God of War Ragnarok has immense build-crafting potential with Kratos taking charge of the Aesir gods. With so many enchantments, pommels, skills, and other assortments of goodies to grow fat in strength, Kratos has the potential to be better than the man he was when he laid waste to the Greek pantheon, and perhaps the best Kratos builds in God of War Ragnarok will bring back the essence of the Ghost of Sparta.
Related
God Of War Ragnarok: Best Atreus Builds
Atreus might not be as strong and rage-bound as his father, Kratos, in God of War Ragnarok, but with the right build, he can stand up to the Aesir.
As Kratos battles through the myriad of enemies in the Nine Realms, it’s essential that players have a selection of builds to choose from. Kratos can earn different bonuses from his weapons, armor, and enchantments, so it’s best to look here for a set of overpowered builds in God of War Ragnarok that will make New Game Plus a walk in the park.
Updated on January 7, 2025, by Jake Fillery: The best God of War Ragnarok build will help players across the late game and endgame content available to them, no matter the difficulty that they seek. Whether they want to laugh at the face of death itself with overpowered builds in God of War Ragnarok or experience the fun that can be had with experimentation from varied possibilities, these unique builds are here to help all players make the hardest boss fights look like a walk in the park.
4
God of Luck
Provide Kratos with High Luck for Infinite Relic Spam
Relics are extremely useful to use in God of War Ragnarok, and the correct Relic can truly compliment the damage output of Kratos against the meanest foes in all of the Nine Realms. Something that greatly benefits Relics and their rather large recharge time is Luck, an attribute that players can invest heavily into with the right sets to maximize the reduction in cooldown so that they can get their Relic back and spam it for easy and high damage without having to wait minutes on end to do it all again. If done correctly, players will have so much Luck added to their total stats, that paired with their vicious attacks from the Blades of Chaos, they should be able to spam their Relic in seconds. For extra damage, the best Relic is the Hilt of Skofnung.
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Item Type |
Item Name |
Description |
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Chest Armor |
Giptumadr’s Breastplate |
Moderate LUCK chance when using a Runic Attack or Relic to immediately restore 70% of its Cooldown. |
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Wrist Armor |
Berserker Gauntlets |
Low LUCK chance for successful hits to cause a Soul Explosion, dealing damage and restoring some Cooldown of the Relic. |
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Waist Armor |
Waist Guard of Guiding Light |
Melee Attacks have a LUCK chance to critically strike, creating a Damaging Explosion |
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Axe Attachment |
Grip of the Nine Realms |
Activating Glacial Permafrost (L1+Triangle while Permafrost is full)) triggers a Realm Shift. |
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Blades Attachment |
Cursed Empress Handles |
Low LUCK chance on any Blades hit to grant an increase of STRENGTH and RUNIC. (Stacks up to 3 times.) |
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Hind of Weightless Recovery |
When the Maelstrom skill gauge is fully charged, successful Spear attacks have a Moderate LUCK chance to grant a Blessing of COOLDOWN. |
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Shield |
Shield Check: Double Tap L1 to Shield Rush forward into an enemy while Blocking incoming attacks. Use from a greater distance to Launch enemies on impact. |
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Shield Attachment |
Rond of the Nine Realms |
Low LUCK chance to trigger a Realm Shift, temporarily slowing down the surrounding enemies, when parrying. |
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Spartan Rage |
Valor |
Press L3+R3 to consume a chunk of Spartan Rage and gain a moderate burst of Health. Time it right before being hit to negate the incoming attack, gain an additional burst of healing, and grant a Melee Attack bonus. |
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Relic |
Hilt of Skofnung |
The sword unleashes its power from the souls within… (Cooldown 272 seconds) |
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Enchantment |
Vanaheim’s Virtue |
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Enchantment |
Vanaheim’s Honor |
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Enchantment |
Vanaheim’s Fortune |
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Set Bonus |
Vanaheim Set Bonus |
Increases Kratos’ Melee damage against Status-Afflicted enemies based on LUCK. |
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Enchantment |
Sigil of Doom |
Axe and Blades Melee Attacks against Hexed enemies have a High LUCK chance to trigger bonus Sigil Elemental Explosions. |
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Enchantment |
Runic Storm |
Using Runic Attacks of three different weapons in quick succession grants a buff of increased Stagger Resistance and creates a Storm of Bifrost. |
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Enchantment |
Asgard’s Justice |
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Enchantment |
