Hades 2 Keepsake Tier List (May 2026) Unlock Guide

Let me tell you something straight – when I first jumped into Hades II, I thought keepsakes were just nice little bonuses to collect. Boy, was I wrong. After hundreds of runs and more deaths to Chronos than I care to admit, I’ve learned that mastering the Hades II keepsake system is absolutely essential if you want to consistently escape the underworld. Whether you’re struggling to survive past Erebus or you’re pushing for those high Fear clears, the right keepsake at the right time can completely transform your run. That’s exactly why I’ve put together this ultimate Hades II Keepsake Guide and Tier List – to share everything I’ve discovered through countless hours of experimentation, so you can skip the frustration and start dominating your runs like a pro.

Why I Enjoy Playing Hades II Keepsake System?

I’ll be honest with you – I was initially skeptical about the keepsake system in Hades II. Coming from the first game, I thought it would be more of the same. But after spending countless hours experimenting with different combinations, I’ve discovered that this system adds an incredible layer of strategic depth that keeps me coming back run after run.

What I love most is how each keepsake tells a story about the character who gave it to you. When I equip the Luckier Tooth from Schelemeus, I’m not just getting a revive – I’m carrying a piece of that quirky skeleton’s personality with me. The Silver Wheel from Hecate? That’s not just magick regeneration; it’s a reminder of all those grueling training sessions under her watchful eye.

The real magic happens when you start combining keepsakes strategically. I’ve had runs where I started with the Transcendent Embryo for early Chaos boons, swapped to the Beautiful Mirror for Aphrodite consistency, and finished with the Knuckle Bones for that final boss push. The satisfaction of perfectly timing your keepsake swaps is something you just can’t get from other games.

How to Unlock and Progress Keepsakes?

Unlocking keepsakes is straightforward, but mastering them takes time and dedication. Here’s my step-by-step approach that I’ve refined through hundreds of runs:

Basic Unlocking Process

1. Find and befriend characters throughout the underworld
2. Gift them Nectar (you’ll find these during runs or can purchase them)
3. Receive their keepsake as a token of your growing relationship
4. Use the keepsake in runs to rank it up and unlock more powerful effects

Advanced Progression Tips

What most guides won’t tell you is that keepsake ranking matters more than you think. Each keepsake has three ranks, and the difference between Rank 1 and Rank 3 can be game-changing:

• Rank 2: Unlocked after 25 encounters with the keepsake equipped
• Rank 3: Unlocked after 50 encounters

I’ve found that focusing on ranking up your top 3-5 keepsakes first gives you much more consistent results than trying to level everything at once. My personal progression strategy involves:

• Early game: Focus on survival keepsakes like Luckier Tooth and Ghost Onion
• Mid game: Work on god-specific keepsakes for build consistency
• Late game: Master specialized keepsakes for specific challenges

Keepsake Swapping Strategy

One of the most underrated mechanics in Hades II is the ability to swap keepsakes between regions. After unlocking the “Keepsake Collection, Regional” upgrade from the House Contractor (costs 10 Gemstones), you can change your keepsake after each boss.

This is where strategic planning comes into play. Here’s my personal swapping strategy that’s helped me clear even the toughest Fear levels:

Region	Recommended Keepsake	Why I Use It
Erebus	Transcendent Embryo	Early Chaos boons without health penalty
Oceanus	Beautiful Mirror	Consistent Aphrodite boons for Weak builds
Fields	Adamant Shard	Hephaestus defensive boons for survival
Tartarus	Knuckle Bones	Boss damage reduction and health shaving

Hades II Keepsake Tier List (May 2026)

After extensive testing and analysis, I’ve developed this comprehensive tier list based on effectiveness, versatility, and personal experience. Remember that tier lists are subjective – what works for me might not work for your playstyle!

Hades II Keepsake S-Tier (Game-Changing Keepsakes)

These keepsakes have consistently carried me through even the most challenging runs. If you’re struggling to progress, focusing on these will dramatically improve your success rate.

Luckier Tooth (Schelemeus)

• Effect: Revive with 51/76/101 health once per run
• Why it’s S-Tier: This is essentially a free Death Defiance that doesn’t consume your actual Death Defiance charges. I can’t count how many times this has saved me from stupid mistakes or bad RNG. The health restoration is substantial, and it works exactly when you need it most.

