God of War Ragnarok (GoW Ragnarok)

Best Builds

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God of War Ragnarok - Best Builds

Knowing about the best skills, Runic Attacks, and equipment will carry you far on your journey in God of War Ragnarok. Read on to learn more about the best builds you can use from the early game until the end game!

God of War Ragnarok Best Guides
Best Builds
Best Skills Best Runic Attacks Best Relics
Best Attachments Best Armor Best Enchantments

Best Early Game Build

Early Game Armor Setup

Nidavellir's Finest Armor Set

Nidavellir's Finest Armor Set
NidavellirNidavellir's Finest Plackart NidavellirNidavellir's Finest Arm Guards NidavellirNidavellir's Finest Waist Guard
Max Stats
・54 Strength
・95 Defense
・54 Vitality
・68 Strength
・26 Defense
・34 Vitality
・94 Defense
・34 Vitality
How to Unlock
Crafted from Brok or Sindri
x 2 Nidavellir Ore
Crafted from Brok or Sindri
x 2 Nidavellir Ore
Crafted from Brok or Sindri
x 2 Nidavellir Ore
Perks
Nidavellir's Finest Plackart STUNNING RESTORATION
Stun Grabbing an enemy grants a Health Burst.
Nidavellir's Finest Arm Guards STUNNING PERSISTENCE
Reduces how quickly enemy Stun bar drains.
Nidavellir's Finest Waist Guard STUNNING PERSISTENCE
Reduces how quickly enemy Stun bar drains.

The Nidavellir is an extremely durable set for the second half of your early-game experience. It is easy enough to get this set, while you complete one of the Favors in Svartalfheim.

Early Game Weapon Setup

Attachments Setup

Attachment
Leviathan Axe Fortified Frost Knob
Blades of Chaos Pommels of the Undying Spark
Shield Rond of Expedition
Relic Talisman of Meign

Runic Attacks Setup

Leviathan Axe Blades of Chaos
Light Runic Attack Winter's Bite Flames of Anguish
Heavy Runic Attack Mists of Helheim Nemean Crush

Core Early Game Skills

Leviathan Axe
Blades of Chaos
Atreus

Early Game Build Explanation

This particular build was crafted because of the practically it gives at the start of the game. The Nidavellir's Finest Set is easy to craft and lets you complete one of the Favors in Svartalfheim on your first visit. Its perk also rewards you for choosing to Stun Grab enemies for a Health Burst.

Most of these attachments and runic attacks are gained as you go along the story with the exception of a few being side missions as you progress. In most cases, you may be equipped with only a Light Runic attack, but the game is still forgiving at this point and combat will still be manageable despite not having a Heavy Runic Attack.

The skill selection for this early game build focuses on mastering the basics of Kratos' weapons and Atreus' support combat abilities. Though Atreus is much more independent in his combat style in Ragnarok, most of the skills in Atreus' skill trees are meant for sections of the game where you play as him.

Best Mid Game Build

Mid Game Armor Setup

Guiding Light Armor Set

Guiding Light Armor Set
Breastplate of Guiding Light ArmorBreastplate of Guiding Light Gauntlets of Guiding Light ArmorGauntlets of Guiding Light Waist Guard of Guiding Light ArmorWaist Guard of Guiding Light
Max Stats
・68 Strength
・54 Defense
・68 Luck
・77 Strength
・43 Luck
Info Coming Soon!
How to Unlock
You can obtain this armor near Tyr's Helmet in the process of completing the Guiding Light Favor. You can obtain this armor near Tyr's Left Bracer in the process of completing the Guiding Light Favor. You can obtain this armor near Tyr's Right Bracer in the process of completing the Guiding Light Favor.
Perks
Breastplate of Guiding Light WEAPON BLESSING
Moderate Luck chance on any hit to increase the Strength, Runic, and Luck of one of Kratos' Weapons.
Gauntlets of Guiding Light FORTUNE'S STRIKE
Melee Attacks have a Luck chance to critically strike, creating a Damaging Explosion.
Waist Guard of Guiding Light FORTUNE'S STRIKE
Melee Attacks have a Luck chance to critically strike, creating a Damaging Explosion.

Midgame is where you want to start farming of resources you'll use when you upgrade late game sets. This is where the Guiding Light Set shines brightest. Without having any crafting cost in acquisition, it already offers you high offensive and defensive stats, as well as perks that will allow you to spam critical hits on enemies.

Mid Game Weapon Setup

Attachments Setup

Attachment
Leviathan Axe Grip of Healing Harmony
Blades of Chaos Hardened War Handles
Shield Rond of Deflection
Draupnir Spear Hind of Attuned Elements
Relic Hilt of Angrvadall

Runic Attacks Setup

Leviathan Axe Blades of Chaos Draupnir Spear
Light Runic Attack Hel's Touch Cyclone of Chaos Huldra Charge
Heavy Runic Attack Ivaldi's Anvil Tartarus Rage Mountain Splitter

Core Mid Game Skills

Leviathan Axe
Blades of Chaos
Atreus
Freya
Draupnir Spear

Mid Game Build Explanation

The Guiding Light Armor Set offers good offensive and defensive buffs, while still being easy to find when you gain access to Midgard again. Its Perk Weapon Blessing also makes it a good deal for players who regularly shift weapons as it has the ability to increase different stats upon hitting an enemy.