Muspelheim’s Essence |
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Enchantment |
Alfheim’s Virtue |
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Enchantment |
Svartalfheim’s Fortitude |
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Blades Skills |
Furious Immolation |
While Immolation is full, press L1+Triangle to activate. Enhances all Blades of Chaos Melee Attacks with Burning explosions that build additional Rage for a duration. |
|
Axe Skills |
Glacial Permafrost |
While Permafrostis full, press L1+Triangle to activate. Enhances all Leviathan Axe Melee Attacks with far-reaching waves of Frost for a duration. |
3
God of Death
Deal Maximum Damage
While Kratos doesn’t want to be a monster, he can embrace the Ghost of Sparta for the sake of his child and to keep him safe from the violent and deranged Aesir gods that seek his end. Providing players with the God of Death build, the combination of items and enchantments will easily have players melt bosses and minor enemies with ease thanks to the triggering of Realm Shifts to slow time. With so many Realm Shfits and so many damage buffs, players will melt bosses. Still, there’s also a risky element due to the Soulless Warrior debuff which will see Kratos take extra damage for 17 seconds upon Relic use. Still, with so many Realm Shifts, they will rarely feel threatened, but this all-offense and no-defense build is going to demolish enemies in the right hands.
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Item Type |
Item Name |
Description |
|
Chest Armor |
Berserker Cuirass |
Using a Relic massively increases the damage of Kratos’ Melee Attacks, but also the damage received, for a duration. |
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Wrist Armor |
Berserker Gauntlets |
Low LUCK chance for successful hits to cause a Soul Explosion, dealing damage and restoring some Cooldown of the Relic. |
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Waist Armor |
Berserker Waist Guard |
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. |
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Axe Attachment |
Grip of the Nine Realms |
Activating Glacial Permafrost (L1+Triangle while Permafrost is full)) triggers a Realm Shift. |
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Blades Attachment |
Pommels of the Nine Realms |
Activating Furious Immolation (L1+Triangle while Permafrost is full)) triggers a Realm Shift. |
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Shield |
Guardian Shield |
Shield Check: Double Tap L1 to quickly Shield Check an enemy and break their guard. Parry: (Press L1 right before getting hit) to deal Stun to the attacker and empower your next Shield Bash. Time the Parry perfectly to significantly improve this effect. |
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Shield Attachment |
Rond of the Nine Realms |
Low LUCK chance to trigger a Realm Shift, temporarily slowing down the surrounding enemies, when parrying. |
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Spartan Rage |
Valor |
Press L3+R3 to consume a chunk of Spartan Rage and gain a moderate burst of Health. Time it right before being hit to negate the incoming attack, gain an additional burst of healing, and grant a Melee Attack bonus. |
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Relic |
Talisman of Meign |
Grants a bonus to Melee damage for a short duration. |
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Enchantment |
Niflheim’s Fortune |
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Enchantment |
Niflheim’s Force |
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Enchantment |
Niflheim’s Security |
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Set Bonus |
Niflheim Set Bonus |
Increases Kratos’ Melee damage when is above 75% Health based on his DEFENCE. |
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Enchantment |
Alfheim’s Virtue |
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Enchantment |
Alfheim’s Justice |
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Enchantment |
Alfheim’s Honour |
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Set Bonus |
Alfheim Set Bonus |
Last-second dodges empower Kratos’ next attack based on his strength. |
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Enchantment |
Emblem of the Nine Realms |
Increases Melee damage during Realm Shifts. |
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Enchantment |
Boon of Valour |
Spartan Rage – Valour heals less, but provides a powerful buff on STRENGTH and Lifesteal for a duration. |
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Enchantment |
Emblem of Elusion |
Gain a burst of speed and travel an increased distance when evading. |
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Blades Skills |
Furious Immolation |
While Immolation is full, press L1+Triangle to activate. Enhances all Blades of Chaos Melee Attacks with Burning explosions that build additional Rage for a duration. |
|
Axe Skills |
Glacial Permafrost |
While Permafrostis full, press L1+Triangle to activate. Enhances all Leviathan Axe Melee Attacks with far-reaching waves of Frost for a duration. |
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God Of War Ragnarok: 8 Side Quests You Should Not Skip
God of War Ragnarok holds an abundance of riveting side quests that range from emotional story beats to captivating action with Kratos and company.
