Shiva One Punch Destruction

Xinth's hidden Aspect maintains a similar attacking style as the regular Coats, but the mechanics are pretty unique.

The Aspect of Shiva trades the multi-rocket Special for a single explosive Orb. Absorbing the Omega Special increases the damage of your next Omega Attack.

Use this build when you want to maximize single-hit power and see ridiculous damage numbers pop up on your screen. Thanks to Shiva's large AoE Omega Moves, you'll still have good hoard clear to get through standard encounters quickly.

Fully experiencing the alternative Omega move set requires an immense amount of Magick as the Aspect of Shiva is one of the most Magick hungry Aspect in all of Hades 2.

Alternatively, you can build around the standard Attack and Special, and avoid the Omega moves altogether. While that approach may be theoretically safer and easier, this build purposely invests in the Destructive Omega Move combat loop.

• This Guide Was Written by HookieDookie, who has played over 700 hours of Hades 2, cleared every weapon Aspect at high Fear on both the Underworld and the Surface (Including multiple at 65 Fear).

Both the Attack and the Special have good base damage and pair best with any of the high damage % Boons.

I put Flutter Strike for it's raw damage. Even a rare Flutter Strike with +100% damage increases your Rank 0 Ω Attack to 660 and rank 6 to 1560

Nova Strike also great, and even better in standard encounters for hitting more foes with each Omega Attack.

• Starting with Harmonic Photon is equally a great strategy as Lucid Gain and Nova Strike can easily carry a Destructive Aspect of Shiva build. Everything else applies the same, so try both, or even go with Jeweled Pom start and aim for the same Gods listed in this guide.

Same goes for the Special slot, you could use another like Ice Flourish, or Vicious Flourish. Ares brings the highest potential for max damage from Grievous Blow and Mutual Destruction.

Shiva Mechanics

Trust, do not use the Dash-Strike, it's actually so bad with Aspect of Shiva. Unlike the non-hidden Coat Aspects, Shiva's Dash-Strike is super slow and only hits once. All other Xinth Aspects feature a triple-hitting Dash-Strike, which gives them natural synergy with on-hit effects like Poseidon Waves and Hestia Scorch.

Do not attempt to copy your normal Aspect of Melinoë Dash-Strike build with Shiva, it won't go well for you.

Destructive Ranks

Each Omega Special bounce you stand in the AoE of increases your Destructive Rank by 1. Every Ω Special will bounce 3 times, so you'll need two Ω Special cycles if you're looking for full 6 Ranks.

Each Rank Boosts your next omega Attack by 50% for a maximum of +300% damage.

Omega Attacks

• Rank 0 Ω Attack deals 300 Damage at full charge [360 with Strength (XXIII)]
• • A minimum charged Rank 0 Ω Attack deals a measly 45 damage
• Rank 6 Ω Attack deals 1260 Damage at full charge

You can only Block while the glowing shield is in front of Melinoë. Frontal attacks only, you can still be hit from behind.

Once the Ω Attack fully charges, the shield drops and you won't block anything.

Standard Encouters

Aspect of Shiva is unironically good at Speedrunning. A single Ω Attack will plow through all foes in its path. Therefore, you want to be intentionally positing and lining up as many enemies in your path with each Ω Attack.

Don't Miss!

Using your Omega Attack will always reset the Ranks even if you don't hit anyone. Get close, use the block, and make sure you hit.

Timing is extremely enemy dependent. If you want to learn the best times to go for big damage against each Guardian, make sure you check out the Boss Guides which include GIFs of every one of their attacks and Phases.

Omega Specials

Only one Ω Special can be active at a time. At a steep cost of 45 Magick per use, you cannot afford to waste Magick by overlapping Ω Specials.

Technically you can get the 2nd Ω Special out early, but as soon as it hits the ground, the previous one will disappear.

Casts

Try to place your Cast and Ω Special on top of each other.

That way foes will be ensnared inside the AOE of your Omega Special, plus they'll be suffering from the damage boost of The Furies (VI) and be an easy stationary target for your follow-up Omega attack.

Combat Loop

1. Omega Special into group of foes
2. Dash in, place Cast,
3. Stay on perimeter of Cast and Omega Special AoE, so you can gain Destructive Ranks
4. Channel Omega Attack to block, and be ready to unleash as your Rank goes up.
5. Most foes will die from this, but against bosses, you can repeat 1 through 3, before Omega Attacking.

When this is too dangerous, you can Ω Special and spam standard Specials from a distance.

Enemy Armor and Shields

Armor tanks unlimited damage from a single hit, same as Melinoë's armor.

If a foe has Vow of Wards shields, break them with Specials and Attack first, before using your Omega Attack.

Arcana

Night (X) is the best Arcana Card for Aspect of Shiva as you're naturally going to be performing Omega Combos.

Consider that a Crit hit Rank 6 Ω Attack deals 3780! damage without any other boons or damage modifiers. Once you add those other upgrades, you can literally one-shot Guardian Phases and mini-bosses.

Even though Aspect of Shiva uses A LOT of Magick, The Unseen (IX) is waste of 5 Grasp because it does not refill Magick while Channeling, and you're going to be channeling often.

Persistence (VII) has way more impact, for only 2 Grasp.

Hecuba

If you Don't start with Hecuba, you're going to have trouble with Magick in Erebus/Ephyra. You can hold off on grabbing a Gain Boon for a few chambers because her Magick will carry you for a while.

Keepsakes

The reason I recommend starting with Hera's Iridescent Fan is because she can cover your needs for Special damage, room clear, and Magick.

Grab Sworn Flourish right away, and the first region will be smooth sailing.