The Greek god Ares is the god of wine and ecstasy. Ares is one of the many gods that assist Zagreus in his quest to reach the surface. Ares gives Zagreus the power to apply Doom to enemies and increase damage output. In this Ares Boon Guide, I will outline all boons and the use cases for them.
General Ares Advice
What is Doom?
Doom is a status effect given to enemies by various of the Ares boons. Doom causes the enemy to take a burst of damage after one second of the effect being applied. However, the effects of the Doom can be increased by additional boons.
What weapons work well with Ares?
The abilities of Ares are very versatile, and I think any weapon will work with a Ares heavy build. However, I love to use the Eternal Spear because of the large range, and being able to tag an enemy far away with doom. Besides that, any of the weapons should be fine. Despite this, I would say the Heart-Seeking Bow is another stellar choice.
The Boons
Curse of Agony
Description: Your Attack inflicts Doom
Common: Doom Damage 50 / Rare: Doom Damage 75 / Epic: Doom Damage 100 / Heroic: Doom Damage 125
Analysis
Doom is pretty good, and the modifiers that happen down the road make it a good choice. However, if this is your only Ares boon then I would just skip it. The other attack boons are normally better for a general build. Besides that, I think this is essential if you want to go really deep into Ares. Despite this, the fact that you don’t get an attack damage increase is rough.
Curse of Pain
Description: Your Special inflicts Doom
Common: Doom Damage 60 / Rare: Attack Damage 80 / Epic: Attack Damage 100 / Heroic: Attack Damage 120
Analysis
This is similar to the previous boon. However, this is better because I would rather give out a status on my special. Doom is one of the better statuses to give, and I do think the damage scaling is pretty good. Of course, if you can get some buffs to boons later on then this is going to be better.
Slicing Shot
Description: Your Cast sends a Blade Rift hurtling ahead
Common: Rift Damage per Hit 20 / Rare: Rift Damage per Hit 22 / Epic: Rift Damage per Hit 24 / Heroic: Rift Damage per Hit 26
Analysis
One of the better casts in the game. I would say it is up towards the top along with the Zeus cast, as both of them have a high potential for damage. Despite this, the cast only gets better with some of the later boons. The Blade Rift only becomes more and more lethal, as you get deeper into the boon tree.
Slicing Flare
Description: Your Cast sends a large Blade Rift hurtling ahead for a brief time
Common: Rift Damage per Hit 30 / Rare: Rift Damage per Hit 36 / Epic: Rift Damage per Hit 42 / Heroic: Rift Damage per Hit 46
Analysis
This boon is exclusive to the Aspect of Beowulf. The cast is pretty good because it is actually a projectile unlike the other boons of this type. I think the other boons exclusive to this weapon are kind of underwhelming, so this might be one of the best. However, that isn’t really saying much.
Blade Dash
Description: Your Dash creates a Blade Rift where you started
Common: Rift Damage per Hit 10 / Rare: Rift Damage per Hit 12 / Epic: Rift Damage per Hit 14 / Heroic: Rift Damage per Hit 16
Analysis
I like this dash quite a bit, as it is one of the most aggressive dashes in the game. Throwing out as many Blade Rifts as possible is a valid strategy, and with a close-range weapon, this is amazing. Despite this, it forces you to be in close range to enemies in order to gain the benefit.
Ares’ Aid
Description: Your Call turns you into an Impervious Blade Rift for 1.2 Sec
Common: Rift Damage per Hit 30 / Rare: Rift Damage per Hit 38 / Epic: Rift Damage per Hit 45 / Heroic: Rift Damage per Hit 53
Analysis
This is one of the top Calls in the game. The ability to do solid damage as well as being impervious is a solid combo. Besides that, this also has the utility for you to get out of danger quickly. Despite this, you could argue that if you have enough damage from your attacks the Athena Call is better. However, I would say it is a case by case.
