Summary

  • Relics like the Amulet of Yggdrasil enhance combat by allowing players to stack enchantments for bonuses and unique benefits.
  • Dodging is crucial; enchantments like Alfheim set and Emblem of Elusion reward players for evading attacks and increasing attack power.
  • Enchantment sets like Niflheim focus on health regeneration, while others like Helheim boost damage output at low health for risky play.

God of War: Ragnarok is one of the greatest hack-and-slash games players can get their hands on. The sequel to one of the most ambitious and beloved reboots in gaming history wowed fans with its incredible scope, letting players interact with the core combat loop of this title that has been refined to a T and is augmented with a host of new abilities, bonuses, and the like to make combat more deep and engaging than ever before.

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God Of War Ragnarok: Best Relics, Ranked

Kratos has a bundle of amazing relics at his disposal in God of War Ragnarok that can easily turn the toughest of enemies into trophies.

The Amulet of Yggdrasil is one such addition that serves as a dedicated accessory for players to fit a total of nine enchantments. These enchantments either work on their own to provide unique benefits or come as part of a set, with a bonus unlocked when all three enchantments that form a set are placed together. As players go through the game, it becomes important to use equipment that synergizes with each other to enhance a player's build, and these enchantments play a major role here.

5 Alfheim Enchantment Set + Emblem of Elusion + Momentous Stride

Rewards The Simple Act Of Evasion With Numerous Buffs

Kratos dodging in God of War Ragnarok

Dodging is something that players must master in God of War: Ragnarok if they don't want to absorb unnecessary damage. Side-stepping or rolling to get away from attacks may seem simple, but not all enemy attacks are telegraphed. This makes it important to read enemy movements and dodge at the correct time to efficiently rip apart most foes. In fact, players who are great at dodging can further augment this evasive maneuver with a string of enchantments that turn this aspect of the gameplay into something incredible.

The set bonus of the Alfheim enchantments increases Kratos' attack after a last-minute dodge, punishing enemies who get too overzealous with their offense. To make Kratos' dodges more effective, players can use the Emblem of Elusion to enhance his side-step and rolling distance, making dodges more forgiving in the heat of combat. Finally, another way to reward players for evading attacks is by using Momentous Stride, an enchantment that charges up the Permafrost, Immolation, or Maelstrom gauges with each successful dodge.

4 Niflheim Enchantment Set + Eir's Armament + Stone Idol Of Souls + Greater Regenerating Essence

Promotes A Safe Build That Rewards Players Who Want Their Health To Be Maxed Out At All Times

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At the end of the day, the one stat that players must keep track of at all times is health. This is what keeps Kratos alive in a battle, and a single misstep can have dire consequences for this powerful being. As a result, maintaining high Vitality is important to let players tank more blows without being taken down in a flash. If players want to prioritize survivability in combat at all costs, then maintaining high health is a necessity.

The Niflheim enchantment set bonus rewards players for keeping health above 75% with a damage boost. However, keeping Kratos' health high at all times can be a challenge, so other enchantments should aid this brutal fighter here. Players with high Luck should use Eir's Armament to net them a decent chance of spawning Healthstones with each Runic Attack kill. Along with this, the Stone Idol of Souls enchantment grants Soulsteal whenever players use a Healthstone or Ragestone to restore health and Rage with each kill. Finally, the simple Greater Regenerating Essence does an excellent job of keeping Kratos' health high with a decent amount of health regeneration.

3 Svartalfheim Enchantment Set + Stunning Fang

Makes It Easier To Stun And Punish Enemies

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Stunning enemies is always satisfying in God of War: Ragnarok, with players getting an opportunity to insta-kill weaker enemies and hit tougher ones to deplete a ton of health. As a result, it's easy to see why some people wouldn't mind pursuing a build that focuses on stunning enemies and leaving them open for the killing blow time and time again.

Atreus and a skill tree in God of War Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarok: 6 Best Upgrades To Get Right Away

There are a few upgrades players will want to acquire first in God of War Ragnarok to ensure Kratos and Atreus stand a chance against vile threats.

Players who ensure that Kratos' Defence is as high as they come can use the Svartalfheim enchantment set bonus to enhance the amount of stun damage they inflict. If players don't go for the kill from the moment an opponent is stunned, they can use the bonus offered with Stunning Fang to unleash shockwaves by hitting stunned enemies while also enjoying a chance of buffing Kratos' Strength and stun damage with each hit.

2 Muspelheim Enchantment Set + Kinetic Resilience + Attuned Runic Gem + Momentous Stride + Memento Of The Ailing

Buffs Kratos When His Permafrost, Immolation, Or Maelstrom Gauge Is Maxed Out

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The Permafrost, Immolation, or Maelstrom gauge add to the depth of God of War: Ragnarok's combat, rewarding players who maintain pressure on their opponents with a mode that can be activated to buff the damage of their strikes and infuse one of Kratos' weapons with an element that can punish enemies. Players who want to make the most of this gauge can use various enchantments to turn Kratos into a whirlwind of death in no time.

The Muspelheim enchantment set bolsters Kratos' melee damage when the Permafrost, Immolation, or Maelstrom gauge is full, with the strength of said buff depending on his Runic stat. Another great enhancement for such a build is Kinetic Resilience, which increases the gauge after landing a combo finisher while ensuring that players don't lose too much of this charge if they take damage. With the Attuned Runic Gem enchantment, players will be incentivized to unleash Runic attacks when Kratos' gauge is fully charged to deal extra damage. Momentous Stride further adds to this charge when players pull off a successful dodge, and Memento of the Ailing increases Kratos' gauge when he hits an enemy that is suffering from a status affliction.

1 Helheim Enchantment Set + Fossilised Keepsake + Crest Of Desperate Heroics

A Risky Yet Entertaining Way To Play The Game By Staying On Low Health

God of War Ragnarok PC File Size
A screenshot of Kratos using his Blades of Chaos on an enemy in God of War Ragnarok.

Sometimes, players don't want to play it safe, especially in a game like God of War: Ragnarok which is full of breakneck action. Instead, it's more entertaining to fly by the seat of their pants and go on the offensive, even if it comes at the detriment of Kratos' health. This may lead to situations where Kratos is on the brink of death in almost every combat scenario, and armor like Sol's Spaulders of Courage ensures that players can survive a few hits even if Kratos is on zero health.

With the Helheim enchantment set, Kratos can hit for immense damage when his health is less than half of his maximum. With Fossilised Keepsake, players can generate a shield that can potentially save them from a mortal blow while simultaneously stunning enemies. Finally, the Crest of Desperate Heroics buffs Kratos when his health is critical, giving him invincibility for a few seconds and buffing his Strength. When this effect wears out, Kratos gets a Health Burst to prevent him from being dropped by another attack.

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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

Developer(s)
Santa Monica Studio
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure
God of War Ragnarok the crater region and lightning