Hades 2 Keepsakes Guide: Unlocking for a Strategic Edge

Last Updated: October 26, 2025

Hades 2, the critically-acclaimed sequel from Supergiant Games, thrusts players into the Underworld once more, this time as the resilient Princess Melinoë. The game’s Early Access launch has already proven to be a monumental success, challenging players with punishing encounters and a deep, rewarding progression system. In this demanding world, every advantage counts, and the key to survival and ultimate victory often lies with the Keepsakes system. These invaluable accessories, bestowed by the gods, spirits, and shades you meet, offer unique boons that can define a run before it even begins.

Understanding how to cultivate relationships and unlock these powerful items is paramount. As you delve deeper into the mysteries of the Underworld and the surface world above, forming bonds with its inhabitants becomes not just a narrative treat, but a core strategic imperative.

The Strategic Imperative of Keepsakes

Hades 2 is built on a foundation of trial, error, and adaptation. Death is not an end but a lesson, and Keepsakes are a tangible reward for your social efforts between each perilous journey. These are not mere trinkets; they are a fundamental progression system tied directly to your interactions at the Crossroads and beyond, allowing you to customize your approach and mitigate the randomness inherent in the roguelike genre.

Each Keepsake offers a distinct benefit, ranging from guaranteeing a boon from a specific Olympian god to providing crucial defensive buffs like an extra life. The strategic depth they introduce is immense. Are you attempting a Zeus-centric build? Equip the Thunderbolt Locket. Struggling against the formidable regional Guardians? Odysseus's Knuckle Bones will be your best friend. This layer of meta-progression ensures that even after a crushing defeat, you have a new strategy to try and a new ally to befriend.

How to Unlock Keepsakes: The Power of Nectar

Unlocking Keepsakes in Hades 2 is a straightforward and rewarding process tied to building relationships. The core mechanic is simple: gift a character one bottle of Nectar for the first time.

Nectar is a precious golden ambrosia you'll find throughout your runs, often as a reward for clearing an encounter or for purchase from Charon. Upon returning to the Crossroads, you can approach the various characters you've met and offer them a bottle. The very first time you gift Nectar to an individual, they will give you their personal Keepsake in return as a sign of their burgeoning friendship. Subsequent gifts will continue to deepen your bond, unlocking further narrative and rewards.

All Currently Available Keepsakes in Hades 2 (Early Access)

As you build your collection, you can equip one Keepsake at a time from the glowing display case in the Training Grounds before embarking on a run. Here is a comprehensive list of all Keepsakes available in the current Early Access build:

Character & Location Keepsakes

• Silver Wheel (Hecate): After using your Omega Moves 1000 total Magick, restore 100% Magick.
• Knuckle Bones (Odysseus): Take 15% less damage from Guardians and your foe takes 20% more damage for 5 seconds after you are hit.
• Luckier Tooth (Schelemeus): Automatically restore up to 100 Health one time when your Life Total is depleted.
• Ghost Onion (Dora): Whenever you exit a Location, restore Health, by a random amount between 10-20.
• Gold Bangle (Hypnos): Gain +150 Gold Crowns to spend at the start of your run.
• Evil Eye (Nemesis): You deal +20% damage to the one foe that last vanquished you.
• Engraved Pin (Moros): After you take damage, become Impervious for 10 seconds. This can only happen once per encounter.
• Transcendent Embryo (Chaos): Receive one random Chaos blessing at the start of your run. It will not have a curse.
• Silken Sash (Arachne): Gain 30 Armor. When you exit a Location, if you have less than 30 Armor, gain +2 Armor.
• Experimental Hammer (Echo): Receive one random Daedalus Hammer upgrade at the start of your run.

Olympian God Keepsakes

These Keepsakes guarantee that the first Boon you find will be from that specific Olympian, and it will have an increased chance to be of Rare quality or better.

• Sun Medallion (Apollo)
• Purest Hope (Aphrodite)
• Adamant Shard (Hestia)
• Vivid Sea (Poseidon)
• Cloudy Pouch (Hera)
• Ornate Flower (Demeter)
• Barley Sheaf (Hephaestus)
• Moonbeam (Selene)
• Thunderbolt Locket (Zeus)

Advanced Strategy: The Kindred Keepsakes Incantation

Initially, you are locked into your chosen Keepsake for the entirety of a run. However, you can unlock a massive strategic advantage by performing the Kindred Keepsakes Incantation at Hecate's cauldron.

Once complete, a smaller Keepsake display case will appear in the rooms between each major region (e.g., after defeating the boss of Erebus). This allows you to swap your equipped Keepsake on the fly, tailoring your build to the challenges ahead. You could start with a Gold Bangle for an economic boost, then switch to the Knuckle Bones just before facing Hecuba, and finally equip the Luckier Tooth for the treacherous journey through Oceanus. Mastering this mid-run swap is a hallmark of an experienced player.

Conclusion: The Enduring Value of Connection

The Keepsake system in Hades 2 brilliantly intertwines narrative, character relationships, and hard-nosed gameplay strategy. By fostering alliances with the rich cast of characters, you unlock a powerful arsenal of accessories that are crucial for overcoming the game's relentless challenges. This system provides significant depth, rewarding exploration, and social engagement with tangible power.

As Hades 2 continues its journey through Early Access, new characters and their unique Keepsakes will undoubtedly be added. Mastering the art of unlocking and strategically deploying these items will remain a key to conquering the Underworld and defying Chronos himself. The pursuit of every Keepsake is a rewarding endeavor that will shape countless runs and define your unique path to victory.