Beginner's Guide to God of War: Ragnarok

New to God of War? Learn combat basics, weapon mechanics, parrying, companions, and realm exploration tips.

Combat Basics

1Light attacks (R1) are fast and build combo momentum, while heavy attacks (R2) deal more damage but are slower.
2Combine light and heavy attacks in sequences to discover powerful combo chains for each weapon.
3Stagger meters appear on tougher enemies -- fill them with varied attacks to open a devastating stun grab.
4Elemental damage (Frost from Axe, Fire from Blades) builds up on enemies, eventually causing status effects.
5Switch between weapons mid-combo to maintain pressure and exploit enemy weaknesses to different elements.

1The Leviathan Axe can be thrown and recalled at will -- use throws to freeze enemies and solve environmental puzzles.
2A recalled axe deals damage on its return path, hitting enemies behind you or on the way back.
3While the axe is thrown, Kratos fights with bare fists -- fist attacks deal high stun damage for grab opportunities.
4Aim axe throws at enemy weak points (glowing areas) for critical damage and instant staggers.
5Freeze enemies with axe throws to temporarily remove them from combat while you focus on other threats.

1Block with L1 to reduce damage from most attacks. A well-timed block just before impact triggers a parry.
2Parries stagger enemies and open them up for counterattacks -- practice timing on weaker enemies first.
3Yellow ring attacks can be blocked but not parried. Red ring attacks are unblockable -- dodge these immediately.
4Double-tap X to perform a dodge roll for maximum invincibility frames against wide area attacks.
5Different shield types change parry windows: Dauntless Shield rewards precise timing, Stone Wall rewards blocking.

1Press Square to command your companion to shoot arrows at targeted enemies -- this interrupts enemy attacks.
2Companions fight autonomously but directing their attacks at specific targets maximizes their effectiveness.
3Atreus specializes in crowd control with light and shock arrows, while Freya uses Vanir magic for area effects.
4Companion abilities charge over time and can be activated for powerful special attacks during combat.
5Companions cannot die in combat -- they will be temporarily downed but recover on their own after a few seconds.

1Mystic Gateways serve as fast travel points between realms and locations -- unlock them as you explore.
2Many areas have blocked paths that require abilities or weapons you gain later -- mark them mentally and return.
3Nornir Chests, Legendary Chests, and Lore Markers are scattered everywhere -- explore thoroughly for upgrades.
4Use Odin Ravens (glowing green birds) as collectible markers -- destroying them unlocks rewards at the Raven Tree.
5Side quests (Favours) provide valuable gear, XP, and story content -- complete them between main story missions.