The Problem

We've only got 25 arcana cards to use, meaning only around 500,000 combinations if you had unlimited grasp. We're practically so limited in options :(

The Solution

Every card can now be flipped into new cards with new upgrades to unlock! This explodes the possible number of combinations you can try, with them being designed for different synergies, uses and builds. Unlock the full power of your arcana with familiar faces, ranging from Hypnos, to Dusa, to Typhon, your familiars and even Lernie the Bone Hydra!

How do I access the new arcana?

After gaining the ability to upgrade your arcana, you will learn a new incantation. This will enable you to flip cards. After you do perform the incantation in the Cauldron, use the same button you use to pin things (or your reroll button, if that's preferable - particularly for controller users) to flip your cards (which will have the side effect of also pinning whatever card you are clicking).

If you don't want to unlock or upgrade the cards, there is a config option which when enabled will automatically unlock and upgrade to Epic all of the new cards.

Compatibility

If you have Zagreus's Journey installed (Hades 1 run), the cards will require resources from that route in order to unlock and upgrade, giving you a real reason to take that route.

In addition, if Extended Altar of Ashes is installed, you will get additional levels for these cards!

If Perfectionist is installed, one of the cards will allow you to rarify to that rarity (though it does not display that you can, for some reason)

I also highly recommend installing Extra Arcana Layout Slots, to allow you to save more layouts for the overwhelming amount of combinations possible.

Uninstallation

With my testing, it seems pretty safe to uninstall, however I would recommend that you unequip and flip over all of your cards before playing vanilla just to be safe.

Also, the saved layouts are handled seperately to prevent issues involved with uninstalling, so any changes you make to them with the mod installed will not be saved.

Config

LimitMaxArcanaDrawn - Should the game prevent you from randomly drawing more Arcana Cards after you reach a certain number to prevent you from becoming dangerously unbalanced? Default = true MaxArcanaDrawn - If LimitMaxArcanaDrawn is enabled, then how many cards should the maximum be? Default = 45 In addition, each individual set of cards can be turned off by turning it's respective config off. Please unequip all cards of that color before you do so (ideally in all of the pre-layout sets), since it will count that card as being equipped when it's not for equipping the free arcana (e.g. Moon, Fates) while no awarding you the benefit or allowing you to unequip. All sets are enabled true by default.

Known Issues

Some of the cards do not have art yet, so enjoy the amazing stick people for now!

If you find you are getting stuck often after using Monstrosity (doors won't open), you can enable AlwaysUnlockAfterPurge in the config, which will always unlock doors after collecting the purged reward. This includes when it shouldn't - for instance in Devotion chambers, or in the Fields of Mourning

Thanks to:

@burn03 for their incredible art on the cards!! (Currently The Faithful Daughter, Performance, The Hydra, The Loyal Protector, The Blacksmith, Retribution, The Wanderer, The Strategist, Beauty, Longing, Companionship, Doom, Encouragement and Monstrosity).

@PunishedMat for the amazing art on Bounty!

@cloveroforleans for the fantastic art on The Cyclops, Revelry, and Famine!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION :)

If you find any bugs, please let me know on the Hades Modding Discord (under requests, in Reversed Arcana of Ashes).

Also, any feedback on balancing would be appreciated (at the same place as bugs) as I kind of guessed without an excess of testing. If certain things are too underpowered or too overpowered (I aim for it to be around as good as the other side of the card), or if upgrade costs are too expensive, let me know!

If you are interested in making art for the cards, feel free to help out - @burn03 has made an awesome template on the Hades Modding Discord (pinned under requests, in Reversed Arcana of Ashes). It would be so awesome if you did so :)

Changelog

All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.

The format is based on Keep a Changelog, and this project adheres to Semantic Versioning.

