Upgrading your runic attacks can completely transform the way you experience battles in God of War Ragnarok. If you’re wondering how to upgrade runic attacks God of War Ragnarok, the process starts with finding powerful runic abilities hidden in legendary chests across the Nine Realms. Once acquired, you can enhance them using XP earned from quests and fights. Each upgrade boosts damage, adds elemental effects, or reduces cooldowns, giving you more control in combat. Strong runic attacks like Skadi’s Edge or Wrath of the Frost Ancient become even more lethal when maxed out. Make sure to balance cooldown stats and relics for optimal usage. With the right upgrades, Kratos becomes nearly unstoppable in every encounter.
The Power of Upgrading Runic Attacks in God of War Ragnarok
Runic Attacks define how Kratos dominates in battle. These special moves aren’t just flashy—they’re essential for dealing burst damage, controlling crowds, and managing large-scale boss fights. Mastering how to upgrade Runic Attacks in God of War Ragnarok gives you tactical power that makes late-game and New Game Plus feel effortless. With three primary weapons to consider and dozens of Runic options to unlock, upgrading each attack becomes a serious strategic decision.
Enhancing these abilities also deepens your combat flexibility. Many enemies punish slow reactions or predictable combos, so incorporating upgraded Runic moves lets you strike with precision, recover quickly, and control space effectively. When paired with stat-boosting gear and cooldown-optimized builds, your gameplay becomes unstoppable.
Understanding the Runic Attack System in Combat
Every weapon in God of War Ragnarok comes equipped with two Runic slots—one for Light and one for Heavy attacks. These attacks operate on cooldowns instead of rage meters or stamina, allowing repeated use once timers reset. Unlike basic combos, Runic Attacks come with elemental properties and wide-area effects. That flexibility makes them ideal against both groups of enemies and single bosses.
To activate Light Runic Attacks, hold L1 and press R1. For Heavy Runic Attacks, hold L1 and press R2. PC users wondering how to use Runic Attacks in God of War PC should remap these actions to accessible keys. Execution is crucial. Timing matters more than spam. Use a Runic Attack when enemies are vulnerable, grouped, or stunned for maximum impact.
Pairing Runic moves with relics, rage attacks, and stat-based boosts transforms Kratos into a machine of destruction. While the basics may seem simple, real mastery only comes through upgrades and synergy.
How to Upgrade Runic Attacks God of War Ragnarok: Step-by-Step
Upgrading Runic Attacks requires two components: XP and access to the Weapon tab in the pause menu. Each Runic Attack has a level cap of three. At every upgrade, damage increases, range may improve, and the animation might speed up slightly. You can switch attacks in the Weapon tab and upgrade the currently equipped one by spending XP.
Here’s how to do it:
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Press Options to enter the pause menu
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Navigate to the Weapons section
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Choose your weapon (Axe, Blades, or Spear)
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Select either Light or Heavy Runic slot
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Press Square to upgrade if XP is available
That’s all it takes. However, timing your upgrades based on the enemies you face and the realms you explore will give you the biggest advantage.
Where to Find and Unlock Runic Attacks
Many players miss valuable Runic Attacks hidden throughout the Nine Realms. Legendary Chests tucked behind puzzles, boss rewards, and forge purchases offer new attacks throughout the story. Make sure to complete side quests and open every golden chest. Some of the best runic attacks in God of War Ragnarok are only available by defeating Berserker Gravestones or completing Muspelheim Trials.
One of the earliest and most versatile attacks, Skadi’s Edge, is found within the first few hours of the game. Learning how to use Skadi’s Edge effectively means mastering mid-range knockback and hit confirms, especially in tight encounters.
Other strong runes, like Tartarus Rage or Wrath of the Frost Ancient, emerge much later, but their explosive effects and area denial potential make them must-haves. Explore thoroughly. Missed runes can always be collected post-game.
Heavy Runic Attacks and How to Activate Them Properly
Heavy Runic Attacks serve as the pinnacle of Kratos’ offensive options. These high-damage, long-animation moves not only look cinematic—they also serve tactical functions. Some cause knockback, others freeze or burn, and a few generate multi-hit elemental blasts.
