So I started this on GP #DoubleDip. Slowly getting back into it, still not totally feeling it tbh, maybe I just need to git gudder or unlock more stuff again or study boons more carefully or maybe it's just not the game for me

Well.
After thinking I would never even get to Hades and then during the worst run ever with the fists. I managed to get to, and beat, Hades on my first encounter with him.
Such an odd run. Out of about 10 rooms I got zero boons (apart from the starting room), it was all keys and money etc… I thought I had the most awful build ever and I managed to get to Hades with all death defiance intact.

It’s really worth persevering even if you don’t think much of your current build.

And that’s Hades reached every run at the moment.
Just beat him with the shield and just about had to use one death defiance.

I must admit I have god mode on.

I’d not be getting anywhere without it.

I couldn’t in good faith fail to mention it.

Been playing this all weekend, got my first escape today on the 33rd attempt using fists. Had basic attack dmg ranked up + dash-punch dmg buff + dash deflect and I think that one that makes you take 30% less dmg after being hit. Meant I managed to just swarm up in the faces of everything in the whole run mashing dash+attack, felt OP tbh. Was my second time reaching the big man himself. No intention of stopping playing atm.

That's not even a gif

Still no good, fella

made it back to Hades after eventually beating the Elysium bosses for the second time. i think it's attempt 23. got chinned off hades though i did manage a fair bit of damage

used the fists, and was the first time i got passed the second stage with them. I eventually found poseidon in an earlier attempt and got his trinket, so starting with that helped. i find his knockback/damage stuff on the dash really helpful, and managed to mix it with zeus stuff and those two are my preferred combo. no science or knowledge behind that, just seems to suit me...and i don't have the mental capacity to remember what all the gods offer anyway.

it was also only after that attempt that i realised that the upgrades for the weapons aren't stacked, but are different variants that you choose and build up. so i've prob wasted a lot of 'blood' by upgrading most of them once rather than supercharging one weapon on the variant i really want! (facepalm)

I think its time to retire this now.
I opened it fresh rather than quick resume this evening and got a tidal wave of achievements come through. All the rare gem type ones so took bloody forever.

Roughly 120 attempts.
About 40 escapes.
Highest Heat lvl 10, that was Max Extreme Measures.

I have one more companion to unlock and I'm pretty sure I have done the quest just not bumped into the character since.
Edit: not what I thought but I'm basically there, just need to give ambrosia to one character who isn't always at home.

Got the favor icons for most characters.

Picked up Charon's Loyalty Card once so seen that.

I think I'm happy with all that. I will probably come back to it again in the future but there is other stuff I want to play. It has totally dominated my evenings since launch.

[10]

Scrub

Finally escaped. Now I need to take a break, it's all I've played for weeks.

It’s currently leading for me, personally, but there’s still Halo: Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 to come.

Kow wrote:

Finally escaped. Now I need to take a break, it's all I've played for weeks.

Mourish isnt it?

I find it far to easy to finish a run escape or otherwise, check in with everyone, buy some upgrade bits and "just start another run, I wont finish it", then "I'll just play to Elysium", "Im at Styx so may as well finish". Repeat.

Aiming for a clear with a time under 15 minutes (on the final timer) is a good way to enjoy the game. I'd really recommend it. 

Once you get comfortable with going fast, you can reasonably easily clear heat 12 with the 5 minute timer, EM2 and +20% enemy speed. It's not a huge leap to heat 16 from there (maybe EM3 plus reduced health or more expensive shops). Then you get to see Skelly's second prize.

Heat 32 is really hard but rewarding. I didn't find it as fun as going fast.

voices wrote:

Aiming for a clear with a time under 15 minutes (on the final timer) is a good way to enjoy the game. I'd really recommend it.  Once you get comfortable with going fast, you can reasonably easily clear heat 12 with the 5 minute timer, EM2 and +20% enemy speed. It's not a huge leap to heat 16 from there (maybe EM3 plus reduced health or more expensive shops). Then you get to see Skelly's second prize. Heat 32 is really hard but rewarding. I didn't find it as fun as going fast.

18 minutes is my current PB.
That was a build that would suit a speed run I just wasn't aiming for it from the off. I reckon I could do 15 minutes if focussed on it.
Styx luck plays into it of course. 2 or 3 doors fine, anything more or rolling Tiny Vermin is going to make it tight.