In our Combat Guide to God of War Ragnarok you experience:
- How to use the Leviathan Axe
- How the Chaos Blades work
- Tips on Atreus and his bow
- How to use the shield
- General tips for combat
God of War Ragnarök continues the combat system from the successful predecessor from 2018 and expands it in a few points. We’ll show you that in this guide combat system in detail and explain what has changed compared to the predecessor.
Basics of the combat system in God of War Ragnarok
Like its predecessor, Kratos’ latest adventure is more of a Action RPG than a classic hack ‘n’ slay. Combat needs to be approached more tactically, and your choice of armor and runes also matters. In addition to the Leviathan axe, the iconic Chaos Blades are available to you right from the start.
Important: In this guide we use the one provided by the game Default key mapping. In the following paragraphs we will discuss both weapons and their peculiarities. We also explain how you use shields.
The Leviathan Axe
the ice-based Leviathan’s ax doesn’t differ in its handling from its predecessor – so veterans will quickly find their way around. If you need a refresher or haven’t played the predecessor, remember the two basic types of attacks:
- R1: Light but quick slashes
- R2: Heavy but slower blows
Holding Triangle activates Frostguard – the ax becomes imbued with ice and you direct with the next swing frost damage on.
You can also throw the ax at enemies and objects. Aim L2 and press R1 to perform an easy throw. If you press R2, Kratos will throw the ax with more force, but lighter Enemies like Grimm or Draugr are frozen and stay as long as the ax gets stuck in them.
With a click on the triangle button she calls back the axe. Enemies that stand in your way take damage if the ax touches them on the way back to you.
Later, in exchange for experience points, you can choose different ones Unlock combos and more attacks for the axe.
Besides, you will find runes, which you can use to perform special attacks that have a cooldown. You can find runes in chests, get them as a reward in boss fights or after completing main and side quests. You activate light rune attacks by pressing L1 and R1, heavy rune attacks with L1 and R2.
The Blades of Chaos
In Ragnarok, you can access the Blades of Chaos from the start of the game. They are like in God of War (2018) fire-based and designed for fast attacks.
- R1: Fast attacks
- R2: Heavy Attack
With L2 you go into target mode and can throw the blades at enemies and objects. But since they are chained to you, the range is limited in contrast to the axe. With R1 the blade gets stuck and you pull the opponent towards you. With R2 you release a burst of firewhich reaches the enemy via the chains and then explodes.
Press and hold Triangle on the controller (rapidly tapping the button speeds up the process), to activate the Flame Whiplash, in which the blades soak with fire. Pressing the R1 or R2 button during the Flame Whiplash will whip Kratos onto the ground, causing a small explosion. This attack is effective against larger groups of enemies or when you want to stagger an enemy.
Later you will also switch new ones for the Chaos Blades combos and runes free.
Shields in God of War Ragnarok
Initially, you only have the Guardian Shield, but you can upgrade yourselves in the first few hours of play pick a new shield at Brok and Sindri. In our God of War Ragnarök tips guide, we tell you which shield you should choose.
Everyone has shield a special ability and a unique attackwhich you trigger by double-clicking on L1
Sometimes opponents perform special attacks where simply blocking isn’t enough. In the game you can recognize these attacks by colored circles, which light up around the enemy. In the following list we explain what you have to do with which colors:
- Yellow: You can parry the attack. Raise your shield just before it hits you, otherwise the enemy will knock your shield off and you’ll be stunned for a short time.
- Blue: Attack the enemy with your shield. To do this, press the L1 button twice.
- Red: Dodge this attack. Red attacks cannot be parried or blocked.
What role does Atreus play in battle?
Atreus will help you in most of the fights. He misses arrows and distracts enemies from you. Press the square button to order Atreus to shoot. Initially, he can shoot up to three arrows, which then have to recharge.
The arrows do little damage, but they can enemy attacks interrupt. Shoot arrows at enemies just before they hit you – this window is the time most likely to stagger them.
Later you can take Atreus with you Rune Summons equip. Hold down the square button to trigger it.
How do I activate and use Sparta’s Rage?
Kratos can go berserk and use his ancient Spartan powers in close combat. Sparta’s Rage activate it by pressing R3 and L3 at the same time. In God of War Ragnarök you can choose from three different types of Sparta’s Rage:
- anger: Kratos uses his fists to damage opponents. With L2 you throw a chunk. Hits give you health.
- Fury: Kratos consumes part of the rage bar and attacks enemies with his currently equipped weapon. These attacks deal high damage and if the enemy dies, you regain some health.
- courageMission: You heal a large part of your health.
Initially only anger is available to you, the other two unlocked as you progress through the story. Basically, you should always use Sparta’s Rage when death is imminent. It’s best to save Sparta’s Rage until the last moment in boss fights, because the bosses are always the most aggressive in the final phase.
How do I stun opponents?
Enemies have a second bar under their health bar. This indicates how stunned an opponent is. If this bar fills up, you can use R3 to either steal a lot of health from the opponent with a strong attack or – if he is already low on health – one Run Finisher.
You can stun enemies by hitting them with your fists hits. Press the down arrow key to make Kratos sheath the equipped weapon. Parrying will also increase the stun. In addition, Atreus gets the so-called Sonic Arrows early in the game – they help to maintain the stun.
Tips for fighting in God of War Ragnarok
Battles are similar to the previous one, but you will have to deal with more diverse enemy constellations and many unique bosses as well as mini-bosses. Above all, the variety of opponents in Ragnarök is much more extensive than in the predecessor. With the heavy opponents like big Grimm mothers you should take the time, the study attack patterns – especially because such mini-bosses appear again and again throughout the game.
The battle areas in God of War Ragnarök offer much more verticality – and you should make use of it. Many arenas offer a second level that you can climb onto. Press either attack button while jumping down to unleash a devastating smash attack. With these attacks from above you cause a lot of damage and even simple opponents are thrown away.
Also, you can climb to higher levels to create some space between you and the enemies. Being surrounded by multiple enemies can save you from death. Throw the blades or ax at opponents who are facing you climb up or jump overcausing them to fall or be thrown back.
Often you will also find auxiliary items such as boulders or trees in the arenas. You can pick them up with the circle button and throw them at enemies. However, they are used up after one use. It is therefore best to use them against particularly strong opponents.
Basically, you should switch back and forth between the two weapons as often as possible in combat and different combos try out. For example, you can send an opponent airborne with a heavy ax blow, then switch to Chaos Blades and keep them airborne with more blows until their health is completely drained.
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