Part 29

Learn how to use Hades II's Aspect of Gilgamesh (Enkidu's Claws) effectively, including Maim and Weak boon synergies and best Attack boons.

The Maim effect, which increases damage taken and dealt by 50% for 10 seconds, can be risky. Two key strategies mitigate this threat. First, the Rending Claws (Aspect-specific upgrade) slows Maim-affected enemies, providing more reaction time and balancing damage effects. Second, Heartbreak Flourish is the premier Special boon for Enkidu's Claws, applying Weak simultaneously with Maim. If Maim and Weak effects are multiplicative (1.5x damage * 0.7x damage = 1.05x damage), stacking them results in only a 5% net damage increase. Supplementary boons like Broken Resolve (increasing Weak potency to 0.6x damage) and Empty Inside (extending Weak duration) can further enhance this synergy. With Rending Claws, Heartbreak Flourish, Broken Resolve, and Empty Inside, you can achieve a net 10% drop in enemy damage dealt, a 50% increase in enemy damage taken, a 400-damage Doom effect after four seconds, and lingering Weak effects. However, this is generally inferior to Aspect of Hades' Punishing Sweep with Heartbreak Flourish, which offers +150% damage and a Weak effect without the Maim debuff. The overall viability of Aspect of Gilgamesh depends heavily on the weapon's base attack features.

Enkidu's Claws feature slower, 60-damage claw strikes instead of the Twin Fists' quick jabs, reducing crowd-control and dash-staggering ability. This makes you vulnerable to attacks from behind while animations complete, unlike the base Twin Fists' wide-area stagger. Enkidu's Claws focus on dispatching the foe in front of you quickly.

The slower attack rate makes fixed damage boons like Lightning Strike less viable. Instead, prioritize percentage-based Attack boons that hold up to spamming. Frost Strike is an outstanding option, and Divine Strike is also viable for its Exposed supplementary boon effect, which can replace lost defensive capabilities.

Deadly Strike is the third-best option, offering critical hits. When supported by the Hunter's Mark boon, it can help plow through crowds. Deadly Strike pairs well with Heartbreak Flourish via the Heart Rend Duo boon, increasing critical hit chances against Weak-affected foes. This synergy is potent with Maim's increased damage taken. While Deadly Strike sacrifices status utility and critical hits aren't strictly necessary for Aspect of Gilgamesh, it can expedite boss fights if you have defensive boons like Athena's Aid or Divine Dash.

After Deadly Strike, Attack boon options significantly decrease in viability. Heartbreak Strike is the next best, providing a strong percentage damage buff without the knockback of Tempest Strike. Tempest Strike is a poor choice as it scatters enemies, which is counterproductive for Enkidu's Claws. If none of these options are available, settle for a fixed damage boon.

The Aspect of Gilgamesh's increased dash chain effect allows for the Ruthless Reflex skill on the Mirror of Night, which is rarely viable on other weapons without substantial Hermes boon support.