Genuinely, what are you supposed to do? (Top side)

[Nebula]

I just CANNOT deal with the new region to save my life. The enemies do too much damage too quick, have gigantic ranges, raking up triple hits that you physically cannot get out of and take out your entire health bar, super armor on attacks even after taking out the armor they ALREADY had, not to mention I have to deal with them sooner due to one of the pacts, which then weakens me for Eris, who is also horrible but I'm finally getting used to her again. Erebus ain't much better either, with the pickaxe brutes and harpies. Blitz seems like the ONLY dps that can actually manage these ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, which is boring to do over and over.
Hell, Prometheus isn't even the issue, I've gotten to him a few times and he actually seems rather fun to fight. But by the time I get to him I'm so beaten down that there's no chance of actually winning with how much HP he's got. I've seen so many people bragging about how easy the game is on 32 fear, meanwhile I'm over here at 20 like ??? What modifiers are y'all using?? Are damage and speed buffs to the enemies at 0?
And before you say skill issue as some of you are prone to (although that won't stop any of you from saying it anyway) I sunk WAY too much time into the first Hades, have been playing 2 since it came out as early access, and now that the slow mo arcana is removed (don't even get me started on that) the gameplay is functionally the same. I know what I'm doing. I've memorized attack patterns, I know the dodge timing, I know the builds, what works, what doesn't, I have the muscle memory, I do not have trouble at ANY other point in this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ game (save for when ♥♥♥♥ comes from literally off screen). And yet I'm punished for being a single millisecond off, pressing attacks and dodges on time but the game decides no actually, you didn't dodge it, you didn't kill the enemy at 1 health, here's half your health gone.

Tl;dr I'm just ranting. I know realistically I can get this ♥♥♥♥ done *eventually* but it's just not fun anymore. I love Hades, I loved Hades 2 before this update, and I want to love it again. But I'm more than willing to point out bs when I spot it. Thanks for reading, constructive criticism would be nice but if you're just here to be a troll, get out

[Fire walk with me]

Originally posted by Nebula:

I just CANNOT deal with the new region to save my life. The enemies do too much damage too quick, have gigantic ranges, raking up triple hits that you physically cannot get out of and take out your entire health bar, super armor on attacks even after taking out the armor they ALREADY had, not to mention I have to deal with them sooner due to one of the pacts, which then weakens me for Eris, who is also horrible but I'm finally getting used to her again. Erebus ain't much better either, with the pickaxe brutes and harpies. Blitz seems like the ONLY dps that can actually manage these ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, which is boring to do over and over.
Hell, Prometheus isn't even the issue, I've gotten to him a few times and he actually seems rather fun to fight. But by the time I get to him I'm so beaten down that there's no chance of actually winning with how much HP he's got. I've seen so many people bragging about how easy the game is on 32 fear, meanwhile I'm over here at 20 like ??? What modifiers are y'all using?? Are damage and speed buffs to the enemies at 0?
And before you say skill issue as some of you are prone to (although that won't stop any of you from saying it anyway) I sunk WAY too much time into the first Hades, have been playing 2 since it came out as early access, and now that the slow mo arcana is removed (don't even get me started on that) the gameplay is functionally the same. I know what I'm doing. I've memorized attack patterns, I know the dodge timing, I know the builds, what works, what doesn't, I have the muscle memory, I do not have trouble at ANY other point in this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ game (save for when ♥♥♥♥ comes from literally off screen). And yet I'm punished for being a single millisecond off, pressing attacks and dodges on time but the game decides no actually, you didn't dodge it, you didn't kill the enemy at 1 health, here's half your health gone.

Tl;dr I'm just ranting. I know realistically I can get this ♥♥♥♥ done *eventually* but it's just not fun anymore. I love Hades, I loved Hades 2 before this update, and I want to love it again. But I'm more than willing to point out bs when I spot it. Thanks for reading, constructive criticism would be nice but if you're just here to be a troll, get out

You acknowledge you're ranting which is a good first step. Take some deep breaths.

I won't say 32 fear is easy or that it isn't cheap, it is. I would say I have both paths mostly on farm at 32, but it isn't fun per se. It is an accomplishment, but not truly important. I also have nearly 400 hours in this game since day one. I have put in the hours, and again, 32 isn't a guaranteed clear either route for myself and it shouldn't ever be. It is a flex. Something extra that has nothing to do with core story.

