God of War Ragnarök is packed with story depth, side quests, gear upgrades, and hidden secrets. Whether you’re new to the series or a returning veteran, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes and get the most out of your journey across the Nine Realms.
1. Adjust Your Controls for Better Playability
One of the first quality-of-life changes you should make is swapping the Dodge and Action buttons. Mapping Dodge to Circle makes movement more intuitive, especially if you’re used to action games. Also, enable Auto-Sprint so Kratos runs automatically without needing an extra button press—freeing your thumbs for better control in combat.
2. Explore Side Content Early for Major Rewards
Don’t rush the main story. Many of the game’s best upgrades, runes, and gear are tied to Favors (side quests).
- In Vanaheim, after leaving Nidavellir, follow the path toward the smoke signals for loot and a key weapon upgrade.
- In Alfheim, stay after the main quest to complete Favors that unlock powerful armor and items.
Side quests often unlock unique storylines, character development, and endgame-quality gear.
3. Master Elemental Damage
Elemental effects are core to Ragnarök’s combat system.
- Leviathan Axe: Hold Triangle to charge with Frost Awaken.
- Blades of Chaos: Tap Triangle to trigger Whiplash, applying fire.
Enemies may resist fire or frost, so switch weapons based on their weaknesses. Upgrading your techniques will add area-of-effect (AoE) damage and enhance crowd control.
4. Upgrade Weapons Efficiently
As in the previous game, the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos upgrade with Frozen Flames and Chaos Flames. In Ragnarök, you can also collect Chaos Sparks from Draugr Holes as part of the Born From Fire questline. Gather six Chaos Sparks to craft an extra Chaos Flame at Sindri’s shop.
Most Flames are found through main quests, mini-bosses, and exploration challenges.
5. Don’t Skip Chests or Collectibles
Loot is critical to progression—and many players miss out by skipping optional content.
- Wooden Chests: Contain Hacksilver
- Red Stone Chests: Give crafting materials
- Legendary Chests: Reward Runic Attacks or gear
- Nornir Chests: Boost maximum health or rage
Look out for collectibles like Egil’s Jewels (boost cooldown stats) and Loot Lurkers (extra resources if hit from behind). These items often have long-term benefits.
6. Use Resources Wisely When Crafting
Don’t upgrade every armor piece you find. Instead, focus on a specific build that supports your playstyle.
- If you struggle with crowd control, invest in stun or defense-based armor (e.g., Nidavellir’s Set).
- If bosses are the problem, gear toward damage output or cooldown reduction.
Save your rare materials for armor sets you’ll use in the mid and late game.
7. Learn to Parry and Interrupt Attacks
Understanding enemy attack patterns will make combat much smoother.
- Yellow Rings: Can be parried with L1.
- Blue Rings: Must be interrupted by double-tapping L1.
- Red Rings: Undodgeable, so get out of the way.
Mastering parries and interruptions will help you control the flow of battle and conserve health.
8. Use the Environment During Fights
Every realm has combat-enhancing terrain elements:
- Vanaheim: Drop collapsible pillars by hitting them with sonic arrows.
- Alfheim: Reflect the Leviathan Axe off certain surfaces to strike hidden enemies.
- General Combat: Use environmental objects (trees, boulders) for stun grabs or to knock down foes.
These mechanics add variety and strategic depth to fights.
9. Understand Your Gear Stats
Not all gear stats are self-explanatory:
- Runic: Increases power of runic attacks and elemental effects.
- Luck: Boosts XP and Hacksilver drops.
- Cooldown: Reduces runic ability cooldowns (only noticeable with high investment).
In early-game, focus on Luck for faster progression. In late-game builds, transition into Cooldown and Runic for optimal skill spam and power.
10. Revisit Areas After Gaining New Abilities
Some paths, puzzles, and chests are inaccessible on your first visit. Once you unlock new tools or companion abilities, go back and explore earlier zones.
You’ll often discover:
- Hidden Favors
- Lore and character events
- Powerful loot and upgrades
If something looks out of reach early on, it probably is—for now.
Final Thoughts
God of War Ragnarök is as much about smart progression as it is about raw skill. By adjusting your controls, focusing on the right side quests, mastering elemental combat, and managing your resources wisely, you’ll have a more rewarding—and less frustrating—experience.
Take your time, explore every corner, and embrace the journey. The Nine Realms are full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
My Gaming Tutorials 
Leave a comment