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Hades 2 Arcana Cards Guide and Best Cards to Use
In Hades 2, the Arcana Cards form the foundation of Melinoë’s progression system, replacing the Mirror of Night from the first game. You unlock and activate Arcana at the Altar of Ashes, using resources such as Ashes, Psyche, Moon Dust, and Star Dust to expand and enhance your deck.
Each of the 25 Arcana functions like a tarot card that provides a permanent passive effect during your run. Some focus on direct combat boosts, such as The Sorceress which speeds up Omega attacks, while others like The Queen increase your chances of receiving rare Duo Boons.
The Arcana system affects every aspect of progression in Hades 2:
* Ashes are spent to unlock new cards on the Altar grid.
* Psyche raises your Grasp, which determines how many cards you can equip at once.
* Moon Dust and Star Dust enhance Arcana through Insight, improving their effects.
You can rearrange your Arcana loadout before each run to match your weapon, Aspect, or playstyle. Later, the Spreading of Ashes incantation allows you to save up to six custom Arcana presets for quick switching.
Unlike the Mirror of Night, which offered fixed stat bonuses, the Arcana system provides deeper customization. The cards you choose and the way you combine them directly influence your build, including your Magick recovery rate, resource generation, and the rarity of Boons you encounter.
How to unlock and upgrade Arcana cards
You unlock Arcana by interacting with the Altar of Ashes, which becomes available early in the game. Each card is revealed and activated using specific materials gathered during your runs. These materials are all part of Hades 2’s long-term progression system and are tied to exploration, combat, and incantations at the Crossroads.
Resources used for Arcana progression
* Ashes – The basic currency for unlocking new Arcana cards. You can earn Ashes as rewards from encounters, chests, or certain surface routes. Each card costs a different amount depending on its power and position on the grid.
* Psyche – Used to increase your Grasp, which determines how many Arcana cards you can have active at once. Each Arcana consumes a specific amount of Grasp, so raising your limit allows for more complex builds. Psyche is usually obtained from saving Shades or completing story objectives.
* Moon Dust – Unlocks Insight, which enhances the strength of individual Arcana cards. For example, upgrading The Death increases the number of Death Defiance charges available each run.
* Star Dust – A rare material used for higher levels of Insight. Star Dust is primarily earned through Trials of Chaos, which are advanced challenge arenas unlocked later in the game.
Incantations tied to Arcana upgrades
Two incantations expand the system’s depth:
* Consecration of Ashes unlocks Insight, allowing you to spend Moon Dust to upgrade Arcana effects.
* Abyssal Insight grants access to the Trials of Chaos, where you can collect Star Dust for the highest-tier Arcana enhancements.
A third incantation, Spreading of Ashes, lets you save and label up to six Arcana loadouts. This feature is useful when switching between weapons or routes, as different builds benefit from specific Arcana combinations.
Understanding Grasp
Every Arcana has a Grasp cost ranging from 0 to 6. The higher the cost, the stronger the effect. Your total Grasp capacity limits how many cards you can activate at once. For example, if you have 20 Grasp and activate cards that cost 1, 4, 5, 5, and 5, you will reach the cap and need more Psyche to add additional cards.
Managing Grasp is one of the key strategic decisions in Hades 2. Early on, you will have enough capacity for only a few core cards, so prioritizing upgrades that improve survivability or Magick recovery is more valuable than minor bonuses. As your Grasp increases, you can experiment with more advanced builds and synergy-based effects.
All Arcana cards in Hades 2
I – The Sorceress (1 Grasp)
* Your Omega Moves are 10 / 20 / 30 percent faster.
II – The Wayward Son (1 Grasp)
* After you exit a location, restore 2 / 3 / 4 Health, or twice that amount when below 30 percent maximum Life.
III – The Huntress (2 Grasp)
* While you have less than 100 percent Magick, your Attack and Special deal +30 / 40 / 50 percent damage.
IV – Night (3 Grasp)
* While you channel Omega Moves, everything moves slower for up to 1.2 seconds.
V – The Moon (0 Grasp)
* Your Hex charges automatically as if you spent 1 / 2 / 3 Magick every second.
(activation: activates any surrounding card)
VI – The Furies (2 Grasp)
* Deal +10 / 20 / 30 percent damage to foes in your Cast.
VII – Eternity (2 Grasp)
* Gain +20 / 30 / 40 maximum Life and Magick.
VIII – The Messenger (1 Grasp)
* Your Casts momentarily make you impervious and move up to 70 percent faster.
IX – The Unseen (5 Grasp)
* Restore 5 / 7 / 10 Magick every second.
X – Night (2 Grasp)
* Your Omega Moves have a +9 / 12 / 15 percent chance to deal critical damage if your last one was different.
XI – The Swift Runner (1 Grasp)
* Your Sprint is 5 / 7 / 10 percent faster and lets you pass through most enemies.
XII – Death (4 Grasp)
* Set forth each night with 1 / 2 / 3 Death Defiance.
XIII – The Centaur (0 Grasp)
* After every five locations, gain 3 / 4 / 5 maximum Life and Magick.
(activation: requires active cards using 1 – 5 Grasp)
XIV – Origination (5 Grasp)
* Deal +30 / 40 / 50 percent damage to enemies afflicted by two Curse effects from the Olympians.
XV – The Lovers (3 Grasp)
* In Guardian encounters, you take no damage the first 1 / 2 / 3 times you are hit.
XVI – The Enchantress (3 Grasp)
* Set forth each night with 1 / 2 / 3 Change of Fate charges used to alter Location Rewards.
XVII – The Boatman (5 Grasp)
* Set forth each night with 200 / 250 / 300 Crowns.
XVIII – The Artificer (3 Grasp)
* Set forth each night with 1 / 2 / 3 chances to turn any Minor Find into a Major Find.
XIX – Excellence (5 Grasp)
* Any Boons you are offered have a +30 / 40 / 50 percent chance to be Rare or Legendary.
XX – The Queen (0 Grasp)
* Any Boons you are offered have a 6 / 8 / 10 percent chance to be Duo Boons whenever possible.
(activation: no more than two active cards can have the same Grasp cost)
XXI – The Fates (0 Grasp)
* Set forth each night with 2 / 3 / 4 Change of Fate.
(activation: activates all surrounding cards)
XXII – The Champions (4 Grasp)
* Set forth each night with 1 / 2 / 3 Change of Fate charges used to alter Boon Rewards.
XXIII – Strength (4 Grasp)
* While you have no Death Defiance effects, you take –30 / 40 / 50 percent damage and deal +25 percent.
XXIV – Divinity (0 Grasp)
* Any Boons offered have a +10 / 15 / 20 percent chance to be Epic.
(activation: activates when all five cards in a row or column are active)
XXV – Judgment (0 Grasp)
* After you vanquish a Guardian, activate 3 / 4 / 5 random Arcana cards.
(activation: activates only when no more than three cards are active)
Top Arcana cards you must use
1. XII – Death (4 Grasp)
Grants one or more Death Defiance charges at the start of each night. This effect functions as an extra life, restoring Melinoë after defeat. It provides critical survivability in early and mid-game runs and remains useful even in late-game challenges.
2. VII – Eternity (2 Grasp)
Increases maximum Life and Magick by a flat amount. The dual boost benefits every weapon and build type, improving both survivability and resource efficiency. Its low cost and universal value make it one of the first cards worth unlocking and keeping active.
3. IX – The Unseen (5 Grasp)
Restores Magick automatically every second. This card supports continuous casting and Omega attacks without relying on pickups or cooldowns. It is essential for Hex-based or Magick-focused playstyles that require steady resource regeneration.
4. XIV – Origination (5 Grasp)
Increases damage against enemies affected by two Olympian Curses. This Arcana rewards synergy between different gods’ Boons, allowing for massive burst damage when combining elemental afflictions like Freeze, Scorch, or Daze.
5. XIX – Excellence (5 Grasp)
Raises the chance for Boons to appear as Rare or Legendary. Over time, this leads to stronger builds with more impactful abilities. It is especially effective once reroll Arcana are unlocked, allowing consistent access to high-tier Boons.
6. XV – The Lovers (3 Grasp)
Prevents the first few hits of damage during Guardian encounters. This offers reliable protection during boss fights, often saving a full Death Defiance charge and giving players a buffer to learn attack patterns.
7. XXII – The Champions (4 Grasp)
Adds rerolls for Boon rewards at the start of each run. Rerolling helps shape optimized builds by replacing weak or redundant Boons. When combined with The Enchantress or The Fates, it forms part of the strongest reroll setup in the game.
8. XX – The Queen (0 Grasp)
Costs no Grasp and increases the chance of receiving Duo Boons. The only condition is that no more than two active Arcana can share the same Grasp cost. This is one of the best zero-cost cards, offering significant power growth through Duo Boon access.
9. XVII – The Boatman (5 Grasp)
Provides several hundred Crowns at the start of each night. The early gold advantage allows for immediate purchases from Charon’s shop, including Boons, Poms, or healing. It ensures a strong start and greater build flexibility throughout the run.
10. XXIII – Strength (4 Grasp)
Reduces incoming damage and increases your own when no Death Defiance effects remain. This card rewards careful play and becomes powerful in the late game, allowing experienced players to maximize damage output while staying protected.
How to build your Arcana deck
Building an effective Arcana deck in Hades 2 depends on balancing your total Grasp with the type of build you want to run. Each card consumes a set amount of Grasp, and your total capacity determines how many can be active at once. As you collect Psyche, your Grasp will increase, allowing for more flexible loadouts.
1. Balance offense and defense
Begin every deck with at least one defensive Arcana and one offensive Arcana. Death and Eternity are common defensive choices that keep you alive through longer runs, while cards like The Sorceress or The Furies provide steady damage output. Avoid spending all of your Grasp on high-cost damage cards early on, since survival and Magick recovery are more valuable for consistency.
2. Manage Grasp efficiency
Low-cost Arcana such as The Wayward Son or The Swift Runner can fill leftover Grasp points without wasting capacity. It is better to use all available Grasp rather than leave unused points, since every slot contributes to your overall effectiveness.
3. Match your Arcana to your weapon and Aspect
Each weapon in Hades 2 benefits from different Arcana combinations.
* Aspect of Melinoë: Works well with The Huntress and The Sorceress for faster and stronger Omega attacks.
* Aspect of Momus: Pairs best with Night (X) and Night (IV) since both reward alternating or channeling Omega moves.
* Aspect of Hecate or Selene-focused builds: Take The Moon and The Unseen for stronger Hex performance and Magick regeneration.