The attachment setup for mid game is all about exploration of the realms available to you, especially as you gain more access to each region of each realm. These attachments offer the best overall stats while not having to upgrade just yet because you want to save those resouces for when you truly need them.

The skills for mid game improves upon Kratos' weapon's abilities even further, but also introduces new skills for new companions like Freya. Freya is an overall better offensive companion than Atreus due to her Valkyrie skill tree and Vanir Magic abilities so it is recommended that you invest in her solid offensive skillls.

Best End Game Build

End Game Armor Setup

Berserker Armor Set

Berserker Armor Set
Berserker Cuirass ArmorBerserker Cuirass Berserker Gauntlets ArmorBerserker Gauntlets Berserker Waist Guard ArmorBerserker Waist Guard
Max Stats
・68 Strength
・27 Defense
・41 Runic
・41 Vitality
・41 Cooldown
・41 Luck
・77 Strength
・21 Runic
・21 Vitality
・21 Cooldown
・21 Luck
・77 Defense
・21 Runic
・21 Vitality
・21 Cooldown
・21 Luck
How to Unlock
You can obtain this armor from completing the Berserker Grave in Alfheim in the Fit For a King Favor. You can obtain this armor from completing the Berserker Grave in Niflheim in the Fit For a King Favor. You can obtain this armor from completing the Berserker Grave in Midgard in the Fit For a King Favor.
Perks
Berserker Cuirass SOULLESS WARRIOR
Using a Relic massively increases the damage of Kratos' Melee Attacks, but also the damage received, for a duration.
Berserker Gauntlets SOULLESS ASSAULT
Low Luck chance for successful hits to cause a Soul Explosion, dealing damage and restoring some Cooldown of the Relic.
Berserker Waist Guard SOULLESS REBUKE
Taking damage, Blocking, and Parrying all have a Moderate Luck chance to cause a Soul Explosion, dealing damage and restoring some Cooldown of the Relic.

Perhaps the best all-rounder armor set in the game, this armor set grants buffs to all of Kratos' stats. This armor is a high-risk-high-reward type of armor because even when you take damage, you have a chance of causing a Soul explosion to turn the tide of battle. Truly an armor set fit for a god of war.

End Game Weapon Setup

Attachments Setup

Attachment
Leviathan Axe Grip of the Nine Realms
Blades of Chaos Pommels of the Nine Realms
Shield Rond of Obliteration
Draupnir Spear Warrior's Echo Sauroter
Relic Motsognir’s Call

Runic Attacks Setup

Leviathan Axe Blades of Chaos Draupnir Spear
Light Runic Attack Skadi's Edge Hades Retribution Thrust of a Thousand Soldiers
Heavy Runic Attack Mists of Helheim Nemean Crush Artillery of the Ancients

Core End Game Skills

Leviathan Axe
Blades of Chaos
Atreus
Freya
Draupnir Spear

End Game Build Explanation

This build provides well-rounded stats and utility while putting out excellent single-target and area-of-effect damage to handle all endgame threats.

The Berserker Set increases all of Kratos' stats, and its perks allow him to use his Relic more often, which also has the added bonus of massively increasing his damage output.

The Grip and Pommels of the Nine Realms let Kratos maximize his Glacial Permafrost and Furious Immolation, while the rest of the attachments offer high utility and a potent spread of stats.

The Runic Attack setup balances single-target and area-of-effect skills, with abilities such as Hades Retribution and Thrust of a Thousand Soldiers meant for rapidly tearing through boss health bars, and Mists of Helheim and Artillery of the Ancients excelling at dealing with large groups of enemies.

God of War Ragnarok Related Guides

God of War Ragnarok Tips and Tricks Banner.png
Tips and Tricks

All God of War Ragnarok Tips and Tricks Guides

Core Mechanics
Beginner's Guide Combat System Explained
How to Heal and Increase Max Health What Does Killing Bugs Do?
Stats Explained: All Stats and How They Work How to Use Quick Turn
How to Upgrade Equipment How to Raise Your Level
How to Parry How to Fast Travel
Leveling and Grinding
How to Farm Hacksilver How to Farm XP
Graphics & Settings
Difficulty Settings Explained Best Settings for Graphics and Performance
Does God of War Ragnarok Have New Game Plus? How to Skip Cutscenes
Equipment & Skills
How to Transmog Gear
Tier Lists
Best Skills Best Armor Sets
Best Attachments Best Runic Attacks
Best Relics Best Enchantments
Exploration & Collectibles
How to Get Idunn Apples All Horns of Blood Mead Locations
How to Break Cracked Ground and Floors How to Recover Lost Items
Invasive Species: All Crater Hunts Guide How to Fully Repair Amulet of Yggdrasil
Full Gulfa Trophy Guide: All Hafgufas Locations
Story & Progression
How to Get the Secret Ending How to Unlock the Compass
Bugs and Fixes
How to get Unstuck: Old Friends Bug Fix Tavern Glitch: How to Fix the Dwarf Bug

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