Stygian Blade

The **Stygian Blade** (also known as **Stygius, the Blade of the Underworld**) is one of the Infernal Arms and is Zagreus' starting weapon in Hades.

## Codex entry

'*...Stygius, the Blade of the Underworld, must have been among the finest weapons ever wielded, back when it was whole. Back when the six elder gods sealed the Titans in the deepest recesses of Tartarus, that blade evidently played no small role in their success. It must have been Lord Poseidon who brandished that blade before he opted for that trident he so likes. Now the blade lies broken, survived only by its burning soul. I knew that Master Hades would pay little heed if I provided all the shattered remnants of the thing to his own son, who naturally was able to reconstitute them into something more than functional, indeed. It has been long since last the blade had a partner, and as I transported it, I could sense its eagerness to return to battle; to relive its own memories. I am left to wonder, who else shall someday bear this blade? The Master's son, among his charitable qualities, isn't warlike enough to want to use it forever.*'

## Fighting style

Stygius is a longsword with a mixture of wide and directional swings. It balances speed and strength, with medium range attacks and an AoE special. The special creates a small burst but leaves Zagreus stationary for a short time.

## Statistics

 Combo | Press **Attack > Attack > Attack** for Combo.
Chop: 25 Damage
Thrust: 30 Damage
Knockback

## Aspects

The Stygian Blade has 4 Aspects: Zagreus, Nemesis, Poseidon, and Arthur. Like all other weapons, each Aspect has 5 levels that can be unlocked by spending Titan Blood. The higher the level of the Aspect, the more effective its improvement is. Reaching the highest level in all Aspects requires 51 Titan Blood. An Aspect will not only change the appearance of the Stygian Blade, but will also improve its attacks. The Aspect of Arthur has a unique move-set which changes the fighting style of the Stygian Blade.

*A blade such as this seeks not to remain idle for more than an aeon or two.*
(+3% / +6% / +9% / +12% / +15%)
Titan Blood
(Total: 5)
*One of Nyx's daughters once brandished the blade against the arrogant.*
(+15% / +19% / +22% / +26% / +30%)
Titan Blood
(Total: 15)
*Even before he ruled the seas, the blade's first bearer liked making a splash.*
(+10% / +20% / +30% / +40% / +50%)
Titan Blood
(Total: 16)
*Peace and destruction await a kingdom governed by the rule of might.*
(+20% / +25% / +30% / +35% / +40%)
* Not listed: aura significantly slows enemy projectiles, disables floor and wall traps, prevents souls of Exalted from moving in or near the aura.

Aura has a 8 second duration.
Titan Blood
(Total: 15)

\*See below for Holy Excalibur's alternate moveset.

### Revealing the Aspect of Arthur

Reveal the Aspect of Arthur by meeting the following requirements:

* Reveal the Aspect of Guan Yu (does not need to be unlocked with Titan Blood)
* Have a total of 5  or more invested into Blade aspects
* Talk to Nyx until she gives you the waking-phrase (*"I see your kingly pardon from a prison of stone")*
* Equip the Sword at the House and then interact with its placeholder to reveal the Aspect of Arthur

### Aspect of Arthur Moveset

 Combo | Press **Attack > Attack > Attack** for Combo. Each subsequent strike has increased windup time.
*\* Dashes can be performed between the **Attack** inputs without interrupting the combo*
 Dash-Strike
 Hallowed Ground
*\* Duration of aura is 8 seconds. A new Hallowed Ground cannot be created until previous one has expired.*
Knockback
 Nova Smash
Knockback