Travelling through the world ofHades 2is a lonely, arduous task. Between fields of nasties, ships of the undead, and brutal rock concerts, Melinoe does not have a very enviable task, and it’s a shame she has to do it all alone. Or does she?

She does not! One particular incantation will grant Melinoe a certain item that allows her to turn furry (or slimy!) friends into Animal Familiars. These companions will be very useful on her journey, providing myriad boons and proving themselves very useful friends. If you’ve ever wanted to take along a massive frog to a fight, you’re in the right place.

The Animal Familiars incantation in Hades 2.

Hades 2 is currently in Early Access, so the details below may change over time.

Updated May 27, 2025:We’ve updated this guide to reflect the War Song Update, adding the locations and abilities of Gale as well as updated procedures on how to find Lotus for Witch’s Delight crafting.

Melinoe prepares to cast an incantation to Rest familiars for more resources in Hades 2.

How To Get Animal Familiars

The first step to unlocking Animal Familiars is to encounter a certain feline in Erebus - she will appear in a fountain room, which must beunlocked via an incantationthat will unlock automatically once you’ve made enough progress in the game.

It’s a simple process:

Once you have Familiars unlocked, you will also be able to create more Witch’s Delights using alchemy at the cauldron. These costone Star Dust and two Lotusper pair of Witch’s Delight, so they’re quite valuable.

Additionally, you willgain an incantation at the cauldron to rest your familiarsin return for gaining more resources on your next run togetherafter you have two or more familiars.

Melinoe confides in Frinos in Hades 2.

There are currentlyfour Animal Familiarsin the game:

Frinos the Frog

Simply feed him a Witch’s Delight. He is alwaysbeside the sigil where Melinoe spawnsafter ending a night.

Toula the Cat

Find her in thetransitional area betweenEphyra and the Rift of Thessaly.She sits on the western edge of the docks and must be fed a Witch’s Delight.

Raki the Raven

Raki is in thefountain area of Erebusto the left of the exit doors (occasionally hard to see because of his small size). You must interact with him first and return on a second night to feed him a Witch’s Delight.

Hecuba the Dog

After finding all above familiars and upgrading at least oneof them, you must wait for Hecate to prompt you over.Speak with herto be given permission to recruit Hecuba and Gale. Afterward, Hecuba can befound in Echo’s roomin the Fields of Mourning just north and on the plaza between the exit doors. Interact with her first and then return on a second night to feed her a Witch’s Delight.

Gale the Polecat

Much like Hecuba, you mustfind all three original familiarsand talk to Hecate. Afterward, Gale can be found at theend of Mt. Olympusandoutside the door to Prometheus’s arena. Talk to her first andreturn on a second nightto persuade Gale to join you with a Witch’s Delight.

The original bug requiring Toula to appear by choosing the Fishing Rod for your run is no longer required with Major Update 2.0 as gathering tools can no longer be selected.Previous versions, however,may still need to equip the Fishing Rodif Toula is not appearing for you.

Melinoe recruits Toula as a familiar in Hades 2.

How To Find Lotus To Make Witch’s Delights

With Major Update 2.0’s overhaul of spawn-rates for resources,Lotus has become slightly harder to find- an unfortunate result of increasing the chances of all other items except Flora.Lotus only grows in Oceanus(the second realm of the Tartarus path).

The most common roomsyou’ll find Lotus are:

To increase your chances of finding Lotus,you’ll want Gale with you.A fast strategy would be to use your Lotus to unlock the other familiars and then Gale. Afterward,use your delights to increase Gale’s Flora chance.You’ll be able to farm Lotus - and therefore Witch’s Delights - for the entire group faster with this method.

How To Upgrade Familiars

At the Crossroads training grounds, you can Pet and feed your familiars Witch’s Delights. These treats will allow you toupgrade one of their skills by one rank, with each skill having three ranks maximum.

Without any upgrades whatsoever,your Familiars provide the following buffs:

You will know that Toula is ready to be ‘activated’ for an attack when aglowing circle surrounds her.

Each Familiar has different skills that are provided passively, as explained in the table below.

Melinoe finds Raki in Erebus in Hades 2.

Frinos will make Lost Shades appear +75% more often.

Strength Bond

Frinos deals 10 damage when landing on foes after a leap.

Frinos deals 20 damage when landing on foes after a leap.

Melinoe finds Hecuba in Echo’s Room in Hades 2.

Frinos deals 30 damage when landing on foes after a leap.

Raki will make outcroppings appear 75% more often.

Wing Bond

Raki attacks foes 25% more often, having a chance to Mark them.

Raki attacks foes 50% more often, having a chance to Mark them.

Melinoe finds Gale at the top of Mt. Olympus in Hades 2.

Raki attacks foes 75% more often, having a chance to Mark them.

Hecuba stuns surrounding foes 30% more often,

Melinoe harvests a piece of Lotus in Oceanus in Hades 2.

Melinoe inspects the Nature Bond upgrade for familiar Gale in Hades 2.

Upgrading Toula at the Crossroads in Hades 2.