The Early Access version of Hell Maiden includes the first two Circles of Hell: Limbo and Lust. While playing, you will gain access to new Blessings, Signature Weapons, boss Spirit Cards, and even a new Circle by completing specific objectives. Some will unlock automatically, while others will require you to complete timed quests or defeat the bosses more than once.
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 generally the first new character that you obtain.
After completing your second run in Limbo, return to the Forum. Virgil’s Blessing will already be unlocked, and you will be able to equip her Signature Weapon, the Wayfinder, from the altar located in the centre of the Forum.
Virgil Not Unlocking?
Several players have spent a number of runs in Limbo believing that there is a bug. Whenever you are about to start a new run, check the central altar in the Forum. If you find Wayfinder available there, then Virgil has already been unlocked.
How to Unlock Horace’s Blessing
Horace’s quest does not show up immediately.
Start by completing two laps in Limbo and then, in your following laps, watch the timer. Once the timer gets to 3:30, Horace’s rescue mission will be available.
Once you’ve completed the quest, go back to the Forum afterwards. At that time, Horace will be there and your Signature Weapon, Carpe Diem, can be obtained from the central altar.
How to Unlock Homer’s Blessing
Homer won’t show up until you have rescued Horace.
When Horace enters the Forum, Homer’s quest then becomes accessible in future runs. Like the previous rescue mission, it starts at 3:30.
Complete the quest, go back to the Forum, and you will obtain Homer’s Blessing. At the same time, her Signature Weapon, the Winged Lyric, will be added to the altar.
How to Unlock Minos’ Taboo Arts
Minos has a collection of Taboo Arts which function as additional Spirit Cards.
To unlock them, defeat Minos three different times. After your third win, her Spirit Cards will be added to the standard Card Selection pool and may then start to appear during future plays.
How to Unlock Circle 2 (Lust)
Circle 2 does not open right away.
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
There is no need to defeat the first bosses in Lust to unlock Ovid.
You must fight Libicocco and Scarmiglione at least once. Even if you lose the battle, reaching the boss encounter will be sufficient to unlock it.
Ovid’s quest will be available on your next run.
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.
If you beat Libicocco and Scarmiglione three separate times, their Spirit Cards will be added to the Card Selection pool. From then on, they may appear at random in 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 are capable of launching a large number of attacks very quickly, making the battle hard to follow.
Here are a few things that helped many players:
- Building extra HP makes mistakes less punishing.
- Charm rerolls can help you find stronger upgrades before the boss.
- Do not stand near them when the bosses can 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
When you rescue any poet during your journey, you will obtain a new Blessing along with a unique Signature Weapon. After they have been unlocked, both of them will remain available in the Forum so that you can select them before beginning another run.
When you’re experimenting with various builds, it’s worthwhile testing out each weapon since they all have their own way of playstyle.
How Timed Quests Work
The rescue missions of Horace and Homer do not take place at the beginning 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 meet 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.
