The four prerequisites, in order
Hidden aspects are the fourth and final form of each Nocturnal Arm, and every one of them is locked behind the same four steps.
- Unlock all the other aspects of that weapon. The hidden one is always last.
- Fully upgrade one aspect to rank V — and it must not be a basic aspect, which means it cannot be the Aspect of Melinoe.
- Speak to the Waking Phrase giver. This is always the weapon’s second aspect namesake. Keep talking to them until the phrase dialogue triggers.
- Interact with the Waking Pool at the centre of that weapon’s dais and pay the forge cost.
Every hidden aspect, its giver and its cost
| Aspect | Weapon | Phrase-Giver | Forge Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anubis | Witch’s Staff | Circe | 5 Tears, 2 Fangs |
| Morrigan | Sister Blades | Artemis | 8 Iron, 2 Feathers |
| Supay | Umbral Flames | Moros | 15 Marble, 1 Shadow |
| Nergal | Moonstone Axe | Charon | 15 Iron, 5 Serpent Scales |
| Hel | Argent Skull | Medea | 12 Adamant, 2 Snake Reeds |
| Shiva | Black Coat | Selene | 4 Nightmare, 2 Void Lens |
What each one actually changes
These are not stat tweaks — hidden aspects change how the weapon operates.
- Anubis (Staff) — your attack creates an area wave where the spirits of fallen enemies gather, and you can dash through those spirits to attack foes. Your Special draws enemies in toward you. Its level-up bonus increases Omega casting speed and damage: 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% / 30% / 45%.
- Morrigan (Blades) — attacks change to the Crow Cutter, letting you attack normally up to three times and use your Special for multi-hit attacks. Landing an Attack, Special and Omega on an enemy triggers Blood Triad for an explosion of extra damage. Level bonus increases Blood Triad damage: 333 / 444 / 555 / 666 / 777 / 999.
- Supay (Flames) — the moveset turns into an auto-fire mechanic with Omegas, making the rate of fire faster. Level bonus increases damage dealt while sprinting: 15% / 30% / 45% / 60% / 75% / 97.5%.
- Nergal (Axe) — your Attacks become a single massive overhead swing, with normal and Special Attacks dealing massive area damage. After several strikes your attacks become faster and regenerate Health for a period (a Berserk effect).
- Hel (Skull) — among other things it removes the Skull fire limitation entirely.
- Shiva (Coat) — changes the Black Coat’s operation style.
The one that works differently
Thanatos’s Axe is sometimes counted as a hidden aspect, but it is the only alternative aspect not unlocked through incantation. Instead you give at least one Nectar to Chaos, who provides the Waking Phrase to Melinoë, and it requires Darkness.
Budget Nightmares before you commit
Every hidden aspect requires Nightmares to upgrade — usually two Nightmares per level. That makes the forge cost only the entry fee; the real investment is the upgrade track, so pick the weapon you actually play rather than unlocking all six and leaving them at rank one.
Hephaestus Premium Service can push a hidden aspect one rank further at max, if you need the last push.
Practical order
- Unlock all six Nocturnal Arms and craft Aspects of Night and Darkness first.
- Forge every non-Melinoe aspect on your chosen weapon at the Silver Pool.
- Upgrade at least one forged aspect to rank V before chasing hidden materials.
- Visit the Waking Phrase NPC repeatedly until the dialogue fires.
- Interact with the Waking Pool and pay.