Hades 2: City of Ephyra Hades 2 guide, tips

The first location of the surface-guided alternate path in Hades 2 is the destroyed City of Efira. On this page of the guide we described the City of Efira, its structure, unique features, more dangerous enemies and mini-bosses.

Last update: 28 May 2024

The City of Ephyra is the alternative first region of Hades 2 and the beginning of the surface path. The location is a city in ruins besieged by the forces of Chronos. On this page, we describe Ephyra, its structure, unique properties, more dangerous enemies, and mini-bosses.

• Properties of Ephyra
• Enemies in Ephyra
• Resources in Ephyra
• Unique chambers in Ephyra
• How to defeat Satyr Champion?

Properties of Ephyra

Ephyra is one of the possible first regions of the game and also the beginning of the alternative surface path. This path is unlocked later in the game, which results in the City of Ephyra being a more difficult region than Erebus.

The layout of Ephyra is unlike any other underground location. You start with passing 2 Chambers located outside of the city walls. After clearing these 2 chambers, you enter the main square that has as many as 7-9 pathways that lead to chambers. After completing one of the Chambers and receiving the reward, you'll be taken back to the main square (you can additionally visit opened houses containing lesser enemies and additional rewards). In the middle of the square, there is a healing spring (which you can tap once) and a barrier leading to Charon's shop and then to the boss - Polyphemus.

The barrier is supported by columns placed inside the chambers that you need to destroy to be able to reach the boss. Destroyed pylons release Shades that start to target your enemies which can make the fight easier. Once you destroy six of the pylons, all chambers except the boss's chamber will no longer be available. As a result, you can no longer access rewards from these chambers, which forces you to choose and prioritize upgrades that will help the most. We recommend collecting Centaur Hearts as these most likely will be your only source of additional health in the first region.

Occasionally in the city, you can encounter Heracles who works on the same principle as Nemesis - he may join you during combat or appear at Charon's shop and buy one of the offered items before you have a chance to do so.

In Ephyra, there are occasional environmental traps - barrels that explode in the area around them when they are hit.

Enemies in Ephyra

The enemies in Ephyra pose a greater challenge than the enemies in Erebus. These are:

1. Bronzebeaks- birds that attack by charging that is initiated from a large distance. You need to watch out for them, as they may blend into the surroundings and attack suddenly.
2. Shamblers - basic enemies that attack in melee range. Very slow, but there will be a lot of them attacking at the same time - use Casts to fight them effectively.
3. Cutthroats - can become invisible and attack with long combinations of dagger thrusts. Try to stagger them, as they are very quick and their attack combinations are very long - best to not let them attack at all.
4. Lubbers - large enemies hurling explosive barrels that leave fiery areas after exploding. Probably the most dangerous opponents from Ephyra, as explosions deal a lot of damage while the throwers are very durable - try to defeat them as soon as possible or keep an eye of them.
5. Tombstones - coffins that occasionally shoot short-range projectiles and summon corpses. On their own, the coffins are not dangerous, but make sure to destroy excess ones in a free moment to cull the number of enemies currently in the arena.
6. Eidolons - flying one-eyed monsters that attack by shooting projectiles in a straight line. The projectiles then transform into small eyeballs that home toward the player and explode when they are close. Same as with cutthroats, try to defeat them as soon as possible.

Resources in Ephyra

In Ephyra, there are following unique resources to find:

1. Moss - a green plant collected by hand, without a dedicated tool;
2. Bronze - material mined with a pickaxe;
3. Garlic - seeds collected with a shovel and then planted in The Crossroads.

Unique chambers in Ephyra

A special meeting in Fields of Mourning (i.e. a unique chamber where the NPC exclusive for the region will provide you with unique bonuses) is Medea. Her bonuses affect enemies - they may receive a random amount of damage at the beginning of a battle, drop additional rewards or their projectiles will fly much slower. It is worth visiting her every time, as her bonuses may make the remainder of the expedition much easier.

Right before the door leading to the boss chamber, you'll find Charon's shop.

How to defeat Satyr Champion?

The Satyr Champion is the only unique mini-boss in Ephyra. He may be accompanied by several aides - defeat them first then destroy the pylon to deal a lot of damage to the Satyr. There are two columns in the arena where you can hide from the boss's ranged attacks.

The enemy has three attacks:

1. Marksman shot - the Champion aims his crossbow - an arrow on the ground will show the trajectory of the shot - then fires a single bolt. Either sprint to as side while getting away from the boss or hide behind a column.
2. Triple shot - the Champion fires 3 homing bolts. Hide behind a column or Dash through the projectiles.
3. Charge - The Champion suddenly charges forward. Hide behind a pillar or Dash away.

As long as you use the pillar as cover, you should easily defeat the boss. Try to not attack him when he readies for a shot, as you may not have enough time to avoid the attack.