God of War Ragnarok is celebrated for its rich narrative, which concludes the Norse Saga in a satisfying and impactful manner. However, the game offers more than just an engaging story — it is one of the rare titles that features both a compelling narrative and well-designed, intricate gameplay.

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God of War Ragnarok: When Should You Start Exploring?

For God of War Ragnarok players who do not wish to be hindered every step of the way, here are the best times to explore.

The gameplay mechanics are far more complex than they may initially appear, with numerous systems working in tandem with each other to enhance the overall experience. One such system is Status Effects, a crucial gameplay element. The guide below outlines all the different status effects and their functions.

All Status Effects In God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok introduces a variety of Status Effects — nine, to be exact. While some may resemble classic effects like Fire and Freeze, they are presented with different names in the game. Below is a list of all the Status Effects featured in the game, along with what they do in combat.

Status Effect

What They Actually Do

Frost

Freezes the target, which drastically reduces their movement speed.

Burn

Sets the target on fire and causes damage over time.

Shock

Locks the target in a place, making them vulnerable to other attacks.

Poison

Reduces the targets' level by 1, making them weaker and easier to take down.

Bifrost

Turns a portion of the target's health bar purple. Any damage dealt will cause it to explode. The purple health will heal to normal amount after a short duration if no damage is done.

Daze

Causes dizziness on the target, temporarily preventing movement for a set duration.

Blind

Reduces Visibility. Only affects Kratos.

Sonic

Creates concussive waves that stagger and deal damage to enemies. If the target is airborne, the waves can freeze them midair, leaving them vulnerable for a short duration.

Hex

Spreads and Amplifies other Elemental Status Effects.

How To Apply Status Effects In God of War Ragnarok

Status Effects are negative conditions that can affect both Kratos and his enemies. For example, the Burn effect sets its target on fire, causing damage over time. These effects require a buildup before they can fully activate.

To apply a Status Effect, such as Frost, you must fill the Frost circle displayed above the target's health bar. Once the circle is completely filled, the effect will trigger. A small white circle will then appear around the status effect icon, representing the duration for which the effect will remain active.

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God of War: Ragnarok Tag Page Cover Art
God of War Ragnarok
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10 /10
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Released
November 9, 2022
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

ESRB
M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Developer(s)
Santa Monica Studio
Publisher(s)
Sony
Engine
Proprietary Engine
Franchise
God of War
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
PC Release Date
September 19, 2024
PS5 Release Date
November 9, 2022
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure
How Long To Beat
26 Hours
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty
God of War Ragnarok the crater region and lightning