There are 27 different keepsakes to unlock in Hades 2, so the question of whom to give Nectar becomes crucial in the early game. Let’s talk about the most optimal options when choosing where to spend Nectar. Here are the best keepsakes to get early in Hades 2.
What Are the Best Keepsakes Early in Hades 2?
Luckier Tooth (Schelemeus)
The best beginner keepsake I’d recommend in Hades 2 is the Luckier Tooth. You can get it by giving one Nectar to Schelemeus. It essentially gives you another Death’s Defiance or extra life, but it’s better because it restores more HP upon death. As you level it up, you can restore up to 100 HP when you die.
For those unfamiliar, keepsakes are upgraded once you beat 25 encounters or rooms. For those looking to learn the game and reach as far as possible each run, you can’t go wrong with the Luckier Tooth from good ol’ Skelly. Once you unlock the ability to switch keepsakes between levels with Kindred Keepsakes invocation, the Luckier Tooth is an excellent option to get before the final boss.
Ghost Onion (Dora)
While the Luckier Tooth is a backup plan, a more active HP sustainment keepsake is Dora’s Ghost Onion. Once you give her one Nectar, this keepsake will restore your health to full whenever you leave a room. The maximum capacity of the trinket starts at 50 HP so this is the maximum it can restore. The capacity increases drastically as you level it up. Lastly, similar to the Luckier Tooth, this is a decent option to switch to if you’re low between areas using the Kindred Keepsakes invocation.
Silken Sash (Arachne)
So the Luckier Tooth and the Ghost Onion are both excellent beginner keepsakes that rectify the mistakes you make. However, the Silken Sash is another powerful defensive keepsake that actually rewards not making mistakes. You get it by giving one Nectar to Arachne.
First off, it starts you with 20 armor or more once you upgrade it. Then, for every room you clear while still having armor, you get 2 more armor, which can stack up and increase with upgrades. The best strategy is to combine this keepsake with Arachne’s outfit and enjoy stacking armor well past the Mourning Fields if you don’t get it broken.
Silver Wheel (Hecate)
The Silver Wheel is likely one of the first keepsakes you’ll unlock by giving Nectar to Hecate. That said, even though it’s a beginner keepsake it’s quite powerful against bosses well into the late game. You get a reserve of 1000 Magick or more with upgrades that automatically refill your spent Magick during a fight. I really like starting with another keepsake and then switching to the Silver Wheel before the third area or before the Final Boss area.
That said, you can just as well start with the Silver Wheel to ensure you have a good reserve to fire off powerful spells and, therefore, activate more Hexes. In both cases, I highly recommend taking Boons and Daedalus upgrades that make you spend more Magick for more powerful abilities so that you can fully utilize the Silver Wheel’s Magick reserve.
Knuckle Bones (Odysseus)
Last but not least, we have the boss-killing keepsake that you get by giving Nectar to Odysseus. The Knuckle Bones can be a powerful addition to your collection, and it has a specific use. I wouldn’t recommend starting with it, but instead, switching to it before a boss who is giving you trouble. The keepsake reduces a boss’ HP by up to 15% and reduces the damage they deal to you drastically with upgrades. Switch to it before the third area, the Final Boss, or before any area where you’re struggling.
That’s it for my best keepsakes to get early in Hades 2. For more Hades 2 guides, check out the best weapons.
