HADES I · ZAGREUS / POST-LAUNCH PC
Keepsakes and Companions
Check recipients and 3-rank effects for 25 Keepsakes, cautions when switching, and bond steps for 6 Companions. Giving, equipping and upgrading are separate stages.
Scope: Hades I, post-v1.0 PC release. Official update announcements checked through February 2022. Current executable version numbers on each platform are unconfirmed / Source check: 2026-10-02
From acquisition to use
- Give a recipient their first Nectar, then select the received Keepsake at the courtyard cabinet. Hades's Keepsake requires story progress and a second Nectar.
- Complete 25 encounters while equipped for rank 2, then another 50 for rank 3: 75 in total for each Keepsake.
- The House Contractor's Keepsake Collection, Regional order allows changes between regions. A Keepsake removed during a run cannot be equipped again in that run.
- Removing Pierced Butterfly or Lambent Plume loses their accumulated bonuses. Compare those bonuses before switching to a final-boss Keepsake.
- Conversation-only or shopping-only rooms do not count as combat encounters for ranks. Check the cabinet's progress display for the actual remaining count.
25 Keepsakes: recipients, effects and uses
God Keepsakes help you encounter their god; they do not guarantee the desired attack slot at every meeting.
| Keepsake | Recipient | Rank 1 / 2 / 3 | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Spiked Collar | Cerberus | Maximum Life +25 / +38 / +50. | Raises the size of a single hit you can survive. |
| Myrmidon Bracer | Achilles | Frontal damage taken -20 / -25 / -30%; rear damage +10%. | Requires facing the enemy. |
| Black Shawl | Nyx | Damage against undamaged foes and from behind +10 / +15 / +20%. | For opening hits or attacks from behind. |
| Pierced Butterfly | Thanatos | Damage +1 / +1.5 / +2% per eligible encounter cleared without damage. | Not every short Styx room grants a stack. |
| Bone Hourglass | Charon | Well items last +4 / +6 / +8 encounters. | Equip before buying and check the resulting remaining count. |
| Chthonic Coin Purse | Hypnos | 100 / 125 / 150 Obols when equipped, once per run. | For starting purchases. Re-equipping cannot repeatedly add money. |
| Skull Earring | Megaera | Damage +20 / +30 / +40% at 35% Life or below. | Weigh the bonus against the danger of staying at low Life. |
| Distant Memory | Orpheus | Damage to distant foes +10 / +20 / +30%. | Consider ranged use rather than close-range fists. |
| Harpy Feather Duster | Dusa | Pots have a 3 / 5 / 6% chance to drop healing. | Break pots in safe rooms; healing is not guaranteed each time. |
| Lucky Tooth | Skelly | Revives once per run at 50 / 75 / 100 Life. | Separate from Mirror revives. Check whether it has already been used. |
| Thunder Signet | Zeus | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | Build chain-lightning or lightning-bolt prerequisites. |
| Conch Shell | Poseidon | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | Target knockback boons. |
| Owl Pendant | Athena | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | Secure a slot that Deflects. |
| Eternal Rose | Aphrodite | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | For an attack that applies Weak. |
| Blood-Filled Vial | Ares | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | Decide whether to use Doom or Blade Rifts first. |
| Adamant Arrowhead | Artemis | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | Match your critical-hit or Cast setup. |
| Overflowing Cup | Dionysus | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | Choose separately for Hangover or the fog Cast. |
| Lambent Plume | Hermes | Dodge chance and speed +1 / +1.1 / +1.2% per eligible encounter cleared quickly. | Time thresholds differ by encounter type. Increase your time spent attacking. |
| Frostbitten Horn | Demeter | Steers the next god boon; Rare-or-better chance +10 / +15 / +20%. | Build Chill or crystals. Unavailable before Demeter appears. |
| Cosmic Egg | Chaos | No Life cost for gates; Rare-or-better chance +20 / +30 / +40%. | Does not remove the curse itself. |
| Shattered Shackle | Sisyphus | Attack, Special or Cast without an assigned boon gains +50 / +75 / +100%. | The same bonus does not remain for a slot after filling it. |
| Evergreen Acorn | Eurydice | Blocks the first 3 / 4 / 5 hits in the region's final boss encounter. | Adds or repeated attacks may consume charges. |
| Broken Spearpoint | Patroclus | Protection for 1 / 1.25 / 1.5 seconds after damage; 7-second cooldown. | Does not block the first hit. |
| Pom Blossom | Persephone | Raises a random boon by 1 level every 6 / 5 / 4 encounters. | Acquired after the main story. Cannot target only a selected boon. |
| Sigil of the Dead | Hades | Changes Call to Hades's Aid. Starting gauge 10 / 20 / 30%. | A post-story gift. Check compatibility with an existing Call on the equipment screen. |
Example of switching between regions
- Start with the Keepsake of the god you want for Attack or Special. After receiving a boon, record whether prerequisites are met.
- At the next regional cabinet, change gods to seek the second one you need. If the main attack is complete, consider Life or revive support instead.
- Before Styx, check revives, maximum Life and boss attacks you struggle to avoid. Compare Lucky Tooth, Evergreen Acorn, Old Spiked Collar and other choices.
- For butterfly or plume achievement attempts, keep the Keepsake equipped. Do not plan around retaining accumulated values after removing it.
Unlock bonds for the 6 Companions
| Companion / recipient | Bond progress | Summon use |
|---|---|---|
| Batty / Megaera | Progress Nectar affinity, see the bedroom visit conversation, then give Ambrosia. | A line of area attacks near enemies. Check target positions. |
| Mort / Thanatos | Deepen the bond and progress encounter contests and subsequent conversations. | A delayed wide attack. Use where enemies will remain until impact. |
| Rib / Skelly | After hearing his request, defeat Skelly with the maximum-rank Zagreus sword Aspect. | A decoy that attracts enemies. Avoid destroying it early yourself. |
| Shady / Sisyphus | Resolve his sentencing contract so you can give Ambrosia. | Deals damage and drops Life, Darkness and Obols. Use in a fight where healing helps. |
| Fidi / Dusa | Progress lounge repairs and required affinity and conversations. | 30 seconds of supporting fire. Do not rely on petrifying bosses. |
| Antos / Achilles | Complete the reunion with Patroclus and unlock the bond. | Support attacks from 2 characters targeting different enemies. |
- Summon uses can be upgraded from 1 to 5. Extra ranks cost 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ambrosia, totaling 10. This is separate from the gift needed to acquire the Companion.
- Use only once per encounter. You cannot swap Companions during a run. For fights restricted by opponent or story progress, follow the unavailable-use indicator.