A staged high temperature heat exchanger (HEX) may comprise a first stage made from a first material and a second stage made from a second material. The first stage may comprise an inlet manifold configured to receive a flow of fluid. The second stage may comprise an outlet manifold whereby the flow of fluid exits the HEX. The first stage is configured to withstand the temperature of the flow of fluid entering the inlet manifold and configured to reduce the temperature of the flow of fluid to an intermediate temperature before the flow of fluid reaches the second stage. In various embodiments, the first material may comprise a nickel-based superalloy having at least 40% of a Ni3(Al,X) precipitate phase, X being a metallic or refractory element other than Al.