4. Consider path-specific adjustments
If you plan to descend toward Tartarus, focus on sustain and defense since enemy density is higher. For Olympus routes, prioritize offense and Boon quality cards such as Excellence or The Queen to optimize high-value rewards.
5. Use saved loadouts
Once you unlock the Spreading of Ashes incantation, you can save up to six Arcana loadouts. Labeling each loadout by weapon or route (for example, “Scythe Build” or “Surface Route”) allows you to switch between optimized decks instantly without rearranging cards manually.
Trials of Chaos and Arcana enhancement
After unlocking the Abyssal Insight incantation, you gain access to the Trials of Chaos, a series of challenge encounters that reward Star Dust, the rarest Arcana upgrade material. These trials are key to completing the Insight enhancement process and fully upgrading your Arcana deck.
How Trials of Chaos work
* Each Trial consists of a single area with fixed conditions that restrict your loadout or alter enemy behavior.
* You must clear the zone using the provided constraints.
* Completing a Trial grants Star Dust, which is used to upgrade Arcana cards that require it for higher Insight levels.
The early trials, such as the Trial of Origin, are simple and suitable for testing basic builds. Later ones become progressively harder, introducing modifiers that test both offense and survival.
Enhancing Arcana through Insight
* Moon Dust upgrades standard Arcana cards and unlocks their first or second tier of Insight.
* Star Dust is used for final-tier enhancements on more powerful cards, such as Death or Excellence.
* Upgrading through Insight increases numerical bonuses or adds additional effects depending on the card.
Fully enhancing a card through Insight significantly improves its effectiveness. For example, upgrading Death to its highest Insight level provides additional Death Defiance charges, while Origination gains a higher damage multiplier against cursed enemies.
When to prioritize enhancements
* Upgrade Death, Eternity, and The Unseen first, as they directly improve survivability and Magick management.
* Next, enhance offensive cards like Origination and Excellence to maximize damage and Boon quality.
* Finally, upgrade situational cards such as The Lovers or The Champions once your core setup is complete.
Conclusion
The Arcana system in Hades 2 is the foundation of long-term progression and build customization. Each card adds a unique layer of strategy, allowing players to tailor their runs to specific weapons, Boons, and playstyles. Unlocking new Arcana, expanding Grasp, and enhancing cards through Insight are all part of an ongoing progression loop that rewards consistent experimentation.
Unlike the Mirror of Night from the first game, the Arcana system offers far greater flexibility. Players can adjust their decks before each run, combine offensive and defensive effects, and even unlock Incantations to store multiple preset builds. This makes every run feel distinct and encourages gradual refinement as you gather resources like Ashes, Psyche, Moon Dust, and Star Dust.
Mastering the Arcana system is essential for success in Hades 2. Whether you focus on Magick regeneration, Death Defiance safety nets, or high-damage Boon setups, an optimized Arcana deck ensures that each night in the Underworld begins on your terms.
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All Boons Explained in Hades 2
Boons are one of the core systems that define your power in Hades 2. Granted by the Olympian gods, these divine blessings determine how Melinoë fights each night, changing her attacks, special moves, dashes, and passive abilities. Every run begins with a new set of Boons, forcing players to adapt and experiment with different godly combinations to survive the Underworld and the surface alike.
Unlike the Arcana cards, which provide long-term progression, Boons reset after each run. They form the heart of Hades 2’s roguelike loop, making every attempt unique. From Zeus’s lightning-charged attacks to Demeter’s freezing blasts, each god’s Boons introduce new effects and combat mechanics that can completely transform a weapon’s playstyle.
Mastering how Boons interact with your weapons, Hexes, and Arcana deck is key to building powerful runs and discovering the most effective combinations.
What are boons
Boons are divine gifts offered by the gods and other powerful beings throughout the world of Hades 2. Each Boon grants a unique upgrade that alters how you fight, move, or survive during a run. Unlike permanent systems such as Arcana, Boons reset at the end of each night, so every run begins with a fresh combination of powers.
At the start of each attempt, you’ll encounter a god or benefactor who offers you a choice of three Boons. Each one enhances one of your core actions — Attack, Special, Cast, or Dash — or provides a passive bonus that stays active throughout the run. You can only equip one Boon per active slot (for instance, only one Attack Boon), but you can stack multiple passives for additional effects.
Olympian Boons
Each Olympian god’s Boons reflect their domain and playstyle:
* Zeus – Adds lightning attacks that inflict Blitz, shocking enemies after they take damage.
* Poseidon – Creates knockback effects and area damage with splashing waves.
* Athena (Limited 1 encounter per run) – Grants defensive Deflect abilities that reflect projectiles.
* Ares – Inflicts the Wound curse, increasing the damage enemies take.
* Aphrodite – Applies Weak, reducing enemy attack damage and rewarding close-range combat.
* Artemis (Limited 1 encounter per run) – Increases critical hit chance and precision damage.
* Demeter – Freezes enemies with the Freeze curse, slowing or immobilizing them.
* Apollo – Uses radiant energy to Daze enemies, lowering their accuracy.
* Hephaestus – Adds explosive Blast effects and Armor-based bonuses.
* Hestia – Burns enemies over time with the Scorch curse.
* Hermes – Improves movement, attack speed, and dodge chance.
* Hera – Spreads damage through the Hitch curse, linking enemies together.
* Dionysus – Found on Mount Olympus and offers boons that inflict Hangover, generate Festive Fog, and boost survivability.
* Hades (Limited 1 encounter per run) – Encountered deep within Tartarus, he grants blessings that strengthen your resistance against Chronos and his forces.
Boons appear in four rarity tiers — Common, Rare, Epic, and Heroic — with higher tiers offering stronger versions of the same ability. Certain systems, such as Arcana cards or Hermes Boons, can increase rarity chances or reroll weaker options.
Other divine and mythical benefactors
Not all Boons come from Olympus. As you progress, other beings will offer unique blessings, items, or services that affect your run in different ways:
* Primordial Chaos – Grants powerful Boons that begin as curses. You sacrifice a small amount of health to enter the Realm of Chaos, endure several encounters under a penalty, and then receive a permanent bonus once the curse expires.
* Selene – The moon goddess grants Hexes, ultimate abilities that can be enhanced through the Path of Stars. Hexes consume Magick and can be fused with Olympian power for greater effects.
* Daedalus – The craftsman’s Hammer of Daedalus upgrades your weapon’s base properties, adding new attack types or increasing damage multipliers.
* Arachne – Offers silken garments that act as temporary Armor, providing both defense and secondary bonuses.
* Narcissus – Found in Oceanus, he provides one-time gifts that offer useful bonuses or recovery effects.
* Echo – Residing in the Fields of Strife, she can duplicate your most recent reward, effectively giving you a free repeat of a valuable Boon or item.
* Charon – The ferryman of the Underworld sells helpful items and Boons from Wells of Charon found throughout each region.
* Medea – Provides curse-based Boons that weaken enemies, deal damage over time, or reward you when foes are defeated. She may occasionally appear in the City of Ephyra at a dedicated location.
* Circe – Offers witchcraft- and transformation-themed Boons that can temporarily disable Vows, activate Arcana Cards, or even alter your size. She may occasionally appear in the Rift of Thessaly.
* Icarus – Grants Armor, boosts Power, and provides supportive supplies for the night. He may occasionally appear in the Rift of Thessaly or on Mount Olympus, assisting during encounters.
Together, these figures create a broad network of aid that extends beyond the Olympians. Whether through Hexes, Curses, or one-time gifts, their offerings deepen each run’s sense of variety and replayability.
What are the different types of boons
Boons in Hades 2 come in many forms, each tied to a different god or mythical benefactor. Some directly enhance your attacks and abilities, while others modify your weapon, grant long-term buffs, or alter gameplay in unique ways. Understanding the types of Boons available helps you plan effective builds and adapt to whatever blessings you encounter during a run.
1. Olympian Boons
These are the most common and core Boons in Hades 2. They are granted by the gods of Olympus and modify your core combat actions: Attack, Special, Cast, and Dash, or provide passive bonuses.
* You can only have one Boon for each active move type, but you can stack as many passive Boons as you like.
* Each Olympian’s Boons reflect their divine theme and introduce status effects like Blitz (Zeus), Freeze (Demeter), Weak (Aphrodite), and Wound (Ares).
* Boons appear in four rarity tiers — Common, Rare, Epic, and Heroic — with stronger effects at higher rarities.
2. Legendary Boons
Legendary Boons are rare, high-impact upgrades unique to each god. They provide special effects that can redefine your playstyle and are typically available only after acquiring several of that god’s standard Boons.
Example: Close Call (Hermes) adds a temporary Death Defiance that slows time, giving you a chance to recover before taking another hit.
3. Duo Boons
Duo Boons combine the powers of two gods to produce powerful synergistic effects. They only appear when you already possess compatible Boons from both gods.
Example: Sea Storm (Zeus + Poseidon) triggers lightning strikes whenever your knockback effects hit enemies.
Because they require specific pairings, Duo Boons reward players who build around god synergies instead of mixing Boons at random.
4. Infusion Boons
After unlocking the Divination of the Elements incantation, each Boon gains an elemental attribute. Infusion Boons activate once you collect enough Boons of the same element, granting bonus effects or stat improvements.
Example: Self Healing (Apollo) activates when you hold three Fire-type Boons, restoring health under certain conditions.
5. Chaos Boons
Primordial Chaos offers Boons that come with both an upside and a temporary curse. You sacrifice a portion of your health to enter the Realm of Chaos, where you must endure several encounters under a penalty before the curse transforms into a permanent benefit for the rest of the run.
Example: Fixed Creation locks your Magick temporarily but later increases its regeneration rate.
Chaos Boons are risky but can dramatically boost your damage, resource gain, or mobility once their negative effects expire.
6. Hexes and the Path of Stars
Granted by Selene, Hexes function as ultimate abilities powered by Magick. Each Hex has limited uses and can be upgraded through the Path of Stars, a system that adds enhancements like faster recharge, greater area coverage, or added elemental effects.
Example: Moon Water restores health and can store multiple uses that refill at Fountains.
Hexes can also merge with Olympian Boons to create Godsent Hexes, hybrid abilities that blend Selene’s moonlight powers with the traits of specific gods.
7. Daedalus Hammer Upgrades
The Hammer of Daedalus provides weapon-specific upgrades that alter your attack patterns, range, or power. These are not divine Boons but serve a similar purpose by shaping your combat approach.
Example: Mega Blaze increases the damage and area of your weapon’s standard attack, while Enduring Coil extends the duration of charged moves.
Daedalus upgrades are always worth taking, as they directly enhance your weapon’s potential regardless of Boon loadout.
