It’s no surprise that a title like God of War: Ragnarok would have some incredibly challenging, engaging, and entertaining boss fights. God of War: Ragnarok’s best boss fights are many, with over 50 boss fights to keep Kratos and Atreus well on their way to victory as they fight against fate and the Aesir gods that seek to stop impending doom.
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The best God of War: Ragnarok boss fights are those that challenge the player, and provide an engaging and difficult experience. Some of these boss fights in God of War: Ragnarok may be extremely difficult, but they are innately rewarding and part of the intense charm that the game has to offer.
Potential spoilers ahead for God of War Ragnarok
Updated September 21, 2024, by Jake Fillery: God of War Ragnarok welcomes new challengers to its arena with PC joining PS4 and PS5 as platforms that the game can be purchased. As such, it’s a good time to look at some of the hardest boss fights in God of War Ragnarok and its DLC, God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla. Considering Ragnarok indulges the end of the Norse mythology for Kratos, it’s no surprise that some of the best boss fights in God of War Ragnarok are also some of the hardest and most challenging, regardless of difficulty and skill.
19
Gryla
Angrboda’s Grandmother Who Has Lost Her Way
- Encountered in: The Lost Sanctuary
Gryla is the first boss that Atreus must fight without his father’s help, and as such, it can be a pretty challenging battle. Without the brawn and brutality of Kratos, Atreus has to rely on his wits and his bow in order to get the job done. Gryla isn’t the hardest boss in the game, but without the training wheels, she can be pretty punishing considering Atreus only has a bow and not a Leviathan Axe to stab and slash with.
Grya is best fought with ranged attacks and by utilizing the runic mechanics, so it’s not the longest or the hardest boss fight, but there is some level of challenge within its gimmicks. The true difficulty lies in not playing as Kratos and instead resorting to ranged combat.
18
Vanadis
A Highly Aggressive Valkyrie Who’s Hatred to Kratos is Second to None
- Encountered in: The Lost Sanctuary
For a Valkyrie, Vanadis is a fairly easy challenge. Whilst all Valkyrie boss fights in God of War provide players with the hardest challenge, putting every single skill they have to use, fighting Vanadis is essential to the story, and one that doesn’t require too much difficulty. However, that doesn’t mean players should underestimate Vanadis’ abilities. After all, this is a disguise for the vengeful and mourning Freya.
Vanadis has quick attacks, making her agile and vicious. In order to best Vanadis, players should keep as close as possible, fulfilling their violent attacks with their weapons, rather than Atreus’ bow. Vanadis can be brutal at long-range, so it’s best to keep the pressure on.
17
The Corpse Eater
A Ferocious Dragon That Utilises Flame, Claws, and Flight
- Encountered in: The Jungle, Vanaheim, in Trail of the Dead
Dragons are rather scarce in God of War: Ragnarok, but when they do appear, they are not exactly the easiest of foes to battle. The Corpse Eater is one such dragon that hunts in Vanahiem. Not only is this dragon difficult for its size and aggression, but even getting to the boss can be fairly difficult for those who struggle with puzzles.
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The Corpse Eater in God of War: Ragnarok requires players to mess with the time of day, and water levels, and to backtrack to kill a guarding troll. Then, the boss fights itself and sees the Corpse Eater deal with multiple and almost random attacks, with a strong health bar.
16
Thor (Round Two)
A Final Clash Between Gods, Where Kratos’ Skills are Better Than Ever
- Encountered in: The Realms at War
Fighting Thor for the second and final time is actually easier than the first, considering that Kratos has his full equipment with him this time. The first fight mainly had just fists and the Leviathan Axe, but now that players are in the endgame, they can bring along the upgraded variants of all of their weapons to truly make Thor feel the wrath of a god of war.
It’s still a fun fight, but it’s certainly not the hardest, and a clash of the Leviathan Axe, Draupnir Spear, and Blades of Chaos are extremely brutal against Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. It’s an epic fight to conclude their short rivalry, but not one that will have players dying again and again.
15
Skjorthendi the Unerring
A Teleporting Berserker who Relishes in Bifrost
- Encountered in: the Mist Fields, Niflheim
Considering all of Kratos’s attacks involve some form of contact with an enemy, hitting Skjorthendi isn’t going to be easy, since this boss is contagious with Bifrost. If Skjorthendi gets to close and teleports near the player, Kratos will have to deal with ailments of Bifrost, and that’s only going to further enrage the god of war and the players who are controlling him.
Outside of this difficult mechanic, the Bersker often knows how to pull the rug from under Kratos’s feet with fast attacks and quick teleports to try and provide a surprise attack that will brutalize the god of war. It’s a decent fight against one of the strongest Berserkers.
14
Garm
An Immortal and Soulless Helhound Who Uses Realm Tears
Garm’s nature is to destroy, and when met with the fury of Kratos, the two are in for a fierce battle indeed. However, what could be more destructive, and unkillable, as one without a soul? Garm is a difficult boss fight for the player, with fun and recognizable pattern attacks that will need to be evaded or countered. This giant monstrous wolf that wreaks havoc in the nine realms is plenty dangerous in God of War: Ragnarok.
