Greek mythology is renowned not only for its gods but also for its terrifying creatures. Among these legendary beasts is Polyphemus, the Cyclops, who presents a significant challenge for players in Hades 2, notably obstructing Melinoe on her path through the underworld.
Polyphemus is perhaps best known for his notorious encounter with Odysseus. Following the Trojan War, Odysseus and his crew inadvertently found themselves trapped in Polyphemus’s cave, where they became prey to the Cyclops, who consumed two sailors each day. To escape, Odysseus cleverly proclaimed himself as “nobody”and offered the beast strong wine to intoxicate him. Once Polyphemus was asleep, Odysseus took the opportunity to blind him with a sharpened stake. When the Cyclops called for aid, his fellow Cyclops ignored him, unable to comprehend that “nobody”was responsible for his predicament.
On the following day, as Polyphemus released his sheep from the cave, Odysseus’s men cleverly hid under the animals and successfully evaded their captor. Since this fateful episode, Polyphemus has grown wary of mortals, demigods, and deities alike, ensuring that players like Melinoe will face a formidable foe in their journey. Here, I will guide you on how to defeat the Cyclops Polyphemus in Hades 2.
Preparation for the Polyphemus Encounter
Before engaging Polyphemus, it’s essential to gather as many Centaur Hearts as possible. His attacks, while powerful, are relatively slow, allowing you to dodge them effectively once you recognize the patterns. However, enduring a hit can inflict substantial damage, making health a critical resource in this battle.
In the sections where you must dismantle pylons, seek out rooms containing double Centaur Hearts. You can also explore huts and additional rooms in the Boon area for opportunities to accumulate more hearts.
In addition to enhancing health, consider equipping the Silken Sash, a keepsake you can acquire from Arachne by gifting her Nectar. This keepsake provides an initial 20 Armor, increasing to 2 additional Armor every time you enter a new location, provided you have at least one Armor point remaining. When fully upgraded, the Silken Sash can further boost Armor by 4 upon entering new areas.
As for Boons, given that this fight occurs relatively early in the game, your selection may be limited. Thus, focus on strong options like Demeter, Hestia, Poseidon, and Aphrodite, or any high-rarity Boons you encounter along the way.
Strategies for Defeating Polyphemus
The most effective tactic for overcoming Polyphemus is to strike him immediately after he performs his shockwave attacks. In the early part of the battle, the Cyclops will pause before using additional moves after jumping. This is your opportunity to dash in and deal damage.
This confrontation tends to unfold at a leisurely pace, making it crucial not to rush for extra hits; taking unnecessary risks may result in greater damage than the benefit gained. As the battle progresses into his second and third phases, Polyphemus doesn’t gain many new techniques, so the initial strategy remains applicable; prioritize defeating summoned enemies before focusing solely on the Cyclops.
If you acquire the Lunar Ray or Wolf Howl as the Gift of the Moon, these grants can provide significant damage boosts. Complement your weapon use with Omega Casts, particularly if you have acquired beneficial Boons like Poseidon’s Tidal Ring, Hestia’s Smolder Ring, or Demeter’s Arctic Ring.
Make sure to utilize Omega strikes or specials based on your weapon choice. For long-range damage, Descura’s Omega Strike is invaluable, while Black Coat’s Omega Special can simplify this encounter considerably. Maintain a steady offensive without becoming overly greedy, and you should be able to defeat Polyphemus successfully.
Polyphemus Phase 1
| Attack | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Jump Shockwaves | Polyphemus leaps towards Melinoe, creating a red shockwave that expands outward. | Dodge into the shockwave just as it is about to reach you. |
| Charged Kick | Polyphemus performs a kick directed at Melinoe, producing a damaging red arc. | Dodge or sidestep to evade the arc. |
| Ground Punch | Polyphemus punches the ground, releasing an area-of-effect attack. | Dodge or retreat from his punch. |
| Grab Attack | Attempting to catch Melinoe, Polyphemus inflicts serious damage if able. | Dodge as he raises his hand to grab. |
| Boulder Throw | Polyphemus hurls a boulder at your last attack position, creating shockwaves. | Flee the targeted area, then dodge to avoid incoming shockwaves. |
The initial phase of the encounter establishes Polyphemus’s primary move set, including jump shockwaves, ground punches, and charged kicks. As the fight intensifies, he may start to use his grab and boulder-throw attacks occasionally. Given his slower movements, it can be tempting to attack more than necessary. Familiarize yourself with his attack frequency to strategically balance offense and defense.
Upon covering himself, the battle transitions into the second phase.
Polyphemus Phase 2
| Attack | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Summoning Enemies from Ephyra | Polyphemus conjures allies, such as Shamblers and Lubbers, to aid in the battle. | Defeat the summoned mobs before re-engaging Polyphemus. |
| Walking Shockwaves | Each time he steps, Polyphemus sends out shockwaves from his feet. | Utilize ranged attacks or clear summoned foes while avoiding damage. |
This phase introduces new complexities to the fight. Though Polyphemus’s new moves won’t necessarily lead to instant defeat, they can prove cumbersome. While you can disregard the Shamblers, the explosive capabilities of the Lubbers must be neutralized promptly, as dodging through fire hazards can complicate your recovery.
The walking shockwaves can be navigated by running in front of Polyphemus. However, if you lack sufficient long-range capabilities, your damage output will decrease, forcing you to wait for openings to strike. Chip away at Polyphemus’s health opportunistically, especially during his first phase attacks, leading into the third and final phase upon his next shield.
Polyphemus Phase 3
| Attack | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Charged Stomp | Polyphemus stomps, launching multiple shockwaves that surge forward. | Dodge towards the shockwaves just as they approach. |
During this final phase, Polyphemus introduces the Charged Stomp as a new attack, which can initially seem more challenging due to the wave patterns. However, after a few encounters, mastering dodging techniques should become second nature. The final encounter does bring a noticeable increase in aggression from Polyphemus; remain vigilant and counter-attack during his jump shockwaves to secure victory swiftly.
Rewards for Defeating Polyphemus
Upon successfully vanquishing Polyphemus, you will receive the following reward:
- Wool x1
This reagent can be obtained early in the game and offers several applications. You can farm this item by repeatedly defeating Polyphemus. It is particularly valuable for upgrading the Aspect of Pan for the Sister Blades, requiring 2 Wool and 2 Shaderot. Additionally, it can be utilized to enhance the Arcana Card: The Fates.
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