You're deep in the Mourning Fields. Your health is flagging, your Magick is nearly bone-dry, and you’re staring down a group of vengeful spirits that really want to end your run. You check your recipe list at the Altar of Ashes and realize you’re just a few resources short of that game-changing incantation. Specifically, you need S Scales Hades 2 players have been hunting for since the Technical Test and Early Access launch. If you’ve spent any time in the Underworld’s sequel, you know that Supergiant Games loves to hide essential progression items behind specific biomes and mechanics.
S Scales aren’t just some random junk item you pick up by breaking pots. They are a "reagent," a specific type of material tied to the fishing mechanic. Honestly, if you aren't carrying your fishing rod, you’re basically playing the game on hard mode.
Where to Actually Find S Scales in Hades 2
The "S" in S Scales stands for Slateridge. These are the scales of the Slateridge Pike, a fish native to the second major region of the game: Oceanus.
Unlike the first game where you just mashed a button when the bobber dipped, Hades 2 requires you to have the Rod of Fishing equipped as your gathering tool. You can’t carry the Pick, the Tablet, and the Rod all at once—at least not early on. This creates a genuine tactical dilemma. Do you bring the Pick because you desperately need Silver for weapon aspects? Or do you bring the Rod because those S Scales Hades 2 requires for the "Observation of Sealing" incantation are calling your name?
Oceanus is a watery, industrial-hellscape-themed biome. It’s beautiful but deadly. To get the scales, you have to clear a room and look for the tell-tale rippling water. Cast your line. Wait for the splash. If you catch a Slateridge Pike, you’ll receive the fish, which automatically grants you the scales upon capture or when you return to the Crossroads.
It’s worth noting that the drop isn't guaranteed every single time you see water. The RNG (random number generation) can be a bit of a pain. Some runs you’ll see four fishing spots in Oceanus; other times, you’ll go through the entire encounter with Scylla and the Sirens without seeing a single bubble. That's just the nature of the rogue-like beast.
The Incantation Connection
Why do you even care about these fish parts? It’s all about the Cauldron.
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Hecate’s Cauldron is the heart of Melinoë’s progression. S Scales are specifically required for several mid-game recipes. One of the most important is the Observation of Sealing, which helps manage the "Wretched Brute" and other heavy-hitting armored enemies. Without these upgrades, the difficulty spike in the third and fourth biomes feels less like a challenge and more like a brick wall.
You’ll also find that S Scales are needed for certain decorative elements in the Crossroads. While making your home base look "kinda" nice might seem like a secondary goal, these upgrades often trigger unique dialogue with NPCs like Nemesis or Eris. Supergiant hides a lot of narrative flavor behind these material grinds.
Fishing Mechanics: More Than Just Timing
Let’s talk about the rod. To unlock it, you need to head to the Silver Pool in the Crossroads. You’ll need a bit of Bronze (gathered from the Surface or through specific exchange) and some Fate Fabric.
Once you have the rod, fishing for S Scales Hades 2 style is a game of patience. Here’s a little secret: the "perfect" catch increases your chances of better rewards, but for the Slateridge Pike, a standard catch is usually enough to net you the scales.
The audio cues in this game are incredibly sharp. Listen for the distinct plink sound. If you're playing with a controller, the haptic feedback on the PS5 DualSense or a high-end Xbox controller gives you a literal "feel" for when the fish bites. It’s a massive improvement over the original game’s fishing rhythm.
Common Misconceptions About S Scales
I’ve seen a lot of people on Reddit and Discord swearing that you can get S Scales in Erebus. You can't. Those are different fish.
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Erebus gives you Knucklehead fish. The Fields of Mourning give you different rewards entirely. If you are specifically farming for S Scales, you must focus your attention on Oceanus. If you make it to the surface (the city of Ephyra), you’re also looking for different resources like Moss or Bronze.
Also, don't confuse S Scales with G-Scales (Glimmer Scales). G-Scales are often found later or through different oceanic interactions. The "S" is your north star for the mid-game hump.
Maximizing Your Farm Runs
If you’re struggling to find enough fishing spots, there are a few ways to tilt the scales in your favor.
- Poseidon’s Boons: The God of the Sea isn't just good for splash damage. Some of his boons increase the appearance rate of "Rare Finds," which includes fishing spots. If you see a Poseidon gate early in Oceanus, take it.
- Chaos Gates: Sometimes Chaos offers a blessing that increases resource gain. While this usually applies to things like Psyche or Ash, it can occasionally affect the frequency of environmental spawns.
- Well of Charon: Always check the shop. Charon sometimes sells a "Skeletal Lure." This item guarantees that the next location with a possible fishing point will actually have one. If you buy this in the transition room between Erebus and Oceanus, you are almost guaranteed a shot at those scales in the very next region.
Honestly, the "grind" for S Scales Hades 2 expects of you isn't as bad as the Nectar grind from the first game. It feels more intentional. You aren't just farming; you're exploring the ecosystem of a dying world.
Why the Economy of Hades 2 Feels Different
In the first game, Zagreus was mostly collecting "stuff" to buy furniture or very linear upgrades. Melinoë’s journey is more of a survival craft. Everything you pick up, from the Moly flowers to the S Scales, feels like it has a specific, alchemical purpose.
This change in tone reflects Melinoë herself. She isn't a bored prince trying to run away from home; she’s a witch-in-training trying to save her family from the literal personification of Time. The fact that you have to go out and catch a specific fish to brew a spell to weaken Cronus’s army adds a layer of "prepper" energy to the gameplay loop that I personally find really satisfying.
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It’s also worth mentioning the Broker. Later in the game, you can trade resources. If you have an excess of S Scales because you’re a fishing pro, you can flip those for Bones or Ash. However, I’d recommend holding onto at least 5-10 scales at all times. You never know when a new patch or a late-game incantation will require them.
Expert Tip: The "Oceanus Reset"
If you are purely farming and don't care about the run, you can speedrun through Erebus (the first zone). Don't worry about clearing every room. Just get to Oceanus. Once there, check every corner of the room after the enemies are dead. The fishing ripples can sometimes be hidden behind the UI or under the toxic steam vents.
If you clear Oceanus and don't get a single fish, don't tilt. It happens. Just finish the run, gift some Nectar to Hecate to keep your relationships up, and try again. The RNG eventually evens out.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Journey
To efficiently gather S Scales and progress your save file, follow this specific order of operations:
- Prioritize the Rod of Fishing: Stop bringing the Crescent Pick into Oceanus if your goal is incantations. You are trading long-term power for short-term material gain.
- Memorize Oceanus Room Layouts: Fishing spots appear in specific areas of the map—usually near the edges of the platforms or near the "waterfalls" in the background.
- Stockpile for the "Observation of Sealing": This is your priority incantation. It makes the encounters in the later biomes significantly less frustrating by letting you interact with environmental seals.
- Check Charon’s Wells: Always have at least 60-80 Gold entering a new room so you can afford a Skeletal Lure if it appears. It is the only way to "force" a fishing spot to spawn.
- Talk to the Ghost in the Crossroads: Often, NPCs will give you hints about where specific creatures are biting. While not a mechanical guarantee, it helps keep your farming goals organized.
By focusing on these specific steps, you'll stop wandering aimlessly through the depths and start building the powerhouse Melinoë needs to take down the Titan of Time. The scales are there; you just have to be patient enough to catch them.