8. Unique NPC Gifts
A few other mythical figures also offer blessings and items that function like temporary Boons:
* Arachne – Provides woven garments that act as Armor with additional bonuses.
* Narcissus – Grants one-time gifts, often related to recovery or resource gain.
* Echo – Duplicates your most recent reward, giving you a free repeat of a valuable item or Boon.
* Charon – Sells Boons and upgrades through the Wells of Charon located in each region.
Which Boons should I prioritize?
While every god in Hades 2 offers strong options depending on your build, certain Boons stand out for their reliability, versatility, and synergy with most weapons and Aspects. The following ten are among the best to prioritize in nearly any run.
1. Divine Dash (Athena)
Allows your Dash to Deflect projectiles and melee attacks, making you invulnerable during its animation. It’s one of the most universally powerful Boons in the game and works with every weapon.
2. Arctic Ring (Demeter)
Creates a circular area of frost that deals damage and inflicts Freeze. It’s excellent for crowd control and survivability, slowing projectiles and bosses alike while offering steady damage.
3. Sea Storm (Zeus + Poseidon)
A Duo Boon that causes knockback effects to also trigger lightning strikes. This combination offers massive area-of-effect damage and pairs especially well with Poseidon’s Attack or Special Boons.
4. Pressure Points (Artemis)
Gives all of your attacks and abilities a chance to critically hit. It’s a simple but highly effective damage boost that scales with both speed and multi-hit weapons.
5. Blinding Rush (Apollo)
Adds a flash of light to your Dash that Dazes enemies, reducing their chance to hit you. It’s a strong defensive and utility option that fits nearly any playstyle.
6. Grievous Blow (Ares)
Increases the chance for all attacks to deal double damage while the Wound curse is active. When combined with rapid attacks or area weapons, it creates a consistent damage spike.
7. Glamour Gain (Aphrodite)
Applies Weak to nearby enemies while increasing your close-range damage. It adds both safety and offensive power, and it synergizes with the Origination Arcana for higher damage potential.
8. Quick Recovery (Hermes)
Restores a portion of health after taking damage. This Boon softens chip damage and improves consistency in long fights without needing to rely on fountains.
9. Born Gain (Hera)
Instantly restores Magick during combat, allowing you to cast or use Omega moves more often. It’s a key sustain Boon for Magick-heavy builds or Hex users.
10. Flash Fry (Hestia)
Causes enemies hit by your attacks to ignite in chain reactions, dealing continuous Scorch damage to groups. It’s an efficient offensive Boon that excels against clusters of enemies.
How to build your Boon setup
Building a strong Boon setup in Hades 2 is about balance and synergy. Because each run resets your Boons, the goal isn’t to memorize one “best” build but to recognize combinations that complement your weapon, Arcana deck, and Hex.
1. Start with your weapon
Your weapon’s behavior determines what kind of Boons you should pursue.
* Fast weapons (like twin torches or daggers) benefit from Artemis’s critical damage, Zeus’s chain lightning, and Hermes’s speed boosts.
* Heavy weapons (like the axe) perform better with Aphrodite’s Weak, Ares’s Wound, or Hephaestus’s Blast to maximize big hits.
* Ranged weapons pair well with Demeter’s Freeze or Apollo’s Daze, both offering crowd control and safety from afar.
2. Stack compatible curses
Each god’s signature curse — Blitz, Freeze, Wound, Scorch, and so on — can interact to unlock Duo Boons. For example, combining Hephaestus and Demeter enables Room Temperature, where your Blast effects clear Freeze so enemies can be refrozen instantly. Building around compatible elements makes it easier to find these synergies mid-run.
3. Balance offense and defense
A common mistake is stacking only damage Boons and ignoring survivability. Divine Dash (Athena) and Weak (Aphrodite) remain top defensive picks. Pair them with at least one self-sustain effect, such as Quick Recovery (Hermes) or Moon Water (Selene’s Hex), to stay alive in longer fights.
4. Prioritize Duo Boons
When two gods appear together, always check for possible Duo Boons before making a choice. Many of the game’s most powerful builds rely on them, and they’re easier to trigger if you’ve focused on specific pairs rather than spreading across too many gods.
5. Use Keepsakes strategically
If you’re aiming for a particular build, Keepsakes help you guarantee a god’s appearance early in your run. For example:
* Equip Athena’s Owl Pendant to secure early Divine Dash.
* Use Demeter’s Frost Globe if you want to start with Freeze-related Boons.
* Swap Keepsakes between regions to attract new gods and expand your options.
Conclusion
Boons are the foundation of every successful run in Hades 2. They dictate your fighting style, influence your survivability, and define how your weapon and Hex evolve over the course of a night. Each god’s blessings introduce new mechanics — from Zeus’s lightning to Demeter’s freezing winds — and understanding how they interact is key to surviving deeper into the Underworld.
The best runs balance offense, defense, and synergy. Securing reliable core Boons such as Divine Dash, Arctic Ring, or Sea Storm early can carry you through most encounters, while carefully combining elemental curses unlocks powerful Duo Boons that multiply your damage output.
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How to Disable Mouse Acceleration in Windows 11
Mouse acceleration is a function in which a computer senses how fast a mouse is moved and multiplies its speed. This article will explore why mouse acceleration may be useful and how it can be deactivated. When mouse acceleration is activated, moving the mouse quickly will make the cursor travel further. While the feature was initially introduced to get adequate reach within a small desk space, not everyone agrees that mouse acceleration is necessary. Some computer users may prefer the standard setting in which the cursor moves as much as the user moves the mouse.
Why would I want to use mouse acceleration?
Mouse acceleration can be useful in some circumstances. Let’s take a look at why mouse acceleration might be beneficial.
1. Limited space
If there is not much room to physically move the mouse around, switching on mouse acceleration might be a good idea. As such, users can reduce the space required to move their mouse but still achieve the same reach. This avoids knocking over coffee cups or hitting objects when maneuvering the mouse on a small desk space.
2. Reduced muscle fatigue
Moving a computer mouse in short bursts can cause muscle fatigue over time. With mouse acceleration, users can reduce the amount of hand and arm movement, preventing awkward movements. This may enhance comfort for some users who experience discomfort when using a mouse.
Is mouse acceleration on by default?
For Windows computers, mouse acceleration is generally on by default. But the good news is that this function can be deactivated if it becomes bothersome. Here are some reasons why computer users may wish to disable the mouse acceleration function.
1. Inconsistency
Consistency is key for some tasks. When mouse acceleration is enabled, a small movement can make the cursor jump further than the standard setting. For example, moving the mouse 5cm (1.96 inches) may make the cursor travel 200 pixels across the screen with the standard setting and 1000 pixels with mouse acceleration. This makes it more difficult to gauge how far the mouse will move.
2. Less precision for gaming
Mouse acceleration may impact accuracy and precision, two very important ingredients for gaming. Moreover, gaming is the combination of skill and quick thinking, and trying to judge how far the mouse will move adds an additional thought process. As such, many gamers may choose to deactivate mouse acceleration for a more precise gaming experience.
How to enable mouse acceleration
Follow these instructions to enable mouse acceleration.
* Open Settings
* Select Bluetooth and devices
* Scroll down and click Mouse
* Ensure the Enhance pointer precision toggle is on
How to disable mouse acceleration
Follow these instructions to disable mouse acceleration.
* Open Settings
* Select Bluetooth and devices
* Scroll down and click Mouse
* Ensure the Enhance pointer precision toggle is off
So, is mouse acceleration necessary?
Whether or not mouse acceleration is necessary is entirely up to the user. If desk space is limited, enabling mouse acceleration may be useful to avoid knocking over items. Similarly, if using a mouse causes muscle fatigue or repetitive strain injuries, enabling mouse acceleration can reduce some of the legwork. However, gamers or users who require high amounts of precision and accuracy may consider deactivating mouse acceleration to enhance performance. If your mouse could do with an upgrade, check out Acer’s online store for a range of accessories, including mice and mouse pads.
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Acer Iconia V11 and V12: Acer's Latest Tablets
Searching for a tablet that effortlessly blends entertainment and productivity? If so, perhaps may we be so bold as to introduce two upcoming Acer tablets, the Iconia V11 and V12. First sighted at this year's smash-tastic Computex 2025, the Acer Iconia is a slim, lightweight all-metal body tablet that’s slim enough to fit in with your lifestyle, and sturdy enough to stand up to the rough n’ rowdy ways of the world.
This is an Acer tablet for all of the family. Whether you’re chilling at home streaming your favorite show, or getting your work or homework done on the move, the Iconia V11 and V12 will fit in with your unique lifestyle. Sounds appealing? Then read on to get the 411 on Acer’s latest tablets, and discover why the Iconia is set to be the iconic tablet this Fall.
What is the Iconia V?
While we basically introduced the Iconia V series in the previous paragraph, let’s not forget that the Iconia V family features the Iconia V10, V11, and V12 models. With sight variations in size and display resolutions, there’s an Iconia tablet just waiting to accompany you on life’s journey. Designed with usability and meeting all your tablet needs in mind, the Iconia series run on Android 15 OS for a familiar, user-friendly experience with up to 10 hours battery life between charges. Before we go any further, let’s take a closer look at the tech specs of the Acer Iconia V12:
* Processor: MediaTek Helio G99 Octa-Core processor
* Memory: Up to 8 GB DDR4 RAM
* Storage: Up to 256 GB eMMC, microSD™ capacity: Up to 1 TB
* Display: 11.97” (2000X1200), 16:10 aspect ratio, 90 Hz,
* Audio: Dual speakers
* Camera: Front: 5 MP, Back: 8 MP, autofocus
* Ports: USB Type-C port, microSD slot
* Battery: 8, 000 mAh, Up to 10 hours of battery life
* Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.2
* Dimensions, weight: 7.9 mm, 595 grams
* Accessories: Magnetic folio case, Stylus (optional)
While we’re at it, let’s take a look at the equally enviable tech-specs of the Iconia V12’s slightly smaller kin, Acer Iconia V11:
* Processor: MediaTek Helio G99 Octa-Core processor
* Memory: Up to 8 GB DDR4 RAM
* Storage: Up to 256 GB eMMC, microSD™ capacity: Up to 1 TB
* Display: 10.92” (1920X1200), 16:10 aspect ratio, 90 Hz,
* Audio: Dual speakers
* Camera: Front: 5 MP, Back: 8 MP, autofocus
* Ports: USB Type-C port, microSD slot
* Battery: 8, 000 mAh, Up to 10 hours of battery life
* Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.2, 4G LTE (optional)
* Dimensions, weight: 7.9 mm, 500 grams
* Accessories: Magnetic folio case, Stylus (optional)
In case you didn't have time to read through every last detail of the tech-specs, the key differences between the Iconia V11 and V12 are display size and resolution. The Iconia V11 has around an inch less screen real estate than the V12, and is also nearly 100 grams lighter, while also offering the option for 4G LTE for those tiresome times when Wi-Fi just ain’t available.
