How to Unlock Weapon Aspects in Hades
In Hades, your Infernal Arms are more than just weapons—they’re canvases for some of the most powerful and transformative upgrades in the game. Before you can even think about unlocking the legendary Aspect of Guan Yu or the Aspect of Arthur, you need to access the system itself. This guide will walk you through the initial steps to unlock the weapon customization menu, setting the stage for all the Aspect upgrades to come.
Each Infernal Arm features multiple unique aspects to unlock.
Your journey begins in the Arsenal Room of the House of Hades. This is the hall where your weapons are displayed, and it’s your home base for all permanent armament upgrades. Before you can customize anything, you need to own the tools of the trade.
First, you must purchase all six Infernal Arms. You start with the Stygian Blade, but the other five—the Heart-Seeking Bow, Shield of Chaos, Eternal Spear, Twin Fists of Malphon, and Adamant Rail—are locked behind Chthonic Keys. You can find these keys as room clear rewards or trade for them at the Wretched Broker. Unlock them in any order, though the Adamant Rail is always last. Once all six weapons are yours, the real customization begins.
The next gate is a rare resource: Titan Blood. You need at least one drop to start unlocking Aspects. Your first taste comes from defeating Megaera the Fury at the end of Tartarus. This is a one-time reward for that initial victory, but it’s the key that opens the door.
Don’t stress about farming more Titan Blood yet. That first drop from Megaera is all you need to start the process. We’ll cover efficient farming in the next section.
With all weapons unlocked and a single Titan Blood in your pocket, head back to the Arsenal Room. Approach the pedestal for any weapon and press [RB] to interact. You’ll see the option to ‘Reveal’ the weapon’s Aspects. Selecting this opens the Aspects menu, where you can spend your hard-earned Titan Blood to unlock and upgrade different forms for that weapon. Each of the six Infernal Arms has four unique Aspects, with the first one—the Aspect of Zagreus—available right away.
Now you’re in. You’ve met the basic requirements: owning all weapons, obtaining Titan Blood, and accessing the menu. This is your foundation. From here, you can start investing resources to reveal powerful new forms and, eventually, hunt down the hidden Aspects that will redefine your escape attempts. Let’s get your arsenal ready for greatness.
Best Ways to Farm Titan Blood in Hades
Titan Blood is the lifeblood of your power progression in Hades, and unlocking those coveted hidden Aspects will require a mountain of it. Don't worry—with a smart farming strategy, you can build that stockpile faster than you think. Here's how to turn every run into a profitable venture.
Conversations with NPCs often trigger weapon aspect unlocks.
The Primary Source: Bounty Rewards
Your most reliable and abundant source of Titan Blood comes from Bounty Rewards. After defeating the final boss for the first time, you'll unlock the Pact of Punishment. Interact with it using [RB] at the exit of the House of Hades to add "Heat"—modifiers that increase the difficulty of your next run.
Here’s the magic: each time you increase the Heat level for a specific weapon, you reset the Bounty Rewards for that weapon. This means you can earn 1 Titan Blood for defeating Megaera the Fury in Tartarus and another 1 Titan Blood for defeating Hades himself in the Temple of Styx, per weapon, per Heat level. This is your farming engine.
Tackle Heat levels one at a time with each weapon. Start with Heat 1 on all six Infernal Arms, then move to Heat 2, and so on. This systematic approach ensures you never miss a reward and steadily builds your stockpile.
Strategic Purchases & Trades
While boss bounties are the main event, keep an eye on other opportunities:
- The Wretched Broker: In the Lounge of the House of Hades, this shady merchant always stocks Titan Blood for 1 Ambrosia each. He also occasionally offers a limited-time deal, trading 15 Chthonic Keys for 1 Titan Blood. Check his wares after every run.
- Charon's Shop: On your way to the final fight in the Temple of Styx, check the last shop. Charon sometimes sells a single Titan Blood for 1200-1500 Obols. It’s pricey, but if you’ve been frugal and maybe snagged Hermes's Side Hustle boon, it can be a worthy purchase.
Completing Prophecies for a Big Payday
Don't overlook the Fated List of Minor Prophecies in Zagreus' Room. Several prophecies award hefty chunks of Titan Blood for major milestones. Two of the most lucrative are:
- 'Master of Arms': Awards 10 Titan Blood for completing a victory run with every Infernal Arm.
- 'Harsh Conditions': Awards another 10 Titan Blood for completing a victory run with a Heat level of 20.
These are long-term goals, but they provide a massive infusion of resources that can fund several Aspect upgrades at once.
