# Tips for Beginners

> Source: https://indiegameswiki.com/wiki/hades/tips-for-beginners
> Part of the Hades wiki on Indie Games Wiki. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.
> Last updated: 2026-07-15T03:21:18.432Z
Practical advice for your first nights in the Underworld.

## Early priorities

1. Spend Darkness in the Mirror of Night; Death Defiance and extra Dash are strong first picks.
2. Unlock all six [[Weapons]] with Chthonic Keys before deepening any single upgrade path.
3. Gift Nectar to characters you meet for keepsakes; equip a keepsake every run.

## During a run

- Doors show a reward preview - route toward what your build needs.
- Prioritize survivability in Tartarus and Asphodel while you learn boss patterns.
- Athena's dash (deflect) is one of the most forgiving defensive [[Boons]] for new players.

## Losing is progress

Every death returns you to the House with your Darkness, Keys and story progress intact. Talk to everyone between attempts - dialogue and quests advance even when a run fails.