Hades 2 is just as large as, if not larger than, the first game. It allows you to explore the Underworld on a mission to defeat Chronos, while also giving you the chance to travel across the Surface as part of a special quest. However, as you will soon discover, access to the Surface is initially blocked by a ward that prevents you from passing through.
Want to know how to break the ward leading to the Surface? If so, pay attention to this section of our guide, where we explain everything you need to know, including what you must do after unlocking this region to survive its dangerous curse.
To break the ward blocking the path to the Surface in Hades 2, you must progress far enough through the story to unlock an Incantation at the Crossroads Cauldron that grants access to this part of the game.
As you progress and repeatedly attempt your mission through the Underworld, characters will begin talking about the blocked path to the Surface. It is important to perform the "Fated Intervention" Incantation as soon as possible to ask the Fates for help, followed later by "Doomed Beckoning", which causes Moros to appear at the Crossroads.
You must also visit Primordial Chaos at least once in the Chaos Gates, special chambers that can be accessed through openings in the ground by sacrificing some of your Life while exploring the Underworld.
You should already know that Cinder is obtained whenever you defeat Headmistress Hecate in battle, while Moly can be gathered by hand throughout Erebus.
However, Shadow is a more unusual material. This Reagent can only be obtained through Alchemy at the Cauldron using the "Shadow Extraction" recipe, which becomes available shortly after discovering the Incantation that breaks the wards.
As soon as possible, you will need to spend Ashes x30, Psyche x30 and Fate Fabric x3 to perform the Shadow Extraction recipe, which takes 12 encounters to complete. Continue playing and return to collect the Shadow once it is ready, then finally perform the Incantation that breaks the wards.
Once you gain access to the Surface, you will quickly realize that remaining there is harmful to Melinoë. According to the game, the Fates decreed that those born in the Underworld would suffer from a curse preventing them from breathing the air on the Surface.
Shortly after reaching the Surface, Melinoë will begin taking constant damage every few seconds and will inevitably end up dying. So how can you remove the curse and explore this region normally?
By this point, you should already know how to obtain Lotus and Nightshade. Lotus can be gathered by hand throughout Oceanus, while Nightshade can be farmed by planting Nightshade Seeds in the garden. These seeds can be dug up with the Silver Spade in Erebus.
Meanwhile, Moss can be found on the Surface, in the City of Ephyra. Although the curse will eventually kill you after entering this region, you should always have enough time to find Moss in the first or second chamber before reaching the city. You only need to gather two pieces.
Finally, Thalamus may seem more difficult to obtain, but there is not much mystery to it. It can be found in the realm of Primordial Chaos once the Incantation for removing the Surface curse becomes available. Whenever you encounter a Chaos Gate, enter it for a chance to obtain Thalamus.
Chaos will occasionally give you one unit of this Reagent. However, you can also find digging spots in this realm for the Silver Spade, from which you can obtain Origin Seeds. After being cultivated for 7 encounters, these seeds will grow into Thalamus plants.
Once you have all the required materials, perform the "Unraveling a Fateful Bond" Incantation and you will be able to visit the Surface without suffering any environmental damage whenever you wish. You can then explore its locations just as you would the Underworld and continue progressing through this part of the game.
