The Umbral Flames are one of five weapons that players can collect in the Early Access version ofHades 2. They are a pair of twin rods that enhance Melinoe’s magical capabilities. All weapons have four attacks attached to them. A normal attack, a Special attack, and then players can charge those attacks up which are referred to as Omega versions of those moves.
In the grand tier of weapons, the Umbral Flames may not be what players gravitate toward first. However, that may change if they add theseBoons to them inHades 2. Let’s enhance the flames of war with a few useful tips.
8Origin Helix
Daedalus Hammer
Origin Helix is a Boon granted by the Daedalus Hammer which has specificupgrades for all of the weapons inHades 2. Among the ones for the Umbral Flames, this is the best which will enhance its Special attack. A normal Special will cast a fireball to swirl around Melinoe and then it will disappear.
A charged-up version will surround her with two that will protect her like a shield for a short span. Origin Helix will make the fireballs spin around her faster thus allowing them to damage more foes quicker.
7Flame Flourish
Hestia
Flame Flourish is a Boon from the goddess of fire,Hestia, inHades 2. All versions of Special attacks have a chance to inflict Scorch on enemies. Scorch is a status effect that will essentially burn enemies continuously with fire damage until it eventually dissipates.
It’s a good Boon that works well with the Umbral Flames thematically although any status inflicting element for the weapon would be a plus. Flame Flourish works best as a defensive bonus though since they will surround Melinoe.
6Lucid Gain
Apollo
Lucid Gain is a Boon from the god of light,Apollo, inHades 2. Besides normal attacks and Specials, players can use a spell called Cast. Normally this will form a circle at the summoning location and then all enemies that walk into it will be trapped.
Luring enemies into a Cast zone and then blasting them with an area spell is a sound strategy. However, Lucid Gain turns the tables by giving players Magick energy if they stand in it. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to stay inside the Cast circle and then shoot a continuous string of charged normal attacks at enemies with the Umbral Flames.
5Light Smite
Light Smite is another gift from Apollo that will add a defensive counter to Melinoe’s repertoire. If she gets hit in battle, a percentage of damage will be returned to the attacker. Enemies will also have a chance of getting Dazed and enemies in this state cannot harm players.
It’s one of the better defensive abilities in the game and most deities from Aphrodite toPoseidon have a smite-like Boon inHades 2that is worth investing in. The goal, of course, is to avoid damage but sometimes that cannot be helped.
4Arctic Ring
Demeter
Arctic Ring is a Boon fromDemeter, the goddess of seasons, inHades 2. It will enhance the Cast so that it will freeze enemies who fall into it, or at least there will be a high chance of it. If combined with Lucid Gain, players will be protected as they use Melinoe to cast giant fireballs at enemies while regaining Magick energy.
Once frozen, enemies cannot move which should be obvious. If they break free then players can always dash away to form a new Cast circle and repeat the process all over again.
3Ice Flourish
Ice Flourish is another Boon from Demeter that will ensure players get that frozen edge in battle. It will add a chance to freeze enemies after Special attacks are thrown. So, if the Arctic Ring in the Cast circle doesn’t freeze enemies, then Special attacks enhanced by Ice Flourish should.
It’s a fun way to deal with enemies considering that Umbral Flames, a fire-based weapon, can freeze enemies. It’s like the Icy Hot of the Hades universe if Icy Hot were anywhere near as powerful.
2Moon Water
Selene
Moon Water is a Boon that goes beyond all other Boons as it belongs to the goddess of the literal moon,Selene, inHades2. With Selene, players can get a temporary extra spell for their run called a Hex which can range from a defensive spell to an attack spell. Moon Water will give players three charges to heal and then those charges will be replenished at fountains in-between areas.
The second time players find a Selene marker, they can customize their spell in a skill tree to add more charges or new effects like restoring Magick energy on top of boosting healing effects. It’s a good support Boob to a Magick build laid out for the Umbral Flames.
1Midnight Oil
Hermes
Midnight Oil is a Boon from Hermes, the god of swiftness inHades 2. It’s a great one to combine with any Hex, like Moon Water, that players find on their journey. To use a Hex, the spell must be charged by expending Magick energy in battle.
Once filled, the Hex can then be spent. Midnight Oil is a Boon that will boost the speed of Melinoe and her attacks by a set percentage if that Hex meter is filled, giving players the option to hold onto it until they absolutely need to use it like if they are about to die.