To activate a Heavy Runic Attack, hold L1 and press R2. Many players ask how to activate heavy Runic Attacks in God of War Ragnarok, but the challenge lies in knowing when—not just how. Heavy attacks should never be wasted on armored foes or quick mobs. Use them to interrupt big enemy attacks, stun large creatures, or finish off a group when they’re cornered.
Cooldowns for these attacks can stretch beyond 90 seconds, so equip cooldown reduction armor or relics when using them in frequent rotation.
Stats That Directly Boost Runic Power and Effectiveness
Upgrading isn’t just about XP. Boosting core stats determines how quickly you can reuse Runic Attacks and how much damage they inflict. Knowing how to upgrade stats in God of War Ragnarok helps unlock the full strength of your Runic kit.
Focus on the following:
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Runic: Increases damage and effectiveness of Runic Attacks
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Cooldown: Reduces wait time between uses
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Vitality: Prevents staggering during animations
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Strength: Adds base damage to follow-up combos
Armor sets like Surtr’s Scorched Armor or Lunda’s Lost Belt provide balanced boosts for Cooldown and Runic. Enchantments, relics, and Yggdrasil Dew locations also grant permanent stat increases. If you’re asking how to upgrade vitality God of War Ragnarok, focus on collecting apples, exploring side realms, and investing in tanky armor pieces.
Runic Scaling and Difficulty Settings
Some wonder whether Runic Attacks scale with difficulty. They absolutely do. While enemy health pools increase in Give Me God of War mode, Runic damage maintains its punch. In fact, Runic builds become even more important on higher difficulties where basic attacks struggle to break through defenses.
Stagger resistance also increases with difficulty, so heavier runes become essential for freezing enemies or interrupting animations. Spamming Light Attacks won’t save you on higher settings. Smart use of Runics makes all the difference.
Cool Stats and Infinite Upgrades: Can You Use Runic Attacks Continuously?
A common search phrase—how to upgrade Runic Attacks God of War Ragnarok infinite—suggests people want to remove cooldowns. While you can’t remove them entirely, you can reduce them to under 10 seconds with the right build.
Here’s how:
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Equip gear with high Cooldown and Runic stats
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Use relics like Hilt of Hofud to reset cooldowns
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Equip enchantments with cooldown on hit perks
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Use Spartan Rage sparingly to buy time for cooldown resets
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Stagger enemies with shield punches while you wait
Combining all of these lets you cycle Runic Attacks rapidly in NG+ or on Give Me No Mercy mode.
Runic Loadouts Based on Weapon Types
Each weapon benefits from different rune types. Let’s break it down.
Leviathan Axe
Best Light: Skadi’s Edge
Best Heavy: Wrath of the Frost Ancient
These frost-based attacks scale with Runic and freeze groups instantly. Use them in tight corridors or when kiting groups.
Blades of Chaos
Best Light: Nemean Crush
Best Heavy: Meteoric Slam
Fire attacks create burning zones and area denial. Perfect for clearing ranged enemies or setting up combos.
Draupnir Spear
Best Light: Mountain Splitter
Best Heavy: Thrust of a Thousand Soldiers
Fast animations and rapid jabs break enemy guard and rack up stun quickly.
Each weapon’s runes complement different styles. Switching based on boss type or realm is key.
Unlocking Chaos Flames and Leviathan Axe Upgrades
Many players get stuck wondering where to get all Chaos Flames or how to max upgrade Leviathan Axe in Ragnarok. These Flames are rare materials dropped by bosses or rewarded during major story beats. Each flame unlocks one upgrade level for your weapons.
To get level 9 Leviathan Axe:
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Collect all Frozen Flames
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Complete side bosses and Muspelheim Trials
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Buy one from Brok’s shop using Shattered Runes
Missing even one flame keeps you from maxing out upgrades. Plan your exploration paths to ensure full weapon enhancement.
Post-Game Runic Builds and NG+ Efficiency
Once the main story ends, unlocking NG+ gives players a fresh challenge with new armor and enhanced enemies. Wondering how to get NG+ in God of War Ragnarok? Simply finish the story and return to the main menu where the option appears.
NG+ lets you rebuild Kratos from scratch with all gear and Runics intact. Focus on cooldown sets and keep Runics upgraded to level 3. Equip relics that reset cooldowns or boost Runic power. Berserker Souls and Valkyrie Queen challenges demand full Runic optimization.