Born to perform
Now that we’ve got the numbers business of the tech specs firmly out of the way, hopefully you’re ready to ride the storm of the Iconia? In that case, let’s get a move on and see what hardware is hidden away inside the tablets. The MediaTek Helio G99 Octa-Core processor stealthily combines dual ARM Cortex-A76 cores (for high performance) with six Cortex-A55 cores (for ultimate efficiency). In plain speak this means you’ll have a silky-smooth, ultra-responsive experience while you browse, stream, and use your favorite apps to your heart’s delight.
A case for the display
As you saw in the tech-specs above, the Iconia V12 has a cheeky 2000 x 1200 resolution (2K) for supremely sharp, detailed visuals, while the Iconia V11 delivers a respectable 1920 × 1200 WUXGA resolution. The 16:10 IPS display, framed by minimalist narrow bezels means wide viewing angles and colors as bright as you’d like them, with extra vertical space for multitasking and reading documents. On top of all this, up to 90Hz refresh rate leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to rapid app scrolling, streaming, and gaming.
Designed for excellence
The Iconia’s mist green aluminum chassis screams iconic modernity, while a gray magnetic folio cover adds an extra layer of protection for your soon-to-be beloved device. This case can be effortlessly converted into a 3-level kickstand for comfy hands-free viewing, studying and creativity with the optional stylus. The stylus is a real stand out, instantly turning your Iconia V11 or V12 into a drawing, note taking creative tool to be reckoned with.
Store and more as you go
Both models have tons of built in storage: up to 256 GB, that can be easily expanded up to 1 TB with the help of a microSD card. Stay connected to whatever you wish to connect to with USB-C Power Delivery 2.0 fast charging, while the 8,000mAh battery will give you up to 10 hours of on-the-go performance.
Video call y’all
If you’re accustomed to using your tablet for video or conference calls, then the Iconia V series won’t let you down. Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 all but guarantees fast and stable internet, while 4G LTE support keeps you connected outside of the Wi-Fi world. Cameras-wise, you’re in for a treat, as the 5 MP front-facing camera ensures clear, classy visuals, while the 8 MP rear camera is your ticket to sharp, hi-res photo and video capture. If you’re prepared, then the Iconia V11 and V12 are ready to revolutionize your video calls, photos, and more.
Last iota of Iconia
We hope that you’ve enjoyed discovering the Acer Iconia V11 and V12 tablets today. These stylish, lightweight tablets are portable, practical and crying out to be carried around your world. With beyond all-day battery, stunning displays, and intuitive performance, the Iconia can be your brand new companion for both work and play. If you’re eager to get your hands on the Acer Iconia V11 or V12, then you’ll have to hold your horses until fall 2025. Until then, keep a look out and check back with us for updates.
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All Mister Mushroom Locations in Silksong
Mister Mushroom makes a mysterious return in Silksong, hidden across Pharloom as part of a secret side quest. Players can only begin the journey after uncovering a secret stone tablet in the Putrified Ducts. This guide will explain how to start the “Passing of the Age” quest, provide all seven Mister Mushroom locations, and outline how to unlock the hidden ending tied to this collectible.
How to Start the Mister Mushroom Quest
The quest begins once you find the hidden cave in the Putrified Ducts. This cave is located in the top-right corner of Pale Lake and can only be reached with the Silk Soar ability, unlocked in Act 3 within the Abyss. Inside, you’ll discover a secret stone tablet.
Reading the tablet grants the quest “Passing of the Age” and provides cryptic clues pointing to Mister Mushroom’s hiding spots. To complete the quest, you must find Mister Mushroom in seven different locations. Each time, you’ll notice small blue mushrooms on the ground, spores drifting upward, and hear faint mumbling.
When you’re near him, use the Needolin ability to draw him out of hiding.
All Mister Mushroom Locations
Below are all seven locations, their cryptic clues, and how to reach them.
1. Moss Grotto
Clue: “Under Chapel Fallen to the Monarch’s Might.”
Mister Mushroom can be found just to the right of the Ruined Chapel in Moss Grotto. Look for the small blue mushrooms and mumbling, then use Needolin to reveal him.
2. Bone Bottom
Clue: “Over Camp Collapsed to the Black Thread Plight.”
At Bone Bottom, head toward the pathway to The Marrow. You’ll need the Faydown Cloak for double jumps. First, reach the platform to the right of the entrance, then leap left to the next platform where Mister Mushroom is hiding. Use Needolin to pull him out.
3. Far Fields
Clue: “Scorched Field on Edge, Shells Black and Burned.”
In Far Fields, head southeast to the platform east of the Seamstress’s house, near the Weavenest door. Jump between platforms until you spot the mushrooms and hear Mister Mushroom’s mumbling.
4. Greymoor
Clue: “Up Towers spinning, Near the Surgeon spurned.”
Mister Mushroom is north of the left tower of Greymoor, near the Wisp Thicket entrance. Use Clawline and Cling Grip to scale platforms and walls. After reaching the top, drop down to find his hiding spot.
5. The Slab
Clue: “Cage of one who raged against the Silken Lie.”
Head to the cave where you fought the First Sinner. From the Bellway fast travel point, move east past the bench. Look for mushrooms on the ground, then use Needolin to reveal Mister Mushroom.
6. Mount Fay
Clue: “Fell Heart of Frost, Who Soars on High.”
At the summit of Mount Fay, climb using Faydown Cloak and Cling Grip. You’ll find Mister Mushroom waiting at the peak, gazing toward a bird-like creature.
7. The Cradle
Clue: “That the age may pass, this shroom its witness.”
The seventh and final Mister Mushroom location is hidden at the peak of The Cradle, the same area where you previously fought Grandmother Silk. This is one of the most challenging sequences in the game, requiring almost every traversal ability you’ve unlocked.
Start by heading to the corridor to the right of Cogwork Core, where you’ll find a slightly hidden passageway in the ceiling. From here, you’ll need to rely heavily on Silk Soar to make progress. As you ascend through this section, you’ll eventually reach the Cradle itself.
At this point, bind the severed arm of Grandmother Silk to unlock the Pale Nails skill, which is generally considered the final Silk ability in the game. Look for a narrow opening along the right-hand side, then use Silk Soar to super-jump upward and continue your climb.
Beyond this, the platforming grows more demanding, with frequent use of double jumps, pogo attacks, and grappling to advance through tight corridors and vertical shafts. Eventually, you’ll reach an unmapped zone where Mister Mushroom waits on a lonely ledge. Speak to him, and he will zoom away.
You can try to follow him toward the surface, but he won’t appear there. Instead, continue all the way to the right until you arrive at the Nameless Town. Play your Needolin at the ruined house on the far-right edge to receive the Surface Memento, a special item you can place in your personal home in Bellhart.
Mister Mushroom Quest Rewards and Secret Ending
After you uncover all seven Mister Mushroom locations, he will bid farewell and fly away from Pharloom. This completes the “Passing of the Age” quest.
To fully unlock the hidden ending, you must then defeat Lost Lace in the Abyss. Doing so will trigger a special cutscene and grant the achievement “Passing of the Age.”
Conclusion
The Mister Mushroom side quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of the game’s most intricate collectibles, tying exploration, traversal abilities, and cryptic clues together. Completing all seven encounters not only rewards you with an achievement but also reveals a hidden ending that connects to the broader lore of Pharloom.
If you’re aiming for 100% completion or simply enjoy unraveling secrets, make sure you take the time to track down every location of Mister Mushroom.
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Top Contenders for GOTY 2025
The Game Awards is the gaming industry's biggest annual celebration. Founded in 2014 by journalist and producer Geoff Keighley, it began as a successor to the Spike Video Game Awards and has since grown into a global event. Each year, the show honors the top achievements in video games while also serving as a platform for major reveals and announcements.
The 2025 ceremony will take place on December 11, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where it has been held since 2023. With millions of viewers expected to tune in worldwide, the show will once again combine live performances, developer speeches, surprise trailers, and celebrity appearances.
Across more than 30 categories, the awards highlight excellence in areas such as direction, performance, accessibility, esports, and storytelling. The most anticipated category each year is Game of the Year (GOTY), which stands as the highest recognition in the industry.
What is Game of the Year?
The Game of the Year award goes to the title that delivers the most outstanding experience across gameplay, narrative, visual design, audio, and emotional impact. It represents not just technical excellence but also cultural relevance and artistic ambition. Winning GOTY can elevate a game into the canon of all-time greats and shape how a year is remembered in gaming history.
While the official nominees will not be announced until late November, that has not stopped fans and critics from speculating. 2025 has already delivered several strong contenders across a variety of genres, including RPGs, immersive sims, narrative adventures, and breakout indie hits.
The following list highlights our top predictions for which titles are most likely to be nominated for Game of the Year at this year’s ceremony. These picks are based on critical reception, innovation, and overall impact so far. With GTA 6 officially postponed to 2026, the 2025 GOTY race is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent memory. In the absence of a clear dominant favorite, several indie studios have stepped up with standout releases. Games like Hollow Knight: Silksong, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Hades 2 have all made strong cases for themselves, raising the bar across gameplay, art direction, and narrative design.
At the same time, big-budget publishers are not backing down. Triple-A studios have brought their own heavy hitters to the table this year, including Ghost of Yōtei, Donkey Kong Bananza, Split Fiction, and Death Stranding 2. With such a strong and varied field, the competition for Game of the Year has never felt more unpredictable.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (released April 24, 2025) is not only my personal favorite of the year but also the game I believe will win GOTY 2025. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, a new French studio formed by former Ubisoft developers, it represents a shift from the formulaic, monetization-driven projects their old employer is known for. Instead of chasing profit-first design, Sandfall embraced artistic freedom, creating a role-playing experience that feels both distinctly French and universally powerful.
The world of Lumière sets the tone with its Belle Époque elegance and tragic theatre-like atmosphere. Each year, the godlike Paintress marks a number on her tower, dictating the age at which people vanish from existence. You lead the doomed 33rd expedition to end this curse. The story channels classic tragedy while also offering small, heartfelt moments of levity that humanize the cast. Excellent performances and naturalistic dialogue ensure the heavy themes of grief, mortality, and sacrifice resonate.
