Journey through the Underworld and the Surface can become lonely, but not when you can have Animal Familiars in Hades 2. Animal Familiars are Melinoë’s pet companions, who are recruited with the Witch’s Delight and provide specific buffs and perks that make finding resources and dealing with enemies much easier. From a frog to a raven to a cat, there is a diverse range of Animal Familiars in this game. Here’s how to unlock them as well as when to use them in Hades 2.
How to Unlock Animal Familiars in Hades 2
To unlock Animal Familiars in Hades 2, you need to cast the Faith of Familiar Spirits Incantation using 2x Nectar and 1x Lotus Flower at the Cauldron in the Crossroads. To unlock this Incantation, you need to have defeated Hecate. Once you’ve done that, purchase Nectar for 50 Bones from the Wretched Broker or explore rooms with the Nectar symbol to collect Nectar.
On the other hand, explore Oceamus to find Lotus Flowers, then head back to the Cauldron at the Crossroads, and cast the Faith of Familiar Spirits Incantation to receive 1x Witch’s Delight, which are magical cookies used as an offering to an Animal Familiar to recruit them. There are a total of 5 Animal Familiars in the game, and here’s how to get all of them, along with the best time to use them.
Animal Familiar #1: Frinos the Frog
One of the first Animal Familiars you can find in Hades 2 is Frinos the Frog, located near Melinoë’s tent. Frinos the Frog boosts your maximum HP, as well as eats enemy projectiles and prevents damage taken. Here are the stats for this Animal Familiar:
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
| Soul Bond | Added bonus to find Lost Shades increases by 25% when together. | Added bonus to find Lost Shades increases by another 25% when together. (50% total) | Added bonus to find Lost Shades increases by another 25% when together. (75% total) |
| Strength Bond | Frinos deals +10 more damage when leaping into enemies. | Frinos deals +10 more damage when leaping into enemies. (+20 damage) | Frinos deals +10 more damage when leaping into enemies. (+30 damage) |
| Life Bond | Gain +10 Max Life when together. | Gain +10 more Max Life when together. (+20 Max Life) | Gain +10 more Max Life when together. (+30 Max Life) |
When to Use: Since Frinos the Frog can block projectiles and help in finding Psyche currency, he’s best used against bosses like Hecate herself. Frinos will eat the Polymorphing Curse and can save Melinoë’s life by providing maximum HP. Not only that, but you can also find more Psyche when together, which can be used to increase the amount of Grasp you can use at the Altar of Ashes.
Animal Familiar #2: Toula the Cat
Toula the Cat is located in the fountain room of Erebus after Melinoë casts the Woodsy Lifespring Incantation there in Hades 2. Interact with Toula the Cat to make her return to the Surface, then start a Surface run and defeat Polyphemus in Ephyra. Then, as you head to the Pier, you’ll find Toula a bit ahead on the left side. Offer your Witch’s Delight to her, and she’ll join you as an Animal Familiar. Here are the stats for this feline friend:
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
| Claw Bond | +1 Strike. | +1 more Strike. (+2 Strikes) | +1 more Strike. (+3 Strikes) |
| Heart Bond | Restores +10 health and grants one more Death Defiance. | Restores more +10 health. (total of +20 health) | Restores more +10 health. (total of +30 health) |
| Soul Bond | Added bonus to find Fishing Spots increases by 15% when together. | Added bonus to find Fishing Spots increases by 25% more when together. (+40% total) | Added bonus to find Fishing Spots increases by 25% more when together. (+65% total) |
When to Use: Toula the Cat is best used when going fishing in Hades 2. There’s an increased chance to find Fishing Spots when together, and Toula will automatically catch the fish herself, instead of making you play the minigame to catch one fish. She’ll make fishing more convenient, along with the Strike and Health bonus that’s derived from her Ranks.
Animal Familiar #3: Raki the Raven
Raki the Raven is located in the fountain room of the Crossroads, past the fountain to the left in Hades 2. Interact with Raki, and she’ll disappear to the Underworld. Then, start an Underworld run and head to the fountain room of Erebus to find her and interact with her again. She’ll disappear for one last time, and in the next Underworld run, you can head to the same location in Erebus to recruit her using the Witch’s Delight. Here are the stats for this white Raven:
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
| Blood Bond | Gain 1% greater chance to land a Critical Hit with any damage when together. | Gain 1% greater chance to land a Critical Hit with any damage when together. (+2% chance) | Gain 1% greater chance to land a Critical Hit with any damage when together. (+3% chance) |
| Stone Bond | Added bonus to find Outcroppings increases by 15% when together. | Added bonus to find Outcroppings increases by 25% more when together. (+40% total) | Added bonus to find Outcroppings increases by 25% more when together. (+65% total) |
| Wing Bond | Raki pecks enemies 25% more often. | Raki pecks enemies 25% more often. (50% more often) | Raki pecks enemies 25% more often. (75% more often) |
When to Use: When you’re looking for Outcroppings such as Adamant, Bronze, Rocks and such to unlock new weapons, use Raki the Raven to increase your chances of finding them. On top of that, the Critical Hit % increase is useful during combat with enemies, although you’re better off using someone else during bosses. Raki’s a great Animal Familiar to farm Outcroppings.
