Hades 2 Arcana cards – How they work, and how to get more

The Arcana cards in Hades 2 are one of the game’s systems for permanent progression. If you want to power up Melinoe to delver deeper into the Underworld, then they’re a useful way to do so.

You manage your Arcana at the Altar of Ashes which is the arch found between the top and bottom levels of The Crossroads. It’s hard to miss, since you pass by it every night on your way out.

When you interact with the Altar of Ashes, you’re given a menu with a grid of Arcana cards on the left, a description window in the center, and Melinoe’s portrait on the right.

How to unlock more Arcana in Hades 2

Unlocking Arcana is simple enough. You spend the Ashes that you acquire (or buy) in your journey and purchase them. It’s a simple exchange.

Each Arcana gives you some sort of advantage, whether that’s boosting your stats or giving you buffs if certain conditions are met. They essentially make it easier to progress, though usually in minor ways. However, enough minor advantages can add up to a more comfortable experience. They also help you create “builds” for your character and have them focus on magic or a specific type of element or damage.

However, in order to activate the Arcana, you need to spend Grasp. The amount you need is depicted in the top-right corner of the card. Melinoe starts out with a decent amount of Grasp, which is depicted around her portrait. However, you may find that it fills up quickly as you unlock the early-stage Arcana.

In order to get more Grasp, you need to spend Psyche. Each time you level up your Psyche, the price for the next level becomes more expensive.

How to activate 0-cost Arcana cards in Hades 2

There are also cards that have 0 (zero) Grasp as a price. These aren’t exactly free, each one of them has a requirement to unlock. For example, Card XIII – The Centaur, requires that you have an active card for each of the Grasp values of 1-5. Once you fulfill those requirements, the card activates on its own.