Personally for pacts I run full speed, 7 minutes, and the one that removes boons you don't pick. I avoid onion to get my kit up faster. I NEVER give enemies more hp or add mobs to an encounter. Not using those helps accomplish the low time frame along with speed increases. At that point you have to essentially take everything else. I always use full 30 arcana, strength instead of DD, max rerolls, and gold.

Things come with time and effort. Try not to let it get you bent out of shape. These areas WILL get easier with time and patches, so feel free to put it on the shelf for a few months and come back later.

Good luck either way.

Edit: I used Xinth all day every day for my first clears. Both routes. Daggers Pan, Torches Moros, Skulls Mel, and Axe Charon came later.

[Headstrike]

Hey Nebula,
I completely understand you and can totally empathize with you.
I struggled with the Overworld for quite a while and needed 30+ runs to achieve 32 Fear.

The build I used to succeed was Poseidon Special with the "Aspect of Pan." I seeded the run and made sure to get a Heroic Special right at the beginning, which I upgraded with Pom throughout the run. Additionally, I focused on ensuring I had enough health and magic for the run. I got "King Tide" as Poseidon's Legendary.

In the final stage, I picked up the Silver Wheel, and with that, I managed to pull it off.

Keep me updated if this helped you.

[Biscuits! Werewolves!]

I seriously just have one question: have you accepted the Strength arcana card as your true lord and savior? Because once I did I was saved from slamming my head against 32-Fear surface attempts (used Moros torches with some yummy Origination).

Then once I got my statues I've been playing at 0-Fear for farming/lulz (and to entertain my kiddo who hates seeing me lose games).

Oh, and I watched a few vids from much better players on YouTube to get some tips about what vows to take/avoid. Turning off the Vow of Return was also a huge bonus.

[Fire walk with me]

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

I seriously just have one question: have you accepted the Strength arcana card as your true lord and savior? Because once I did I was saved from slamming my head against 32-Fear surface attempts (used Moros torches with some yummy Origination).

Then once I got my statues I've been playing at 0-Fear for farming/lulz (and to entertain my kiddo who hates seeing me lose games).

Oh, and I watched a few vids from much better players on YouTube to get some tips about what vows to take/avoid. Turning off the Vow of Return was also a huge bonus.

It took forever for me to give up DD and go strength, but since I have I have not looked back once.

I am basically at this point as well. I am trying to beat both routes with every weapon at least once at 32, but if I am not going for a serious run 0 fear all day long.

My younglings aren't quite that big yet, but that is adorable.

I didn't watch youtube, but reddit had some posts with strategies that helped me with some things like choosing vows. 40% speed seems insane, but actually makes things easier after getting used to it. Who knew?

[Neo NiGHTS ®]

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

Then once I got my statues I've been playing at 0-Fear for farming/lulz (and to entertain my kiddo who hates seeing me lose games).

OMG, that's so adorable!!!
🥰

After I've got the statues I simply stopped doing any Fear runs.
Other than bragging rights there's no benefit, really (unlike the first Hades where you had to raise the heat in order to gather resources). I find most of the vows boring, and am expecting only the Extreme Measures to come (if it comes at all), because that opened up another part of the game in the first one (new dialogues and story bits).

Of course, I understand that's it's important that some brave people do high Fear runs to help devs balance things up and make the game a more even experience. But I'm not that player, I'm just a casual one who wants to have fun and hate "souls like games".

OTOH, playing fearless allows me to simply accept whatever game throws at me and I don't have to sweat over META builds or anything.
It's just another kind of experience which has been working fine on my part :)

[Nebula]

Thanks y'all. Tbh I wrote this post last night just to let off some steam (pun wasn't intended but now it totally is) and didn't expect such positive responses

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

I seriously just have one question: have you accepted the Strength arcana card as your true lord and savior?

I'll admit, I have not. I saw base Strength was a 30% damage reduction and just kinda wrote it off as not worth the grasp, but seeing that it goes up to 50 is crazy. I'm gonna try a few runs with it and see what happens.

[Biscuits! Werewolves!]

Originally posted by Nebula:

I'll admit, I have not. I saw base Strength was a 30% damage reduction and just kinda wrote it off as not worth the grasp, but seeing that it goes up to 50 is crazy. I'm gonna try a few runs with it and see what happens.

I try to have my build mostly set before leaving Ephyra. My only 32-Fear surface run used Moros torches with Demeter on the special. I try to keep Omega Special up as much as possible. Then either Hera or Zeus on the attack (former better on crowds latter better for single target burnination so go with what fits your style). Then I try to pump up armor as much as I can in the Rift (Arachne trinket). And I go Evil Eye for Prometheus (since he's the only guy that can kill me these days). Olympus mobs you can practice and learn but Prometheus has ingested way too much Wheaties and meth amphetamine so Evil Eye helps burn him down faster).