What makes the Garm boss fight great is that Garm will continuously come back to life and regenerate health, because there is no soul in Garm to destroy. Therefore, players will need to utilize their arsenal, and Atreus’ compassion to put this boss down once and for all.
13
The Hateful
A Fire Draugr Who Grows Stronger Through Each of Their 6 Fights
- Encountered in: Svartalfheim, Alfheim, Vanaheim, Midgard, throughout Born From Fire
The hateful is an optional boss fight, one that reoccurs time and time again. Every time players fight The Hateful, they will become far more dangerous than their previous fight. The Hateful will provide Kratos with a challenge, due to their powerful health increases and violent swipes and attacks. The Hateful should be feared, with their fire quelled by the Leviathan Axe.
The Hateful can be found in many Draugr Holes across God of War Ragnarok, and this special Draugr may not be the ultimate killer of Kratos, but they will certainly be a threat that will require both father and son to take care of this special Draugr threat.
12
Hrist And Mist
Two Valkyries That Will Battle Kratos and Atreus
- Encountered in: The Summoning
As Ragnarok approaches, Odin will do anything to stop it. Kratos and Atreus are faced with one of their hardest challenges, as Odin sends forth two new Valkyries to stop them in the Spark of the World. Valkyries are a great challenge in God of War (2018), and fighting two at once is a greater challenge than before. However, with Atreus on Kratos’ side, this fight will show the union of father and son.
Hrist and Mist can power themselves up and regain lost health together. The sisters may be a challenge to some, but considering Kratos will have his Spartan Rage and his son as a bear, it’s safe to say that this boss fight will regret messing with Kratos and Atreus.
11
The Untamed Fury
A Viscious Hunter Who Kratos Must Hunt Across Three Locations
- Encountered in: The Plains, Vanaheim
Located in The Plains within Vanaheim, The Untamed Fury is a vicious boss fight, one that will see players attempt to hunt the hunter. This Centaur enemy has multiple phases, we can be rather bothersome for some. This boss doesn’t have the usual phases that most boss fights have, but instead, the Untamed Fury will run away, and players will have to search new areas in Vanaheim to continue the fight.
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The Untamed Fury utilizes surprise attacks, kicks, and violent thrusts to try and kill Kratos. If Kratos is to fall to the Untamed Fury, then they are in trouble, as they will have to try and find the boss once again in the sprawling location of The Crater in Vanaheim.
10
The Raven Keeper
Odin’s Faithful Who Uses Innocent Souls to Create Ravens
- Encountered in: Niflheim, The Raven Tree, after destroying 48 Ravens in The Eyes of Odin
The Raven Keeper is not an easy boss to battle. Not only due to the intense fight itself but the journey to reaching the Raven Keeper is equally as hard. Players will need to claim all rewards from the Raven Tree in Niflheim and destroy 48 of Odin’s Ravens to unlock the Raven Keeper boss fight.
The arena for this fight isn’t the largest, and the boss will need to be shot with arrows to make the boss available for Kratos’ attacks with his many weapons. However, when the boss gets weaker, the Raven Keeper will summon a dragon, meaning this is a duo boss fight in one.
9
Thor (Round One)
The God of Thunder Who Throws New Players Into Their First Fight With a God
- Encountered in: Surviving Fimbulwinter
Many games suffer from a slow start, but God of War: Ragnarok is not one of them. The beginning of God of War: Ragnarok is intense, and within an hour, players are battling Thor across the skies of Midgard and crashing into statues like they are nothing. The first fight against Thor sees the god of thunder and the ghost of Sparta face off in true fierce fashion.
What makes this fight difficult is the fact that players might not be familiar with the combat yet, and will see themselves thrown around and hit by Thor. Their shield also breaks during the fight, and Thor relentlessly belittles Kratos as inferior, all whilst regaining health in each fight.
8
Nidhogg
A Mythical Lindwyrm Who Uses Realm Tears For Surprise Attacks
- Encountered in: The Reckoning
This giant mythical Lindwyrm lives in the branches of the world tree Yggdrasil and is tasked with protecting its roots. However, when Freya meddles with the roots to try and free herself from Odin’s imprisonment in Midgard, Nidhogg comes forth to protect said roots and battles Kratos and Freya out of duty and nature.
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Nidhogg is huge, and the boss takes up the majority of the arena. Nidhogg’s attacks are fast and random, and Kratos can easily fall to the great foe due to the lack of knowledge regarding blocking, evading, and parrying. It’s an intense and demanding fight and one that sees Freya freed.
7
Heimdall
The God of Foresight Who Predicts Kratos’s Every Move
- Encountered in: Creatures of Prophecy
It’s difficult to fight a man who can see everything that is going to happen. Heimdall can predict every move that Kratos makes, which makes for a challenging fight ahead. Not only with players need to defeat Heimdall’s stead, but the fight against Heimdall himself sees the Aesir god block and dodge every attack effortlessly.
