UNDERWORLD NOTE
A clear starting plan.
The first weapon is also our clearest recommendation for learning a full run. A ranged Special gives you time to watch an enemy; the close-range Attack gives you a reason to recognise an opening. Choose one of those jobs before spreading upgrades across both.
Melinoë’s aspect adds maximum Magick and Special Power as it is upgraded. That is a useful starting point for a Special-led run. The weapon still has separate normal and Omega actions: a bonus that names only Attack does not automatically describe its charged version.
This is a practical first-clear route. If you already know another aspect’s timing, use the aspect notes below to adapt the sequence.
UNDERWORLD NOTE
A sequence you can repeat.
- 01
Read the room
Put a Cast on the approach you expect enemies to use. Find a clear shooting line rather than backing into the next pack.
- 02
Spend the opening
Use ranged Specials while a target approaches. If you deliberately use an Omega, finish the channel from a position with an escape route.
- 03
Take a close-range turn
A committed enemy recovery is a chance for Attack. Leave before the enemy can turn a short punish into a trade.
- 04
Reset the line
Cast again, move to an open side and check your Magick before another expensive sequence.
UNDERWORLD NOTE
Give each Boon a job.
The choices below are starting directions and fallbacks. They are not a guarantee that a random run offers every piece. Read the actual range, trigger and Magick condition before taking a named choice.
Sworn Flourish / Nova Flourish
Percentage-based Special damage is a sensible way to support the extra Special Power. A workable first offering is more useful than repeatedly hoping for one exact god.
Heaven Strike
Blitz gives an alternative damage job to the Attack. It asks you to follow its application with enough damage to trigger it; merely applying the status is not the whole plan.
A Gain Boon whose condition you can repeat
Read when the Magick actually returns. A larger pool postpones an empty bar; reliable recovery changes how often you can afford to channel.
UNDERWORLD NOTE
Choose the action, then the Hammer.
A Hammer can change which action deserves your next upgrade. Check the equipped aspect, eligible moves and added costs rather than treating three suggestions as a guaranteed package.
Rapid Moonshot
Consider this for a run already using normal Specials. It improves the action you actually repeat.
Aetheric Moonburst
A different direction for Omega Special users. Practise the release timing instead of treating the Hammer as passive damage.
Mirrored Thrasher
An Attack pivot with a Magick cost. Recheck your economy before converting a comfortable ranged run into continuous spending.
UNDERWORLD NOTE
Four ways to play this weapon.
Melinoë
Magick and Special Power.
Keep a ranged Special as the dependable action, then use the rest of the kit to make room for it. This is our least complicated Staff starting point.
Watch for: Extra Magick is not regeneration; an Omega-heavy pivot still needs a sustainable economy.
Circe
Your familiar joins your Casts and forms a Psychic Leash.
Place enemies across the line between you and your familiar. The familiar’s position becomes part of your combat setup rather than a decorative companion choice.
Watch for: Old Serenity-based Circe recipes describe a superseded moveset. Do not build around that old trigger.
Momus
Omega moves leave repeated pressure where they fire.
Place an Omega where an enemy will remain, then use the other actions while it repeats. Stationary targets give you more value than a target already leaving the area.
Watch for: Casting the same move again changes the repeat setup. More button presses do not always mean more useful hits.
Anubis
Damage fields, pulling Specials and Lone Shades.
Put the damage field on useful ground and bring enemies into it. Give yourself room to move while the field continues its work.
Watch for: This hidden moveset changes ordinary Staff habits and has its own Hammers; normal Staff recommendations are not universal.
UNDERWORLD NOTE
Fix the awkward moment.
My Special feels weak
Check that you funded the Special slot and upgraded the aspect you equipped. An impressive Attack Boon cannot repair a neglected Special by itself.
My Omega keeps missing
Aim after the enemy commits, not at the spot it occupied while moving. If the room does not allow a long channel, use normal Specials until it does.
Circe instructions mention Serenity
That is an older version of Circe. Current Circe uses your Animal Familiar’s duplicate Cast and Psychic Leash; follow its separate note below.
UNDERWORLD NOTE
Take one question into the next room.
In the Training Grounds, use one normal Special, one normal Attack and one Omega Special separately. Then enter an easy room and spend the first few seconds watching which action you can safely repeat. Choose that action as your upgrade budget.
Keep the same aspect while testing that one habit. Once it works, change one Boon choice or one movement decision and observe what improves.
THE SOURCE DESK
What this guide is built on.
Reviewed . Latest gameplay note found: Post-Launch Patch 2 · Hotfix 5, published . The newer September publisher post covers the documentary and concert.
Our routes, comparisons and first-clear recommendations are editorial synthesis from the references below. They are not a claimed Cobalt playthrough or a measured damage simulation.
- Supergiant Games · official Steam announcements ↗Post-Launch Patch 2 and Hotfix 5; checked 3 November 2026.
- Hades Wiki · Witch’s Staff ↗Moveset and aspect reference.
- Mobalytics · Staff starter build ↗Independent check of Melinoë Special Power and normal/Omega build choices.