Moros torches with Strength and Origination really should carry you far. It's not an eloquent strategy - basically just fire up that Omega Special then run right into danger. Most things will die before they even have a chance to fight back.

I also don't like playing with a timer but I did for my 32-Fear surface and didn't even feel it.

Oh and I took Hecuba for the massive magic boost. The fact that she also does stun attacks AND "fetches" health/magic for you is kind of ridiculous, imo. Tool is up to you but I'd go with shovel on the chance of getting Plentiful Forage from Demeter (which friggin' adds up unless you get it in late Olympus).

Anyhow you said you weren't looking for advice so sorry for betraying you like that :D

[Fire walk with me]

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

Originally posted by Nebula:

I'll admit, I have not. I saw base Strength was a 30% damage reduction and just kinda wrote it off as not worth the grasp, but seeing that it goes up to 50 is crazy. I'm gonna try a few runs with it and see what happens.

I try to have my build mostly set before leaving Ephyra. My only 32-Fear surface run used Moros torches with Demeter on the special. I try to keep Omega Special up as much as possible. Then either Hera or Zeus on the attack (former better on crowds latter better for single target burnination so go with what fits your style). Then I try to pump up armor as much as I can in the Rift (Arachne trinket). And I go Evil Eye for Prometheus (since he's the only guy that can kill me these days). Olympus mobs you can practice and learn but Prometheus has ingested way too much Wheaties and meth amphetamine so Evil Eye helps burn him down faster).

Moros torches with Strength and Origination really should carry you far. It's not an eloquent strategy - basically just fire up that Omega Special then run right into danger. Most things will die before they even have a chance to fight back.

I also don't like playing with a timer but I did for my 32-Fear surface and didn't even feel it.

Oh and I took Hecuba for the massive magic boost. The fact that she also does stun attacks AND "fetches" health/magic for you is kind of ridiculous, imo. Tool is up to you but I'd go with shovel on the chance of getting Plentiful Forage from Demeter (which friggin' adds up unless you get it in late Olympus).

Anyhow you said you weren't looking for advice so sorry for betraying you like that :D

Seconding PF.

Plentiful forage is so good at 32 fear. It can save entire runs. There was a reason they had to nerf this.

[Nebula]

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

Oh and I took Hecuba for the massive magic boost. The fact that she also does stun attacks AND "fetches" health/magic for you is kind of ridiculous, imo. Tool is up to you but I'd go with shovel on the chance of getting Plentiful Forage from Demeter (which friggin' adds up unless you get it in late Olympus).

Okay so she DOES exist! I remember Hecate saying her pets wanted to bond with me but I haven't been able to find either of them since.

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

Anyhow you said you weren't looking for advice so sorry for betraying you like that :D

Nah advice is fine, thank you so much. What I didn't want was people coming in and saying "skill issue, get good." ♥♥♥♥ drives me up the wall
Update: Strength has helped immensely against weaker enemies, although I do miss death's defiance. Eris is still a ♥♥♥♥♥ though, haven't managed to get back up to Olympus yet

[Fire walk with me]

Originally posted by Nebula:

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

Oh and I took Hecuba for the massive magic boost. The fact that she also does stun attacks AND "fetches" health/magic for you is kind of ridiculous, imo. Tool is up to you but I'd go with shovel on the chance of getting Plentiful Forage from Demeter (which friggin' adds up unless you get it in late Olympus).

Okay so she DOES exist! I remember Hecate saying her pets wanted to bond with me but I haven't been able to find either of them since.

Originally posted by Biscuits! Werewolves!:

Anyhow you said you weren't looking for advice so sorry for betraying you like that :D

Nah advice is fine, thank you so much. What I didn't want was people coming in and saying "skill issue, get good." ♥♥♥♥ drives me up the wall
Update: Strength has helped immensely against weaker enemies, although I do miss death's defiance. Eris is still a ♥♥♥♥♥ though, haven't managed to get back up to Olympus yet

Hecuba and Raki both can be victims of bad rng and one takes multiple interactions to bond with. I still prefer Frinos because he can block Eris' and other's bullets while adding a good chunk to hp.

Soot sprint is still a good hard counter to the Eris fight which makes you invulnerable to the majority of her attacks until you learn her patterns well enough to not get hit at all.

Even with strength I will still grab Athena's DD from time to time depending on how my run is going in Olympus. You lose the damage, but if you're near death it won't matter and turns into a decent heal.