Combat is where Clair Obscur shines brightest. Its stylish turn-based battles infuse real-time inputs for dodges, parries, and spell boosts, making every encounter feel tense and rhythmic, almost like a dance. Each party member has unique mechanics, and the Picto system allows deep customization that rewards experimentation. Boss fights are especially unforgettable, demanding precision and improvisation while backed by a sweeping score that blends opera, symphonic rock, and Parisian flair.
Even with some rough edges in exploration and menus, the overall package is breathtaking. The art direction, evocative soundtrack, and smartly scoped narrative recall the clarity of vision often missing from today’s bloated AAA releases. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a triumph of creative independence, proving that when developers are free to build with passion, the result can rival and even surpass the giants of the industry.
2. Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza, released on July 17, 2025, is Nintendo’s boldest platformer in years and the first true 3D showpiece for the Switch 2. Built by the same team that crafted Super Mario Odyssey, this game reinvents DK as the star of his own console-defining adventure. The result is a masterpiece of platform design, brimming with charm, technical ambition, and endless ideas.
At its core, Bananza revolves around a brilliant concept: fully destructible environments. Every wall, floor, and boulder can be smashed, ripped, or hurled by DK, and that simple mechanic fuels the game’s creativity. Levels, called “layers,” are sprawling playgrounds where breaking terrain is both satisfying and strategic. Sometimes you’re clearing a path to uncover secrets, other times you’re chaining combos by ripping up a stone, tossing it at an enemy, and vaulting off it to reach a hidden platform. The possibilities feel limitless, and Nintendo’s polish ensures it never grows old.
Alongside DK is Pauline, whose singing ability helps reveal collectibles and marks objectives. Their story is lighthearted, with DK seeking more bananas and Pauline searching for a way home, but the adventure grows into something grander as they descend toward the mysterious Planet Core. The journey is consistently inventive, introducing fresh twists like elemental puzzles and wild “Bananza transformations” that grant DK temporary powers such as gliding, super speed, or pulverizing indestructible terrain.
Visually, the game sparkles with Nintendo’s signature artistry, while its physics-driven destruction adds a weight and dynamism rarely seen in the genre. The soundtrack mixes reimagined Donkey Kong Country classics with new tracks that perfectly match the chaos of DK’s rampages.
With over 20 hours of story content and near-endless secrets to discover, Donkey Kong Bananza is more than a return for one of Nintendo’s oldest icons. It is a groundbreaking platformer that cements DK as a headliner and a top contender for GOTY 2025.
3. Split Fiction
Hazelight Studios, the team behind It Takes Two (GOTY 2021), has done it again with Split Fiction. Released on March 6, 2025, the game pushes the boundaries of cooperative play while doubling as a love letter to storytelling and human connection.
At its heart, Split Fiction follows Mio and Zoe, two aspiring writers trapped inside a simulation that fuses their wildly different imaginations. Over the course of the adventure, they navigate more than 20 distinct worlds that blend fantasy and sci-fi, each filled with unique mechanics and playful nods to gaming history. One moment you might be wall-running through a cyberpunk city wielding gravity blades, the next you’re skating through a Tony Hawk-inspired arena or solving puzzles in a Metroid-like dungeon. Nearly every mechanic introduced could serve as the foundation of its own game, yet here they are all packed into one seamless journey.
As in It Takes Two, the cooperative focus is essential. Progress relies on constant collaboration, whether you are coordinating weapon abilities, executing precision platforming, or solving puzzles that require perfect timing. The result is a game that constantly surprises while never losing sight of its emotional core.
What makes Split Fiction truly remarkable is how its story complements its gameplay. Mio and Zoe begin as polar opposites—the grumpy realist and the cheerful dreamer—but gradually form a bond that feels authentic and moving. Their relationship, explored through laughter, conflict, and heartfelt dialogue, gives weight to every fantastical detour. The game also delivers sharp commentary on creativity in an age of generative AI, with its villain Rader serving as a cautionary caricature of idea theft.
Funny, inventive, and deeply human, Split Fiction stands as both a brilliant co-op experience and one of the most original contenders for Game of the Year 2025.
4. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong finally emerged on September 4, 2025, after seven years of speculation and mounting hype. The long-awaited sequel from Team Cherry builds on its predecessor’s Metroidvania foundation while dramatically raising the stakes. Set in the kingdom of Pharloom, the game inverts the original’s descent into Hallownest. Hornet, captured at the start, must climb upward through a vast series of interconnected biomes toward the Citadel, unraveling a mystery tied to her own silk.
Hornet’s moveset reshapes how exploration and combat unfold. She can vault diagonally with a dive attack, chain parries into ripostes, float mid-air with her cloak, and later grapple across arenas with needle hooks. These tools make her faster and more vertical than the Knight, but the added mobility is balanced by higher difficulty. Even common enemies deal two masks of damage, healing restores three masks at once but can be interrupted, and bosses have expanded health pools. With over forty major encounters spread across the game, Silksong consistently demands precision.
Progression is handled through multiple layered systems. Crests define Hornet’s combat style and act as sockets for Tools, which provide offensive, defensive, or utility effects. Picto perks stack into Lumina bonuses after extended use, letting players refine loadouts beyond simple skill trees. Two currencies further shape the journey: Rosaries for shops and services, and Shell Shards to repair or recharge Tools. Exploration is dense, with side quests called Wishes offering additional challenges ranging from delivery runs to high-level boss hunts.
Pharloom’s design emphasizes verticality, with towering zones like the Sands of Karak, the Choral Chambers, and the Bone Bottom hub town. Its art direction surpasses even the original, and Christopher Larkin’s sweeping score reinforces the emotional highs of exploration and combat alike. While critics have noted frustration with lengthy boss runbacks and resource scarcity, the overall consensus is that Silksong elevates the Metroidvania genre through sheer ambition and craftsmanship.
Despite its brilliance, Silksong may struggle to capture GOTY 2025 due to its punishing difficulty and niche appeal. However, it is almost certain to be the frontrunner for Best Indie Game. In what is shaping up to be a two-way race with Hades 2, Silksong’s enormous hype and cultural footprint may be enough to secure the win.
5. Hades 2
Supergiant Games followed up its 2020 masterpiece with Hades 2, officially released on September 25, 2025, after an early access period that began in May 2024. The result is a roguelite that refines nearly every aspect of the original while introducing bold new systems, ensuring it stands as one of the year’s most celebrated titles.
This time, players control Melinoë, daughter of Hades and Persephone, on a mission to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time. Her witchcraft-infused combat emphasizes traps, ranged control, and mana management, setting her apart from Zagreus’ straightforward brawling. Weapons like twirling twin torches or a colossal axe radically change each run, while elemental affinity systems and Selene’s powerful Hex abilities allow for wildly different builds.
Progression feels richer without excess. Permanent upgrades flow from Hecate’s cauldron, Chaos offers high-risk challenges, and animal familiars and farming add gentle diversions. The biggest leap is structural: after unlocking the option, players can choose between two paths on each attempt, descending into Tartarus or ascending Olympus. Each contains four regions with unique bosses and branching layouts, doubling variety and keeping the roguelite loop endlessly fresh.
Supergiant’s artistry is once again unmistakable. Characters like Nemesis and Hecate are written with nuance and humor, while the Olympians brim with new layers. Darren Korb’s soundtrack, supported by Ashley Barrett’s vocals, pushes beyond the original with soaring rock ballads, haunting mythic chants, and playful tracks like the Scylla and the Sirens boss fight anthem.
Hades 2 is a masterclass in sequel design: familiar enough to feel like home, yet brimming with new ideas that make each run exciting. While Silksong may narrowly claim Indie Game of the Year thanks to its towering hype, Hades 2 is every bit its equal in craft, and a clear frontrunner for multiple awards at The Game Awards 2025.
6. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Released on February 4, 2025, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a rare historical RPG that puts story, place, and consequence first. Warhorse returns to 1400 Bohemia with Henry’s continuing saga, and the result is a world that feels lived in rather than staged. The main plot moves with real momentum, yet the side content is equally memorable. One minute you are unmasking a killer in Kuttenberg, the next you are spelunking through a “haunted” mine or engineering a cheeky brothel subplot. A full run easily lands between 80 and 120 hours.
Progression is use based and immediately readable. Fight, sneak, craft, and converse, and the related skills rise. Quests often support multiple solutions with failure states that stick, so a sloppy burglary or a hot-headed duel can change how towns react. The crime system is fully simulated, with theft, bribery, and bounties that make you plan your nights as carefully as your days. Immersion systems ask you to actually smith, mend gear, or lug sacks across a yard. That commitment to authenticity sells the fantasy of being a medieval commoner who is clawing his way up, even if a few chores drift into busywork.
Combat remains the weak link. Master strikes and simple pressure can outperform the intended combo game, and hitboxes still wobble. The saving grace is that the RPG pillars are strong. Voice acting carries long dialogue scenes, the orchestral score lands big emotional beats, and performance on capable hardware is solid, with only occasional quest hiccups that a reload fixes.
Post-launch support has been busy. Brushes With Death delivers a roughly 12-hour story centered on the eccentric painter Voyta and adds shield painting for extra flavor. Legacy of the Forge lets you restore Henry’s family forge, join the blacksmiths’ guild, and build out a highly customizable home tied to prestige and commissions. Mysteria Ecclesiae is planned to open the Sedletz Monastery later this year with medicine and alchemy themes. DLC does not change awards eligibility in a strict sense, yet it does keep the conversation going.
Personal note. This game sent me down a Czech history rabbit hole and even got me to visit the country. The countryside, towns, and material culture feel studied and loved, and the writing makes that scholarship sing.
Will it win GOTY in a stacked 2025. Probably not. As a pure role-playing experience, though, it is exceptional and belongs on any shortlist for Best RPG of the year.
7. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
From the legendary Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (released June 26, 2025) takes the experimental framework of the original and molds it into something far more confident, cinematic, and playable. Norman Reedus returns as Sam Porter Bridges, this time tasked with connecting Australia to the Chiral Network. It is a 35-hour trek across deserts, rivers, and quake-ridden terrain where Mother Nature herself seems to push back against human ambition. As with the first game, success still depends on preparation: ladders, ropes, and blood grenades are just as essential as firearms, but the flow is sharper and the storytelling more focused.
Kojima’s love of film saturates the experience, from Interstellar style landscapes to Mad Max inspired desert chaos with George Miller even appearing in-game. Yet this is not indulgence for its own sake. The cinematic lens informs an action forward design that makes the moment to moment play far more dynamic than the original. Stealth and combat have been overhauled. Sam now commands drones, tranquilizer rifles, off-roaders, and a wide arsenal that lets you approach encounters creatively. Battles can spiral into chaos or resolve with surgical precision, both equally satisfying. Bosses are unmissable highlights: towering monstrosities that channel the eccentric, operatic side of Kojima’s design philosophy.
