By Sophie Huiberts. Last updated January 20th 2025. This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
NOTE: As of the Warsong update (February 2025), this guide is out of date. And honestly I wouldn't be the right person to write a guide on the new meta. Join the Hades speedrunning discord server if you want current information.
Unseen Update: More big changes. I will note for now that damage from enemies has been changed, affecting Eris strats. Thanks Chelsea for these numbers:
Hecate circle 11->12 Hecate swipe 9->11 Stun unchanged 12 Waves unchanged 5 Sirens drummer aoe circles 10->12
Banshees 2->3 Spitty worms 3->4
Also Aphrodite is dead now. Shameless Attitude got such a nerf omg.
New game new chances, and what a game it is! Hades 2 brings fresh challenges to the fresh file category, and in this guide I hope to set you on your path to a first run clear. Since the game is still in early access, this guide will include no spoilers for anything past first run.
You might know me from my Hades 1 first run guide, or from the times when I held first place on the Hades 2 Fresh File leaderboards. This guide for Hades 2 will be similar to the first one. I will describe the leading build strategy for top-level times.
Besides this guide, it can be helpful to watch some game footage of other people clearing first run. I suggest looking at the leaderboard on speedrun dot com, since we have no reference run with all safe strats.
If you want to chat about strategies or want feedback on how to improve your play then I suggest joining the speedrunning discord server. If you have feedback on this guide, you can find me there in the #h2-fresh-file channel.
February 19th 2025: NEW PATCH. The meta is anyone’s guess at this pooint.
January 20th 2025: Major update for present day mechanics and meta.
July 25th: List of Cerberus attacks plus their damage amounts
July 24th: Minor updates for Patch 4
June 27th: Added general note about this guide’s status for Patch 3.
June 26th: Added the important message to turn off auto aim.