Among the many artifacts and upgrades in Hades, Supergiant Games’ fast-paced roguelike, the Yarn of Ariadne stands out as one of the most useful and strategic items you can equip during a run. It’s a simple yet powerful Keepsake that has the potential to shape your entire build when used effectively. With the nature of Hades being heavily reliant on synergies between Boons and God blessings, any item that enhances the quality of these options is worth examining in detail. For players trying to make each run smoother and more optimized, the Yarn of Ariadne is an essential piece of the puzzle.
What Is the Yarn of Ariadne?
Basic Description and Function
The Yarn of Ariadne is a Keepsake you can obtain from the Olympian goddess Aphrodite after giving her Nectar. Keepsakes are items in Hades that grant passive bonuses when equipped at the start of a run or between Underworld regions. The Yarn of Ariadne increases the rarity of the next Boon you receive, guaranteeing that it will be of Rare or better quality. At max rank, the chances improve even more, significantly increasing your odds of receiving Epic or Heroic Boons.
How It Works
When equipped, the Yarn of Ariadne takes effect on the very next Boon you collect during your escape attempt. After that single activation, the Keepsake becomes inert unless you swap it back in later at a Fountain Chamber. Therefore, it’s typically used early in a run to secure a powerful foundation for the rest of your build.
- Rank 1: Next Boon is guaranteed to be Rare or better.
- Rank 2: Increases the chance for Epic Boons.
- Rank 3 (Max): Strongest chance to find Epic and Heroic Boons.
This simple functionality makes the Yarn an excellent choice for early-game planning, particularly in Tartarus where your core build begins forming.
Why Rarity Matters in Hades
The Power of Rare, Epic, and Heroic Boons
Boons in Hades come in various rarities Common, Rare, Epic, and Heroic each one representing an increase in the effect’s strength. The boost in damage, status effect duration, critical chance, or other benefits grows significantly with each level of rarity.
For example, a Common Boon might grant 20% extra damage, while its Rare version could offer 30%, and the Epic variant could jump to 40% or more. That scaling is even more impactful when dealing with critical-path Boons such as Dash, Special, or Attack Boons anything you’ll be using constantly throughout your run.
By securing a high-rarity Boon early with the Yarn of Ariadne, you not only increase your immediate power but also gain a head start in creating stronger synergy combinations with Duo and Legendary Boons down the line.
Best Time to Use Yarn of Ariadne
Early Game Strategy
Most players equip the Yarn of Ariadne at the very start of their escape attempt. Tartarus, the first region of the Underworld, is the ideal place to use it. Because the Yarn only affects the next Boon you receive, you’ll want to make sure that Boon is coming from a god whose abilities align with your chosen weapon and build strategy.
- If you’re using the Heart-Seeking Bow, a Zeus or Artemis Boon can be ideal when upgraded in rarity.
- With the Twin Fists, a Rare Ares Boon early on can ramp up damage rapidly through Doom stacking.
- For the Adamant Rail, Poseidon or Dionysus Boons gain even more utility when obtained at Epic rarity.
Always check which god’s room you’re heading into after equipping the Yarn to ensure synergy. Avoid spending it on non-core Boons like utility Casts or secondary Support abilities unless your build heavily depends on them.
Mid-Game Use Via Keepsake Swap
After Tartarus, you reach the Keepsake selection room before heading into Asphodel. Here, you can switch your Keepsake and use Yarn of Ariadne again if you didn’t use it earlier. This is a great strategy if your early Boons weren’t ideal, and you’re looking to make a mid-run adjustment to power up your build.
Just like in Tartarus, pay attention to the god reward in the next room. If a strong Boon opportunity is coming up, consider using the Yarn here to enhance it and potentially shift your build toward a more synergistic path.
Synergy with God Boons
Best Gods to Combine with Yarn of Ariadne
While the Yarn works with all Boon types, it pairs especially well with gods that scale aggressively with rarity. Some gods offer Boons that are exponentially more powerful in their higher rarities, either due to raw damage or special mechanics.
- Artemis: Higher rarity drastically improves her crit rate boosts, particularly on her Attack and Cast Boons.
- Zeus: His Chain-Lightning effects benefit greatly from Epic and Heroic damage scaling, turning ordinary hits into room-clearing arcs.
- Ares: Doom effects scale directly with Boon rarity, making early Rare or Epic Boons devastating over time.
- Athena: While her effects are defensive, Rare or Epic Deflects are far more effective in controlling enemy projectiles and surviving late-game rooms.
Choosing the right god and combining their powerful Boons with the Yarn of Ariadne can lead to run-defining synergies that carry you through Styx and into the final boss encounter with Hades himself.
Combining Yarn with Mirror Upgrades
Optimizing Rarity with Mirror of Night
Inside the House of Hades, you can invest Darkness to upgrade the Mirror of Night, giving you access to perks that enhance your build. The perk God’s Legacy directly increases your chance of finding Rare and Epic Boons, and it stacks well with the Yarn of Ariadne. Using both in tandem significantly improves your odds of landing an Epic Boon in the very first chamber.
This synergy allows advanced players to craft strong builds early and experiment with more confident paths, even on high Heat levels. The Yarn becomes even more valuable in combination with such mirror investments.
Drawbacks and Limitations
One-Time Use Per Equipping
The biggest limitation of the Yarn of Ariadne is its single-use nature. It only affects the next Boon you receive, and after that, you must manually re-equip it between zones to use it again. This means you need to be precise and intentional with its timing and cannot rely on it as a constant source of rarity upgrades.
Not Effective for All Builds
For some builds that depend more on weapon upgrades, Poms of Power, or Chaos Boons, the Yarn of Ariadne offers less utility. Similarly, if your route doesn’t guarantee a Boon room after equipping the Keepsake, it may go to waste. Planning your room choices becomes critical when using this item.
The Yarn of Ariadne is a deceptively simple Keepsake that offers powerful advantages to players who understand how to optimize Boon acquisition. Its early use can define the strength and direction of your build, especially when paired with intentional god choices and Mirror upgrades. While limited in duration, its impact can echo through the entire run, providing that essential Rare or Epic edge right when it matters most.
By learning how and when to use the Yarn, Hades players can elevate their strategies, increase consistency in high-Heat runs, and enjoy more control over their build paths. Whether you’re chasing your first victory or going for a Speedrun, this Keepsake deserves a permanent spot in your rotation.