I used the Stygian Blade for my first 100 hours. Not because it was good — because it was the starter weapon and I didn't bother trying anything else. Turns out the Sword is one of the weakest weapons in the game unless you unlock a specific aspect. I could've been clearing runs in half the time if I'd just picked up the Rail or the Bow.

Here's every weapon in Hades ranked by how much they'll help you get your first clear, plus which aspect to spend your precious Titan Blood on.

1. Shield of Chaos (S-Tier) — The One That Got Me My First Clear

The shield is the safest weapon in Hades and the best for learning. Hold attack to block everything — boss combos, [REDACTED]'s laser, Theseus's spear — then release for a bash. The special throws the shield like Captain America, bouncing between enemies.

Best aspect: Zeus — special creates a lightning AoE where the shield lands. Throw it, block, lightning kills everything. It's brain-dead effective.

Runner-up: Chaos — shield gains +1 bounce and +40% damage per bounce. Turns the shield into a devastating ranged weapon.

Hidden aspect (Beowulf): Bull rush fires your cast 3 times. Insane damage potential but requires good casts.

2. Adamant Rail (S-Tier) — I Slept On This For Way Too Long

The Rail is a gun that fires rapidly (12 shots then reload). Special fires a bomb. I ignored it because "gun in a Greek myth game" felt wrong. Then I tried Aspect of Eris and got my fastest clear ever.

Best aspect: Eris — stand in your special's blast zone for +75% damage for 8 seconds. It's risky (you have to stand in your own explosion) but the damage boost is insane. Pair with Zeus on Attack (lightning every shot) and watch bosses melt.

Hidden aspect (Lucifer): Fires a continuous laser beam. Fun but lower DPS than Eris.

3. Heart-Seeking Bow (A-Tier) — Slow But Devastating

The Bow requires charging for full damage (50 base). The special shoots 3 arrows in a spread. I hated it at first because it's slow — then I got Aspect of Chiron and changed my mind.

Best aspect: Chiron — special arrows home in on the last enemy hit by attack. Put Dionysus on special (hangover stacks to 5 instantly) and watch bosses melt while you hide at range.

Hidden aspect (Rama): Attack hits all enemies in a line. Special creates shared damage link. Great for room clearing.

4. Twin Fists of Malphon (A-Tier) — Aggressive Rushdown

The Fists attack faster than any other weapon. Dash-strike covers half the screen. The special is an uppercut with invincibility frames. I love the Fists but they require good positioning — you have to be in the enemy's face.

Best aspect: Gilgamesh (hidden) — grants 5 dashes total and makes attacks deal more damage at close range. Unlocked by spending 5 Titan Blood on Fist aspects. Once you have this, the Fists become S-tier.

Runner-up: Talos — special pulls enemies toward you. Great for grouping.

5. Eternal Spear (B-Tier) — Versatile But Not Outstanding

The Spear has excellent range and a charged spin attack. Special throws the spear like a boomerang. It's not bad at anything but not great at anything either.

Best aspect: Achilles — after special, your next 4 attacks deal +50% damage. Pairs with any boon.

Runner-up: Hades — spin attack pulls enemies in and deals +200% damage in a large area. Excellent for room clearing.

6. Stygian Blade (C-Tier) — The Starter Trap

The Sword is the weapon you start with and the one you should stop using as soon as possible — unless you unlock Nemesis aspect. The base Sword is outclassed by every other weapon. It has no range, no gimmick, and no safety. I used it for 100 hours because I didn't know better.

Best aspect: Nemesis — +20% crit after special. Pair with Artemis for crit stacking. This makes the Sword viable but not amazing.

Hidden aspect (Arthur): Slow but hits for 60 base damage. Special creates a damage reduction aura. Great for tank builds but slow gameplay.

Aspect Rankings — Where to Spend Titan Blood

Titan Blood is the most precious resource in Hades. Don't waste it on Zagreus aspects (they're barely upgrades). Here's where to invest:

S-Tier (invest first): Eris Rail (+75% damage boost is unmatched), Chiron Bow (homing arrows make boss fights trivial), Beowulf Shield (triple cast burst), Gilgamesh Fists (5 dashes = permanent safety).

A-Tier (invest after): Achilles Spear (+50% damage on next attacks), Nemesis Sword (crit build enabler), Rama Bow (line damage + links), Zeus Shield (fire-and-forget lightning).

B-Tier (only if you love the weapon): Hades Spear, Chaos Shield, Lucifer Rail, Talos Fists.

C-Tier (never invest): Zagreus aspects for any weapon. They give +15% to a stat that doesn't matter. Save your Blood for real aspects.

If I had to start over, I'd unlock Eris Rail first, then Chiron Bow, then Gilgamesh Fists. These three weapons with their best aspects can clear any heat level in the game. I spent 100 hours on the Sword when I could've been clearing runs with the Rail in 20 minutes each.

Go ahead, keep using the base Sword aspect for another 100 hours. I dare you. You'll last about as long as I did — but at least now you know why.