Equip the god that supports the core slot.
Avoid: Wait for random boon rooms.Hades · Guides
Hades keepsakes: control the next run instead of accepting RNG
Use this when you have Nectar rewards but do not know which keepsake should shape the next escape attempt.
Primary sections
Start with your problem
Keepsakes are often treated as passive bonuses, but their real value is steering a run decision.
Open with a god keepsake to target the build, swap to defense or boss tools when needed, and avoid late-story keepsake assumptions in early routes.
Swap to defensive/boss tool if available.
Avoid: Keep opener by habit.Use available god/defensive keepsake instead.
Avoid: Write route around unavailable rewards.Problem solver
Diagnose the Keepsakes blocker
Start from the run state that changes your next action.
No god control
Build starts without a keepsake target.
Equip the god that supports the core slot.
Do not: Wait for random boon rooms. keepsakeFactsLate boss deaths
Opener value may be spent.
Swap to defensive/boss tool if available.
Do not: Keep opener by habit. bossesLocked keepsake
Route assumes late story access.
Use available god/defensive keepsake instead.
Do not: Write route around unavailable rewards. charactersPlayable tools
Use this while planning your route
These tools turn the guide into a quick decision surface for boss attempts, builds, quests and backups.
Decision tool
Keepsakes next-action selector
Pick the current blocker and get the safest next action.
Choose the current state to get the next action.
Checklist
Keepsakes verification checklist
Use this before changing weapon route, Heat, keepsake or save state.
Video
Hades official Steam trailers and media
Open the official Steam store media section for current trailers, screenshots and publisher-provided video assets.
Open official Steam mediaPlayer problem
Keepsakes are often treated as passive bonuses, but their real value is steering a run decision.
Open with a god keepsake to target the build, swap to defense or boss tools when needed, and avoid late-story keepsake assumptions in early routes.
Use opener keepsakes for gods
The first keepsake can turn a random run into a planned boon route.
- Pick god by weapon core move.
- Use defensive opener only when survival is the blocker.
- Avoid keeping spent targeting value by habit.
Swap by region pressure
Later regions may call for boss defense or survival rather than more god targeting.
- Use boss protection when boss damage is the blocker.
- Use speed/no-hit keepsakes only for challenge routing.
- Keep story-locked keepsakes out of early plans.
Treat gifts as progression
Nectar decisions should follow route value and relationship goals.
- Unlock key god keepsakes first.
- Track character gifts.
- Save late resources for companion/story routes.
Keepsake route checks
| Goal | Keepsake type | Stop sign |
|---|---|---|
| Target first boon | God keepsake. | Wrong god for weapon move. |
| Survive final region | Defensive/boss keepsake. | Normal rooms still kill the run. |
| Challenge route | Speed/no-hit keepsake. | Basic clears are not stable. |
| Story route | Story-locked keepsake. | Save has not unlocked it yet. |
Action checklist
Do this in order
- Pick weapon before keepsake.
- Equip god keepsake for opener control.
- Swap later only if it solves a region problem.
- Do not plan around locked keepsakes early.
- Review whether the keepsake still has active value.
FAQ
Common questions
Which keepsake should I start with?
Start with the god keepsake that supports your weapon’s core move, unless survival is the immediate blocker.
Should I swap keepsakes between regions?
Yes when the swap solves the next region or boss problem; no when it is just habit.
Sources