Hell Maiden’s Early Access currently covers the first two Circles of Hell: Limbo and Lust. As you play, you’ll unlock new Blessings, Signature Weapons, boss Spirit Cards, and even a new Circle by completing specific objectives. Some unlocks happen automatically, while others require timed quests or defeating bosses multiple times.
Here’s every unlock available in the current Early Access version of Hell Maiden.
Hell Maiden Early Access Guide
Circle 1 (Limbo)
In Circle 1 (Limbo), you can unlock:
- Virgil’s Blessing
- Horace’s Blessing
- Homer’s Blessing
- Minos’ Taboo Arts (Boss Spirit Cards)
How to Unlock Virgil’s Blessing
Virgil is usually the first new character you’ll unlock.
After completing your second run in Limbo, return to the Forum. Virgil’s Blessing will already be unlocked, and you can equip her Signature Weapon, Wayfinder, from the altar in the center of the Forum.
Virgil Not Unlocking?
Some players have spent several runs in Limbo thinking something is bugged. Before starting another run, check the central altar in the Forum. If Wayfinder is available there, Virgil has already been unlocked.
How to Unlock Horace’s Blessing
Horace’s quest doesn’t appear right away.
First, finish two runs in Limbo. After that, keep an eye on the timer during your next runs. When it reaches 3:30, Horace’s rescue quest can appear.
Complete the quest successfully, then head back to the Forum after your run. Horace will now be waiting there, and her Signature Weapon, Carpe Diem, can be equipped from the central altar.
How to Unlock Homer’s Blessing
Homer won’t appear until you’ve rescued Horace.
Once Horace joins the Forum, Homer’s quest becomes available in later runs. Like the previous rescue mission, it starts at 3:30.
Finish the quest, return to the Forum, and you’ll unlock Homer’s Blessing. Her Signature Weapon, Winged Lyric, will also be added to the altar.
How to Unlock Minos’ Taboo Arts
Minos has her own set of Taboo Arts that work as extra Spirit Cards.
To unlock them, defeat Minos three different times. After your third victory, her Spirit Cards are added to the normal Card Selection pool and can start appearing during future runs.
How to Unlock Circle 2 (Lust)
Circle 2 doesn’t open immediately.
Before the next Circle becomes available, you need to:
- Rescue Horace.
- Rescue Homer.
- Defeat Minos once.
Once you’ve done all three, Circle 2 (Lust) will unlock.
Inside this Circle, you can unlock:
- Ovid’s Blessing
- Libicocco’s Taboo Arts
- Scarmiglione’s Taboo Arts
How to Unlock Ovid’s Blessing
You don’t have to beat the first bosses in Lust to unlock Ovid.
Fight Libicocco and Scarmiglione at least once. Reaching the boss encounter is enough to unlock, even if you lose the fight.
On your next run, Ovid’s quest becomes available.
After returning to the Forum, you’ll be able to talk to Ovid and equip her Signature Weapon, Codex Amoris, from the altar.
How to Unlock Libicocco’s and Scarmiglione’s Taboo Arts
Both bosses have their own Taboo Arts.
Beat Libicocco and Scarmiglione three separate times, and their Spirit Cards will be added to the Card Selection pool. From that point on, they can appear randomly during future runs.
All Unlock Requirements
| Unlock | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Virgil’s Blessing | Complete two runs in Limbo. |
| Wayfinder | Automatically unlocked with Virgil. |
| Horace’s Blessing | Complete Horace’s 3:30 rescue quest after your second Limbo run. |
| Carpe Diem | Unlocks after rescuing Horace. |
| Homer’s Blessing | Rescue Horace, then complete Homer’s 3:30 quest. |
| Winged Lyric | Unlocks after rescuing Homer. |
| Minos’ Taboo Arts | Defeat Minos three times. |
| Circle 2 (Lust) | Rescue Horace, rescue Homer, and defeat Minos once. |
| Ovid’s Blessing | Encounter Libicocco and Scarmiglione once. You don’t need to defeat them. |
| Codex Amoris | Unlocks after recruiting Ovid. |
| Libicocco & Scarmiglione Taboo Arts | Defeat the bosses three times. |
My Personal Tips for the Lust Boss Fight
Libicocco and Scarmiglione can quickly fill the screen with attacks, which can make the fight difficult to read.
Here are few things that helped many players:
- Building extra HP makes mistakes less punishing.
- Charm rerolls can help you find stronger upgrades before the boss.
- Don’t stand close while the bosses can’t take damage.
- Weapons with constant attacks make it easier to see when your hits are connecting through the visual effects.
- The heart-cage projectile attack is extremely hard to dodge consistently, so don’t be surprised if you have to tank part of the damage.
These tips can make the fight much more manageable until you’re familiar with the bosses’ attack patterns.
How Character Blessings Work
Every Poet you rescue in your journey will unlock a new Blessing along with a unique Signature Weapon. Once unlocked, both stay available in the Forum, so you can choose them before starting another run.
If you’re trying different builds, it’s worth testing each weapon because they all have their own playstyle.
How Timed Quests Work
Horace’s and Homer’s rescue missions don’t appear at the start of a run.
Instead, watch the in-game timer. When it reaches 3:30, the quest can trigger if you’ve already met the required unlock conditions. If you miss the objective, then you’ll need to try again in another run.
What Are Taboo Arts?
Taboo Arts are special Spirit Cards that can be earned by defeating bosses multiple times.
They don’t appear immediately after defeating a boss once. Once you met the required number of victories, they’re added to the normal Card Selection pool and can randomly appear in later runs.
Best Progression Order
If you’re starting a fresh save, following this order can save a lot of time.
- Finish two Limbo runs.
- Unlock Virgil.
- Rescue Horace.
- Rescue Homer.
- Defeat Minos once to open Lust.
- Encounter Libicocco and Scarmiglione.
- Unlock Ovid.
- Beat Minos three times for her Taboo Arts.
- Beat Libicocco and Scarmiglione three times for their Taboo Arts.
Why Isn’t Circle 2 Unlocking?
If Lust hasn’t opened yet, double-check these requirements:
- Horace has been rescued.
- Homer has been rescued.
- Minos has been defeated once.
Missing even one of these will keep Circle 2 locked.