2
God of Health
Refuse to Die With Maximum Healing
The God of Health build will be perfect for players who struggle to stay alive. God of War Ragnarok can be a difficult experience regardless of difficulty, so combining the right armors, attachments, and enchantments is going to allow players maximum efficiency when they enter into a fight thanks to the durability of Kratos’ health, and the ability to siphon stolen health from enemies with a specific chest armor. The God of Health might require some work done to get all the pieces, but it can be an indestructible build in New Game Plus that can have Kratos never relying on an ally again.
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Item Type |
Item Name |
Description |
|
Chest Armor |
Steinbjorn Plackart |
After significant damage is taken, Kratos’ attacks will restore some lost Health for a time. |
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Wrist Armor |
Surtr’s Scorched Arm |
Kratos takes reduced damage and has increased Stagger Resistance during his basic attacks and shills. (20%) |
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Waist Armor |
Surtr’s Scorched Girdle |
Kratos takes reduced damage and has increased Stagger Resistance during his basic attacks and shills. (20%) |
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Axe Attachment |
Grip of the Fallen Alchemist |
High LUCK chance to grant a Health Burst on any successful hit with the Serpent’s Snare skill. |
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Blades Attachment |
Pommels of the Nine Realms |
Activating Furious Immolation (L1+Triangle while Permafrost is full)) triggers a Realm Shift. |
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Shield |
Double Tap L1 to Shield Slam, Launching enemies when fully charged. Block attacks to absorb the hit and build up charge. Guard-break (yellow ring) attacks can be Blocked when not fully charged. |
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Shield Attachment |
Rond of Restoration |
On taking damage, Kratos has a LUCK chance to gain DEFENCE and for his next Shield Strike hit to restore Health. The chance increases with lower Health. |
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Spartan Rage |
Valor |
Press L3+R3 to consume a chunk of Spartan Rage and gain a moderate burst of Health. Time it right before being hit to negate the incoming attack, gain an additional burst of healing, and grant a Melee Attack bonus. |
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Relic |
Push enemies back with force and grant an aura of protection. |
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Enchantment |
Greater Regenerating Essence |
Adds a greater amount of constant Health regeneration. |
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Enchantment |
Regenerating Essence |
Adds a small amount of constant Health regeneration. |
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Enchantment |
Crest of Desperate Heroics |
When Kratos’ Health drops to a critical level, grants a short invincible barrier, buff to STRENGTH, and Health Burst when complete. |
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Enchantment |
Stone Idol of Souls |
Using Healthstone or Ragestone grants Soulsteal, during which a small amount of Health and Rage is restored when striking enemies. |
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Enchantment |
Eir’s Armament |
Very High LUCK chance to grant a Health Burst on any successful Runic Attack kill. |
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Enchantment |
Celestial Panacea |
25% Resistance to all Status Effects. This includes Frost, Burn, Blind, Daze, Poison, Shock, and Bifrost. |
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Enchantment |
Poison Protector |
Increases resistance to Poison by 50%. |
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Enchantment |
Bright Eyed-Emblem |
Increased resistance to Blind and Dazed by 50%. |
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Enchantment |
Spartan Rage – Valour heals less, but provides a powerful buff on STRENGTH and Lifesteal for a duration. |
|
|
Axe Skills |
Serpent’s Snare |
Hold R2 for a brutal Axe attack that throws the enemy to apply massive damage. Weaker foes are thrown to create an explosion of Frost on impact that Launches other nearby enemies. |
Related
God of War Ragnarok: The Hardest Boss Fights, Ranked By Difficulty
God of War Ragnarok has over 50 bosses to keep players on their toes through Kratos and Atreus’s journey. These are some of the hardest to defeat.
