You're deep in the City of Ephyra. The surface is brutal. You finally find Medea standing by her cauldron, and she offers you a "Nightly Curse." Among the choices, you see it: Hades 2 Malice in Kind.
On paper, it sounds... okay? "Whenever a foe makes you use Death Defiance, it loses 15% Health."
Most players look at that and keep scrolling. Who wants a boon that only works when you're literally dying? It feels like planning for failure. But if you’re pushing high Fear runs or struggling with the game’s toughest guardians, Malice in Kind is actually a sleeper hit that can save a doomed run.
What Exactly is Malice in Kind?
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. Malice in Kind is a unique boon—technically a "Nightly Curse"—offered by Medea. You can only find her on the Surface route, specifically in the first region, Ephyra.
Unlike Olympian boons that buff your attack or special, Medea’s curses are weird. They usually trigger at the start of an encounter or under very specific conditions. For Malice in Kind, that condition is your death. Or, well, your near-death.
If an enemy hits you and triggers your Death Defiance, that enemy immediately takes a massive chunk of damage equal to 15% of its total health.
Why the Math Actually Works
Think about the bosses. 15% doesn't sound like much when you're fighting a small vermin, but against a Guardian like Polyphemus or Chronos? That is a huge amount of HP.
If you have three or four Death Defiances stacked up, you’re looking at a potential 45% to 60% of a boss's health just for... getting hit. It’s basically a revenge tax. It turns your mistakes into a weapon. Honestly, it's one of the few ways to "cheese" high-health enemies if your build damage is lacking.
How to Get Malice in Kind to Actually Show Up
Here is the thing: some players swear they never see this boon. There’s a reason for that.
Supergiant Games loves hidden requirements. To see Malice in Kind in Medea’s list, you generally need to have at least one Death Defiance charge available. If you’re running a "No DD" build or using the Strength Arcana card (which often requires you to have 0 Death Defiance for certain buffs), Medea might not even offer it to you.
- Location: City of Ephyra (Surface).
- NPC: Medea (Look for the "Cupped Hands" icon on the door).
- Prerequisite: You must have the Eternity Arcana card active or be carrying a Luckier Tooth.
If you're hunting for the "Fated List of Minor Prophecies" completion, and it just won't drop, try this: purposefully lose a Death Defiance in a room before you visit Medea. Some community data suggests the game is more likely to offer "pity" boons when you're actually struggling.
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Is It Better Than Other Medea Boons?
Medea has a pretty diverse kit. Usually, people go for Corrosion on Sight (strips 50% of enemy armor immediately) because it makes the room clear much faster.
But Malice in Kind occupies a different niche. It’s a safety net.
If you’re a pro who never dies, yeah, this is a dead slot. Don't take it. But if you’re fighting the final boss and you know you're going to lose a life or two, Malice in Kind effectively shortens the fight. It’s the difference between a ten-minute slog and a seven-minute victory.
The Synergies You’re Overlooking
Kinda weirdly, this boon pairs incredibly well with the Engraved Pin keepsake from Moros. Since the Pin gives you a temporary "second chance" window, Malice in Kind can trigger, chunk the boss, and give you that breathing room to finish the job before the timer runs out.
Also, if you're running the Last Gasp boon from Hades himself—which increases your damage for every spent Death Defiance—the synergy is nasty. You die, the boss loses 15% health, and then you come back hitting even harder. It’s a complete "berserker" playstyle.
Common Misconceptions and Frustrations
One big gripe people have is that 15% isn't enough to kill a boss outright. True. But remember, this isn't meant to be your primary damage source. It's a "last resort" mechanic.
Another mistake? Thinking it works on every hit. It doesn't. It only triggers when the killing blow lands. If a boss has three phases, and you use a Death Defiance in Phase 1, the 15% damage applies to their current health bar in that phase.
Expert Tip: Don't take this if you are using the Vow of Forsaking in the Oath of the Unseen. If you accidentally purge your Death Defiance later in the run, Malice in Kind becomes a literal waste of space.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
If you want to make the most of Hades 2 Malice in Kind, follow this plan:
- Level up your Eternity Arcana: Make sure you have at least 2-3 Death Defiance charges.
- Head to the Surface: You won't find Medea in the Underworld.
- Check your build at the Fountain: If your DPS (damage per second) is feeling low by the time you reach Ephyra, look for Medea.
- Pick it as a Guardian Strategy: If you're consistently dying to the final boss of the surface, Malice in Kind is your best friend. It essentially gives the boss a 15% "health penalty" for being good at the game.
Ultimately, Malice in Kind is about insurance. It’s not flashy. It doesn't give you cool fire effects or chain lightning. But when you're at 1 HP and the boss is about to swing, knowing they’re going to pay for it makes the "Death Defied" screen feel a whole lot better.