage +40%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Attack and Special Damage +50%	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Attack and Special Damage +60%	・N.Mare x 3
Persephone	Rank 1: Omega Damage +10%	・Moss x 1 ・Poppy x 5
	Rank 2: Omega Damage +15%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 3: Omega Damage +20%	・N.Mare x 1
	Rank 4: Omega Damage +25%	・N.Mare x 2
	Rank 5: Omega Damage +30%	・N.Mare x 3

The best aspect for the Ardent Skull is the Aspect of Melinoe, since it still revolves around the core strengths of the weapon. If you want to shift to a close-ranged approach, Aspect of Medea is great, but you will no longer be able to fight from a distance.

Argent Skull Guide: Best Boons and Hammer Upgrades

Hades 2 Related Guides

Weapons and Nocturnal Arms

Weapons Guides

Best Weapons Tier List	All Daedalus Hammer Upgrades
Aspects Guide

Nocturnal Arms

All Nocturnal Arms
Witch's Staff	Moonstone Axe	Umbral Flames
Sister Blades	Argent Skull