Engraved Pin (Moros)

• Effect: Become invulnerable for 10 seconds at 0 health; restore 30 health if you clear the encounter
• Why it’s S-Tier: This is potentially the most powerful defensive keepsake in the game. Unlike Luckier Tooth, you can activate it multiple times per run if you’re skilled enough. I’ve used this to clutch out impossible-looking boss fights by becoming temporarily invulnerable and bursting down the last bits of health.

Gorgon Amulet (Athena)

• Effect: Athena’s boons are more likely, and you can rarify her Common blessings once
• Why it’s S-Tier: Athena’s defensive boons are some of the best in the game. Divine Dash and Death Defiance boons can make you nearly unkillable when built correctly. I’ve found that starting with this keepsake almost guarantees a solid defensive foundation for any build.

Hades II Keepsake A-Tier (Very Strong, Situationally Excellent)

These keepsakes are fantastic choices that I regularly use, though they require more specific circumstances or playstyles to shine.

Silver Wheel (Hecate)

• Effect: Restore magick over 3 seconds after using it, up to 1000/1500/2000 total
• Why it’s A-Tier: Magick management is crucial in Hades II, and this keepsake makes it effortless. I love using this with Cast-heavy builds or when I’m relying on Omega Moves for damage. The sustained magick regeneration means I can be much more aggressive with my ability usage.

Adamant Shard (Hephaestus)

• Effect: Hephaestus’s boons are more likely, and you can rarify his Common blessings once
• Why it’s A-Tier: Hephaestus’s defensive boons are universally useful regardless of your build. I particularly love this for Blast builds, where upgrading Volcanic Strike or Flourish early can make a massive difference in damage output.

Transcendent Embryo (Chaos)

• Effect: Gain a random Common Chaos blessing without negative effects; replaces every 8 encounters
• Why it’s A-Tier: Chaos boons can be game-changing, and this lets you get them without the health penalty. I’ve gotten some incredible early-game power spikes from this, though the randomness means it’s not quite S-Tier for consistency.

Hades II Keepsake B-Tier (Good, Niche Applications)

These keepsakes have their place but require more specific circumstances or playstyles to be effective.

Ghost Onion (Dora)

• Effect: Fully restore health after exiting each location, up to 50/75/100 total healing
• Why it’s B-Tier: This is fantastic for learning the game or when you’re struggling with specific areas, but becomes less valuable as you improve. I used this constantly when starting out, but now I rarely need it except for high Fear challenges.

Knuckle Bones (Odysseus)

• Effect: Next guardian loses 5%/10%/15% health; take 15% less damage from guardians
• Why it’s B-Tier: Excellent for boss-focused runs, but less useful for regular encounters. I’ll often swap to this just before facing Chronos, but I don’t keep it equipped for entire runs.

Experimental Hammer (Icarus)

• Effect: Gain a random Daedalus Hammer that lasts for 10 encounters
• Why it’s B-Tier: Hammers can be build-defining, but the randomness makes it inconsistent. I’ve had runs where this gave me exactly what I needed, and others where it gave me something completely useless for my build.

Hades II Keepsake C-Tier (Situational or Weaker Options)

These keepsakes have very specific use cases or are generally outclassed by other options.

White Antler (Artemis)

• Effect: Gain +20%/30%/40% critical chance but limited to 30 max health
• Why it’s C-Tier: The damage potential is huge, but the health limitation makes it incredibly risky. I’ve only found success with this when I’m extremely confident in my dodging abilities and going for speedrun attempts.

Evil Eye (Nemesis)

• Effect: Deal +20%/25%/30% damage to the last foe that killed you
• Why it’s C-Tier: Too situational and requires specific setup. I’ll occasionally use this when stuck on a particular boss, but it’s useless if you die to regular enemies.

Discordant Bell (Eris)

• Effect: Deal +0.5% more damage after each encounter, but also take that much more damage
• Why it’s C-Tier: The scaling damage is tempting, but the increasing damage taken makes it dangerous for all but the most skilled players. I’ve tried this in speedrun contexts, but it’s generally not worth the risk.

