Indeed, the Titan of Time may be the enemy in Hades 2, but that doesn’t mean all of time is against you. Knowing how the passing of Time works in Hades 2 is key in your struggle against Chronos.
Time in Hades 2 gives you a good idea of how long certain in-game activities can take, but it doesn’t pass by any traditional means. In Hades 2, time moves via a unit of measurement called “While,” which moves in several ways.
While, and how the passing of Time works in Hades 2
That passing time, or While, is shown as a small clock symbol next to a number in Hades 2. The number represents how many While(s) need to tick by before that activity is done. So, if you’re cooking up an Alchemy recipe that takes 8 While to finish, you’ll need to do something to make that number tick down eight times.
Planting seeds in Hades 2 is a common activity that requires time to pass, but it’s not the only one. Here are all the activities that need time to complete:
- Growing plants
- Using Alchemy at the Cauldron
- Ordering Charon rewards
There are ways to pass time while playing Hades 2. The first method is to, well, play Hades 2. Each Location (or room) you clear in a Region counts as the passing of 1 While. Since there can be around 14 Locations in a typical Region, something that takes 8 While should be done long before you face the Guardian.
Some things do take much longer. Spending Obol Points to order 80 Psyche from Charon takes 40 While, for example. Finishing an entire run of the game should get you there, though.
The second way to pass While in Hades 2 is by spending time with companions. After you unlock communal areas in the Crossroads, you can invite friends and acquaintances to hang out for a bit. The first area you will likely unlock is the Hot Springs, which you can use so long as you have some Bath Salts and someone willing to casually strip down and chat.
There are three hangouts in the Crossroads at which you can pass time:
- Hot Springs
- Taverna
- Fishing Pier
Using these areas spends some While. The amount of which is shown in details area of the items you need to invite someone (while in your inventory):
- Bath Salts – Hot Springs
- Passes 12 While
- Twin Lures – Fishing Pier
- Passes 16 While
- Ambrosia – Taverna
- Passes 20 While
If you’re waiting on some sweet Fate Fabric from your boy Charon and you have a bottle of Ambrosia you’ve been saving for the right person, taking a trip to the Taverna can help you get your goods to you faster. I’d even suggest planting seeds when you have a colleague in dire need of a soak in the Hot Springs and then inviting them to chill while your Thalamus happily grows into an unnerving, pinkish-white brain fungus. What a good day.
