Hades dungeon guide: Tartarus and Sisyphus (unique character)

The first region in Hades is the gloomy dungeon of Tartarus. This will be the start of your journey to escape the underworld. You might even meet Sisyphus and Bouldy during your travels prior to battling the Furies. Here’s our mini-guide to help you out.

Note: This guide is intended for Hades’ early access stage and certain mechanics may change in due course. For more information, check out our Hades guides and features hub.

Hades guide: Region I – Tartarus

Tartarus has a total of 14 rooms (not counting the stairwell to the next region). Throughout Hades‘ first zone, you’ll face some low-level mobs that dwell in the underworld. Think of this as a tutorial where you can plan ahead with the build that you want to obtain (while praying to the RNG gods). This place even has a lot of spike traps because why not?

Tartarus also has a special timed encounter that can only happen in this area in Hades. You’ll be trapped in a random room with a timer winding down from 30 seconds. You need to survive waves of mobs until the time has elapsed. The mobs would die and you’ll be able to pick up your loot.

Minibosses

Doomstone – Fires multiple purple lasers that’ll do significant damage to Zagreus.

Wretched Shade – Quickly teleports around the room then immediately fires pulsing projectiles.

Inferno Bombers – Bomb-throwers that cause a massive AoE explosion.

Special encounter: Sisyphus

Sisyphus is a unique character you can find in one of Tartarus’ rooms.

He’s chilling in a garden and will offer a selection of free stuff — either +30 HP, +30 Darkness Crystals, or +30 gold.

You can also gift Sisyphus some nectar anytime you meet him. Eventually, you’ll be able to give a nectar gift to his, uh, boulder companion, Bouldy. Doing so will provide Zagreus with a minor random buff (“Heart of Stone”) to one of his stats such as attack damage, casting skill damage, defense, speed, and others.

Tartarus boss fight: The Furies

The first boss you face in Hades is one of the Furies. Only Megaera is available when you start your playthrough, but you’ll meet her sisters Alecto and Tisiphone in later runs. Take a look at our Furies boss fight guide if you need help with the encounter.

Anyway, let’s continue onwards with Zagreus’ adventure once you reach the fiery fields of Asphodel.

Hades is available via Steam’s early access program. For more information, check out our guides and features hub.