Unreleased

3.0.6 - 2026-07-25

• Now properly initialize MetaUpgradeState
• Fixed an edge case where GameState.MetaUpgradeState[cardName] was not yet defined

3.0.5 - 2026-07-25

• Added a check to stop a weird crash by providing a backup for when there is not a row/column for accessing GetFlippedCard

3.0.4 - 2026-07-21

• The Death Defiance offered by Discipline (Skelly) will no longer linger while in the Crossroads, however, it will also not appear until you start the run

3.0.3 - 2026-07-19

• Monstrosity (Typhon) loot will now obey the config of which cards are enabled

3.0.2 - 2026-07-19

• Added a new config to disable sets of cards to your liking. All enabled true by default.

3.0.1 - 2026-07-18

• Fixed an issue causing auto equip cards to not equip without having done the "Expanding of the Deck" incantation
• Prevented a crash on fresh-file saves

3.0.0 - 2026-07-18

• NEW! 50 new arcana cards for you to experiment with!! I'd love some feedback on them if you feel any are too weak or too strong :)

• Added new config options to limit the maximum amount of Arcana you can draw, to prevent runaway builds

• Made Famine (Demeter) less likely to show up as Shocking Loss

• Fixed a typo on Futility (Sisyphus) description

• Nerfed some cards to make them more in line with base game

• The Loyal Protector (Cerberus) and Circe now have extra checks that allow them to upgrade flipped cards they previously could not

• Upgrading the Weaver (Arachne) should no longer cause a crash

• Certain multipliers are now additive rather than multiplicative

• Fixed an issue which caused crashes when loading layouts with flipped cards once the mod was uninstalled

• You can no longer randomly draw cards that occupy the bottom right (Judgement location) if you already have one of them equipped (e.g. you may no longer draw Monstrosity from Judgement)

2.9.2 - 2026-05-07

• Removed a print statement
• Recycling should now indicate if resources are needed for Arcana unlocks
• Changed the sound when closing Monstrosity loot to be more obvious

2.9.1 - 2026-05-03

• Recycling should now indicate if resources are needed for Arcana upgrades

2.9.0 - 2026-04-27

• Corrected Bounty's (Poseidon) flavour text
• Updated the number of uses The Loyal Protector (Cerberus) provides, and it can now no longer hit itself
• Flipped Arcana should now appear in the run history screen
• Updated uninstallation instructions
• We can finally inspect the beautiful (and not so beautiful) card art! On the Inspect screen, so long as you have upgraded both sides fully, instead of flipping the card, you will inspect it!

2.8.3 - 2026-04-18

• The Weaver (Arachne) reverted to no longer have a cap on when it's effective.

2.8.2 - 2026-04-17

• Futility (Sisyphus) updated to also have the chance to take double damage, so look out!
• The Weaver (Arachne) updated to not award more armor above a maximum of 35 armor.
• The Loyal Protector (Cerberus) reworked to instead offer you the opportunity to upgrade your Arcana Cards after slaying dangerous foes.

2.8.1 - 2026-04-15

• Futility (Sisyphus) has been reworked to instead offer a chance at double damage for each empty death defiance you have.

2.8.0 - 2026-03-15

• Updated requirements for incantation - all familiars no longer required
• Fixed a few crashes

2.7.5 - 2026-02-27

• Added Blacksmith (Hephaestus) art. Thanks @burn03!

2.7.4 - 2026-02-12

• Added Famine (Demeter) art. Thanks @cloveroforleans!

2.7.3 - 2026-02-11

• Added Cyclops (Polyphemus) art. Thanks @cloveroforleans!
• Corrected the roman numeral on Bounty (Poseidon). Oops!

2.7.2 - 2026-02-10

• Made changes to make the assortment of what cards you get in the Chaos Trial slightly more random
• Bounty (Poseidon) now has Perfectionist support!
• Buffed Reverly (Dionysus) chance to recieve double the number of levels from Poms

2.7.1 - 2026-02-10

• Removed a print statement I accidently left in. Oops!

2.7.0 - 2026-02-10

• New art for Revelry (Dionysus). Thanks @cloveroforleans!
• Revamped function of Revelry (Dionysus). Now has a chance to double to potency of Poms of Power when at Fates' Whim
• Random Chaos Trials can now include your flipped arcana cards!

