Hades 2’s roguelike elements can be a bit challenging for those who don’t have a game plan ready when going for a run. Luckily, there are plenty of tools to help you on your Underworld or Surface runs, including Animal Familiars.
Bosses like Prometheus or Chronos himself are major roadblocks that prevent players from making it to the end. The good news is that in Hades 2, Melinoe isn’t exactly alone. Aside from the boons from Cthonic and Olympian gods, she also has access to Familiars, animal companions that add permanent stat bonuses to Melinoe so long as she invites one over for a run.
Here are all 5 Familiars in Hades 2 as well as a guide on how to unlock them:
Frinos the Toad
Where to find Frinos
Frinos is the game’s first animal familiar you can befriend. Right after your first death in the game, you can find Frinos the Toad just beside The Crossroad’s spawn point. All you need to do to recruit Frinos is to keep petting it until your bond grows.
Frinos' Stats
Frinos is the perfect beginner companion if you’re looking for extra health bonuses. Frinos provides a Bonus Max Life of +10/20/30/40 and an increased chances of finding Psyche by +0/25/50/75%.
Frinos in Combat
Frinos is generally a tank in Hades 2. This little toad can soak up projectiles if they come in contact with it and bounces around for the giggles. Frinos can even absorb Hecate’s “Morph” ability, saving you precious seconds during the boss fight. Frinos can also make Compelling Lost Souls faster, so you don’t have to do the QTE minigame all the time so long as you have him with you.
Raki the Raven
Where to find Raki
Raki the Raven can be found in a safe room in Erebus. You first need to unlock the Woodsy Lifespring incantation in the Crossroad’s Cauldron. This unlocks a special room where you encounter no enemies and it includes a Fountain for healing. Raki can be found near the exit. You only need to give him a Witch's Delight so you can grow your bond.
Raki's Stats
Raki is your ideal Animal Familiar to recruit when you want to maximize damage. Raki can increase your Critical chance by +1/2/3/4% as well as finding outcroppings like Limestones and Marble at +0/25/50/75% chances.
Raki in Combat
Raki is a raven, that means it loves pecking at its enemies. It will deal 5 damage for every peck, but most importantly, it applies a Marked status to the enemy pecked, increasing your chances of dealing critical damage. Raki can also make mining with your pickaxe easier, as you only need to order this raven to grab the resources for you.
Toula the Cat
Where to find Toula
Toula the Cat can be found in the first area in the Rift of Thessaly. Before you make your way past the portal, Toula is in the corner waiting for your attention. To unlock this cat, you need to feed him with a “Witch's Delight” so you can make it your friend forever.
Toula's Stats
Toula is perfect for players who want to increase their chances of surviving a run all thanks to its +1 Death Defiance that restores 10/20/30/40 health. Toula can also increase your chances of finding fishing spots by +0/25/50/75%.
Toula Abilities
Toula is a cat, that means it loves to lunge at whatever it finds interesting. Whenever Melinoe sprints, Toula will charge at the nearest foe at 99 damage. Additionally, Toula makes fishing easier as well, as this cat can just get it for you without the risk of losing the catch.
Hecuba the Dog
Where to find Hecuba
Hecuba the Dog can be found in Echo’s Room in the Fields of Mourning biome. After you talked to Echo and took one of her upgrades, Hecuba can be found chilling near the exit points. All you need to do is to give him a Witch’s Delight and this doggo will be your partner forever.
Hecuba's Stats
Hecuba is an agile support that’s good for players who rely on Magick too much. Hecuba will grant a bonus of +15/30/45/60 per level and also increase the chances of finding digging spots by +0/25/50/75%.
Hecuba Abilities
Hecuba can stun enemies within an area for 1 second. You can increase the chances of it by upgrading and feeding it more Witch’s Delight in the Crossroads. Hecuba can also make digging easier, as all you need to do is order him to grab seeds for you.
Gale the Polecat
Where to find Gale
To find and unlock Gale, you must head to the Surface and reach the final room in Mount Olympus prior to Prometheus’ boss fight. Gale can be found near the stairs. All you need to do is feed it with Witch’s Delight and you can unlock it forever.
Gale Stats
Gale the Polecat is ideal for players who want to be swift and do things quickly and effortlessly. This polecat can increase your movement speed and dodge chances by +3//4/5/6% depending on its level. Additionally, it can also increase your chances of finding flora to gather by +10/13/16/19%.
Gale Abilities
Gale is the best Animal Familiar to use when you love to be efficient in dodging and escaping damage. Gale can take any damage for you up to 3 times per region, making it a perfect shield against dangerous projectiles.
And that’s about it. These Animal Familiars are a great help in Melinoe’s adventure in Hades 2. They are especially useful with its extra stat buffs and extra offensive support.
You can check out more of our Hades 2 guides here, including how to wake up Hypnos and how to find an iconic Hades 1 character.
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