Companion Hades: Which God’s Gift Solves Your Run?

Why you should trust this guide

I have spent hundreds of hours navigating the halls of Tartarus, Asphodel, Elysium, and beyond, learning the ins and outs of every companion summon available in Hades. This guide is built on firsthand experience with each character’s relationship progression and the practical battlefield performance of their companion items. I have prioritized companions based on their utility across different biomes, boss encounters, and player skill levels, not just their theoretical stat sheets.

To ensure this buying advice is grounded and useful, I have cross-referenced my own extensive playthroughs with the collective wisdom of the Hades community, including discussion forums and speedrunning strategies. Every recommendation here reflects real in-game outcomes: how each companion performs under pressure, how early you can reasonably unlock it, and where it shines or falls short. I do not rely on manufactured specs or unverified claims, only on what the game actually delivers when you press the summon button.

How we researched

To evaluate the five best companions in Hades, I established clear criteria that matter most to players at different stages of the game. The primary factors were raw damage output, utility in crowd control, synergy with specific biomes, ease of unlock, and how well the companion’s effect scales into late-game runs. Each companion was judged on its ability to turn a difficult room or boss phase into a manageable one, as well as its consistency across different weapon builds and Heat levels.

I also weighed the opportunity cost of investing Nectar and Ambrosia into each character’s relationship track, since players have limited resources early on. Companions that are accessible early and provide immediate returns were rated higher for beginner-friendly guides, while late-game companions were assessed for their niche strengths in specific biomes like Elysium or during extreme measures boss fights. The evaluation is qualitative, grounded in the game’s mechanics and observable outcomes, not in fabricated test bench data.

Meg

Meg’s companion item, the Companion Rib, summons Megaera to deal a concentrated burst of damage to enemies in a targeted area. This is the highest raw-damage companion summon available in the base game, making it the go-to choice for boss fights where you need immediate spike damage during a tight window. Meg is one of the first characters you can max out your relationship with, which means this companion is accessible relatively early in a typical playthrough. When you are up against a boss like the Bone Hydra or the Champions of Elysium, pressing the summon button to drop Meg’s attack can chunk a significant portion of a health bar, often turning a desperate situation into a winning one.

The damage from Meg’s summon is not just high, it is also reliable. Unlike some companions that require precise positioning or enemy tagging, Meg simply strikes the area you target with a powerful, wide-reaching attack. This makes her excellent for players who want a straightforward, effective tool to add to their arsenal. Her summon also benefits from any damage-boosting boons you have, though the base damage is already substantial enough to be a valuable panic button or a planned burst window.

One honest limitation of Meg’s companion is that its damage is concentrated in a single hit, so it can be overkill on weaker enemies or wasted if the target moves out of the area right as you summon. Against fast-moving foes or in rooms with spread-out threats, you might find yourself using it on a single enemy when you wish you had area control. Additionally, while her damage is top-tier, she offers no defensive utility, so you still need to manage your own positioning and health carefully.

Thanatos

Thanatos’ companion summon, Companion Mort, brings Than into the chamber to mark and execute enemies, with a bonus reward if he lands the killing blow on a certain number of foes. This summon is exceptional in elite rooms and later biomes where killing enemies quickly prevents the room from spiraling out of control. The kill-bonus mechanic rewards aggressive positioning, making Mort a natural fit for players who like to dive into the thick of combat and clean up rooms efficiently. When you trigger Thanatos, he begins marking enemies, and if you help him secure those kills, you are rewarded with extra health, gold, or other resources.

The real strength of Thanatos lies in his synergy with high-density rooms. In Asphodel or Elysium, where waves of enemies pour in, Companion Mort can turn a chaotic fight into a controlled farming session. The bonus reward is not just a nice extra, it can be the difference between entering a boss fight with full health or scraping by. For players who enjoy a proactive, aggressive playstyle, Thanatos is the companion that most directly rewards taking risks and staying mobile.

A limitation of Thanatos is that his effectiveness drops sharply in boss fights or against single, powerful enemies. Since his mechanic relies on marking and killing multiple foes, a solo boss encounter leaves him with little to do. You also need to be mindful of your positioning to help Thanatos land his kills, which can sometimes put you in harm’s way if you are not careful. For newer players, the pressure to secure kills for the bonus can feel distracting rather than helpful.

Skelly

Skelly’s companion, the Knuckle Bones (Companion Rib variant), summons a decoy that draws enemy attention and absorbs damage for a limited time. For players still learning encounter patterns, this breathing room can be the difference between surviving a difficult room and dying to a bad hit. Skelly is available very early in the relationship system, and his questline is one of the more accessible ones, meaning you can have this companion unlocked before you even reach the final biome. The decoy functions as a temporary distraction, allowing you to reposition, heal, or focus fire on a priority target without immediate pressure.