Trust me, focusing on increasing Heat with different weapons is the fastest path to wealth. With this multi-pronged strategy, you'll have more Titan Blood than you know what to do with, ready to unlock the true potential of every weapon in your arsenal. Let's farm.
How to Unlock the Aspect of Guan Yu in Hades
Think of unlocking the Aspect of Guan Yu as finding the master key to a secret armory in Hades. It’ s the first hidden aspect you can reveal, and doing so is mandatory before the game will even let you start unlocking the others for the Stygian Blade, Shield, and other weapons. It’s a rite of passage, and here’s exactly how to do it.
Look for this symbol to receive hidden weapon phrases from NPCs.
First, you need to meet three prerequisites. These aren't just suggestions—the game literally won't let the next steps happen until you've checked them off.
- Purchase the Fated List of Minor Prophecies. Head to the House Contractor in the House of Hades and spend 20 Gemstones. This unlocks your prophecy tracker and is a non-negotiable first step.
- Reach the Final Boss. You need to have made it to the Surface and faced Hades in his Throne Room at least once. You don't have to win on this first attempt, but you do have to get there.
- Spend 5 Titan Blood. This is the trick most guides miss: you need to invest 5 Titan Blood total into any non-Zagreus aspects across any weapons. You could dump it all into the Aspect of Nemesis for the Stygian Blade, or spread it across a few weapons. Just make sure the blood is spent.
If you’re short on Titan Blood, the Aspect of Zagreus for any weapon is the cheapest to invest in, costing only 1 Titan Blood per level. Leveling one of these a few times is a quick way to meet the 5-Blood requirement.
With those boxes ticked, your next target is Achilles. You’ll find him standing guard in the hallway of the House of Hades. Talk to him. A lot. After each escape attempt, return and chat. Eventually, after you’ve met the prerequisites, he’ll begin a conversation about the “true nature” of your weapons and give you the specific Waking Phrase for the Eternal Spear.
This next part can feel a bit ceremonial, but don’t skip it. Go to the Arsenal Room, equip Varatha the Eternal Spear, and then interact with its weapon pedestal. Instead of just starting a run, you’ll now see a ‘Reveal’ option. Select it, and the Aspect of Guan Yu will be unlocked.
Trust me, you’ll want to save some Titan Blood after this reveal, because actually purchasing the Aspect of Guan Yu costs 3 Titan Blood to unlock at Level 1. It’s a high-risk, high-reward aspect that turns the spear into the Frost Fair Blade, trading a chunk of your max health for massive lifesteal potential.
With Guan Yu revealed, you’ve just unlocked the gateway to every other hidden aspect in Hades. You’re officially ready to start the real hunt.
How to Unlock Hidden Aspects for Stygius and Aegis
The path to unlocking the legendary Aspect of Arthur and the mythical Aspect of Beowulf is where your journey in Hades truly begins to feel like a myth in the making. After unlocking the Aspect of Guan Yu, you've proven your dedication—now it's time to claim the power of King Arthur's blade and the might of Beowulf's shield.
Building your infernal arsenal.
Unlocking the Aspect of Arthur for Stygius
To awaken the Stygian Blade into Holy Excalibur, you must first prove your commitment to the weapon. The process follows a familiar, essential pattern.
First, invest 5 Titan Blood into any of the Stygian Blade's aspects. The Aspect of Zagreus is the most cost-effective at 1 Titan Blood per level, making it a quick way to meet this requirement. Once you've spent the blood, the next step is all about conversation.
Next, speak with Nyx in the House of Hades. You'll find her in the main hall, typically near Lord Hades's desk, where she serves as the primordial night incarnate and a key advisor. After returning from several runs with the blood invested, equip the Stygian Blade and talk to her. Keep the dialogue flowing—she'll eventually share the special "waking phrase" that reveals the weapon's hidden nature.
Since Nyx is always in the House, this is one of the most reliable hidden aspects to unlock. Just make sure you've invested the Titan Blood first, then chat with her every time you return.
With the phrase learned, head to the Arsenal Room in the House of Hades. Equip Stygius, interact with its pedestal, and select 'Reveal' to unlock the Aspect of Arthur. This aspect transforms your sword, grants you +50 HP, and surrounds you with a powerful, slowing aura—a game-changer for survivability.
Unlocking the Aspect of Beowulf for Aegis
The Shield of Chaos holds a different kind of legend: Naegling's Board, the shield of Beowulf. The unlock process is similar but involves one of the game's most enigmatic figures.
First, invest 5 Titan Blood into the Shield of Chaos (Aegis). Again, the Aspect of Zagreus is your cheapest path. After the investment is made, you need to seek out a primordial being.
