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Hades 2: How to Wake Hypnos, the Sleeping God of Sleep

Last Updated: October 27, 2025

Melinoë waking Hypnos in Hades 2.

As Melinoë delves into the Underworld in Hades 2, she’s greeted by both new and familiar faces in the Crossroads. Yet, one of the most beloved characters from the original game is conspicuously silent. Hypnos, the once-garrulous God of Sleep, is found in a deep, seemingly unbreakable slumber, presenting one of the game's most intriguing side quests.

Veterans of the first Hades will fondly remember Hypnos as the cheerful, if somewhat oblivious, attendant who diligently recorded Zagreus's many deaths. In Hades 2, his role is starkly different. He is found curled up in a secluded corner of the Crossroads, lost in a profound sleep that no amount of initial interaction can disturb. Fortunately, this is not a permanent state of affairs. A dedicated, multi-step questline allows players to rouse him from his mysterious torpor and restore him to his rightful place. This guide details the exact steps required to wake the sleeping god.

The "Sweet Slumber" Quest: A Step-by-Step Guide

Waking Hypnos is a process that unfolds over several runs, requiring specific conversations, a special incantation at the Cauldron, and gathering rare reagents. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Progress the Story and Exhaust Dialogue

The quest to awaken Hypnos isn't available from the start. You must first make significant progress in your attempts to vanquish Chronos. The key to triggering the quest is persistent communication with the denizens of the Crossroads.

After each run, make sure to speak with everyone available, particularly Nyx (Hypnos's mother) and Hermes. They will eventually express their concern for Hypnos's condition. You will need to exhaust their dialogue about the matter over multiple runs until the topic of a cure or a special remedy arises. This will eventually lead to unlocking a crucial incantation at the Crossroads Cauldron.

Step 2: Cast the "End to Deepest Slumber" Incantation

Once you have progressed the necessary conversations, a new recipe will appear in Hecate’s Cauldron: the "End to Deepest Slumber" incantation. This is the key to rousing Hypnos, but it requires you to gather a specific set of rare ingredients from the Underworld and its surface counterpart.

The required reagents for the incantation are:

  • 3 Poppy: A crimson flower found in the fields of Erebus.
  • 2 Mandrake: A mystical root that must be dug from the soil in the Rift of Thessaly on the Surface. You will need the Silver Spade gathering tool to unearth it.
  • 1 Molly: A resilient, golden-petaled flower protected by a magical aura. It can be gathered in Erebus, but is much rarer than other flora in the region.

Step 3: Brew the Potion and Wake Hypnos

After you’ve collected all three ingredients, return to the Crossroads and interact with the Cauldron. Select the "End to Deepest Slumber" incantation and brew the concoction. Once the spell is cast, a short cutscene will trigger. Melinoë will approach the sleeping god and administer the remedy, finally stirring him from his long, unnatural sleep.

What Happens When Hypnos Wakes Up?

Upon waking, a groggy Hypnos is reunited with his family and slowly reacclimates to his duties. His return has several effects on the game.

Most importantly, Hypnos resumes his role as the Underworld's record-keeper. He will once again track your runs, offering commentary and statistics on your failures. Interacting with him after a death will bring up a detailed "Thanatopsis" screen, showing which foe or hazard delivered the final blow—a welcome return of a beloved feature from the original game.

Furthermore, waking him is a significant narrative event. It progresses his personal storyline and unlocks new, unique dialogue interactions between him, Melinoë, Nyx, Thanatos, and other characters, adding more depth and charm to the ever-evolving hub of the Crossroads. Solving the mystery of his slumber is not just about unlocking a gameplay feature; it's about restoring a member of the Chthonic family and enriching the world of Hades 2.