Hannan Mundia 
Hades 2 allows Melinoe to have a Familiar assist her runs, but players first have to get the ability to use them and then unlock the ones they want to use.
Hades is a game about getting help. If it isn’t in the shape of boons from the Gods of Olympus, then it’s through keepsakes that Zagreus or Melinoe take with them. Hades 2 takes things even further by letting Melinoe bring a partner on her runs.
The game has multiple Familiars that players can recruit to their cause. Naturally, every Familiar has different abilities that can benefit players in different ways based on their playstyle. Here’s every Familiar available in Hades 2’s early access and how to unlock them.
Table of contents
How to get Familiars in Hades 2
Players need to unlock the Faith of Familiar Spirits incantation to recruit familiars in Hades 2.
The ability to use Animal Familiars is unlocked using the Faith of the Familiar Spirits incantation, which Headmistress Hecate reveals before one of her many boss fights. The conversation about Animal Familars comes up after the player meets a feline creature in a Fountain Room in Erebus on multiple occasions.
After enough battles in Erebus, Headmistress Hecate will give Melinoe the recipe for Faith of Familiar Spirits. The player needs 2 Nectar and 1 Lotus to craft the Faith of Familiar Spirits incantation. These can be acquired from the Wretched Broker and Oceanus, respectively.
Once crafted, the incantation will grant the player a Witch’s Delight, which Melinoe can give to certain friendly animal NPCs in the world.
Every Familiar in Hades 2, and where to find them
Each Familiar hangs out somewhere different in the world, and the player typically has to fulfill certain conditions to meet them. Simply feed these Familiars a Witch’s Delight, and they will join Melinoe.
Where to find Frinos the Frog
Frinos is the easiest Familiar to find, given that she’s Melinoe’s beloved pet. Players can find him hanging out in the area where Melinoe respawns after a failed run. Frinos is the perfect Familiar for defensive players as he increases Melinoe’s damage and HP by a moderate amount.
In addition, Frinos will block projectiles behind Melinoe, giving her a few less to worry about. He also skips the Lost Shades mini-game when exorcising them and grants up to 75% extra Psyche. Frinos is a must for players who want to max out Grasp in Hades 2 fast.
Where to find Toula the Cat
Players can find Toula the Cat in the area between Ephyra and the Rift of Thessaly, right by the docks. There’s nothing specific the player needs to unlock to find her, but there are times when she won’t show up, so just have Witch’s Delight ready for when she is. Some players report that equipping the Fishing Rod may make her more likely to appear.
Toula the Cat is best for aggressive players. In sharp contrast to Frinos, Toula will actively attack enemies, making her possibly the most offense-oriented Familiar in Hades 2. She also grants Melinoe an extra life, restoring her health up to 30 HP. That extra life can mean the difference between a successful or failed run in the final battle.
She’s also nifty for fishing, as she significantly increases the number of fishing spots throughout the world.
Where to find Raki the Raven
Raki is a bit more difficult to find than Frinos or Toula, who don’t need anything specific to unlock their meeting area. The player must craft the Woodsy Lifespring at the Cauldron, which requires 3 Silver and 1 Moly, which are abundant in Erebus. The incantation reveals a hidden fountain in Erebus, where Raki the Raven resides.
Raki the Raven is great for crit-focused builds. Those running keepsakes like White Antler or have boons from Artemis should take any critical chance boosters they can get. Raki also attacks enemies, allowing for more potential instances of a critical hit.
Farming-wise, Raki the Raven is best for mining minerals like Silver and Bronze, as he significantly raises their spawn frequency.
Where to find Hecuba the Dog
Hecuba is by far the hardest Familiar to unlock in Hades 2 so far. The player must find every other Familiar, recruit them, and upgrade at least one to unlock the hellacious hound. As for whether she’s the actual Queen of Troy or whether it’s just a silly nickname, early access dialogue doesn’t confirm.
Headmistress Hecate will give the player permission to borrow Hecuba, and only then can the hound join Melinoe. Hecuba is the best Familiar for magick-heavy builds. The hound will significantly boost Melinoe’s maximum magick up to 75%. In addition, players will find more healing or magic dig spots in each location. Hecuba doesn’t directly damage enemies, but she does stun them, a handy trick to keep foes steady for slow startup omega moves.