1
God of Combos
Absurdly High Damage From Kratos’ Combos
Kratos has access to the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and the Draupnir Spear, which allows him to provide a flourish to each attack that ends in a devastating combo. Yet, there are ways to extend these combos, much like the classic God of War titles, which will see Kratos deal increased damage and truly annihilate any boss. The God of Combos build is best reserved for players who prefer going all-in on the offense, while still knowing how to dodge, evade, and parry attacks. It’s a punishing build for enemies, as it will see Kratos return to his rageful form.
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Item Type |
Item Name |
Description |
|
Chest Armor |
Berserker Cuirass |
Using a Relic massively increases the damage of Kratos’ Melee Attacks, but also the damage received, for a duration. |
|
Wrist Armor |
Vidar’s Bracers of Might |
Combo Finishers do increased damage (20%) |
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Waist Armor |
Vidar’s Belt of Might |
Combo Finishers do increased damage (20%) |
|
Axe Attachment |
The Furious Maul |
High LUCK chance to grant a Gift of STRENGTH on any Axe kill. |
|
Blades Attachment |
Deadly Obsidian Handles |
Low LUCK chance to grant a Rage Burst on any Blades kill. |
|
Spear Handle |
Mighty Olympic Sauroter |
Detonating thrown Spears (Triangle) has a Moderate LUCK chance to increase STRENGTH and Stagger Resistance. |
|
Shield |
Dauntless Shield |
Shield Bash: Double Tap L1 to Shield Bash for high Stun damage. Parry: (Press L1 right before getting hit) to deal Stun to the attacker and empower your next Shield Bash. Time the Parry perfectly to significantly improve this effect. |
|
Shield Attachment |
Grants a Blessing of COOLDOWN when interrupting double BLUE ring attacks or Parrying. |
|
|
Spartan Rage |
Valor |
Press L3+R3 to consume a chunk of Spartan Rage and gain a moderate burst of Health. Time it right before being hit to negate the incoming attack, gain an additional burst of healing, and grant a Melee Attack bonus. |
|
Relic |
Hilt of Hofud |
Distort space and time by creating a Realm Shift. |
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Enchantment |
Vanaheim’s Fortitude |
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Enchantment |
Vanaheim’s Honour |
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Enchantment |
Vanaheim’s Virtue |
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Set Bonus |
Vanaheim’s Set Bonus |
Increases Kratos’ Melee damage against Status-Afflicted enemies based on his LUCK. |
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Enchantment |
Asgard’s Security |
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Enchantment |
Asgard’s Fortitude |
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Enchantment |
Asgard’s Virtue |
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Set Bonus |
Asgard’s Set Bonus |
Increases the damage of all Kratos’ weapon Triangle attacks and abilities based on his COOLDOWN. |
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Enchantment |
Boon of Valor |
Spartan Rage – Valour heals less, but provides a powerful buff on STRENGTH and Lifesteal for a duration. |
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Enchantment |
Seal of Runic Storm |
Using Runic Attacks of three different weapons in quick succession grants a buff of increased Stagger Resistance and creates a Storm of Bifrost. |
|
Enchantment |
Emblem of the Nine Realms |
Increases Melee damage during Realm Shifts. |
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Blades Skills |
Flame Whiplash 1 |
Mash Triangle to imbue one Blade of Chaos with fire. Fully charge for follow-up attacks to have maximum effect. |
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Blades Skills |
Scorched Earth 1 |
Press R2 during Flame Whiplash to spike the Blade down and create a heavy Burn explosion. If Flame Whiplash is fully charged, trigger a hazard of smaller follow-up explosions. |
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Blades Skills |
Scorched Earth 2 |
Striking an enemy during its attack with Scorched Earth significantly increases the damage dealt. |
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Blades Skills |
Scorched Earth 3 |
The fiery hazard created by a fully charged Scorched Earth has increased damage and size. |
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Blades Skills |
Flame Whiplash 2 |
Flame Whiplash can be instantly charged when Triangle is pressed momentarily after any Blades of Chaos attack. |
