Hades 2: How To Unlock (& Activate) Arcana Cards

Hades 2 introduces a few new systems to players, including one that allows you to make minute upgrades to Melinoe's base stats and abilities: Arcana Cards. These cards provide passive buffs to a plethora of stats, and some act outside of battle and allow you to re-roll boons, increase your chance of finding a resource pickup, and more. You'll have access to these cards right from the start of the game, but their true potential remains hidden for quite some time.

There are 25 total Arcana Cards in Hades 2, and each one has a different effect. You'll start with six cards unlocked, and these cards can be inspected at the altar just outside the main Crossroads hub, which is also near where the fishing rod will appear once you've unlocked fishing. Here, you can check out the cards you have already flipped, check the costs of locked cards, and also decide which ones you want to have active in your run.

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How to Unlock Arcana Cards in Hades 2

At the altar outside the Crossroads, you'll see a grid of Arcana Cards and their unique effects. Each card has a different cost, but the main currency you'll need to unlock new cards is Ashes. This resource is a gray bundle of powdery matter, and can be found in all parts of the Underworld, both as a room reward and a random pickup from anyone you might meet on your way.

Ash's primary use is for unlocking Arcana Cards, though you might need some for a few Conjurations at the cauldron, so feel free to spend away. The more powerful cards will cost other resources, but a majority of the cards can be unlocked with Ashes alone.

This room is also where you can find the storage bin for all the Keepsakes you've been given in return for Nectar; Keepsakes will provide more passive buffs that will allow you to determine whose boons you'll receive, give your armor, and more.

The best way to farm Ashes is to choose it as a room reward whenever you have a chance. You'll be able to see this on the doorway before you enter the room, and you should receive five Ashes after the room is cleared. You can also purchase Ashes from the Wretched Broker in the Crossroads for bones, as well as from Charon's special order bin in the Crossroads. This takes Obol Points, which Charon gives you every time you spend 1000 gold.

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How to Increase Grasp at the Altar

Grasp is the number that determines how many Arcana Cards you can equip at one time. You start out with 12 Grasp and will need to increase this score as you gain more and more cards. Each card has a grasp cost, indicated by the number in the top right of the card.

Some cards cost 0 Grasp but have other methods of activation. One such card requires that you have three cards costing one Grasp activated at once, while another requires that you have all the surrounding cards activated in order for it to work.

Grasp can be increased by selecting Melinoe's portrait inside the Altar. This costs Psyche, which is the green, juice-like substance that you see in your runs. This can also be purchased from the Wretched Broker and Charon, so if you're looking to activate more cards, make sure you're stocked up. The price of increasing your Grasp goes up as you upgrade, so you'll want to really keep an eye out for Psyche as you fight your way to Chronos.

No matter which Arcana Cards you pick, they're going to be essential to keeping you alive and winning your fights as you descend into the depths. Some of the resources you'll need for later cards can be found on the surface, but otherwise, grab as many Ashes and as much Psyche as you can to make sure you have everything you need. If you're looking for a particular challenge, try a run without any Arcana Cards and brave the Underworld in your most vulnerable state. Hades 2 is jam-packed with new systems to master; Arcana Cards provide much-needed aid.