Animal Familiar #4: Hecuba the Hound
Hecuba the Hound is located in the Underworld, near Echo in the Fields of Mourning in Hades 2. Near the exit door, you’ll find Hecuba waiting. Interact with her and she’ll disappear. Then, you need to level up all your other Animal Familiars at the Crossroads, head to the Fields of Mourning once again, and do the same thing again. Once you’ve done that, you’ll find Hecate at the Crossroads with an exclamation mark above her.
Interact with her and she’ll offer both Hecuba the Hound and Gale the Polecat as a part of her Shared Familiar Bonds Incantation. Then, head back to the Fields of Mourning, where you previously found Hecuba, and you’ll be given the option to offer the hound a Witch’s Delight. Upon doing so, you’ll recruit her. Let’s take a look at the stats for this mighty beast:
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
| Spirit Bond | Gain an additional +15 maximum Magick when together. | Gain an additional +15 more maximum Magick when together. (+30 max Magick) | Gain an additional +15 more maximum Magick when together. (+45 max Magick) |
| Earth Bond | Added bonus to find Digging Spots increases by 25% when together. | Added bonus to find Digging Spots increases by 25% more when together. (+50% total) | Added bonus to find Digging Spots increases by 25% more when together. (+75% total) |
| Guard Bond | Hecuba stuns nearby enemies 15% more often. | Hecuba stuns nearby enemies an additional 15% more often. (+30% total) | Hecuba stuns nearby enemies an additional 15% more often. (+45% total) |
When to Use: Hecuba the Hound is a terrific Animal Familiar when you’re on the hunt for Seeds, as she increases the chances of finding Digging Spots when together. Apart from that, she’s also useful when facing hordes of enemies as she’ll bump up your Magick as well as stun nearby enemies more often.
Animal Familiar #5: Gale the Polecat
Gale the Polecat is located in the final chamber before the Prometheus fight at the end of Mount Olympus on the Surface in Hades 2. Before you get to unlocking Gale, you need to cast both Faith of Familiar Spirits and Shared Familiar Bonds Incantations. Then, complete the City of Ephyra and the Rift of Thessaly and head to Mount Olympus. In the chamber before the Prometheus fight in Mount Olympus, you’ll find Gale the Polecat.
After you interact with her, she’ll disappear. Start another Surface run, and head to the same area as before, and you’ll be able to offer a Witch’s Delight to her and recruit her in the process. Here are the stats for the light brown polecat:
| Bond Type | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
| Veil Bond | Gain 1% extra Dodge Chance and Movement Speed when together. | Gain an additional 1% extra Dodge Chance and Movement Speed when together. (+4% total) | Gain an additional 1% extra Dodge Chance and Movement Speed when together. (+5% total) |
| Nature Bond | Added bonus to find Flora increases by 3% when together. | Added bonus to find Flora increases by 3% more when together. (+13% total) | Added bonus to find Flora increases by 3% more when together. (+16 % total) |
| Wild Bond | Gale deals +50 increased scratching damage on retaliation. | Gale deals an additional +50 increased scratching damage on retaliation. (+300 total) | Gale deals an additional +50 increased scratching damage on retaliation. (+350 total) |
When to Use: Gale the Polecat offers an additional Dodge Chance and Movement Speed the more you upgrade her, which is useful in any situation in Hades 2. When you’re looking for Flora specifically, being with Gale will come in handy, as she’ll increase the chances of finding Flora, which can be used to craft Incantations and perform Alchemy or upgrade Arcana Cards. Her block follow-up is useful as well when performed effectively on enemies.
That’s all you need to know about all 5 Animal Familiars and how to unlock them in Hades 2. When you can have a pet companion with you, it’s best not to tread Underworld and the Surface alone. For more guides on the game, check out the one on How to Unlock the Hidden Aspects & Vow of Rivals.