2.6.3 - 2026-01-16

• Hopefully fixed issue preventing arcana screen from closing when you first unlock insights
• Fixed an issue where you upgraded card with Extended Altar of Ashes and Always Unlock config were only transcient upgrades

2.6.2 - 2026-01-07

• Hopefully fixed an issue causing a crash at Crossroads

2.6.1 - 2026-01-01

• Fixed an issue preventing auto equipped cards from unlocking if you didn't complete the incantation

2.6.0 - 2026-01-01

• Added a new config option to auto unlock and upgrade cards to Epic once you've unlocked the incantation

2.5.2 - 2025-12-29

• Added a new config option - if you find you are getting stuck often after using Monstrosity (doors won't open), you can enable AlwaysUnlockAfterPurge, which will always unlock doors after collecting the purged reward. This includes when it shouldn't - for instance in Devotion chambers, or in the Fields of Mourning

2.5.1 - 2025-12-25

• Nerfed time Gorgon (Dusa) gives you invulnerability

2.5.0 - 2025-12-24

• The Gorgon (Dusa) has been reworked to provide invulnerability time at the start of each encounter
• Encouragement (Supportive Shade) now awards a random collection of elements
• Hopefully fixed the issue of rarely getting both auto equip cards at the same time
• Changed the way the Loyal Protector (Cerberus) worked, preventing it from incorrectly saying it healed 0 (when it was actually healing you)

2.4.1 - 2025-12-22

• Fixed bug which caused Encouragement (Supportive Shade) triggering in Training Grounds

2.4.0 - 2025-12-22

• Buffed Revelry (Dionysus)
• Nerfed Longing (Narcissus and Echo) and Famine (Demeter)
• Hopefully fixed Companionship (Familiars) procing on Asterius miniboss in Zag Journey
• Stopped Famine (Demeter) from procing on enemies that cannot be charmed (e.g. Minibosses)
• Revelry (Dionysus)/Strife (Eris) affected by Success Rate
• Bounty (Poseidon) offers +1 rarify each rank
• Loyal Protector (Cerberus) now also heals in Warden/miniboss rooms!

2.3.4 - 2025-12-21

• Nerfed Strife (Eris), Revelry (Dionysus) and Doom (Moros)
• Buffed Loyal Protector (Cerberus)

2.3.3 - 2025-12-20

• Hopefully actually fixed the auto activating card issue
• Added Strife (Eris) art. Thanks @burn03!

2.3.2 - 2025-12-19

• Added a while loop that means trait inheritances are done independent of SetUpRun

2.3.1 - 2025-12-19

2.3.0 - 2025-12-19

• Removed a debug print statement (oops!)
• Added art for Longing (Echo and Narcissus - thanks @burn03!)
• AUTO EQUIP CARDS NO LONGER FREAK OUT!!!!

2.2.1 - 2025-12-16

• Fixed issue stopping ExtendedAshes from working
• Fixed some of the issues with lighting of the Monstrosity (Typhon) drop

2.2.0 - 2025-12-15

• Buffed Performance (Apollo) to be active at lower health
• Buffed Beauty (Aphrodite) to give additional dodge chance
• Nerfed the Weaver (Arachne) to give -1 armour per rank, and the doubling threshold was reduced from 20 -> 15
• Buffed Loyal Protector (Cerberus) to heal more per rank
• Monstrosity (Typhon) no longer offers Judgement as a possible card
• Added HUD support for Monstrosity (Typhon)
• Sleep (Hypnos) has been buffed to heal more quickly

2.1.1 - 2025-12-14

• Fixed LootChoiceExtender Crash (I think), thanks @zerp
• Cards which call a function when being drawn (such as the Boatman) will now actually perform their function (oops!) when picked from Monstrosity
• This mod no longer caps your natural god count at 2 (Typhon was so hungry for boons, he was even eating that slot)

2.1.0 - 2025-12-12

• New animation for Monstrosity loot drop (Thank you @burn03 for the animation and @zerp for implementing it!)

