Hades: How to Get and Use Chthonic Keys

Hades

By Abhinav Sharma

Published May 28, 2024

Acquiring crucial resources in Hades is far from a walk in the park. Given its nature as a roguelike game, you are expected to undertake multiple runs to make significant progress. Because of this, you won't find yourself showering with useful items in the beginning. Instead, you will have to gradually collect these essential resources through repeated gameplay.

One particularly important item is the Chthonic Key, a permanent resource with several important uses. It plays a crucial role in unlocking various upgrades and weapons, which are essential for advancing further in the game. Therefore, obtaining Chthonic Keys should be a priority in Hades as you navigate the Underworld.

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How to Obtain Chthonic Key in Hades

You can acquire Chthonic Keys in multiple ways, some by just playing the game normally, while others require you to complete specific tasks. They can be identified by their icon, which is a whitish key with a purple gem at the end. Here are the various ways you can acquire this item:

Clearing Rooms: There is a small chance that clearing a room (defeating all enemies in a chamber) will reward you with a Chthonic Key. This should be your main method for acquiring the keys, since you will be clearing rooms as you progress through the game anyway.
Completing Prophecies: Another good option is to complete prophecies from the Fated List of Minor Prophecies, which you get via the House Contractor.
Charon’s Shop: Chthonic Keys can also be bought from Charon’s Shop.
Fishing: You can get keys via fishing, but first, you need to purchase the Fishing Rod from the House Contractor. Once you have the rod, go fishing and trade your bounty with the Head Chef, who will sometimes reward you with a Chthonic Key.
Trading with Wretched Broker: The Wretched Broker can also trade you a Chthonic Key for other permanent resources. However, this is an extremely inefficient way of acquiring the keys.

Chthonic Key Uses in Hades

hades wretched broker trading chthonic keys

Chthonic Keys can be utilized in a number of ways, but some uses are more preferable than others.

Unlocking Infernal Arms: Your first few purchases with Chthonic Keys should be to unlock Infernal Arms, which are new weapons that Zagreus can use in his runs. To unlock all weapons, you will need 24 keys.
Unlocking Upgrades via the Mirror of Night: The keys are also used to unlock upgrades via the Mirror of Night. In total, you will need to use 65 keys for the mirror.
Resetting the Mirror of Night: The Mirror of Night can be reset by spending 1 Chthonic Key.
Trading with Wretched Broker: The Wretched Broker will trade other resources with you for Chthonic Keys. Only do this when you have an excess of keys and have already unlocked all weapons and upgrades.
Other Uses: Chthonic Keys can be used to acquire ranks via the Resource Director, or purchase the Chthonic Theme from the House Contractor.