Curse of Vengeance
Description: After you take damage, inflict Doom on foes around you
Common: Doom Damage 100 / Rare: Doom Damage 120 / Epic: Doom Damage 140 / Heroic: Doom Damage 160
Analysis
I don’t care for boons that have effects after the damage is taken. However, this is one of the few that I consider. 100 Doom Damage to surrounding enemies is a solid trade-off. Despite this, I will only pick this up if the other options make less sense. Besides that, the goal of the game is to not take damage.
Urge to Kill
Description: After you take damage, inflict Doom on foes around you
Common: Bonus Damage +10% / Rare: Bonus Damage +13% / Epic: Bonus Damage +16% / Heroic: Bonus Damage +19%
Analysis
The percent increase isn’t amazing, but I like it quite a bit. If you are going hard into Ares then it is alright because you will be doing low damage. However, you are going to turn down boons that are increasing the core competencies of the build. Despite this, you will still pick up other god’s boons who will increase your damage.
Blood Frenzy
Description: After using Death Defiance, deal more damage that Encounter
Common: Encounter Bonus Damage +15% / Rare: Encounter Bonus Damage +22% / Epic: Encounter Bonus Damage +30% / Heroic: Encounter Bonus Damage +38%
Analysis
This boon is not great, and in most cases it is a pass. You generally don’t want to use your Death Defiance at all, and the extra damage increase isn’t that great. Despite this, it could be good right before you fight the final boss. Besides that, you will probably not get much mileage out of the boon.
Battle Rage
Description: After slaying a foe, your next Attack or Special deals more damage
Common: Damage Bonus +100% / Rare: Damage Bonus +150% / Epic: Damage Bonus +200% / Heroic: Damage Bonus +250%
Analysis
This is a top boon in the game. You should be constantly killing enemies, and this makes you clear rooms quick. However, I would say that the common rarity isn’t stellar. Despite this, the boon at the Epic and Heroic are amazing. Besides this, you will be able to chain this ability on fodder.
Black Metal
Description: Your Blade Rift effects deal damage in a wider area
Common: Rift Area of Effect +20% / Rare: Rift Area of Effect +22% / Epic: Rift Area of Effect +24% / Heroic: Rift Area of Effect +26%
Analysis
Despite this boon depending on Blade rifts, it is overall pretty good! If you are this deep in the boon tree then you probably have Blade rifts firing over all the time. Besides that, it is overall a way to make your damage output more reliable. Despite this, it isn’t the end all be all for the Blade Rifts. Finally, you should still probably go for some
Engulfing Vortex
Description: Your Blade Rift effects last longer and pull foes in
Common: Rift Duration +0.2 Sec. / Rare: Rift Duration +0.3 Sec. / Epic: Rift Duration +0.4 Sec. / Heroic: Rift Duration +0.5 Sec.
Analysis
Kind of underwhelming, and the extra couple of seconds are okay. However, it could be useful if you have most of the other good Blade rift boons. Besides that, I would say you have more useful boons to pick in most cases. Despite this, you could probably pick a better boon.
Dire Misfortune
Description: Your Doom effects deal more damage when applied multiple times
Common: Bonus Damage per Stack 10 / Rare: Bonus Damage per Stack 12 / Epic: Bonus Damage per Stack 14 / Heroic: Bonus Damage per Stack 16
Analysis
This is a boon that is worth picking up if it is available. You have multiple ways to deal doom damage at this point. Regardless, this will be a great boon for the later boss fights. However, if you don’t have much doom being applied then I would pass.
Impending Doom
Description: Your Doom effects deal more damage, but take +0.5 Sec. to activate
Common: Bonus Doom Damage +60% / Rare: Bonus Doom Damage +65% / Epic: Bonus Doom Damage +70% / Heroic: Bonus Doom Damage +75%
Analysis
This is an interesting boon because it actually has a trade-off. However, I would say the trade-off is worth it. Besides that, the damage increase is so much better than the .5 second extra delay.
Vicious Cycle
Description: Your Blade Rift effects deal more damage for each consecutive hit
Legendary: Damage Increase per Hit +2
Analysis
It is alright. Legendary boons are overall very good, but this one is middle of the pack. Despite this, I would pick it up if you meet the requirements. Especially, if you have the Ares’ Aid.