Hades 2 Weapons Ranked: Which One to Start With

You step into the Crossroads in Hades 2, and the game hands you a single weapon while the others sit behind materials you have barely heard of. It is hard to know which of the Hades 2 weapons deserves your first few runs, especially when every guide seems to rank them differently.

This guide walks through all six weapons, ranks them for a new player, explains how aspects change each one, and covers where the game stands after the 1.0 release and the patches since. By the end you will know which weapon to pick first, which one to unlock next, and which ones can wait.

How many Hades 2 weapons are there, and where do you get them?

There are six Hades 2 weapons, which the game calls Nocturnal Arms: the Witch's Staff, Sister Blades, Moonstone Axe, Umbral Flames, Argent Skull and Black Coat. Only the Witch's Staff is yours from the start. The other five are unlocked at the Silver Pool in the Crossroads with materials you collect while running.

Guides list slightly different costs, and some of those numbers come from earlier versions, so treat any exact price as a rough guide and check the Silver Pool in your own game. The order stays the same, though. The Sister Blades are the cheapest unlock, needing a single Silver mined in Erebus. The Black Coat comes last, since it needs Adamant from the Surface and Cinder from beating Hecate.

That unlock order shapes how you should think about the whole list. Early on you really only have two or three weapons to choose from, so the real question is which of those to learn first, and then when it is worth reaching for the rest.

Which of the Hades 2 weapons ranks best for a new player?

For a first-time player, the order I would go in is Witch's Staff, Sister Blades, Black Coat, Moonstone Axe, Argent Skull and then Umbral Flames. This blends how forgiving each weapon is with how outlets like GamesRadar and Wccftech scored them after the 1.0 launch.

The rankings are not unanimous. Both GamesRadar and Wccftech put the Sister Blades in S tier, so if you rank on raw strength alone, they move to the top spot. I put the Staff first only because it costs nothing and teaches the basics of dodging, Magick and Omega moves without much pressure.

The Argent Skull is where opinions split the most. GamesRadar gave it an A, while Wccftech gave it a C because it only shines with the right upgrades. Both place the Umbral Flames near the bottom, so most people will want to try it later, not first.

How does each of the Hades 2 weapons play?

Each weapon has a clear identity. The Staff is the balanced caster, the Blades are fast and close, the Axe is slow and heavy, the Flames and Skull are ranged in different ways, and the Black Coat mixes a bit of everything.

Witch's Staff

The Staff is the weapon you start with, and it is a good teacher. Basic attacks hit up close, the Special reaches farther, and the charged Omega attack fires an explosive projectile that can catch several enemies at once. It leans on Magick for those charged moves, so keep an eye on your bar. If the spellcaster look appeals to you, game-inspired replica wands are an easy way to bring some of that feel to your desk.

Sister Blades

A dagger and a sickle make up the Sister Blades, built for fast sweeps, stabs and throws. The Omega attack teleports you behind an enemy for a backstab, and the Special and Omega Special help spread curses across groups. Wccftech notes that their starting aspects are all viable without needing specific boons, which is part of why they work so well for newer players. Fans of fast blade play can also look at game-inspired swords for a similar fantasy.

Moonstone Axe

The Axe deals heavy damage in a small area, but it swings and charges slowly. The Special is a quick, short-range spin that doubles as a defensive tool, and the Omega Special creates three large shockwaves. You will want to dodge soon after each swing so you are not caught recovering. Anyone who likes big, old-school weapons might enjoy browsing medieval replicas for something with that same weight.

Umbral Flames

The Flames fire ghostly fireballs from a pair of torches. Holding the attack button turns every third fireball into a fire wave that costs Magick, and the Special sets fireballs orbiting you to push enemies back. It is the most awkward weapon to learn, because it asks for a very different rhythm and only really shines when you can keep firing.

Argent Skull

The Skull fires explosive shells that you have to retrieve before you can use them again. Its Special is a damaging dash, and the Omega Special is a long dash that fires projectiles out to both sides. It also requires you to have unlocked the Surface first. The shell system takes some getting used to, which is why it sits lower on a beginner list even though its damage can be excellent.

Black Coat

The Black Coat is a thruster exosuit that boosts your speed, with melee fists and a missile-swarm Special. The Omega attack raises a shield that blocks most attacks before leading into a punch. GamesRadar calls it highly versatile and suitable for almost any fight, but it is the last weapon you reveal, so most people meet it after they already know the basics.

What are Hades 2 weapon aspects, and which ones matter?

Hades 2 weapon aspects are alternate versions of each weapon that change a passive bonus and sometimes how the weapon plays. Every weapon has four. Melinoe's aspect is the default, two more are unlocked with materials, and one is hidden.

