# Hades Athena Dash: A Detailed Exploration of a Popular Build in Hades
In the world of **Hades**, the roguelike action game developed by Supergiant Games, the Athena Dash has become a favourite combination for many players. Combining the power of Athena’s boons with the utility of the Dash mechanic offers a unique playstyle that not only boosts survivability but can also provide overwhelming damage output. This article will explore the Hades Athena Dash in-depth, analysing its strengths, synergies, strategic applications, and optimal builds.
## 1. Introduction to Hades and its Combat System
Before delving into the specifics of the Athena Dash, it is important to understand the game’s core mechanics and combat system. **Hades** is set in the underworld, where players take control of Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the Underworld and reach the surface. The game is structured as a roguelike, with procedurally generated rooms, enemies, and bosses.
Combat in **Hades** is fast-paced and requires players to combine various abilities, attacks, and boons in order to progress. One of the most important aspects of combat is the Dash, a key movement mechanic that allows Zagreus to quickly evade enemies and traverse obstacles. The Dash also serves as an attack, depending on the boons and upgrades players have selected.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare, offers a range of boons that enhance defensive capabilities and provide crowd control. Her boons focus on **Divine** effects, which include abilities like **Divine Dash** and **Divine Strike**. These boons can be game-changing when paired with the Dash mechanic, and together they form one of the most powerful and reliable strategies in Hades.
## 2. Athena’s Role in Hades: The Power of Divine Boons
Athena’s boons are central to a defensive playstyle in **Hades**, as they provide the player with multiple ways to mitigate damage and control crowds of enemies. As the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, her blessings can turn Zagreus into an almost untouchable force on the battlefield.
One of the most significant aspects of Athena’s powers is **Divine Dash**, which is the focus of the Athena Dash build. This boon adds a Divine effect to Zagreus’ Dash attack, making it so that any enemies hit by the Dash are inflicted with **Divine** status. When an enemy is affected by Divine, they are briefly **stunned** or **disarmed**, rendering them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
The **Divine Dash** also provides a significant level of survivability, as it offers a way to mitigate incoming damage while actively damaging and controlling enemies. The Divine effect is particularly useful in **crowd control** situations, where a large number of enemies are on screen. For players who rely on mobility and evasion, Athena’s boons offer excellent synergy with the Dash, as they not only protect Zagreus but also punish enemies for attacking.
## 3. The Core Mechanics of the Dash
To truly understand the power of the **Athena Dash**, one must first consider the fundamental mechanics of the Dash in **Hades**. The Dash is an essential tool for both **mobility** and **offensive capability**. When Zagreus Dashes, he performs a quick, directional movement that can also deal damage to enemies in his path. Depending on the weapon being used, the Dash can inflict varying amounts of damage, but the real power comes from the boons and upgrades.
The Dash has a brief cooldown, meaning it can be used repeatedly in quick succession, allowing for agile movement across the map. This makes it ideal for evading attacks and repositioning, especially against fast-moving enemies or during intense boss battles. The Dash is not only a form of movement but also a **tactical tool**, used to reposition during combat, avoid dangerous attacks, or even reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
When combined with **Athena’s Divine Dash boon**, the Dash becomes a devastating tool for both **defence and offence**. It allows Zagreus to quickly move around the battlefield, avoid damage, and stun enemies, creating a dynamic and highly effective combat style.
## 4. Athena Dash Synergies: Enhancing the Build
The strength of the Athena Dash lies not only in Athena’s own boons but also in how her powers synergise with other aspects of the game, particularly other gods’ boons, weapons, and upgrades. The beauty of **Hades** lies in the deep synergy between different abilities, allowing players to experiment with numerous combinations to create powerful builds.
**1. Athena + Zeus: Divine and Lightning**
One of the most popular synergies with Athena’s Dash is the pairing with **Zeus**. Zeus’ **Lightning Strike** or **Thunder Flourish** can create a potent synergy with Athena’s **Divine Dash**. When the Lightning effect triggers, enemies hit by the Dash can be further stunned or electrified, multiplying the damage potential of each Dash. This synergy allows Zagreus to rapidly clear out hordes of enemies with a combination of defensive and offensive effects, all while remaining highly mobile.
