Black Coat Starter Build

The Black Coat is a unique dual Weapon in Hades 2 and is most similar to the Twin Fists of Malphon from Hades I. The Weapon is more like a pair of gloves and a missile launcher jetpack than it is a "Coat."

We're going to build into the standard Attack of the Coat and boost the power of every punch. Both standard and Omega Specials will be utilized, but their primary purpose will be to inflict Curses rather than for constant damage. The base Attacks only deal 40 per hit, so landing a Epic Wave Strike with a couple of Poms will more than double your damage.

Moreover, the Black Coat's Dash-Strike hits three times in a row and each hit inflicts Poseidon's full Splash Damage.

Starting with Poseidon also enables us to work towards acquiring his Legendary Boon, King Tide, midway through he night. King Tide will be vitally important in boss fights because it causes all Splash damage inflicted to Guardians to deal +200%!

The entire rest of the build works off of Poseidon and the Black Coat's Attacks. We'll take multiple Boons that benefit from the increased Attack and Move Speed of the Black Coat's Aspect of Melinoë.

Aspect

The Omega Attack is a slow wind-up resulting in a big, explosive hit. Melinoë can block one enemy attack while the glowing prism floats in front of her during the Omega Attack channeling.

The Omega Special will not fully charge unless it has one or more targets to lock onto. Whenever you use the Omega Special, look to fully charge before unleashing it (unless you need to dodge an attack). It does channel quickly, but the missiles travel very slow.

• You are completely locked in while channelling an Omega Special and cannot Dash cancel it: fire and immediately Dash to evade attacks.

Animal Familiar

Start with Toula to grant an extra Death Defiance. The increased movement speed of Melinoë's Coat also helps you to keep Toula active by dashing through her.

Arcana

Priority: The Sorceress (I), The Wayward Son (II), The Huntress (III), The Furies (VI), Persistence (VII), The Swift Runner (XI), Death (XII)

Optional: Origination (XIV), The Boatman (XVII), The Artificer (XVIII), The Lovers (XV), Excellence (XIX)

Free: The Centaur (XIII), Divinity (XXIV)

We're going with our standard Arcana loudout for this build. Rerolls are extra necessary for this build because a significant portion of its damage relies on getting Slippery Slope and Grievous Blow as tier 2 Boons from Poseidon and Ares.

Also, be sure to save some rerolls for when you've fulfilled all Poseidon's Legendary requirements, because having King Tide makes a huge difference is how easy or difficult Guardian Battles will feel.

Keepsakes

1. Vivid Sea
2. 1. Poseidon is the foundation of this build. We need to start with him and work towards his Legendary as soon as possible.
2. Sword Hilt
3. 1. Outside of Poseidon's own Boons, his Duo Boon with Ares is the next best damage multiplier you can add to this build. We are also targeting multiple of Ares non-core Boons. If you don't have him in your God Pool, use Sword Hilt to get Vicious Flourish. When you already have him, you can use it to grab and rarify Grievous Blow.
3. Metallic Droplet
4. 1. You will be moving at hyperspeed with the combined buffs of Mel Coat + Droplet. The third Region has the largest locations, so the increased Attack, Channel, and Move speed is very powerful here.
4. Gorgon Amulet
5. 1. As long as you are entering the final region with no Death Defiances, you should take Athena's Keepsake. If you need Death Defiance refills, she can offer Renewed Faith or Stalwart Stand. When you are feeling confident without extra Death Defiances, Divine Dash is incredibly strong for this Dash centered build.
   2. Luckier Tooth can be subbed in if you have Death Defiances remaining.

Hammers

The best Hammers are Exhaust Riser and Rapid Frame. Riser makes your Dash-Strike hit +3 times so it is your top Hammer priority. It will make Wave Strike, Static Shock, and Blood Spree massively more effective. Rapid Frame increases Attack speed, so it will benefit the same Boons and is just a great Hammer for the Black Coat.

Hermes

Success Rate for Grievous Blow and Arterial Spray is huge. Even a Common Success Rate notably increase the odds of inflicting Grievous Blow increased damage and the double Splash Damage of the Duo Boon.

As we have been focusing on Attack speed, Nimble Limbs is also a great Hermes Boon to add to this build.

Magick and Health Requirements

This build is not particularly Magick hungry, but you do need a decent Gain Boon and at least 100 Magick in most cases. You want to have the option to Omega Special whenever you see an opportunity, and maintain the potential for Hex use.

Hexes

Wolf Howl is the best Hex for the Black Coat Aspect of Melinoë. It charges up very quickly, and can be used on reaction to dodge enemy attacks. During Wolf Howl, Melinoë is completely invulnerable. Take advantage of this mechanic and treat Wolf Howl as a defensive move rather than an offensive one.

Although Heph was lowest on our list of desired Gods, if you did get him in your God pool, you'll be able use Path of Star upgrades to get his Godsent for Wolf Howl and deal 800 damage on impact!

NPC Offerings

Support Fire (Artemis) or Divine Dash (Athena) will be the best NPC Boons you can add to this already stacked build. Divine Dash makes every Dash safer against projectiles, and Support Fire adds some nice damage to surrounding foes.

Combat Loop

1. When enemies are at a distance, channel a volley of Omega Special missiles,
2. Then Dash in to Attack as the missiles reach their target.
3. At close range, Dash-Special X Strike (To quickly Special and Attack in one swift movement)
4. Spam Attacks until you are ready to Dash-Special X Strike again.
5. Channel another Omega Special when no enemies remain within Attack distance.