Summary
- Runic Attacks in God of War Ragnarok can be powerful, but balancing is crucial for success.
- Players should avoid Runic Attacks with lengthy cooldowns or complex mechanics to optimize combat efficiency.
- Upgrades may not always improve Runic Attacks, necessitating careful selection for gameplay effectiveness.
The Runic Attacks in God of War Ragnarok are explosive and satisfying to pull off in combat. Just like its predecessor, these attacks are spread out across the game, and it takes a while for players to fill out the Light and Heavy Runic Attack slots for each of the three weapons present in the game. However, this wait is made worthwhile when Kratos can get out of a pinch by unleashing a powerful Runic Attack that can flatten foes in no time.
However, while it may seem like all Runic Attacks are a blast to use in God of War Ragnarok, players who are well-versed in the game and how it works may feel otherwise. Sure, some of these abilities may seem extremely powerful, but the balancing of this game means that there's more to these Runic Attacks than what meets the eye. Lengthy attack animations and Cooldowns are a strict no-no, especially in the endgame, where bosses are so hard-hitting and tough to stagger that a Runic Attack loadout needs to be perfect. This makes it important to ignore certain Runic Attacks that will inadvertently gimp a player's build instead of helping them out.
5 Skadi's Edge
Light Runic Attack For The Leviathan Axe
- A ranged Leviathan Axe attack that tracks enemies for repeated hits but isn't all that interesting compared to other Runic Attacks
The Light Runic Attacks for the Leviathan Axe are pretty interesting for the most part, but some moves are better off avoided. One such attack is Skadi's Edge, a Runic Attack that looks rather nifty at first glance but has some issues that stop it from being all that effective. This Runic Attack is better used against a group of enemies as opposed to a single powerful one, making it better for easier mobs that can be taken out via other means.
Compared to the other Light Runic Attacks for the Leviathan Axe, Skadi's Edge doesn't feel as epic and can disrupt the flow of combat for many. It may be a decent Runic Attack for players who want a breather, but anyone using this move will inevitably replace it with something else for the rest of the game.
4 Wrath Of The Frost Ancient
Light Runic Attack For The Leviathan Axe
- Shoots an ice beam that leaves Kratos vulnerable if enemies close the distance
There are many positives to Wrath of the Frost Ancient, a ranged attack that shoots a beam of frost from the Leviathan Axe. This may seem like a powerful attack (and in many ways, it is), but some issues become harder to ignore as players start using this Light Runic Attack more frequently in combat.
The biggest problem with this move is that it locks Kratos in place as he shoots a narrow beam that is realistically suited for a few weak enemies. In a huge group, other enemies can easily swarm Kratos and take potshots at him while he depletes the life of a solitary enemy. This problem is made even worse in boss fights, where an enemy can't be staggered indefinitely and will eventually power through this move to deplete a major chunk of Kratos' health bar. This problem is arguably worsened with upgrades, since the beam lasts for longer and leads to Kratos being vulnerable for a longer duration.
3 Breath Of Thamur
Heavy Runic Attack For The Leviathan Axe
- A powerful AoE that suffers from an extremely high Cooldown timer
Various metrics need to be taken into account when using Runic Attacks. Damage, elemental effects, and stun are certainly important, but another metric that needs to be taken into account is Cooldown. Some of the hardest-hitting Runic Attacks in the game are balanced with lengthy cooldown timers that can make these moves unreliable in a fight, and a great example of the same is Breath of Thamur.
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At a glance, this Heavy Runic Attack looks incredible, with Kratos raising his Axe in the air to unleash a powerful AoE storm. However, by the time players gain access to this powerful move, they'll be at a point in the game where maximizing damage against a single opponent is more important than taking out a mob of enemies. In this regard, Breath of Thamur can be disappointing, especially with this Runic Attack sporting one of the lengthiest cooldown timers in God of War Ragnarok. Upgrading this attack doesn't improve this Cooldown, which can be a pain for players to manage.
2 Helios Flare
Light Runic Attack For The Blades Of Chaos
- A ranged fireball that pales in comparison to other Runic Attacks
The vast majority of ranged Runic Attacks in the game aren't a lot of fun to play around with, and Helios Flare is no exception here. Launching a fireball at enemies from a distance is a decent way to inflict them with Burn, but this attack feels rather tame compared to the other Light Runic Attacks that players can use to augment the Blades of Chaos.
Missing this attack is frustrating, and upgrading Helios Flare is also a double-edged sword. While the potency of this fireball is enhanced considerably, players must charge this attack for a while. Any enemy that closes the distance in this time can punich Kratos for an ill-timed use of this move, which can often happen because of how frenetic the combat can get in God of War Ragnarok at times.
1 Mountain Splitter
Light Runic Attack For The Draupnir Spear
- Requires timed button presses to unleash gusts of wind at enemies, which can get frustrating
While God of War Ragnarok does a great job of avoiding button-mashy combat with a litany of diverse abilities, it can still be a tall order for players to measure their button presses during high-pressure combat scenarios. This turns Mountain Splitter from a promising Light Runic Attack into a frustrating one that players will fail to utilize properly time and time again.
It takes a lot of practice to master the timed button presses required for this move, letting Kratos unleash numerous gusts of wind to attack enemies from a distance. It may be a clever way to balance this Runic Attack, but failing to maximize the damage of this Runic Attack time and time again can become so unsatisfying after a point that most players are better off using another Runic Attack that isn't so complicated to pull off in battle. People who dislike the precision required in this move will find the upgrades to be a waste, since they just enhance the number of wind slices that can be unleashed, and that's only if players press the attack button in time with Kratos' swings.
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
