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How to Access and Survive the Surface Levels in Hades II

2–3 minutes

There are two “levels”, or gateways, in Hades II, ones that take you further into the Depths of the Underworld, while another grants you access to the Surface aka. the realm of the living. The Underworld is available immediately and poses as the primary route of the game. The Surface is blocked off by a magical Ward, as it is off-limits to someone like Melinoe. However, with her Olympian family requesting her aide, you’re motivated to find a way to make it to the Surface and it’s not easy. Here’s what you need to do in order to access the Surface levels and survive long enough to play them!

1. Permeation of Witching-Wards Incantation

At a certain point near the early part of the game, you will learn of the Permeation of Witching-Wards incantation. This will break the seal barring Melinoe from the Surface. You will need three ingredients to perform this incantation: Cinder, Shadow, and Moly.

Image showing three ingredients needed for a gateway in Hades II: Moly, Cinder, and Shadow, with quantities displayed.
Credit: Supergiant Games
  • 1 Cinder: Available after beating Headmistress Hecate at the end of Erebus.
  • 3 Moly: Flowers located throughout Erebus.
  • 1 Shadow: This item must be concocted via the second tab. Ingredients required are: 3 Fated Fabric, 30 Ashes, and 30 Psyche. These are all obtainable throughout your runs or for purchase from the Broker.
A game interface displaying an alchemy screen for 'Shadow Extraction', featuring a cauldron, ingredients list, and a recipe description.
Credit: Supergiant Games

Unfortunately, this will only allow you to access the Surface; however, you’ll soon discover the Chthonic Fate curse, which drains an insane amount of health. This will only let you last for a couple of rooms. While you’re up there, don’t get discouraged and pick up some moss along the way!

2. Unraveling a Fateful Bond Incantation

You will continue to suffer this curse and make little to no progress on the Surface until you obtain all the ingredients for the next incantation: Unraveling a Fateful Bond. This will be made available soon after your unsuccessful jaunt on the surface. Here is what you need to do to break this curse:

An interface displaying various incantations from Hades II, featuring the 'Unraveling a Fateful Bond' incantation at the top, with several ingredients listed below, surrounded by mystical elements and symbols.
Credit: Supergiant Games
  • 2 N-Shade: You need two of these purple flowers, of which you grow in your garden after obtaining seeds throughout Erebus. You’re able to dig for these nightshade seeds once you access the Silver Spade.
A character stands in a garden area surrounded by various plants and ghostly figures, focusing on planting seeds with a message at the bottom encouraging growth.
Credit: Supergiant Games
  • 2 Lotus: Grab two Lotus flowers from the Oceanus level.
A character stands in a colorful, stylized underworld environment, surrounded by plants and glowing elements, with game interface elements visible at the bottom.
Credit: Supergiant Games
  • 2 Thalamus: Once you open the gateway to the Surface and perish from an attempted run, be sure to find the Chaos gates in your runs in the Underworld. These are brightly covered covers that require a small blood sacrifice. You will meet Chaos, and after mentioning your predicament on the Surface, they gift you Origin seeds. These also can be dug up via the Silver Spade in dirt patches when traversing through these Chaos gates. Plant these in the garden and collect two for your incantation!
  • 2 Moss: Moss is located on the Surface, so your trips haven’t been a total waste of time. Grab two.

Once you have all your items, perform the incantation to allow you to finally explore the Surface without worrying about a life-sucking curse!


Boss Rush Gamescast – A Gameplay Review and Discussion Podcast

Boss Rush Gamescast is the gameplay discussion show from Boss Rush. Every other week, a panel of hosts and friends from across the internet take a deeper dive into the games they’ve been playing—featuring light spoilers, fun segments, and great conversations. New episodes drop every other Tuesday, with Patreon members getting early access one week in advance.

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Thank you for watching the Boss Rush Gamescast as part of Expansion Pass on The Boss Rush Network. If you enjoyed this discussion, please consider subscribing to the YouTube channel and leave a thumbs up on the video. Consider leaving the show a rating and a nice review on your favorite podcast service if you prefer to listen to us there. Your listenership and support means more than you know. New episodes post every other Thursday. Patreon supporters get each episode one week early. Thanks for watching and listening and we will see you next time.


Boss Rush Gamescast – A Gameplay Review and Discussion Podcast

Boss Rush Gamescast is the gameplay discussion show from Boss Rush. Every other week, a panel of hosts and friends from across the internet take a deeper dive into the games they’ve been playing—featuring light spoilers, fun segments, and great conversations. New episodes drop every other Tuesday, with Patreon members getting early access one week in advance.

Boss Rush Gamescast on YouTube

Listen to Boss Rush Gamescast on Podcast Services
Apple Podcasts + Spotify + Amazon + More Links

Follow and Connect with Boss Rush
X/Twitter + Bluesky + Instagram + Threads + YouTube

Thank you for watching the Boss Rush Gamescast as part of Expansion Pass on The Boss Rush Network. If you enjoyed this discussion, please consider subscribing to the YouTube channel and leave a thumbs up on the video. Consider leaving the show a rating and a nice review on your favorite podcast service if you prefer to listen to us there. Your listenership and support means more than you know. New episodes post every other Thursday. Patreon supporters get each episode one week early. Thanks for watching and listening and we will see you next time.