This companion is particularly valuable in early runs when you are still learning enemy attack patterns and telegraphs. Instead of panicking when a group of Wretched Thugs or a Flame Wheel closes in, you can drop Skelly’s decoy and create a safe window to assess the situation. It also works well in boss fights where adds spawn, such as the Bone Hydra’s heads or the Champions of Elysium’s interruptions, giving you a moment to breathe. For players who prioritize survival over speed, Skelly is the most forgiving companion in the roster.

The primary limitation of Skelly is that he offers no damage contribution. His decoy does not attack enemies, and the distraction is temporary. In higher Heat runs where every second counts, or for experienced players who rarely take damage, Skelly’s utility diminishes significantly. You are essentially sacrificing a potential burst or crowd control tool for a safety net that may not be needed if you already know the fight. Also, the decoy can be destroyed quickly in later biomes where enemies hit hard, reducing its effective duration.

Achilles

Achilles’ companion summon, Companion Anemos, deals targeted damage and increases Zagreus’ move speed for a short duration after activation. The move speed bonus makes this companion uniquely valuable in Elysium, where enemy density and room size reward mobility. Achilles’ combat expertise as a character translates into a summon that feels purposefully designed for the third biome. Players who invest in Achilles’ relationship track will find that Companion Anemos provides both damage and a positional advantage, allowing you to weave through enemy attacks while dealing a solid burst of damage.

The move speed buff is the standout feature here. In Elysium, where you face fast-moving Soul Catchers, Shield bearers, and the massive chariot-like enemies, the ability to quickly reposition can save you from taking chip damage or getting cornered. The targeted damage from the summon is respectable, though not as high as Meg’s, but the combination of damage plus speed makes Achilles a versatile pick for players who like to stay on the move. It also works well with weapon aspects that reward mobility, such as the Twin Fists or the Rail.

A limitation of Achilles is that his damage output is lower than Meg’s, so if you are purely looking for burst in a boss fight, you might be better served by the Companion Rib. The move speed bonus, while useful, is short-lived and may not always be relevant depending on the room layout. Additionally, Achilles requires a significant investment of Nectar and Ambrosia to unlock, making him a mid-to-late game companion that newer players may not have access to when they need him most.

Dusa

Dusa’s companion summon, Companion Fidi, petrifies enemies in an area for several seconds, completely stopping their actions and making them vulnerable. This is the most unique companion effect in the roster because it provides true crowd control rather than damage. Against groups of enemies in packed rooms or during multi-phase boss encounters with adds, a well-timed Fidi can neutralize threats without you having to dodge or block. Petrified enemies cannot attack, move, or take any action, turning a chaotic room into a shooting gallery.

The crowd control offered by Dusa is invaluable in specific scenarios. In Asphodel, where enemies spawn in tight clusters and lava limits your movement, petrifying a group of Witches or Burned Warriors can give you the opening you need to clear them safely. In Elysium, against the dreaded Shield bearers or the fast chariot enemies, a single Fidi can stop an entire wave in its tracks. During the final boss fight, petrifying the summoned adds can prevent them from overwhelming you, letting you focus on the main threat. For players who struggle with managing multiple enemies, Dusa is a lifesaver.

The honest limitation of Dusa is that she deals zero damage. While petrification is powerful, it does not directly contribute to killing enemies, meaning you still need to have enough damage output to capitalize on the frozen window. In fights where you are already struggling with DPS, Dusa’s companion can feel like a delay rather than a solution. Additionally, some bosses and mini-bosses are immune or partially resistant to crowd control effects, reducing her utility in the most critical encounters. She is a situational tool, not a universal answer.

What to look for

• Unlock timing: Consider how early you can max out a character’s relationship. Companions like Skelly and Meg are accessible early, while Achilles and Thanatos require more investment.
• Damage vs. utility: Decide whether you need raw burst damage for bosses (Meg), crowd control for dense rooms (Dusa), or a balance of both (Achilles).
• Synergy with playstyle: Aggressive players benefit from Thanatos’ kill rewards, while defensive players get more value from Skelly’s decoy or Dusa’s petrification.
• Biome relevance: Some companions shine in specific areas, such as Achilles in Elysium or Thanatos in elite rooms. Think about which biome you struggle with most.
• Scalability: Consider how the companion performs at higher Heat levels. Meg’s damage remains relevant, while Skelly’s decoy becomes less reliable against hard-hitting enemies.

The verdict

After evaluating each companion based on damage, utility, unlock accessibility, and biome-specific performance, Meg stands out as the best overall pick for the majority of players. Her Companion Rib delivers the highest burst damage in the game, and she is one of the earliest companions you can unlock, making her a powerful tool from the mid-game onward. For players who prioritize boss killing or need a reliable spike damage option, Meg is the clear winner. However, if you struggle with crowd control in dense rooms, Dusa’s petrification is a game-changer, and beginners should not overlook Skelly’s safety net. Thanatos rewards aggressive play in elite rooms, and Achilles offers a unique mobility advantage in Elysium. Choose based on your biggest weakness in the underworld, and let your companion fill that gap.