Progression has also been expanded. A plug-in perk system lets you shape Sam’s playstyle, from stealthy tracker to explosive powerhouse, echoing Nier Automata’s chip customizations. Gadgets and weapons arrive at a steady rhythm, including the surreal: coffin hoverboards, blood boomerangs, and missile firing mechanical dogs. This creativity turns what could have been a slog into a sandbox of strange delights. Online features return as well, letting other players’ constructions ease your journey in a shared world tapestry of mutual aid.
Bizarre, haunting, and occasionally hilarious, with platypus **** and talking puppets making appearances, Death Stranding 2 proves Kojima remains unmatched in marrying eccentricity with blockbuster design. It might not convert those who bounced off the original, but for everyone else, it is one of 2025’s most unforgettable adventures.
8. Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei (released September 25, 2025) builds on the foundation of Ghost of Tsushima while carving out its own identity through its new protagonist, Atsu. Unlike Jin Sakai, Atsu is no samurai. She is a wandering mercenary whose family was massacred by the Yotei Six, a ruthless gang now ruling Japan’s northern island of Ezo. Consumed by revenge, she adopts the mantle of the onryo, a vengeful spirit from Japanese folklore, becoming a feared symbol of retribution.
The setting is as much a character as Atsu herself. Ezo, modern-day Hokkaido, is rendered with breathtaking contrast: lush cherry blossoms in the south, icy plains in the north, and duels staged against waterfalls, ancient forests, and snowfields drenched in blood. Exploration feels organic thanks to the returning Guiding Wind, now paired with a spyglass system that encourages discovery rather than reliance on UI markers.
Atsu’s quest against the Yotei Six unfolds with cinematic flair reminiscent of Lady Snowblood and classic samurai cinema. Each target has distinct methods, from the Oni’s scorched-earth cruelty to the Kitsune’s shinobi assassinations, creating a mix of duels, infiltration, and puzzle-driven missions. Side activities tie closely to Atsu’s past: painting sumi-e with her father’s lessons, playing the shamisen passed down from her mother, and reliving childhood memories at family sites. These moments make her vengeance deeply personal.
Combat has been refined to reflect Atsu’s pragmatism. Instead of rigid stances, she masters five distinct weapons, each with situational strengths, and augments them with ranged options like rifles and pistols. Stealth is faster and more brutal, with kusarigama assassinations standing out. While camera quirks occasionally frustrate, the overall system delivers a thrilling blend of precision and brutality.
Ghost of Yotei may share DNA with Tsushima, but Atsu’s story of loss, artistry, and revenge ensures it stands tall as one of 2025’s defining action epics.
Conclusion
2025 has already delivered an incredible lineup of games, from ambitious blockbusters like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei, to indie darlings like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades 2. The variety is staggering, with studios large and small pushing the boundaries of storytelling, gameplay, and artistry.
As strong as 2025 has already been for gaming, the year isn’t finished yet. Several heavy hitters are still on the horizon, and they could reshape the conversation around Game of the Year once they land. Upcoming titles include:
* October 9, 2025 — Little Nightmares 3
* October 10, 2025 — Battlefield 6
* October 21, 2025 — Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
* October 29, 2025 — The Outer Worlds 2
* December 4, 2025 — Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Each of these games carries the potential to surprise and even blow away the competition. And if any of them — or even a dark horse release — prove themselves worthy, I’ll update this list to give them a deserved place among the year’s best. For now, 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most stacked years in recent memory, and the best may still be yet to come.
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Acer TravelMate P6 14 AI: Premium Business Laptop with Next-Gen AI Features
An ultralight laptop with impressive AI features, the TravelMate P6 14 AI is a premium business laptop designed to boost creativity and focus. In this article, we will discuss why AI businesses might want to consider an AI laptop and explore the laptop’s specifications and features.
What is an AI laptop?
AI laptops, or Copilot+ PC laptops, have a range of AI features to enhance the user experience. They are supported by a turbocharged neural processing unit (NPU) that can perform more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). They also include a Microsoft Pluton security processor, a chip-to-cloud security technology that is built with Zero Trust principles, and Click to Do, which simplifies the workflow by placing an interactive layer over the screen and enabling quick suggestions. Moreover, the improved Windows Search lets users find what they are looking for using just a few keywords, and AI-powered image editing that uses text prompts to create images.
What makes Copilot+ PC and TravelMates great business laptops?
Microsoft has a set of requirements for a device to be classed as a Copilot+ PC. These are:
* Minimum 16 GB of DDR5 or LPDDR5 of RAM
* Minimum 256 GB of SSD/UDS storage
* An NPU with 40+ TOPS of performance, like the AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 series, the Intel® Core™ Ultra 200V series, and the Snapdragon® X series.
As such, Copilot+ PCs have adequate storage for multitasking and an impressive NPU that makes them Microsoft’s fastest and most intelligent PCs yet. Moreover, Copilot+ PCs have a long battery life that is suitable for hard days at the office or on the go, making them a great choice for SMBs with a hybrid or remote workforce. Here are some more Copilot+ features.
1. Recall
The Recall feature creates a searchable photographic memory by saving snapshots of user activity. This makes it easier for users to quickly find information without searching through hundreds of files. However, the feature can be paused or filtered due to privacy concerns.
2. Windows Studio Effects
Studio Effects enhances video calls by blurring the background, correcting eye contact, and auto-framing. Some devices even enable options like portrait lighting and quirky filters to add a hint of creativity.
3. Live captions with translation
Copilot+ PCs offer translations into English in real-time from up to 44 languages. This works automatically and helps streamline meetings with participants worldwide, as well as global content and videos.
4. AI features in Windows apps
Copilot+ PCs also infuse AI advanced tools in well-known Windows apps. For example, Paint includes Cocreator that generates images from text and sketches, and Generative Fill that replaces objects with AI results. In addition, the Snipping Tool lets users capture the perfect screenshot by analyzing the screen and snipping the most prominent content.
In addition to these features, TravelMate laptops combine next-generation hardware, an intuitive interface, and handy applications to boost productivity. They offer a range of collaborative tools so colleagues can work on documents remotely from different locations, and include enhanced privacy features to prevent unwanted access. These, plus the Copilot+ AI capabilities, make the TravelMate P6 14 AI a powerful combination for SMBs.
Acer TravelMate P6 14 AI
The TravelMate P6 14 AI laptop is specially crafted from carbon fiber and magnesium-aluminum, and adheres to MIL-STD 810H standards for ultimate durability. This high-performance business laptop combines fast response times and compatibility with applications that help to streamline working life. It is a Level 3 secured-core PC with a Discrete TPM built-in platform module, offering robust security configurations to protect sensitive data.
Specifications
* Intel® Core™ Ultra Processor (Series 2)
* 14” 16:10 ultra high-resolution display, WQXGA+ 2880 x 1800 resolution
* 16:10 aspect ratio, 82% screen-to-body ratio
* 400 nits brightness
* Up to 32 GB LPDDR5X RAM
* 1 TB SSD storage
* 960 g (2.11 lbs)
* HDMI 2.1 (up to 8K output), Thunderbolt 4 Dual Type-C ports
* 1944p 5 megapixel camera with built-in shutter
* Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Features
Now let’s take a look at some more of the TravelMate P6 14 AI’s features.
On-device AI
The Intel® Core™ Ultra Processor (Series 2) features an NPU that delivers up to 48 TOPS and up to 120 TOPS total system AI performance for enhanced productivity. It also includes x86 architecture for higher efficiency and seamless compatibility. Acer Activity Indicator lights up the touchpad when the NPU or Copilot feature is engaged, offering users more control over their device.
Acer PurifiedView 2.0
Acer PurifiedView 2.0 ensures attendees always look their best in virtual meetings with video clarity and lighting via Portrait Refinement, Gentle Lighting, and Super Sharp. Moreover, the NPU offloads AI tasks to the CPU, which optimizes power consumption.
Acer PurifiedVoice™ 2.0
AI-powered noise reduction and a three-microphone setup lets users experience crystal-clear voice quality during calls, even when wearing external headphones. In addition, Ultra Boost stereo speakers and DTS:X® Ultra Audio provide super audio quality and 200% more sound output with 70% less vibration, which is ideal for online meetings and other multimedia tasks.
Maximum durability
The TravelMate P6 14 AI is designed for users who are on the go, making it an ideal companion for commutes and business travel. Moreover, the Acer Comfort Touch keyboard offers a 1.5mm long key travel, responsive keystrokes, and durable anti-wear coating for quieter and more precise typing.
Conclusion
The Acer TravelMate P6 14 AI is an excellent laptop for small businesses. It is robust and lightweight, and includes helpful features like Recall, live captions with translation, and smart AI features for ultimate productivity. Check out the Acer store for more information or request a call from an Acer representative today to find out more.
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Acer Nitro V 17 AI: The 2025 17-Inch Gaming Powerhouse
Gaming laptops come in several shapes and all sorts of sizes from compact 14-inch commute-friendly devices to 17-inch gaming beasts like the Acer Nitro V 17 AI. This Acer gaming laptop is a Copilot+ PC that’s equally comfortable slaying AAA titles as it is helping you smash your studies from high school through to your engineering or computer science degree, and beyond.
If you’re ready to step into uncharted realms of creativity and gaming excellence, then be forewarned -this Acer Nitro gaming laptop will blow your mind with precision, power, a huge display, and speed that will redefine your reality.
Smart power?
Brawn minus the brains is rarely a winning formula. We’re proud to say that the Acer Nitro V17 AI is an AI-infused mean machine that’s as powerful and smart as can be. Like cold soda and summer sun, raw power combines with elevated intelligence and AI wisdom in a certain perfect ratio in the Nitro V 17 AI. So if you’re ready to re-define hi-performance computing, be it in olympian gaming quests, creative odysseys, editing, or good old fashioned (school) work, then this is a powerhouse worth considering.
We like to think of the Nitro V 17 AI as a laptop that is larger than the sum of its parts. And these are some tasty parts we’re talking about! From your first glimpse of the 17.3- inch QHD display with up to up to DCI-P3 100% color gamut to the brains at the head of the beast, the enviable AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, this is a laptop that’s ready to enable new experiences. Wherever your travels take you, play harder, see clearer, react faster, and work smarter from the comfort of the Acer Nitro V 17 AI. Now let’s jump into the swirling metallic waters of the Nitroverse and get a taste of what this beast is all about!