There is only one way to best Heimdall, and that is in blind range and the use of the Draupnir Spear, which Heimdall fails to predict the pattern for. Battling Heimdall is one of aggression and timing, and is a sensational boss fight in God of War: Ragnarok.
6
Haklangr the Bearded
A Brutal Berserker Who’s Hammer Provides Deadly Combos
- Encountered in: The Sinkhole, in the Crater of Vanaheim
The Berserkers are no joke, and Haklangr proves himself as one of the toughest of the bunch. Spawning him will see the Berserker arrive with his oversized hammer in hand, where each war cry will see him change his damage type so that Kratos has to constantly juggle out new weapons between the Blades of Chaos, Leviathan Axe, and Draupnir Spear so that Kratos deals the maximum amount of damage with every rageful strike.
Haklangr is also highly aggressive, and his evasion moves, hammer swings, and brutal smashes make him a fierce opponent that is only aided by his high health pool and necessity to see Kratos fall. This is a boss that only the best and most ready should attempt to mess with.
5
King Hrolf Kraki
The King of the Berserkers Who Will Use Every Tactic to Brutally Destroy Kratos
- Encountered in: Midgard, King’s Grave in Fit for a King
As the leader of the twelve Berserkers, it’s no surprise that King Hrolf Kraki in God of War: Ragnarok would be a challenging battle. The aggression and ferocity of this boss are reminiscent of the Valkyrie fights in God of War (2018), but with an extra punch. Players will need to utilize the best equipment in God of War: Ragnarok, as well as the skills they, have learned to battle King Hrolf Kraki.
It’s a true challenge to fight the Cursed King of the Berserkers, as this will be the strongest of the other foes that players have encountered. His location is in Midgard and locked until all 12 previous Berserkers have been destroyed.
4
Svipdagr the Cold and the Sisters of Illska
Three Berserkers That Outnumber and Overpower Kratos
- Encountered in: Alfheim, The Barrens, in the Fit for a King quest
Replacing the Valkyrie enemies, the Berserkers in God of War Ragnarok are a challenge to marvel at. Whilst they may not fight independently, and have the spirits of the most cunning warriors of Odin’s leading generals in Valhalla, the Berserkers are a threat that players should not underestimate, especially when it comes to the set of three enemies that will fight Kratos and Atreus at once: Svipdagr the Cold and the Sisters of Illska.
To unlock the Berserker Gravestone near The Barrens of Alfheim, players need to bring everything they can to not only try and survive this boss fight but to beat it and come out victorious. Players have to fight two sisters of Illska, as well as Svipdagr, making for three strong enemies at once. The Sisters rely on long-range and furious attacks, whilst Svipdagr will chase the player down with two axes. Killing one before the other sends down a violent rage to make this one of the hardest bosses in God of War Ragnarok.
3
Odin
The King of the Aesir Who Seeks Knowledge No Matter the Death That Follows
- Encountered in: The Realms at War
The final boss in God of War: Ragnarok is none other than the All-Father himself. Odin has been preparing for decades for Ragnarok, and he isn’t about to let a boy, an ex-wife, and the Ghost of Sparta ruin his life for prophecy. Odin will battle the player with everything he has, but the player will battle back even harder, with all they have throughout the course of the game.
There are multiple rounds in the Odin boss fight, where he will utilize different attacks with both magic and his spear. Players will need to stay on their toes to keep themselves aware of this intense boss encounter with Odin in God of War: Ragnarok.
2
Tyr
The Norse God of War That Challenges Kratos’s Inner Peace
- Encountered in: God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla‘s Final Boss
By far one of the most challenging fights that awaits Kratos is in its free DLC epilogue, Valhalla, in which Kratos must fight Tyr, the Aesir god of war who challenges Kratos with a plethora of weapons from different cultures and pantheons, while Kratos also tries to face his own inner turmoil.
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Tyr might be an advocate for pacifism, but he’s the perfect sparring partner as he does not hold back on Kratos, and he proves that with a fist and sword, he is a capable adversary and there’s a reason why he’s the god of war. Throughout each fight with Tyr, he will challenge in new ways and feature unpredictable and brutal attacks that may send Kratos back to the start.
1
Gna, The Valkyrie Queen
A Valkyrie Forever Loyal to Odin
- Encountered in: Muspelheim in the Defend Your Valour quest
As the new Valkyrie Queen since the defeat and freedom of Sigrun, Gna has a lot to prove as a loyalist to Odin. She seethes with utter hatred for Kratos and especially Freya. Gna presents possibly the hardest challenge in God of War: Ragnarok and players will need to bring their a-game to this boss battle, considering it is only unlocked after the main game’s story.
Players will have everything accessible to them for this final fight, and they will need to utilize the different arrow types and abilities of Freya, whilst also ensuring they can correctly time the evades, blocks, and parries of the quick and fearsome Gna, the Valkyrie Queen in God of War: Ragnarok.
