What to know
- In Hades II, Cerberus appears as the Infernal Beast in the the Fields of Mourning, not a recruitable pet.
- You can attempt to “pet” him during encounters, but the game currently refuses the interaction.
- After defeating him, he reverts to his original form and joins Hades in Tartarus, but still will not allow petting by Melinoë under current mechanics.
- Because Hades 2 is in Early Access, this could change in future updates.
When Hades II launched in Early Access, many players wondered whether Cerberus would regain his role as a lovable house pet as in the first game. But the sequel takes a different tack: he’s both foe and reluctant ally, and the option to pet him remains locked — at least for now.
Cerberus’s role in Hades II
Infernal Beast and guardian of the Fields of Mourning
Chronos casts Cerberus out of the Underworld, warping him into the Infernal Beast who guards the Fields of Mourning. As the final boss of that region, you must defeat him to progress deeper.
Reversion to original form
Once you beat him, Cerberus returns to his non-corrupted form. He then leaves the Fields of Mourning to join Hades in Tartarus.
Why you can’t pet him (for now)
- In Hades II’s current version, if you try to pet him during runs or encounters, you receive a refusal message and a “force push” effect.
- According to the lore, Cerberus “will refuse to let her [Melinoë] pet him” because they never bonded in this iteration of the story.
- Some speculate that unlocking petting might be tied to a storyline event, incantation, or character bonding later in development.
Comparison to petting in the original Hades
In Hades (first game), petting Cerberus was a familiar, comforting feature. You could pet one of his heads, and doing so contributed to his affinity progression. But in Hades II, that mechanic has been disabled — at least in the version currently available.
In short: the sequel retains Cerberus as an important narrative and gameplay element, but shifts his role from being a personal pet to a challenging boss + reluctant companion.
Cerberus compared to Hades 2's recruitable familiars
Hades 2 evolves companionship beyond Cerberus's static role, introducing Animal Familiars that grow with you—unlike his lounge-bound idyll in the first game. These unkillable allies offer passive buffs and active skills, outshining Cerberus's non-combat charm.
| Familiar | Unlock Method | Active Ability | Passive Benefit | Petting Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frinos (Frog) | Defeat 3 times in Ephyra | Swallow to heal/store boons | Chance for extra resources | Yes, at Crossroads |
| Toula (Cat) | Complete prophecy "Stolen Glances" | Pounce to stun foes | Dodge chance boost | Yes, lounges nearby |
| Hecuba (Hound) | Gift Wolf Fur to Schelemeus | Dig for hidden items | Health restore on kills | Yes, post-battle cuddles |
| Cerberus (Teased) | Post-1.0 story/Nectar? | Unknown (guardian aid?) | Loyalty-themed buffs? | Pending; rebuffs now |
What might change in updates?
Because Hades II is still in Early Access, it’s quite possible future patches could expand or restore interaction with Cerberus. Some possible changes players expect or hope for:
- Unlocking the pet option after certain story beats or bonding events
- A quest or incantation that converts Cerberus from boss status into a genuine companion
- New dialogue or scenes in which Melinoë can finally earn his trust and pet him
- Multiple head-petting (all three heads) or selectable heads (a feature many players missed in the original)
If these changes happen, petting Cerberus could become an emotional highlight of the game’s later stages. Here are some attack sequences from Cerebrus:
| Cerberus Attack | Description | Dodge Tip | Recommended Boon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Pound Shockwave | Single or dual radial bursts from paws | Dash inward after impact | Hermes (slow projectiles) |
| Leaping Pounce | Aerial lunge with area slam | Side-dash or hallway trap | Poseidon (knockback) |
| Tail Sweep | Wide horizontal arc | Jump over or double dash | Demeter (chill ticks) |
| Homing Bite | Tracking chomp from one head | Evade then punish recovery | Athena (deflect) |
Wrap-up: Cerberus in Hades II — not quite a pet (yet)
Cerberus in Hades II is currently a powerful boss you must face, not a friendly familiar you can pet. Though the pet icon is present (and tempting), the game refuses the interaction under current mechanics. Still, the lore suggests this could change as the game evolves. Until then, you’ll have to earn his respect in more conventional ways — defeating him, restoring him, and hoping that future updates grant you that petting moment you (and many others) deeply want.
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