2.0.0 - 2025-12-12

Major Changes

• Monstrosity (Typhon) has been completely reworked to allow you to purge rewards to create a new loot type which rewards you with your choice of one of three unequipped arcana cards
• CONTROLLER PLAYERS REJOICE! Now you can flip cards using the reroll button without opening your themes tab.
• New art for Bounty (Poseidon). Thanks @PunishedMat! :)

Minor Changes

• Updated Wanderer (Odysseus) Text
• Stopped flipped cards from not being able to be unlocked if neighbouring cards weren't unlocked
• You take more damage when Retribution (Nemesis) is equipped
• Fixed Revelry (Dionysus) not properly applying the right number of upgrades
• Art for Encouragement (Supportive Shade) updated

1.5.1 - 2025-12-09

• Changed the icons that companionship familiar bonds use
• Corrected retribution multipliers for heroic and legendary upgrades

1.5.0 - 2025-12-07

- Encouragement (Supportive Shade) now also awards a random infusion boon to make use of the elements
- Performance (Apollo) and Revelry (Dionysus) nerfed
- Bounty (Poseidon) has been buffed to offer more rarify uses
- Gorgon (Dusa) buffed to reduce damage further

1.4.6 - 2025-12-06

• Added Monstrosity (Typhon) art, which is terrifying. Thanks @burn03
• Doom (Moros) art updated

1.4.5 - 2025-12-06

• Added Doom (Moros) art. Thanks @burn03!

1.4.4 - 2025-12-06

• Removed a debug print

1.4.3 - 2025-12-06

• Added art for Performance (Apollo). Thanks @burn03!
• Fixed an issue that meant you could not view pinned cards in the inventory

1.4.2 - 2025-12-06

• Fixed an error where the longing (Echo and Narcissus) to level up an extra trait was so great that it caused a crash

1.4.1 - 2025-12-05

• Fixed an error that targeted NikkelM specifically

1.4.0 - 2025-12-05

• Minor grammar and tooltip fixes
• Fixed issue with visibility of glow for flipped card

New Art

• Companionship (Familiars), Hydra (Lernie), Retribution (Nemesis), Encouragement (Supportive Shade), has been added
• Slight variations made to previous cards

1.3.1 - 2025-12-05

Changes

• Grammar fix on Strategist
• The cool new glow is now inactive for flipped cards if not equipped when they are first created/screen is first opened

1.3.0 - 2025-12-05

Balance Changes made

• Sleep (Hypnos) reverted to previous status of always being active in guardian encounters! Hypnos is always with you :)
• The Strategist (Athena) has been improved, and now offers half of its benefit towards enemies with only a single status condition
• Retribution has been changed to reflect
• Revelry has been slightly buffed to activate more often
• Doom has been slightly nerfed
• New card glow colour for flipped cards! It's a more purple-blue to the original's green-blue. Subtle, but noticeable difference
• Terrible MS Paint art added for all cards!!

1.2.1 - 2025-12-04

Changes made

• Sleep (Hypnos) now is only active in guardian encounters and only while standing still. Time between heals has been shortened to compensate for this. If it is still too strong (not counting the legendary upgrade with Extended Altar of Ashes), please let me know.
• Legendary Upgrade of Sleep (Hypnos) in Extended Altar of Ashes removed, since it is far too strong.
• Terrible MS Paint art has been added for cards up until The Cyclops (Polyphemus). If it looks bad, assume I did it. Otherwise, all credit goes to @burn03

1.1.0 - 2025-12-04

Fixed

• Hermes no longer has a vandetta against you playing the game and will not cause you to crash (hopefully)

Balance Changes

• Blacksmith (Hepheastus) has been nerfed, and will now only activate for damage above 20. Maybe the Messager can finally be used over it and Hermes will stop being mad
• Beauty (Aphrodite) has been nerfed to have 3/6/9/12% dodge chance instead of starting at 4%
• Sleep (Hypnos) has been nerfed to only heal you in guardian encounters

1.0.0

1.0.0 - 2025-12-03

Added

• First version of the mod!