Next, you must speak with Chaos. You won't find them in the House; you must encounter them through Chaos Gates during your runs. These gates appear randomly and require a sacrifice of health to enter. This is where a specific Keepsake becomes invaluable.
Equip the Cosmic Egg, Chaos's Keepsake. This item allows you to enter Chaos Gates without the health penalty, making repeated visits far less punishing. Talk to Chaos every chance you get. Like with Nyx, after several conversations (and with the Titan Blood spent), Chaos will eventually grant you the "waking phrase" for the shield.
⚠️ Watch out: Chaos's dialogue is random and can be delayed if you have other major story events pending. If you're deep into the main plot, it might take a few more encounters for the weapon dialogue to trigger.
Once you have the phrase, return to the House of Hades, equip Aegis in the Arsenal Room, and interact with its holder to reveal the Aspect of Beowulf. This aspect trades some defense for massive offensive power, replacing your Bull Rush with the devastating Dragon Rush.
With Arthur's holy aura on your blade and Beowulf's draconic might on your shield, you're wielding power from beyond Greek myth itself. These hidden aspects aren't just upgrades—they're entirely new ways to conquer the Underworld.
How to Unlock Hidden Aspects for Coronacht and Exagryph
The hunt for the final two hidden aspects takes you from the quiet forests of Artemis to the stormy heights of Olympus. In Hades, the Heart-Seeking Bow and the Adamant Rail hold secrets of their own, and unlocking them requires seeking out two of the most elusive Olympians. If you've already unlocked the Aspect of Guan Yu for the spear, you're on the right track—this next part is all about persistence and knowing who to talk to.
Mastering the Adamant Rail and Bow requires unlocking their final forms.
Unlocking the Aspect of Rama (Coronacht)
For the Heart-Seeking Bow, you’re after the Aspect of Rama, a legendary form that transforms your volleys into a spreading curse of Shared Suffering. The process mirrors the other hidden aspects, but with a unique twist: your contact isn’t in the House of Hades.
First, you need to invest 5 Titan Blood into any of the Coronacht's aspects. This can be spread across the Aspect of Zagreus, Chiron, or Hera—just get that total spent. Once that’s done, the hunt for the goddess of the hunt begins.
You must find Artemis during an escape attempt. She appears randomly in boon chambers throughout your run, so this step relies on chance. To drastically improve your odds, equip Artemis’s Keepsake, the Adamant Arrowhead, at the start of a run. This forces her boon to appear in the very first god chamber you enter, guaranteeing you a conversation.
You don't need to be wielding the bow when you speak to her. Just keep playing runs, talking to Artemis every time you see her. Eventually, after enough chats, she’ll give you the cryptic "waking phrase" you need.
Once you have the phrase, head back to the Arsenal Room in the House of Hades. Equip the Heart-Seeking Bow, interact with its pedestal, and select ‘Reveal’ to unlock the Aspect of Rama.
Unlocking the Aspect of Lucifer (Exagryph)
The Adamant Rail's hidden form, the Aspect of Lucifer, turns your gun into a hellfire-spewing engine of destruction. The king of the gods holds the key.
Again, start by investing 5 Titan Blood into the Exagryph's aspects. With that prerequisite met, you need to seek an audience with Zeus. Like Artemis, he appears randomly in boon rooms during your runs.
To force an encounter, equip Zeus’s Keepsake, the Thunder Signet, as you leave the House. This ensures his boon will be your first Olympian offering. Chat with him repeatedly over multiple runs. It might take a few encounters, but he’ll eventually divulge the secret phrase for the rail.
⚠️ Watch out: If you're in the middle of a major story event (like wrapping up the true ending), NPCs might prioritize that dialogue. If Zeus or Artemis won't give up the phrase, try completing a few runs to clear the narrative queue, then try again with their Keepsakes equipped.
With the phrase in hand, return to the House of Hades, equip the Adamant Rail at its stand, and reveal the Aspect of Lucifer to claim your infernal laser cannon.
With the bow and rail awakened, you're just one weapon away from uncovering every secret the Infernal Arms hold. These powerful forms are worth the pilgrimage—now go make Artemis and Zeus proud.
How to Unlock the Aspect of Gilgamesh for Malphon
Ready to turn your fists into legendary claws? In Hades, the Twin Fists of Malphon hide a devastating secret: the Aspect of Gilgamesh. This hidden form transforms your gauntlets into the Claws of Enkidu, a brutal weapon that can inflict the Maim status effect on your foes. But to unlock this power, you’ll need to prove your worth in a unique trial by combat.
The hidden fist aspect is tied to a specific mini-boss encounter.
