How to Master God of War Ragnarök: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction
God of War Ragnarök continues the emotional journey of Kratos and Atreus through the Nine Realms. Whether you're a new player or a returning fan, mastering this action-packed Norse epic requires strategic combat, careful exploration, and emotional investment. This guide breaks down the essential steps to conquer the game, from early survival tips to defeating end-game bosses.

1. Getting Started: Choose the Right Difficulty

Before you start swinging the Leviathan Axe, you need to pick a difficulty that suits your playstyle.

Understand Your Options

God of War Ragnarök offers several difficulty settings:

• Give Me Story – For those who prefer narrative over combat challenge.

• Give Me Grace – Balanced, with some resistance.

• Give Me Balance – The default and most recommended.

• Give Me No Mercy – For experienced players.

• Give Me God of War – A brutal mode that disables lowering difficulty mid-game.

What to Consider

• Newcomers should avoid the highest setting.

• Difficulty affects enemy aggression, puzzle hints, and healing resources.

• You can change most difficulties mid-game (except "Give Me God of War").

Tip: Play the first hour and then adjust based on your comfort.

2. Explore Thoroughly and Collect Everything

Exploration in Ragnarök is rewarding and essential for progression.

Don’t Just Follow the Main Path

Hidden areas and side paths often contain:

• Chests with Hacksilver or crafting materials

• Lore entries that deepen Norse mythology

• Collectibles such as Odin’s Ravens, Artifacts, and Nornir Chests

Use Atreus as a Guide

He often hints at hidden passages or puzzles. If he says “maybe we should come back later,” it’s likely gated by equipment you’ll gain later.

Exploration Rewards:

• Health Upgrades from Idunn Apples

• Rage Upgrades from Horns of Blood Mead

• Powerful Armor Sets

Pro Tip: After unlocking new abilities, revisit earlier realms like Svartalfheim to find previously inaccessible areas.

3. Learn to Master Combat Early

Combat is at the heart of Ragnarök, combining brutal melee with strategic thinking.

Core Mechanics

• Light and Heavy Attacks: Alternate between the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos for varied effects.

• Runic Attacks: Special moves on cooldown that deal massive damage.

• Shield Use: Perfect blocks and parries are vital against strong foes.

• Spartan Rage: Use it wisely to recover health or unleash destruction.

Combo Effectively

Try alternating between Axe and Blades mid-fight. For example:

• Freeze an enemy with the Axe

• Switch to Blades to yank them toward you

• Finish with a Runic Slam

Atreus’s Role in Combat

He can stun enemies, distract them, or use Runic Summons once upgraded. Don’t forget to command him actively.

4. Upgrade Gear the Smart Way

Your gear will define how well you survive late-game encounters.

Prioritize These:

• Chest Armor for defense and buffs

• Blades/Axe Handles for combat bonuses

• Relics and Runes for offense and mobility

How to Get Resources

• Complete Favors (side quests)

• Open Legendary Chests

• Farm Muspelheim and Niflheim challenges

Essential Materials:

• Honed Metal

• Asgardian Ingot

• Frozen Flame (for Leviathan Axe upgrades)

• Chaos Flame (for Blades of Chaos)

Pro Tip: Don’t waste resources on every new item—invest in the ones that fit your playstyle.

5. Solve Puzzles with Patience

Puzzles in Ragnarök are a test of observation, not just intelligence.

Types of Puzzles:

• Nornir Chests: Unlock using a combination of runes or environmental interaction.

• Environmental Blockages: Freeze gears with the Axe or ignite vines with the Blades.

• Bridge & Door Puzzles: Often involve Atreus’s arrows or mirror shields.

Use the Right Tools

• Hex Arrows to spread effects

• Leviathan Axe to freeze mechanisms

• Sonic Arrows to shatter barriers

Tip: If stuck, backtrack slightly—many puzzles require a shifted perspective.

6. Don’t Skip Side Quests (Favors)

Side quests in Ragnarök are rich with lore, powerful gear, and emotional depth.

Benefits of Doing Favors:

• Armor Sets like the Dragon Scaled Armor

• Unique Runic Attacks and Enchantments

• Emotional storytelling (like Freya’s side arcs)

Noteworthy Favors:

• In Service of Asgard – Helps understand Dwarven politics and earns resources

• The Weight of Chains – A deeply emotional story involving the Lyngbakr

• Freya’s Missing Peace – Unlocks more areas in Vanaheim

Pro Tip: Complete Favors as they appear—some areas become harder later on.

7. Upgrade Atreus and Allies

As the story progresses, you’ll fight alongside multiple companions.

How to Improve Companions

• Upgrade Atreus’s Runic Summons and Arrow Types

• Equip Armor with special perks (like increased stun damage or cooldown reduction)

Companion-Specific Moves:

• Freya’s Valkyrie Arrows

• Atreus’s Sonic/Hex arrows

• Angrboda’s Animal Summons (in brief sequences)

Important: Companions aren’t just for show—they are critical to controlling crowds and solving realm-specific puzzles.

8. Navigate Realms Strategically

Each realm has a unique layout, enemies, and mechanics.

Realm Overview:

• Midgard – Fimbulwinter has frozen it, but useful items remain.

• Vanaheim – Lush but dangerous; revisit it multiple times.

• Svartalfheim – Full of puzzles and Dwarven lore.

• Alfheim – Light and Dark Elf conflicts bring brutal combat.

• Muspelheim/Niflheim – Focused on combat trials.

Unlocking Travel:

• Use Mystic Gateways to fast travel

• New paths open as the story progresses or after acquiring gear like Draupnir Spear

Tip: Recheck realms after major story missions. You'll find new enemies, puzzles, and rewards.

9. Beat Bosses with Tactics, Not Just Strength

Boss fights in Ragnarök demand precision and learning patterns.

Study Boss Patterns:

• Most bosses telegraph their attacks—dodge red ring attacks, parry yellow ones.

• Use Spartan Rage to interrupt combos or heal when low.

Top Challenging Bosses:

• Drekis – Requires mobility and elemental timing.

• Heimdall – You must unlock a special weapon to defeat him.

• Gná (Queen Valkyrie) – End-game fight that tests all your skills.

Boss Tips:

• Equip Runic attacks with stagger potential

• Use Relics for temporary boosts

• Always enter boss arenas with full Rage and health

10. Prepare for the Endgame and Beyond

The journey doesn’t end after the final credits.

What to Do After the Main Story:

• Explore post-Ragnarök world changes

• Finish Favors you missed

• Take on Berserker Gravestones and the Queen Valkyrie Gná

Endgame Activities:

• Muspelheim Trials – Tiered challenges with powerful loot

• Remnants of Asgard – Combat encounters that reveal aftermath of Ragnarök

• Unlock best armor sets, including:

  • Berserker Armor

  • Steinbjorn Armor

  • Lunda’s Lost Armor

Pro Tip: Make sure to max out your Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear before taking on the hardest fights.

Conclusion
God of War Ragnarök is more than a hack-and-slash adventure. It’s a deeply woven narrative wrapped in meaningful mechanics and unforgettable characters. From learning combat to exploring realms and mastering gear upgrades, the game invites players to immerse themselves fully. With the tips in this guide, you’re now equipped to conquer gods, monsters, and your own path through the Nine Realms.