Featured Image Credit: Supergiant Games

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GameStop’s $55B Gamble, Xbox Cancels Copilot, & AMD’s “RAMpocalypse” - Boss Rush Podcast - A Podcast about Video Games

Email us your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠questions and topic ideas to the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.GameStop just shocked the internet with a massive $55.5 billion intent for eBay, Xbox is pulling the plug on Gaming Copilot, and AMD warns AI demand could drive gaming component prices even higher.This week on the Boss Rush Podcast, Corey Dirrig and LeRon Dawkins discuss one of the most surprising weeks in industry news.They discuss CEO Ryan Cohen’s baffling “transformational” plan for GameStop with a potential acquisition of eBay, Xbox’s continued leadership shakeup, the future of AI in gaming, and why rising RAM prices could impact every gamer heading into the fall. They also share their reactions to Nintendo’s surprise reveal of a cinematic new take on Star Fox 64 for Switch 2 and discuss whether this long-awaited revival could finally push the franchise forward again.This and more on the Boss Rush Podcast. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow the Boss Rush Network on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Thanks for your continued support of the Boss Rush Podcast and the Boss Rush Network! If you listen on podcast services, leave us a 5 star rating and a nice review or comment. If you're listening to this episode on YouTube, subscribe to the channel, like the video, leave a comment, and hit the bell so you don't miss an episode posting. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website for more great content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Boss Rush and our community.

DIRECT RECAP 5.7.2026: Star Fox comes to Nintendo Switch 2 in June - Nintendo Pow Block Podcast - Now Your Podcasting with Power!

Email your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠questions to the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Nintendo has officially brought Star Fox back with a brand-new game for Nintendo Switch 2. In this episode of the Direct Recap Show, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward Varnell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ break down everything revealed during the surprise Star Fox Direct on the Nintendo Today! app, including the game’s June 25th, 2026 launch date, its cinematic approach inspired by Star Fox 64, new co-op and multiplayer features, and the redesigned versions of Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy. We also discuss how closely the game seems connected to the original classic and whether this is the direction the franchise needed moving forward.This and more on the Direct Recap Show by Nintendo Pow Block.Support the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Patreon here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Join our Communities:Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join the ⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Facebook Group⁠⁠.Follow Nintendo Pow Block on Social Media: Nintendo Pow Block Podcast: ⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠Follow the Boss Rush Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠Follow our Hosts: ⁠⁠Edward Varnell⁠⁠, Cofounder of Boss Rush Media and host of ⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠, Cofounder and CEO of Boss Rush Media and host of the ⁠⁠Boss Rush Podcast⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Xbox Casuals⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠⁠. ⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Support Boss Rush Network:Support Boss Rush on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and buy merch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website at BossRush.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more great content.Thanks for Your Continued Support!Thank you for supporting Nintendo Pow Block! If you’re listening on podcast platforms, leave us a five-star rating and a review. If you’re watching on YouTube, subscribe, like, comment, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. Your support means the world—see you next time on Nintendo Pow Block!

The Death of Xbox Copilot, Leadership Changes, and 007: First Light - Xbox Casuals: An Xbox Podcast

The future of Xbox just got a whole lot more interesting with potential leaks, leadership shakeups, and a surprise shadow drop. This week on Xbox Casuals, ⁠Corey Dirrig⁠ and ⁠Josh Finney⁠ discuss new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's continued aggression in player-first moves, the latest in leadership changes, Forza Horizon 6 and whether legit city racing could finally return to the series in its Japanese setting, the potential Halo 2 and Halo 3 remakes, and talk about why IO Interactive’s James Bond: First Light already feels like a Game of the Year contender. Plus they look ahead to the June Showcase, discuss if Fable can survive the GTA VI hype cycle, and what they could possibly see in the 30 minute showcase of Gears of War: E-Day. This and more ⁠this week on Xbox Casuals⁠. Join our communities:⁠Boss Rush Community Discord⁠ ⁠Tower Casuals Destiny Discord⁠Follow our Hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Founder of Boss Rush Media, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Finney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, cofounder and cohost of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Life is Strange and PAX East Discussions - Boss Rush Gamescast - A Gameplay Discussion Podcast

In this episode of Boss Rush Gamescast, Pat Klein, Stephanie Klimov, and Stoy Jovic cover everything from standout moments at PAX East to the evolving world of arcade and indie games. The crew explores world building in Crimson Desert, storytelling in Life is Strange, and the continued evolution of Mario with newer experiences like Wonder. They also share personal insights on game collecting, the impact of missing major vendors at conventions, and why the arcade scene is finding new life. It’s a wide-ranging conversation packed with thoughtful takes and firsthand experiences from across the gaming space.Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Boss Rush Network: Follow Boss Rush Network on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Boss Rush Network:Support Boss Rush on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and buy merch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website at BossRush.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more great content.Thank you for your Support!

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