To unlock them, cast the Aspects of Night and Darkness incantation at the Crossroads Cauldron, which becomes available after you beat Hecate for the fifth time. Then spend materials at the Silver Pool. Hidden aspects have an extra step: you need to fully upgrade another aspect for that weapon and hear the character's waking-phrase.

You do not need every aspect to enjoy the game. Start with Melinoe's default on whichever weapon you pick, learn how it feels, and only then start unlocking the others. Aspects are best treated as a way to refresh a weapon you already like, not as a reason to switch away from it.

Where do the Hades 2 weapons stand after the latest patches?

Sept. 25, 2025

The date Hades 2 left early access and launched version 1.0 on Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

Weapon balance has been fairly steady since 1.0, and from the patch notes I could find, the updates since have been small tweaks and not big reshuffles. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions arrived on April 14, 2026, the same day as the game's second post-launch patch.

That patch touched a few aspects. The Sister Blades' Aspect of Artemis got a faster riposte recharge, the Aspect of Pan now works with Daedalus' Dancing Knives, and the Argent Skull's Aspect of Hel channels its Omega attack faster and hits cocoons more reliably. A hotfix in July 2026 was mostly bug fixes, with one aspect fix for Artemis' riposte against one boss attack and no balance changes listed.

The practical takeaway is that the tier lists written around the 1.0 launch still give you a good picture of the Hades 2 weapons today. Just keep in mind that outlets disagree, small patches nudge individual aspects, and your own comfort with a weapon will matter more than a letter grade.

How do you pick the right weapon for your playstyle?

Pick based on how you like to fight, then give that weapon enough runs to learn it. All six weapons can win runs, so the best one is the one you enjoy. If you are still unsure, this order works well for most new players.

All six weapons can win runs, so the best one is the one you enjoy.

1. Start with the Witch's Staff. Use it to learn dodging, Magick and how Omega moves work.
2. Unlock the Sister Blades next. They are cheap, fast and strong, and they teach you to play aggressively up close.
3. Try the Black Coat once it unlocks. It is a flexible all-rounder that rewards the skills you built with the first two.
4. Swap to the Moonstone Axe for big hits. Pick it if you like a slower, deliberate pace.
5. Save the Argent Skull and Umbral Flames for variety. Both ask you to manage ammo or timing, so they are better once the basics feel natural.

Progress in this game comes in small steps over many runs, so a comfortable setup helps. Plenty of people pair a late-night session with a favorite pair of gamer hoodies and settle in for one more attempt.

Start with the Witch's Staff, then let the Sister Blades take over

The Staff teaches you the basics at no cost, and the Sister Blades give you a fast, strong second option almost immediately. From there, the other Hades 2 weapons are about variety and personal taste. If they have you in a collecting mood, there are plenty of game replicas to browse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Hades 2 weapon for beginners?

The Witch's Staff is the best place to start because you have it from the beginning and it is forgiving. The Sister Blades are the best follow-up, since they are cheap to unlock and rank at the top of most lists. Both are easier to learn than the Argent Skull or Umbral Flames.

Can you beat Hades 2 with any weapon?

Yes. Guides generally agree that all six weapons can win runs, even if some rank higher than others. Your comfort with a weapon, your boons and your aspect choice tend to matter more than its tier.

How do you unlock the Black Coat in Hades 2?

GamesRadar lists the Black Coat as costing 2 Adamant and 2 Cinder at the Silver Pool. Adamant comes from the Surface and Cinder is a reward for beating Hecate. It is one of the last weapons revealed, so expect to unlock the earlier ones first.

Which Hades 2 weapons are best against groups of enemies?

The Witch's Staff has Omega moves that hit several enemies at once, and the Sister Blades spread curses across groups. Wccftech also notes that the Moonstone Axe and Black Coat have Specials that hit multiple enemies.

Can you switch weapons between runs in Hades 2?

Yes. Once you unlock a weapon, you can choose it at the start of a run and switch freely from one run to the next. That makes it easy to try each one before you commit to a favorite.

Is Hades 2 available on PS5 and Xbox?

Yes. Hades 2 launched on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on April 14, 2026. It is also available on Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

What are hidden aspects in Hades 2?

Hidden aspects are a fourth aspect for each weapon: Anubis for the Staff, The Morrigan for the Blades, Nergal for the Axe, Supay for the Flames, Hel for the Skull and Shiva for the Black Coat. To unlock one, you fully upgrade another aspect on that weapon and hear the character's waking-phrase. Then you unlock it at the Silver Pool.

Sources