Integrated AI
Even if you’ve been living underneath a rock for the past couple of years, chances are you’ve still heard about AI and all that it entails. If you’re wondering “What is a Copilot+ PC?” Or curious about Microsoft Copilot+ PC AI requirements, then here’s a helpful article to shed some light on Copilot+ PC essentials.
Designed to help you work smarter, not harder, Copilot+ PCs are the latest standard in next-gen Microsoft Windows 11 devices equipped to bring AI enhancements right into your everyday computing. Kitted out with NPUs (Neural Processing Units) to handle AI business onboard without reliance on the cloud, Copilot+ laptops open up a world of intelligent search, AI assistance, image generation, and even real-time translation.
A reason for the Ryzen
While there’s a reason for every season, Acer’s Nitro V 17 AI needs no reason for the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor nestled snug in its steely heart. Delivering dedicated AI acceleration, this is a powerhouse CPU that combines up to 8 cores, 16 threads, and 24MB of cache. If you’re unfamiliar with TOPS (trillions of operations per second), then read this, but if this isn’t your first TOPS rodeo, then the 50 TOPS in the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 should be music to your ears. This awesome amount of TOPS equates to blisteringly fast performance, coupled with smart, adaptive performance.
Multitask to your heart’s content, ‘cos the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 has got it covered. AAA gaming to 4K video editing and everything in between are all served with the lowest latency and highest efficiency. Gaming, engineering programs, and other demanding software are all welcome in the realm of Acer’s Nitro V 17 AI, so if you’re a gamer who also happens to be a student, then stay smart and invest in this AI injected hog.
Never forget NVIDIA
The icing on the cake is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. Forged on the latest Blackwell architecture, the 5070 delivers 798 AI TOPS of unadulterated performance, making your favorite games feel more real than ever. DLSS4 is NVIDIA’s latest in neural rendering -boosting frame rates, sharpening all the important details and improving overall image quality. Ray tracing makes in-game light look more real than the real thing, while shadows and reflections may leave you reflecting on what is really real! When all’s said and done, the NVIDIA Blackwell Max-Q optimizes the GPU for utmost efficiency, balancing immovable power with reasonable battery life.
Screen time
Peer deeply into this display, but be careful you don’t fall into the 17.3-inch QHD panel with its awesome 165Hz refresh rate, and the 100% DCI-P3 color gamut we mentioned earlier! For both epic slay sessions on your favorite games to editing, design, content creation or good old fashioned school work, expect extreme clarity and fantastic fluidity. This is a display that delivers beyond-vibrant colors with pinpoint accuracy, and in a laptop that you can take literally anywhere. Now that’s something that can’t be beat.
Another neat feature of the Nitro V 17 AI is the inclusion of Acer’s very own suite of AI-tools. In addition to enhanced video calls and noise suppression technologies, Acer ProCam detects and records your finest gaming hours, so you can relive them for eternity, without even needing to press the record button.
The coolest of cools
With such awesome power comes the burden of great responsibility. The responsibility to stay icy cool regardless of the demands being made. Well the Nitro V 17 AI doesn’t disappoint in this arena, either. Dual fan architecture and a quad-intake and exhaust design ensures that the Nitro V 17 AI stays chilled and endures, delivering performance that you can rely on, always.
Nitro speed
That’s about all we’ve got time for today. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the fresh, AI-infused direction that budget gaming laptops are headed in. Acer’s Nitro V 17 AI is a gaming laptop that’s ready to elevate your gaming and studies to a whole new level. If you’re looking to game alongside your studies, or study alongside your gaming, then we’ve got some good news, as eligible students can still seize Acer’s 10% student discount. So don’t dilly-dally, don’t tarry, don’t delay, check out the Acer Nitro V 17 AI today!
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How to Get to Act 3 in Silksong
Finishing Hollow Knight: Silksong once isn’t truly the end. Defeating Grandmother Silk and binding her in Act 2 will roll the credits, but hidden beyond that is an entirely new chapter. Act 3 serves as the path to Silksong’s true ending, unlocking tougher challenges, deeper lore, and some of the most demanding encounters in Pharloom. Getting there isn’t straightforward. You’ll need to complete key prerequisites, move important NPCs, and ultimately fulfill the caretaker’s “Silk and Soul” wish before the door to Act 3 opens. This guide explains every step, from the quests you need to clear to the four souls you must collect, so you don’t miss out on the game’s final act.
Prerequisites for Unlocking Act 3
Before the caretaker in Songclave will offer the Silk and Soul wish, Hornet needs to complete a number of hidden requirements. These tasks involve moving settlements, finishing quests, and learning melodies tied to Pharloom’s rulers. None of them are optional if you want to push the story into Act 3.
1. Move the Flea Caravan
The first step is to help the flea caravan relocate to the Putrified Ducts. This requires rescuing enough lost fleas scattered across Pharloom. One of the most important is Vog, found at the top of the Putrified Ducts. Once she is saved, she sets up a shop at the caravan where you can purchase maps showing the rest of the flea locations. When you have gathered the required number, speak to Fleamaster Mooshka to confirm the move.
2. Complete the Wishboards
Each settlement has a wishboard where you pick up quests, and Act 3 requires you to complete nearly all of them. Make sure to clear the boards in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and Songclave. Some quests are easy to miss, such as one in Bellhart that only unlocks after you buy out all of Shakra’s inventory. Once the Bellhart board is finished, you will also gain access to Hornet’s house in the town, which acts as an extra checkpoint in the journey.
3. Learn the Threefold Melody and beat Lace again
Another requirement is tied to Pharloom’s ancient rulers. Hornet must gather the Vaultkeeper’s, Architect’s, and Conductor’s melodies, which together form the Threefold Melody. This will allow you to advance to the 2nd Lace boss fight, and once you beat her, you will be able to advance the caretaker’s plan in Songclave.
When all three of these prerequisites are fulfilled, you will be able to return to Songclave and receive the Silk and Soul wish from the caretaker, setting the stage for Act 3.
The Silk and Soul Wish
Once the prerequisites are complete, return to Songclave and speak to the caretaker. He will finally grant you the Silk and Soul wish, the key that unlocks Act 3. To fulfill it, Hornet must collect four powerful relics scattered across Pharloom: Maiden’s Soul, Hermit’s Soul, Seeker’s Soul, and the Snare Setter. Each one represents a piece of the ritual needed to trap Grandmother Silk without binding her.
1. Maiden’s Soul
The Maiden’s Soul is found in Bone Bottom. Ride the bell beast to the station, then head west toward the chapel. Outside, you will meet the Chapel Maid, the first NPC Hornet encountered on her journey. Speak with her to receive the Maiden’s Soul. If she is not at the chapel, she may instead be found just below in Moss Grotto.
2. Hermit’s Soul
The Hermit resides beneath the Bellhart Bellway. From the station, drop to the lowest floor and head right until you find a hidden passage. Follow it through a short tunnel to discover the Hermit, who will give you the Hermit’s Soul after a short dialogue.
3. Seeker’s Soul
This soul lies in Bilewater, in a sub-area known as Bilehaven. To reach it, Hornet must defeat Groal the Great in a gauntlet-style battle. After the fight, leave the arena and enter the hut nearby. Inside, you will find the Seeker’s Soul waiting.
4. Snare Setter
The final item is hidden deep within Weavenest Atla, accessed from the right side of Moss Grotto. You will need the Needolin to open the door, as well as upgrades like the Faydown Cloak or Clawline to scale the walls. If it is your first time here, activate the lift mechanism by striking the silk cores at the far right. Ride the elevator down, wall jump up the right wall, and cross into the chamber above. A secret hole in the ceiling leads to a small passage. At the end, you will find the Snare Setter on a chair.
Entering Act 3
With the Maiden’s Soul, Hermit’s Soul, Seeker’s Soul, and Snare Setter in hand, return to the caretaker in Songclave. Handing over these items completes the Silk and Soul wish and sets the trap for Grandmother Silk. From here, the path to Act 3 is nearly open.
Next, travel back to the Cradle at the top of the Citadel and face Grandmother Silk once again. The fight is the same as the Act 2 battle, but this time you must finish it differently. Instead of binding her after victory, play the Needolin. This alternate choice prevents Hornet from absorbing her power and instead triggers the ritual set up by the caretaker.
The game will then roll the credits as before, but when you reload your save file, Hornet will awaken at the start of Act 3. Pharloom itself changes at this point. Non-boss enemies become stronger, patrols are more aggressive, and the world grows harsher. Some collectibles are easier to gather in Act 2, so it is worth finishing any exploration before making this leap. Act 3 does not block you from reaching 100 percent completion, but it does demand sharper reflexes and greater resource management.
Conclusion
Reaching Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong is not just about extending the game. It is about uncovering the path to the true ending. By moving the flea caravan, clearing the wishboards, and completing the Silk and Soul wish, Hornet gains the chance to fight Grandmother Silk under new conditions and break the cycle that binds Pharloom.
Act 3 raises the stakes dramatically. Ordinary enemies hit harder, encounters are less forgiving, and the challenges test everything you have learned through Acts 1 and 2. At the same time, it introduces new story revelations and sets the stage for the final resolution of Hornet’s journey. For players who want to see the complete picture of Silksong’s lore and experience its toughest content, unlocking Act 3 is essential.
If you’re interested in other Silksong related content make sure to check out our helpful guides below:
* All Endings in Silksong Explained and How to Get Them (Spoilers)
* How to Find All Secret Memory Bosses in Silksong
* Silksong Tools Guide and Where to Find Them
* Hardest Bosses in Silksong Ranked
* Silksong Best Early Game Tips and Tricks
* Guide to All 7 Crests in Silksong
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All Silksong Silk Skills and How to Get Them
Silk Skills are some of the most powerful abilities in Silksong, giving Hornet devastating attacks, evasive maneuvers, and tools to break through Pharloom’s toughest challenges. Unlike passive Tools or Crests, Silk Skills are active abilities that consume Silk from Hornet’s meter. They must be unlocked throughout the game by binding idols, defeating bosses, or completing key quests, and then equipped at a Bench using white Crest slots.
There are six Silk Skills in total: Silkspear, Thread Storm, Cross Stitch, Sharpdart, Pale Nails, and Rune Rage. Each one has its own unlock requirements, unique combat role, and synergies with specific Tools and Crests. Because Silk is also Hornet’s resource for healing, players must decide carefully when to unleash these abilities and when to save their reserves for survival.
In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about Silk Skills, including how they work, where to find all six, and which Tools and Crests best complement them.