**2. Athena + Artemis: Divine and Critical**
Another synergy to consider is with **Artemis**, the goddess of the hunt, whose boons focus on **Critical Chance**. When paired with the Athena Dash, Artemis’ **Critical** effects can trigger every time the player lands a successful Divine Dash. This results in increased damage output while maintaining the defensive benefits of the Divine effect. The combination of defence (Divine) and high damage (Critical) makes this synergy ideal for players who want to stay mobile while dealing devastating blows to enemies.
**3. Athena + Demeter: Ice and Divine Protection**
Demeter’s **Frost Strike** and other ice-related boons are also excellent partners for the Athena Dash. The combination of **Frostbite** and **Divine** allows Zagreus to slow down enemies while also stunning them, making it easier to control larger groups or higher-level enemies. The **slowing** effect of Demeter’s boons complements Athena’s **stunning** effect, providing a **layered defence** against incoming attacks.
**4. Athena + Poseidon: Knockback and Divine Control**
Poseidon’s boons, which focus on knockback effects and large-area attacks, can also work well with the Athena Dash. The **Knockback** effect from Poseidon’s boons can push enemies into corners or off the map entirely, further limiting their ability to attack. When combined with Athena’s Divine Dash, this can create a situation where enemies are both stunned and forced into vulnerable positions, making them easy targets for follow-up attacks.
## 5. Weapons That Complement Athena Dash
The choice of weapon is another crucial factor in creating a successful Athena Dash build. Some weapons work better with the Dash mechanic and Athena’s boons than others. Below are some of the best weapons to use in conjunction with Athena’s Divine Dash.
**1. Twin Fists (Twin Fists of Malphon)**
The Twin Fists are widely considered one of the best weapons for an Athena Dash build. Their **quick attack speed** and ability to quickly dash between enemies complement the rapid movement and stunning effects of Athena’s boons. The **rapid chaining of Dashes** works particularly well with **Athena’s Divine Dash**, allowing for a constant barrage of defensive, stunning, and offensive strikes.
**2. Bow (Chiron’s Bow)**
The **Chiron’s Bow** with its special attack can be devastating when paired with the Athena Dash. By focusing on a hit-and-run playstyle, players can quickly Dash in, apply a Divine effect, and then use the **long-range power** of the bow to continue dealing damage from a safe distance. The Bow’s special attack can further benefit from other boons that enhance its critical damage or add additional status effects.
**3. Shield (Aegis)**
The Shield, with its strong defensive capabilities, makes a perfect match for an Athena Dash build. Using the **Block** function and the **Divine Dash**, players can deflect incoming attacks while stunning enemies with every Dash. The combination of high defence and crowd control makes the Aegis shield an excellent choice for players who prefer a more defensive and methodical approach to combat.
**4. Spear (Varatha)**
The **Spear** offers versatility in terms of mobility and attack range. The **spin attack** and **thrusting attack** of the spear complement the **rapid movement** provided by the Athena Dash. This weapon also benefits from various boons that enhance its range, critical hit potential, and damage output, all of which work synergistically with the **stunning and defensive properties** of the Divine Dash.
## 6. Athena Dash: Tips and Strategies for Success
Using the Athena Dash effectively requires not only understanding its mechanics but also adopting certain strategies that maximise its potential. Here are a few tips to help players optimise their use of Athena’s Divine Dash:
**1. Stay Mobile**
Athena’s Dash is primarily a tool for mobility. Keep moving, and use your Dash to avoid incoming damage while applying constant pressure to enemies. The more you keep moving, the less likely enemies will be able to land a successful hit on you. If you’re not actively evading, you’ll be much more vulnerable to the numerous threats in **Hades**.
**2. Time Your Dashes for Crowd Control**
The key to using Athena’s Divine Dash effectively is timing. You should focus on Dashing into large groups of enemies to stun them and create space between you and your attackers. Make sure to **target key enemies** first and use your Dashes to disable them before they can overwhelm you.
**3. Combine with Boons for Maximum Damage**
While the Athena Dash is primarily a defensive tool, it can also be used to deal massive damage when paired with the right offensive