Relics, Shattered Runes, and Enchantment Crafting
Mid-to-late game introduces Shattered Runes—fragments used to craft enchantments and relics. These items offer bonuses like healing, cooldown reduction, or increased Runic burst. To get them:
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Explore Muspelheim
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Defeat optional Berserker bosses
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Complete Nornir chests in endgame areas
Equip relics like the Hilt of Tyrfing to chain Runics back to back. Players asking what are Shattered Runes in God of War Ragnarok will quickly learn they’re core to building post-game meta loadouts.
The Best Weapon and Armor for Runic Builds
When asking which is the best weapon in God of War Ragnarok, the answer depends on your build. For Runic builds, the Leviathan Axe wins due to its frost synergy and long-range damage. Blades of Chaos provide faster execution, but lower AoE when compared to the axe’s heavy Runics.
The best armor in God of War Ragnarok for Runic play includes:
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Surtr’s Armor Set (high cooldown)
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Berserker Armor (high burst potential)
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Steinbjorn Set (tank with heavy hits)
All offer a different balance of speed, defense, and stat support. Mix enchantments that increase elemental damage or shorten cooldowns for maximum effectiveness.
Yggdrasil Dew and Permanent Stat Gains
Exploring riverbanks and realm edges often reveals glowing roots called Yggdrasil Dew. These provide permanent stat boosts. Each type corresponds to a specific attribute like Runic, Cooldown, or Strength.
If wondering how many Yggdrasil Dew in God of War Ragnarok exist, the answer is 12. Collect them all to enhance your build beyond standard limits.
Maximizing Spartan Rage and Combat Flow
Upgrading rage gives you longer rage duration, faster recovery, and added options. For players asking how to fully upgrade your rage in God of War, focus on completing trials, exploring Muspelheim, and collecting Idunn Apples.
Spartan Rage doesn’t directly affect Runic damage, but using it wisely creates breathing room to let your Runics reset. Efficient players rotate between rage, relics, and Runics to never stop attacking.
How to Prioritize Runic Attack Upgrades Based on Realm Progression
Realm progression plays a significant role in determining which Runic Attacks to prioritize. Early-game runes like Skadi’s Edge or Hel’s Touch are invaluable during your first few hours, offering quick cooldowns and reliable utility. As you move deeper into realms like Vanaheim, Alfheim, and Muspelheim, enemies grow tougher, and you’ll need more powerful runes with elemental and area-based effects.
Upgrade the following attacks early:
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Skadi’s Edge for fast hit interruption
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Flames of Anguish to apply burning damage over time
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Thrust of a Thousand Soldiers for rapid multi-hit spear combos
In mid-to-late game:
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Max out Wrath of the Frost Ancient for crowd control
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Upgrade Tartarus Rage for boss damage
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Invest in Meteoric Slam to clear shielded enemies
Explore each realm thoroughly, as some of the best runic attacks in God of War Ragnarok are hidden behind Nornir puzzles, relic bosses, or quest-specific areas.
Strategies for Using Runic Attacks in Berserker and Valkyrie Battles
Boss fights test everything you’ve learned. In these situations, upgraded Runic Attacks serve two critical roles—breaking enemy patterns and delivering quick burst damage before retreating to safety. Avoid using long animations unless the enemy is staggered or distracted by Atreus or Freya.
Some best practices for these fights:
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Use Light Runic Attacks to interrupt teleporting enemies
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Save Heavy Runics for when the boss is frozen or downed
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Combine Runics with relics that boost status effects
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Focus on elemental synergy: Frost + Fire causes high stun buildup
Make sure to trigger Runics in a loop. Light > Heavy > cooldown relic > Light again. That rotation can melt health bars, especially in New Game Plus modes.
What to Do If You’re Struggling to Deal Damage with Runic Attacks
Sometimes, players upgrade their attacks but still feel like they aren’t doing enough damage. If this sounds familiar, take a step back and check your build. Even maxed Runics won’t do much without the right stats backing them.
Consider these checks:
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Are you equipping armor that raises Runic and Cooldown?
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Have you socketed enchantments that boost status or elemental damage?
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Are you landing hits during vulnerability windows?
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Do you interrupt your own combos with poorly timed animations?
Efficiency is key. Don’t spam. Read enemy patterns. Time Runic hits right after a parry or stun for guaranteed success.