All Silk Skills in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hornet can unlock a total of six Silk Skills during her journey across Pharloom. Each one serves a different purpose, from powerful ranged attacks to defensive counters and crowd-control techniques. Some are found early in the game and are essential for progression, while others are hidden behind bosses or late-game areas. Below we’ll go through all six Silk Skills in detail, including how to find them, what they do, and which Tools and Crests make them most effective.
1. Silkspear
Silkspear is the first Silk Skill Hornet can acquire in Hollow Knight: Silksong and is one of her core progression abilities. By coiling Silk around her needle, Hornet hurls it forward with tremendous force, dealing three times her normal needle damage. Silkspear also functions as a utility move, allowing Hornet to destroy thick, silk-like barriers that block paths throughout Pharloom. Unlike normal attacks, these barriers are permanently cleared once pierced with Silkspear, making it essential for exploration.
How to get it: The skill is found in Mosshome, near the Moss Druid’s cave. Just outside the cave lies a tall chamber, and at its top is the idol you must bind to in order to unlock Silkspear. This is often the first major ability upgrade players discover, since many blocked passages throughout Mosshome can only be opened with it. Without Silkspear, progression through Pharloom is severely limited.
Use cases: In combat, Silkspear acts as a powerful ranged strike, able to pierce enemies at a distance and deal heavy burst damage. It is especially useful against flying opponents or bosses that retreat quickly after attacking, as you can punish them safely without overcommitting. Outside of battle, it is invaluable for clearing silk barriers and opening new paths, making it one of the most important utility skills in the game. Silkspear pairs well with Crests that improve Silk generation, such as Reaper, since its high cost can drain resources quickly if overused.
2. Thread Storm
Thread Storm transforms Hornet’s silk into a violent flurry of whipping strands, striking everything in a circular radius around her. The attack hits up to five times, each hit dealing 0.8x needle damage, making it one of the best crowd-control tools in the game. When activated, Hornet leaps slightly and becomes briefly protected as the storm surrounds her, punishing nearby enemies that swarm or close in.
How to get it: Thread Storm is found in Greymoor, after a lengthy vertical climb. Starting from the Halfway Home area, head to the right until you reach the chamber with chain-suspended platforms. From here, ascend by carefully jumping across the platforms and using the balloons tethered to chains to climb higher. At the very top of the chamber, you can enter a side room to the left where the idol awaits. Binding here unlocks the skill. Once acquired, a shortcut to the right makes it easier to leave the area without having to descend the entire path.
Use cases: Thread Storm excels when Hornet is surrounded. It wipes out swarms of smaller enemies and provides a quick answer when you are pressured on all sides. In boss fights, it is particularly effective during phases where additional enemies are summoned, or when you need to carve out space quickly. Outside of combat, it makes traversal through enemy-dense areas much safer, especially against flying foes that otherwise overwhelm you. The skill shines even brighter when paired with Crests that boost Silk recovery, such as Reaper, or with lifesteal setups using the Witch Crest, allowing Hornet to sustain herself while dealing area damage.
3. Cross Stitch
Cross Stitch is a defensive counter skill that allows Hornet to parry incoming attacks and retaliate with a rapid flurry of slashes. When timed correctly, Hornet becomes invulnerable during the parry, blocking the enemy strike and immediately unleashing a sequence of swift counterattacks that deal heavy damage in front of her. This makes Cross Stitch one of the most rewarding Silk Skills, rewarding precise timing with both safety and burst offense.
How to get it: Cross Stitch is unlocked in The Mist after defeating Phantom, a secret boss hidden in the area. Once Phantom is defeated, Hornet can bind to the idol that appears to gain the skill. Because Phantom is not required for story progression, many players may miss this fight entirely, making Cross Stitch one of the more elusive Silk Skills in the game.
Use cases: This skill is best used against enemies with predictable or telegraphed attacks. By parrying a strike, Hornet not only avoids taking damage but also immediately punishes with a sequence of counter slashes, creating an opening where few exist. This skill shines against bosses that string together long combos, as a single well-timed parry can break their momentum and deal reliable damage. In exploration, it provides safety when venturing into unfamiliar areas or when facing ambushes from ranged enemies, since it can parry projectiles as well as melee strikes. Cross Stitch pairs naturally with Crests that reduce Silk costs or boost Silk generation, since using it frequently can quickly drain Hornet’s resources if not managed carefully.
4. Sharpdart
This Silk Skill turns Hornet into a living projectile, consuming Silk to launch her forward in a piercing strike. Enemies caught in her path are damaged as she dashes through them, and Hornet reappears behind her target. It doubles as both a high-mobility repositioning tool and an offensive burst, letting her bypass defenses or escape tight corners with style.
How to get it: Sharpdart is found in the Wormways, though it requires multiple upgrades before it can be accessed. You’ll need the Needolin to open the sealed door leading to the idol, and mobility skills such as the Clawline or Faydown Cloak are almost mandatory to reach the elevated platform. Once inside, binding to the idol unlocks the skill.
Use cases: Sharpdart excels in situations where spacing and evasive movement are key. Against bosses with wide-reaching attacks, it allows Hornet to slip behind them safely while dealing damage at the same time. In exploration, it doubles as a gap-closer and panic button, useful for slipping through narrow enemy formations or escaping when cornered. Its synergy is strongest with offensive Crests like Reaper, since the skill’s frequent use can generate Silk on kill chains, and with mobility-focused loadouts that emphasize aggressive repositioning.
5. Pale Nails
When activated, Hornet summons three glowing nails that hover above her before launching toward the nearest enemies. The attack automatically seeks targets, making it one of the strongest long-range options in the game. It deals consistent damage regardless of Hornet’s positioning, letting her strike foes even while retreating or facing the opposite direction.
How to get it: Pale Nails is obtained late in Act 3 at The Cradle, after the battle with Grandmother Silk and getting Silk Soar. You'll need to make your way back to the room where you fought Grandmother Silk and bind her decapitated arm to get the spell.
Use cases: This skill shines in boss fights where maintaining distance is key. Because the nails home in automatically, Hornet can focus on dodging complex patterns while still applying pressure. It is also extremely effective against airborne enemies, striking them without the need for precise aim. In exploration, Pale Nails simplifies encounters against flyers or evasive foes, giving Hornet a reliable ranged option. Pairing it with Crests that extend Silk regeneration helps offset its high cost, while defensive setups let Hornet save Bind for emergencies and dedicate Silk to offense.
6. Rune Rage
Hornet channels a forgotten Weaver technique, leaping briefly before stitching glowing runes into the air that detonate in a series of explosive bursts. The blasts form around enemies’ positions, striking multiple targets at once. It is one of the widest-area Silk Skills, capable of wiping out entire groups when timed well, though its delayed explosions require careful placement.
How to get it: Rune Rage is unlocked in The Slab. To acquire it, Hornet must defeat the First Sinner, one of the hardest bosses in the game, who guards the idol. Binding afterward grants the ability, marking Rune Rage as one of the most demanding Silk Skills to obtain.
Use cases: Rune Rage is tailor-made for crowd control. In exploration, it clears swarms of weaker enemies before they can overwhelm Hornet, making difficult gauntlets more manageable. In boss encounters, it punishes large or stationary targets, layering damage over time as the explosions erupt. However, mobile bosses can sometimes slip between the blasts, so timing and positioning are critical. Rune Rage works best with builds that increase Silk income or reduce the cost of frequent casting, and pairs well with Crests like Shaman, which amplify Silk Skill power.
Crests and tools that complement Silk Skills
Silk Skills consume Hornet’s most valuable resource, so pairing them with the right Crests and Tools is essential for keeping your meter stocked and your abilities reliable. Two Crests stand out for Silk Skill builds, and several Tools provide direct synergy.
Best Crests for Silk Skills
* Reaper Crest: Grants heavy, sweeping attacks and creates a buff after binding that causes melee hits to generate extra Silk. This effect is powerful for fueling Silk Skills, but it disappears the moment Hornet takes damage. It rewards clean play and careful positioning, making it a high-risk, high-reward choice for aggressive Silk-heavy builds.
* Shaman Crest: Focused entirely on Silk Skills, this Crest empowers them with runes that boost their effects and damage. It sacrifices Tool slots and healing flexibility but dramatically raises the ceiling of every Silk Skill, from Silkspear to Rune Rage.
Tools That Boost Silk Skills
* Druid’s Eye: Produces Silk when Hornet takes damage. Useful for recovery-focused builds, ensuring you can cast skills even when pressured.
* Weavelight: Increases the speed of Silk regeneration. This pairs well with frequent-use skills like Silkspear or Thread Storm.
* Spool Extender: Expands Hornet’s Silk capacity, letting her store additional charges. Particularly valuable for high-cost abilities such as Rune Rage or Pale Nails.
* Volt Filament: Imbues Silk Skills with electricity, adding bonus damage to each cast. Works especially well with area-based skills like Thread Storm or Rune Rage, amplifying their clearing power.
* Egg of Flealia: Reduces Silk Skill cost while Hornet’s health is full. Best for skilled players who rarely take hits, allowing for frequent casting without draining reserves.
Putting It Together
For balanced play, Reaper Crest + Weavelight or Spool Extender offers a mix of sustain and power, letting Hornet chain Silk Skills effectively as long as she avoids damage. For raw damage output, Shaman Crest + Volt Filament turns abilities like Pale Nails and Rune Rage into devastating finishers. More cautious players can lean on Egg of Flealia, which lowers costs when healthy, making it a strong choice for boss fights where careful dodging keeps Hornet’s health bar intact.
Conclusion
Silk Skills are some of the most versatile and impactful abilities in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Each one opens up new possibilities in combat and exploration, whether it’s the precision strike of Silkspear, the crowd-clearing power of Thread Storm, or the devastating late-game potential of Rune Rage. Learning where to find them and how to use them effectively is key to mastering Hornet’s journey through Pharloom.
Just as important are the Crests and Tools that enhance these skills. Choosing the right combination of slot layouts, regeneration boosters, or cost reducers can completely change how often and how effectively you rely on Silk Skills. With careful planning, Hornet’s arsenal becomes more than just a set of abilities; it becomes a reflection of your preferred style, whether that’s cautious, aggressive, or skill-focused.
By unlocking all six Silk Skills and experimenting with different synergies, you can adapt to every challenge Pharloom throws at you, turning Hornet’s limited Silk into one of the most powerful resources in the game.
If you’re interested in other Silksong related content make sure to check out our helpful guides below:
* All Endings in Silksong Explained and How to Get Them (Spoilers)
* How to Find All Secret Memory Bosses in Silksong
* Silksong Tools Guide and Where to Find Them
* Hardest Bosses in Silksong Ranked
* Silksong Best Early Game Tips and Tricks
* Guide to All 7 Crests in Silksong
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