Hades 2: A Complete Guide to Star Dust and Chaos Trials

Key Takeaways:

1. Chaos Trials offer an exciting and strategic challenge in Hades 2, rewarding players with the coveted Star Dust.
2. Unlocking and completing the Abyssal Insight and Abyssal Night incantations are key to accessing Chaos Trials.
3. Trials test your abilities, offering high-difficulty battles with unique rewards and limitations, perfect for upgrading Arcana cards.

The world of Hades 2 continues to grow and evolve, especially with the introduction of the Chaos Trials and Star Dust mechanic. As you progress through the game, unlocking these trials becomes a pivotal moment that not only tests your skills but also rewards you with rare and valuable items. Whether you’re a veteran of the first Hades game or new to the franchise, these trials are a game-changing feature that adds depth and strategy to your runs.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down how to unlock and complete Chaos Trials, how to obtain Star Dust, and all the changes brought by the recent Olympic Update.

The Olympic Update and Chaos Trials

The Olympic Update in Hades 2 overhauled many of the core mechanics from the original game, adding more variety, challenges, and rewards. One of the standout features in this update is the reworking of Chaos Trials, which provide players with an additional way to test their abilities and earn coveted resources like Star Dust.

Chaos Trials are unique encounters designed to push Melinoe, the protagonist of Hades 2, to her limits. Each trial offers a different loadout and difficulty level, meaning you’ll need to adapt to new conditions every time you step into one. But the reward? Star Dust, a rare crafting material necessary for upgrading your Arcana cards and improving your overall build.

Let’s start by exploring what Chaos Trials are and how to access them.

How to Unlock Chaos Trials

Unlocking Chaos Trials requires completing a series of tasks and obtaining specific incantations. The main one you’ll need is the Abyssal Night Incantation, which can be tricky to get, as it requires multiple interactions with Chaos.

Here’s a breakdown of how to unlock Chaos Trials:

1. Complete the Abyssal Night Incantation: The exact requirements for this incantation can vary, but in general, you’ll need to:
   • Unlock all five Nocturnal Arms and reveal their Aspects.
   • Remove the Warding Gate and survive on the surface through the Unravelling a Fateful Bond Incantation.
   • Visit Chaos several times, offer one Nectar, and gain the Transcendent Embryo Keepsake.
   • Complete various minor prophecies.
2. Gather the necessary materials: To activate Abyssal Night, you’ll need:
   • 2 Fate Fabric
   • 2 Pearl
   • 2 Moly
   • 2 Nightshade
   • These materials are scattered throughout the game world and can be obtained through a mix of combat, trading, and farming.
3. Unlock the Pitch-Black Stone: After completing the Abyssal Night Incantation, the Pitch-Black Stone, located in the Training Grounds, will become available. This is your gateway to the Chaos Trials. Interacting with the Pitch-Black Stone will allow you to start your first trial.

Chaos Trials and Star Dust Explained

Chaos Trials are a series of increasingly difficult combat encounters. Each trial comes with pre-determined loadouts and limitations, which often strip Melinoe of her usual abilities, forcing you to adapt.

The main reward for completing a Chaos Trial is Star Dust (S-Dust), which is essential for upgrading your Arcana cards. Arcana cards, in turn, improve your abilities in combat, making Star Dust one of the most sought-after resources in the game.

The first set of trials includes:

• Trial of Origin (Erebus, Witch’s Staff)
• Trial of Salt (Oceanus, Sister Blades)
• Trial of Humility (Erebus, Witch’s Staff)

Each trial offers one Star Dust on your first completion. These trials range in difficulty, with the Trial of Humility being particularly challenging due to the removal of Arcana cards, requiring you to rely purely on melee skills.

Earning Star Dust Beyond Trials

Star Dust can also be obtained from other sources beyond Chaos Trials:

1. The Wretched Broker: After completing your first Chaos Trial, the Wretched Broker will start offering Star Dust for 800 Bones. This provides an alternative way to acquire this rare material if you’re struggling with a particular trial.
2. Narcissus’ Boon: A more story-driven method involves visiting the NPC Narcissus in Oceanus and helping him with various tasks. Once you help Narcissus and Echo reconcile, you’ll receive the Heavenly Splendor boon, which occasionally rewards you with Star Dust.

Advanced Chaos Trials

As you progress through Hades 2, more Chaos Trials will unlock, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. Some of these later trials will restrict your Keepsakes, limiting the bonuses you can use during combat. For example:

• Trial of the Labrys: (Erebus, Moonstone Axe, Lion Fang Keepsake)
• Trial of Fury: (Oceanus, Witch’s Staff, Crystal Figurine Keepsake)
• Trial of Vengeance: (City of Ephyra, Argent Skull, Evil Eye Keepsake)

These trials are significantly more difficult than the earlier ones, with tougher enemies and stricter loadout requirements. However, the rewards for completing them are worth the effort, as they provide even more Star Dust and unique items.

Strategies for Success in Chaos Trials

Successfully completing Chaos Trials requires a mix of preparation, adaptability, and understanding of the mechanics in Hades 2. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

1. Prioritize Your Build: Each trial restricts your weapon choice, so make sure you’re familiar with the mechanics of the weapon you’re given. For example, in the Trial of Origin, you’ll use the Witch’s Staff, which is heavily reliant on mana regeneration and ranged attacks. Knowing how to maximize your build with each weapon is crucial.
2. Adapt to the Environment: The trials take place in various regions of the game, each with its own hazards and enemies. Learning the layouts and patterns of these regions can give you an advantage when completing a trial.
3. Complete Minor Prophecies: Before attempting higher-difficulty trials, ensure you’ve completed as many minor prophecies as possible. These prophecies provide useful rewards that can improve your chances in the more challenging encounters.
4. Use Arcana Cards Wisely: If a trial allows you to keep Arcana Cards, make sure you have a strategy for using them effectively. Cards like Apollo’s Lucid Gain can provide much-needed mana regeneration, while others offer defensive bonuses or additional damage.
5. Take Advantage of Boons: Boons from gods like Poseidon, Apollo, and Primordial Chaos can make a huge difference during trials. Choose boons that complement your playstyle and weapon choice.

FAQ

Q: What is Star Dust used for in Hades 2? A: Star Dust is a rare crafting material used to upgrade Arcana cards, which improve your abilities during runs.

Q: How do I unlock the Pitch-Black Stone? A: To unlock the Pitch-Black Stone, you must complete the Abyssal Night Incantation. This requires interacting with Chaos multiple times and gathering specific materials.

Q: Are there other ways to get Star Dust besides Chaos Trials? A: Yes, you can buy Star Dust from the Wretched Broker for 800 Bones after completing your first Chaos Trial. Additionally, Narcissus offers Star Dust through the Heavenly Splendor boon.

Q: Can I re-do Chaos Trials for more Star Dust? A: You can re-attempt Chaos Trials, but repeat attempts will not reward you with Star Dust. Instead, you’ll receive Bones.

Q: Are there more Chaos Trials added as the game progresses? A: Yes, as you advance through the game, new Chaos Trials become available, each with higher difficulty and different rewards.