Endgame Rune Loadouts for Every Weapon Type
Each weapon plays differently, and choosing the right rune is essential in the endgame. Below is an advanced loadout guide that combines synergy, stats, and realm efficiency.
Leviathan Axe:
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Light: Skadi’s Edge (quick interrupt, fast cooldown)
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Heavy: Wrath of the Frost Ancient (frost beam and knockback)
Blades of Chaos:
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Light: Nemean Crush (fiery explosion with crowd control)
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Heavy: Meteoric Slam (fiery AoE ideal for Valkyries and Berserkers)
Draupnir Spear:
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Light: Thrust of a Thousand Soldiers (stagger-focused combo)
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Heavy: Vindsvalr’s Windstorm (area clearing and elemental storm)
Experiment with these setups across realms to determine what works best for your build.
Maximizing Runic Effectiveness With Rage and Relic Timing
Kratos’ Spartan Rage is powerful, but when used tactically alongside Runic Attacks, it creates unstoppable momentum. For best results, activate a Heavy Runic followed by Spartan Rage, then use a cooldown-resetting relic right as Rage ends. This lets you loop your most powerful moves while enemies remain staggered.
Run this rotation:
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Heavy Runic
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Spartan Rage
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Cooldown Relic
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Light Runic
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Shield Bash or Parry
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Repeat
Mastering this cycle reduces exposure time during boss fights while maximizing burst potential.
Secret Runes, Hidden Bosses, and Advanced Rune Locations
Beyond the main story, additional Runic Attacks are hidden behind Muspelheim Trials, post-game challenges, and optional side quests. Some of the most powerful runes—especially those with elemental layering like freezing, burning, and poison—are only available this way.
Important rune locations:
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Flame Phantom boss drops a unique Chaos rune
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Muspelheim Trials reward multiple upgrade materials
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Remnants of Asgard side quests unlock late-game spear Runics
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Gale Flame chests offer late-game spear and axe enhancements
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Berserker Gravestones reward exclusive enchantments that modify Runic behavior
These hidden opportunities let you customize builds for bosses and realms, increasing replay value and effectiveness.
Final Gear Crafting Tips for Rune-Oriented Players
Crafting weapons and armor that revolve around Runic Attacks involves understanding synergy. Don’t just chase high numbers. Prioritize balance across cooldown, Runic, and Vitality stats. Equipping relics that reset cooldown timers, enhance elemental output, or grant healing on Rune use make every attack more valuable.
Recommended crafting paths:
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Surtr’s Set: Cooldown-centric, ideal for Runic spam
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Lunda’s Armor: Applies poison status, enhancing rune damage
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Steinbjorn Set: Heavy defense with huge Vitality boosts for safe casting
Pair those sets with enchantments that increase Runic effects during stun, stagger, or after relic use.
Why Fully Upgraded Runic Attacks Matter in Story and Challenge Modes
The deeper you go into Ragnarok, the more challenging and cinematic the combat becomes. Facing Thor, Gna, and the Berserker King without fully upgraded Runic Attacks creates unnecessary difficulty. Bosses have more health, shield recovery, and elemental resistance. Unleashing max-level runes shortens fights, minimizes damage taken, and keeps battles cinematic and satisfying.
Late-game fights also reward style. Well-timed Runics during Garm’s phases or combo-chaining during Thor’s boss animations enhance the visual and emotional impact of these encounters. No one wants to enter a final battle underpowered.
Closing Reflections on Mastering Runic Combat
Learning how to upgrade Runic Attacks God of War Ragnarok transforms combat from a reactive survival mode into a proactive power fantasy. Through practice, smart upgrades, and tactical planning, players can control every battlefield with confidence.
Maxed-out Runic builds empower players to:
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Clear mobs faster
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Break boss armor and interrupts
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Chain relics, rage, and cooldowns
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Push New Game Plus with elite loadouts
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Dominate Muspelheim and Berserker gravestones
By focusing on stat synergy, realm exploration, and smart timing, you can unlock the full depth of Kratos’ combat system. Don’t settle for button-mashing. Upgrade intentionally. Strike with purpose.
Want to Know Who Plays Kratos in the TV Show?