Hades II Keepsake Combinations and Synergies

One aspect that most guides overlook is how keepsakes work together. Through my experimentation, I’ve discovered some powerful combinations that can completely transform your runs:

The Immortal Build

• Start: Luckier Tooth (safety net)
• Mid: Engraved Pin (additional defensive layer)
• Late: Gorgon Amulet (Athena defensive boons)

This combination makes you incredibly difficult to kill. I’ve used this setup to clear high Fear levels where I would normally struggle. The multiple layers of defense mean you can afford to make mistakes and still recover.

The Glass Cannon

• Start: Transcendent Embryo (early power spike)
• Mid: Adamant Shard (defensive foundation)
• Late: White Antler (massive damage boost)

This is for when you’re feeling confident and want to end fights quickly. I’ve had some of my fastest clear times using this setup, though it requires precise play to avoid getting one-shot.

The Magick Specialist

• Start: Silver Wheel (magick sustainability)
• Mid: Beautiful Mirror (Weak application for safety)
• Late: Cloud Bangle (Zeus damage scaling)

Perfect for Cast and Omega Move focused builds. I love using this when I’m running weapon aspects that rely heavily on magick usage. The sustained magick regeneration lets you be much more aggressive with your abilities.

NEW Tips & Tricks to Master Keepsakes

Based on my extensive experience, here are some advanced strategies that most players overlook:

1. Plan Your Keepsake Progression

Don’t try to level up every keepsake equally. Focus on your top 3-5 keepsakes first. I prioritized Luckier Tooth, Engraved Pin, and Silver Wheel early on, and it made a huge difference in my consistency.

2. Time Your Swaps Carefully

The ability to swap keepsakes between regions is incredibly powerful. I always plan my keepsake progression before starting a run, considering which bosses I expect to face and which keepsakes will be most useful in each region.

3. Consider Your Weapon Aspect

Different weapon aspects synergize better with certain keepsakes. For example:

• Witch’s Staff: Pairs well with Silver Wheel for magick sustainability
• Argent Skull: Benefits from Adamant Shard for defensive boons
• Umbral Flames: Works great with Beautiful Mirror for Weak application

4. Don’t Forget About Companion Keepsakes

Some of the best keepsakes in the game are actually the Companion items you get from giving Ambrosia to characters after completing their quests. These legendary keepsakes often have game-changing effects that regular keepsakes can’t match.

5. Adapt to the Meta

Hades II is still in development, and balance changes can affect keepsake effectiveness. Stay flexible and be willing to adjust your strategies based on patch notes and community discoveries.

FAQ’s

What’s the absolute best keepsake for beginners?

For new players, I strongly recommend starting with the Luckier Tooth. It’s essentially a free revive that takes a lot of pressure off while you’re learning enemy patterns and mechanics. Once you get more comfortable, you can experiment with other options.

How do I unlock more keepsakes quickly?

The fastest way to unlock keepsakes is to focus on gifting Nectar to characters you encounter frequently. I prioritize characters who appear in the early regions first, as I can consistently gift them Nectar run after run.

Can I change keepsakes mid-run?

Yes! After unlocking the “Keepsake Collection, Regional” upgrade from the House Contractor (costs 10 Gemstones), you can swap keepsakes between regions. This is one of the most important upgrades to get early in your progression.

What keepsakes work best for speedrunning?

For speedrunning, I typically use White Antler for the massive critical chance boost, combined with Transcendent Embryo for early power spikes. The risk is high, but the clear times can be incredible when everything clicks.

How important is keepsake ranking?

Keepsake ranking is more important than most players realize. The difference between Rank 1 and Rank 3 can be substantial. I always try to keep my most-used keepsakes equipped, even if they’re not optimal for every situation, just to build up those encounter counts.

Are there any keepsakes that work well together?

Absolutely! Some of my favorite combinations include Luckier Tooth + Engraved Pin for maximum survivability, and Silver Wheel + Beautiful Mirror for magick-focused builds. Experimentation is key to finding what works best for your playstyle.

Conclusion

Mastering the keepsake system in Hades II has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey through the underworld. What started as a simple collection of trinkets has evolved into a deep strategic system that rewards knowledge, planning, and adaptability.

I hope this guide helps you on your own journey to defeat Chronos. Remember that the best keepsake is ultimately the one that fits your personal playstyle and helps you enjoy the game more. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find combinations that work for you – that’s part of what makes Hades II so special.

Now grab your favorite keepsake, head back into the underworld, and show that Titan of Time what you’re made of. I’ll see you on the other side!