Mastering the Moonstone Axe: A High-Risk, High-Reward Combat Guide for Hades 2

The Moonstone Axe, known as Zorephet, stands as a formidable, yet demanding, weapon among Melinoë’s Nocturnal Arms in Hades 2. Recognized for its colossal damage output, the Axe balances its slow, deliberate attack speed with tremendous area-of-effect (AoE) potential, making it a favorite for players seeking high-impact, satisfying combat. This guide offers an in-depth analysis of its moveset, optimal Daedalus Hammer upgrades, and the best Olympian Boons to maximize its damage per second (DPS) and ensure successful runs to the surface and beyond.

The Moonstone Axe Moveset: Timing is Everything

The core challenge of the Moonstone Axe lies in mastering its rhythm. Unlike faster weapons, committing to its full attack sequence leaves Melinoë vulnerable. Effective use relies on precise dash-canceling and strategic employment of its powerful Omega moves.

• Attack Sequence: A slow three-hit combo (40 / 80 / 160 damage) culminating in a devastating final slam. This third hit, the Executioner’s Chop, is high-risk due to its lengthy wind-up. Crucially, the sequence can and often should be interrupted after the first or second hit using a Dash or Special to maintain mobility.
• Special (Guard): A rapid forward block and strike (60 damage). Its primary utility is defensive and as an animation cancel to quickly interrupt the slow Attack combo, providing a crucial moment of safety.
• Omega Attack (ΩA) – Whirlwind: Melinoë charges up a rapid spinning attack (50 damage per spin, Magick cost: 10 + 1 per spin). This move provides continuous AoE damage and can be further optimized with certain Hammers for mid-channel movement.
• Omega Special (ΩS) – Cleave-Cast: A channeled move that unleashes a massive, long-range wave of strikes (140 damage, Magick cost: 25). This is the Axe’s signature move, capable of clearing entire waves of enemies or dealing significant burst damage to bosses from a safe distance.

Top-Tier Daedalus Hammer Upgrades (Essential DPS Boosts)

Daedalus Hammers are non-negotiable for elevating the Moonstone Axe from challenging to overpowered. Prioritize these game-changing enhancements:

• Psychic Whirlwind: Allows you to use your Attack, Special, and Dash while the Ω Attack is active. This transforms the ΩA into a mobile death zone, massively increasing the weapon’s safety and utility. This is a Tier 1 upgrade for Thanatos’ and Melinoë’s Aspects.
• Rapid Slash: Increases your standard Attack speed by 30%. Addressing the Axe’s primary weakness, this is a universal quality-of-life upgrade that makes the base Attack sequence far more usable.
• Giga Cleaver: Your Ω Special fires 2 times in succession but costs +15 Magick. A massive spike in Omega damage, turning the ΩS into a reliable boss-shredder.
• Dashing Heave: Your Dash-Strike hits 2 times in an area around you. This overhauls the standard combat loop, turning the Dash-Strike into a primary, fast, and potent AoE offensive tool.

The Most Powerful Weapon Aspects and Build Synergies

Each Aspect facilitates a distinct high-damage build path. Choosing your Aspect guides your Olympian Boon prioritization for optimal synergy.

Aspect of Charon: The Cleave-Cast Nuke Build

This Aspect enhances your Cast and causes your Cast to erupt like your Ω Cast if struck by your Ω Special, creating the legendary Cleave-Cast explosion. This is a top-tier build for high-heat runs.

• Core Playstyle: Drop Cast → Channel Ω Special → Detonate.
• Essential Boons: Focus on Curses and Cast damage.
  • Demeter (Arctic Ring): Provides freezing Cast that traps enemies, ensuring they remain in place for the Cleave-Cast detonation. Freeze also grants time to safely wind up the Ω Special.
  • Apollo (Lucid Gain / Purest Hope): Lucid Gain helps offset the high Magick cost. Purest Hope grants a larger Cast AoE, making it easier to hit enemies for the Cleave-Cast.
  • Hephaestus (Blast Damage): Volcanic Strike or Volcanic Flourish offers excellent complementary AoE damage alongside the massive Cleave-Cast.

Aspect of Thanatos: The Crit-Stacker Build

This Aspect grants temporary Critical chance (Mortality) to your Omega moves based on successive regular Attack hits, rewarding players who can maintain the bonus by avoiding damage.

• Core Playstyle: Land regular Attacks for Mortality stack → Unleash high-value Ω Attack or Ω Special.
• Essential Boons: Maximize percentage-based Attack damage and Critical potential.
  • Aphrodite (Flutter Strike): Provides the highest base damage boost, ensuring that even a non-Crit hit is devastating. Ideal for boss encounters.
  • Artemis (Critical Chance): Pressure Points adds baseline Crit chance to all damage, amplifying the Aspect’s Mortality stacks. Look for Lethal Snare (Artemis/Demeter Duo) for massive burst potential.
  • Hermes (Attack Speed): Nimble Limbs or any Attack Speed boon drastically improves the rate at which you can stack Mortality, making the build flow much smoother.

Strategic Combat and Survivability

The Moonstone Axe’s slowness necessitates a highly tactical approach to engagement. Do not commit to the full three-hit Attack combo unless the enemy is frozen, stunned, or the final blow is guaranteed to defeat them.

• Hit-and-Run Tactics: Employ the Dash-Strike frequently. If you acquire Dashing Heave, Dash-Strike becomes your primary skirmish tool.
• Crowd Control (CC): Leverage Boons like Demeter’s Freeze effects to grant the necessary window for the slow Attack wind-ups or the long Ω Special channel time. CC is key to successful AoE clearing.
• Magick Management: Due to the high Magick cost of the Omega moves, Arcana Cards like The Sorceress (Arcana X) for faster channeling and Boons that provide Magick gain (e.g., Apollo’s Lucid Gain or Hera’s Born Again) are highly recommended to sustain your DPS output.

The Moonstone Axe is a weapon for players who enjoy seeing colossal, satisfying numbers on the screen. By focusing your build around its powerful Omega moves and utilizing the critical animation-canceling mechanics, you can transform Melinoë into an unstoppable force.