While upgrading your runes and slicing through Berserker bosses, fans often wonder who will portray the iconic Ghost of Sparta in the upcoming series. For casting news, exclusive updates, and insights into the adaptation, check out this detailed coverage of who’s playing Kratos in the God of War show.
Conclusion: How to Upgrade Runic Attacks God of War Ragnarok for Maximum Impact
Upgrading Runic Attacks isn’t just a feature—it’s a strategy. Every element, from stat management to gear selection, contributes to how effectively your runes perform. For those pursuing mastery in God of War Ragnarok, understanding when and how to use upgraded Runic Attacks separates casual players from seasoned warriors.
Invest in Cooldown and Runic gear. Equip the best relics. Rotate through attacks like Skadi’s Edge and Meteoric Slam. Push deeper into Muspelheim and conquer the hardest bosses with precision timing and explosive finishers.
God of War Ragnarok rewards those who experiment, upgrade consistently, and pay attention to synergy. With fully upgraded Runic Attacks, Kratos doesn’t just fight—he dominates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is vitality important in God of War Ragnarök?
Vitality reduces stagger from enemy hits and increases Kratos’ survivability. It’s especially useful when casting Runic Attacks mid-combat.
Q: Is God of War Ragnarök difficult?
Yes, higher difficulty levels demand mastery of dodging, parrying, and timing Runic Attacks properly. Upgrading runes and gear becomes essential.
Q: What are the best runic attacks in God of War?
Skadi’s Edge, Tartarus Rage, Wrath of the Frost Ancient, and Meteoric Slam rank among the most effective for crowd control and burst damage.
Q: Does God of War Ragnarok have multiple endings?
No, but there’s a meaningful post-credit scene. The main narrative ends consistently, though side quests expand emotional closure.
Q: How to get Zeus armor in God of War Ragnarok?
Complete all Berserker Gravestone bosses in New Game Plus. The Zeus armor offers high risk and high Runic damage output.
Q: Does God of War Ragnarok have DLC?
There’s no major story DLC. However, Valhalla was released as a free roguelike expansion with unique combat trials and lore.
Q: How to do Runic Summon God of War Ragnarök?
Press Square to command Atreus or Freya to use their Runic Summon once the cooldown is full. Timing matters for maximum effectiveness.
Q: How to activate relic God of War Ragnarök?
Hold L1 + Circle to activate the equipped relic. Relics offer buffs, stuns, or cooldown resets, depending on your loadout.
Q: How to use Skadi’s Edge?
Activate Skadi’s Edge with L1 + R1. This Light Runic Attack spins the axe for multi-hit frost damage—ideal for tight fights.
Q: How does Runic work in God of War Ragnarök?
The Runic stat boosts the damage of Light and Heavy Runic Attacks. Combine with Cooldown stats for frequent, high-impact moves.
Q: What’s the best relic to use in God of War Ragnarok?
Hilt of Hofud is excellent for cooldown resets. Hilt of Tyrfing boosts status effects, and Hilt of Skofnung offers raw power.
Q: How to use Runic Attacks God of War Ragnarok keyboard?
Remap the L1 key to something convenient, then press it with R1 or R2 to trigger Light or Heavy Runic Attacks on PC.
Q: How to activate the broken relic?
Craft Hilt of Skofnung by defeating the Berserker King and combining the fragments from other Berserker Gravestones.
Q: How to get Skaði’s Edge in Ragnarok?
Find it early in The Word of Fate quest or by exploring Midgard. It’s usually in a Legendary Chest along the main story path.
Q: How to get Hel’s Touch in Ragnarok?
Hel’s Touch can be found in a Legendary Chest during early story progression. It delivers fast stun and knockback—great for groups.
Q: What is Freya’s best Runic Summon?
Seidr Exhale and Bifrost Arc are powerful. They deliver ranged stun, elemental damage, and cover wide areas—ideal for big fights.
Q: What is the best armor in God of War Ragnarök?
Surtr’s Scorched Set, Berserker Armor, and Steinbjorn Set are top-tier depending on your focus—Runic, cooldown, or survivability.
Q: How do I effectively use Runic Attacks?
Trigger Runics after parrying or when enemies are stunned. Rotate between Light and Heavy with cooldown relics for constant pressure.
Q: What is the best bow ability for Atreus?
Sonic Explosion and Icarus Storm deal great damage and stun. Pair these with Runic Summons to stagger tougher foes.
