God of War Ragnarök

God of War Ragnarök: Advanced Combat Guide

God of War Ragnarök has incredibly deep combat. To truly master it, you need to understand more than just basic attacks. It’s about using all of Kratos’s weapons, shields, and companions together to create devastating combos and overcome any enemy!

1. Your Weapons: Use Them All!

Kratos has three main weapons, and each is best for different situations:

• Leviathan Axe (Ice):
  • Best for: Freezing single strong enemies, ranged attacks, and quick damage.
  • Tips: Throw it (L2 + R1/R2) to freeze enemies, then recall it for a powerful “Frost Awakened” attack. Use it to hit weak spots or enemies far away.
• Blades of Chaos (Fire):
  • Best for: Fighting groups of enemies, applying fire damage, and pulling enemies closer with their chains.
  • Tips: Use wide swings for crowd control. After some attacks, you can use R2 to grapple onto enemies, pulling them in or flying towards them. Great for clearing space.
• Draupnir Spear (Wind/Spirit): (You get this later in the game!)
  • Best for: Ranged piercing attacks, exploding multiple enemies at once, and dealing with flying foes.
  • Tips: Throw multiple spears into an enemy, then press Triangle to detonate them for huge damage. It’s also key for finding hidden paths.
• Switch Weapons Often: Don’t stick to one! Use the D-pad to switch weapons quickly. For example, freeze an enemy with the Axe, then switch to Blades for a fire combo, then finish with a Spear explosion.

2. Defense: Shields and Parries are Key!

Your shield is your best friend.

• Block (L1): Hold L1 to block most incoming attacks.
• Parry (Tap L1 just before an attack): This is super important! A perfect parry stuns enemies, leaving them open for counter-attacks. Practice the timing for different enemies.
• Shield Bashes (Double tap L1): Use this against enemies whose attacks flash with a blue ring. It breaks their stance.
• Dodge (X): If an enemy attack flashes with a red ring, it’s unblockable! You MUST dodge roll or quick step out of the way. Yellow ring attacks can be parried.
• Different Shields: You get different shields. The Dauntless Shield is best for parrying, while the Stonewall Shield is better for absorbing hits and then releasing a shockwave.

3. Use Your Companions Wisely (Atreus, Freya, etc.)

Your companion is a powerful ally!

• Atreus’s Arrows (Square): Constantly command Atreus to shoot arrows. They build up the enemy’s stun meter (the white bar under their health). Once the stun meter is full, you can press R3 for a powerful grab attack.
• Different Arrow Types: Atreus gets different arrow types (like Sonic, Sigil) that do different things. Sonic is great for stun, Sigil can add elemental effects to your attacks.
• Companion Summons: Equip special companion abilities that unleash powerful attacks or support spells when you press Square + R1/R2.

4. Runic Attacks and Spartan Rage: Unleash Devastation!

• Runic Attacks: These are powerful special moves for each weapon. You can equip two per weapon (Light and Heavy). Use them for big damage, crowd control, or applying status effects. They have a cooldown.
• Spartan Rage (L3 + R3): When your yellow rage bar is full, unleash Kratos’s ultimate power!
  • Valor: A well-timed activate (just before an attack) can parry and heal Kratos!
  • Wrath: Lots of powerful, fast attacks.
  • Fury: A single, massive blow.
  • Tip: Don’t save your Rage! Use it when you’re in trouble, need health, or want to finish a tough enemy quickly.

5. Upgrade Your Gear!

Always visit Brok and Sindri (the blacksmiths) to upgrade your weapons, armor, and runic attacks. Stronger gear makes fights much easier.

Mastering combat in God of War Ragnarök means understanding all these tools and knowing when to use them. Keep practicing, and you’ll become an unstoppable force in the Nine Realms!