First, you must invest in the fists. Spend 5 Titan Blood across the Twin Fists of Malphon’s aspects. You don’t need to unlock a specific one; just ensure the total investment in the weapon’s aspects (like Aspect of Zagreus, Aspect of Talos, or Aspect of Demeter) adds up to five. This "awakens" the weapon’s potential and flags you as a worthy contender.
The Aspect of Zagreus for the fists is the cheapest to level, costing only 1 Titan Blood per rank. Investing here is the fastest way to meet the 5-Blood requirement.
With your investment made, the real challenge begins. You need to draw the attention of Asterius the Minotaur, the mighty champion of Elysium. You’ll find him in a special mini-boss chamber with a Skull icon on the door, separate from his final battle alongside Theseus. Equip the Twin Fists of Malphon and enter this solo fight in Elysium. Defeat him here so he acknowledges your prowess with the weapon.
⚠️ Watch out: This has to be the solo mini-boss encounter, not the final boss fight with Theseus. The dialogue trigger only happens in the mid-biome room. Keep running Elysium and choosing Skull-marked doors until you find him alone.
Here’s the trick most guides miss: after that first recognition, you don’t need the fists equipped for the final step. On a subsequent run, find Asterius in another solo mini-boss chamber. After you defeat him (or sometimes during the fight), he will comment on the "call of the wild" and grant you the waking phrase for the hidden aspect. Once you have it, return to the Arsenal Room in the House of Hades, equip the fists, and interact with the weapon pedestal to Reveal the Aspect of Gilgamesh.
Unlocking the Claws of Enkidu is a rite of passage, but the reward is immense. You trade your standard special for a Dash-Upper that can Maim enemies, causing them to take and deal more damage. It’s a high-risk, high-replayability style that makes the grind through Elysium more than worth it. Now go give the Bull of Minos a proper greeting.
Upgrading Weapon Aspects and Resource Management
You’ve unlocked the hidden power of your Infernal Arms—now it’s time to invest your hard-earned Titan Blood wisely. In Hades, upgrading your weapon Aspects is the single most impactful way to define your playstyle and push deeper into the Pact of Punishment. But with a staggering 310 Titan Blood needed to fully max out every Aspect, resource management is key.
Combat effects of upgraded weapons.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you’re committing to and how to make every drop count.
Understanding Upgrade Costs
Each of the six Infernal Arms has four Aspects, each with five upgrade levels. The investment required varies significantly:
- Aspect of Zagreus: This is your baseline for each weapon. It’s the most straightforward to upgrade, costing a total of 5 Titan Blood—just 1 Blood per level for all five levels. It’s a fantastic, consistent early investment.
- Non-Zagreus Aspects: The other three standard Aspects (like Aspect of Nemesis for the Stygian Blade or Aspect of Chaos for the Shield) are more expensive. To fully max one of these to Level 5, you’re looking at a total of 15-16 Titan Blood.
Focus on maxing out one favorite Aspect first. A fully-powered weapon will carry you through more runs, earning more Blood faster than spreading your resources thin.
Smart Resource Management
Titan Blood is precious, but you can work the in-game economy to your advantage. Keep an eye on two key NPCs in the House of Hades:
- The Wretched Broker: His deals rotate. You can trade 1 Ambrosia for 1 Titan Blood (a repeatable trade) or sometimes snag a limited-time offer of 1 Titan Blood for 15 Chthonic Keys.
- Resource Trading Loop: Here’s a clever trick most guides miss. You can engage in a profitable loop at the Broker:
- Trade 1 Titan Blood → 200 Gemstones
- Trade those 200 Gemstones → 20 Chthonic Keys
- Trade those 20 Chthonic Keys → 1 Titan Blood + 5 Chthonic Keys
You end up back with your Titan Blood plus a net gain of 5 Keys. It’s a great way to convert surplus resources.
Speaking of Ambrosia, this rare nectar has two main uses: gifting it to NPCs to deepen relationships (you’ll need 56 to max all affinities) or trading it directly for Titan Blood at the Broker. Choose based on whether you’re prioritizing story or power.
Post-Game Refunds & Final Takeaway
Here’s a massive relief: your investments are partially protected. Once you complete the main story, the game refunds 10 of the 18 Titan Blood you spent unlocking the second and third Aspects for all weapons. As a bonus for your dedication, you also receive 2 Ambrosia for spending the additional 8 Titan Blood required to unlock each weapon’s fourth, hidden Aspect.
With this knowledge, you can upgrade with confidence. Plan your builds, work the broker’s deals, and pour that Titan Blood into the Aspects that speak to your playstyle. Your arsenal is about to become unstoppable.