Game Tips

Game Tips Guide for God of War (2018)

Combat Tips

1. Master the Leviathan Axe Throw and Recall
- The Leviathan Axe is not just melee; its thrown attack can stun enemies, hit distant foes, and trigger freeze. Follow up throws with fists or the Blades of Chaos to maximize damage.
- Why it works: The axe throw has homing properties and interrupts enemy attacks. Recalling the axe damages enemies in its path, making it a versatile crowd control tool.
- When to use: Use against fast enemies like Revenants to slow them down, or to break shields. In boss fights, freeze the boss to create openings for heavy combos.

2. Use Atreus as a Strategic Partner
- Atreus fires arrows that stun, distract, or apply elemental effects. Upgrade his bow to unlock Shock Arrows (electric) and Light Arrows (blind).
- Why it works: Arrows interrupt enemy attacks, especially unblockable ones. They also build the stun meter quickly, leading to instant-kill grabs.
- When to use: Constantly mash square during combat. Use Shock Arrows against mechanical enemies and Light Arrows against dark elves or revenants.

3. Parry and Block Wisely
- Kratos can block most attacks (yellow ring indicator) but must dodge unblockable red-ring attacks. Parrying (L1 just before hit) stuns enemies and allows a counter.
- Why it works: Parrying grants a stun window and brief invulnerability. It is safer than evading for slow, telegraphed swings.
- When to use: Practice on Draugr and Wulver. Against bosses, parry specific combos to break their stance and deal massive runic damage.

4. Stun Grabs and Finishers
- Build the stun meter (yellow bar) with bare-handed attacks, Atreus arrows, and certain runic attacks. When full, grab the enemy for a devastating finisher.
- Why it works: Stun grabs instantly kill most non-boss enemies, grant invincibility frames, and often drop health/rage orbs.
- When to use: Prioritize stunning heavy enemies like Ogres or Trolls to bypass their large health pools.

Exploration & Navigation

1. Open Every Chest and Break Every Pot
- Resources like Hacksilver, Healthstones, and Rage Orbs are hidden everywhere. Even seemingly empty chests may contain rare materials.
- Why it works: Early game scarcity makes every resource valuable. Hidden chambers often hold Idunn Apples (health) or Horns of Blood Mead (rage).
- When to use: Always smash pots and open chests as you explore. Use the map to check area completion percentages.

2. Use the Boat to Reach Hidden Areas
- The Lake of Nine is a hub with many side paths. Row to every shoreline and dock, even if it seems empty. Many lead to treasure, lore, or optional bosses.
- Why it works: Lowering the water level (via main story) reveals new layers with high-level loot. Revisit after each water drop.
- When to use: After each major story beat, circumnavigate the lake and explore newly accessible areas.

3. Look for Cracked Walls and Odin's Ravens
- Cracked walls can be destroyed with a Leviathan Axe throw, revealing hidden rooms. Odin's Ravens are collectibles that reward legendary chests when enough are found.
- Why it works: Hidden rooms contain upgrade materials and lore. Ravens unlock powerful enchantments.
- When to use: Keep an eye out for shimmering cracks (usually on walls near chests) and glowing ravens perched high or moving in circles.

Resource Management & Economy

1. Prioritize Upgrading Your Axe and Armor First
- The Leviathan Axe is your primary weapon; upgrade it to unlock new skills and damage. Armor provides defense and perks.
- Why it works: Higher damage reduces time-to-kill, and better armor prevents one-shots. Perks like "Protective Barrier" can save you in tough fights.
- When to use: Spend Hacksilver and materials at the Huldra Brothers' shop after acquiring them. Focus on one weapon and one armor set early.

2. Farm Hacksilver by Selling Excess Resources
- Duplicate resources or lower-tier materials can be sold for Hacksilver. Unwanted enchantments and talismans can also be sold.
- Why it works: Hacksilver is needed for most purchases. Selling surplus lets you buy rare materials like Norseman's Iron or Dust of Realms.
- When to use: Only sell items you have a surplus of (e.g., after clearing a mine). Keep at least 10-20 of each crafting material.

3. Invest in Resource-Boosting Talismans and Enchantments
- Some talismans and armor pieces increase Hacksilver drop rate or chance of rare loot. The "Talisman of Cursed Power" boosts runic attacks but also increases resource drops.
- Why it works: These effects compound over long play sessions. For farming, equip them before entering areas with many enemies.
- When to use: Equip before exploring new dungeons or farming runs in Muspelheim.

Builds & Upgrades

1. Armor Sets and Their Synergies
- Early game: "Traveler's Armor" for defense. Mid-game: "Valkyrie Armor" for balanced stats. Late game: "Zeus Armor" for glass cannon damage or "Valkyrie+ Armor" for high runic.
- Why it works: Each set has bonuses (e.g., Ancient Armor boosts runic damage). Choose based on playstyle: defensive for Valkyries, offensive for hordes.
- When to use: Switch armor for different encounters. Use high defense against solo bosses, high runic against groups.

2. Runic Attacks and Their Cooldowns
- Equip runic attacks on both the Axe and Blades of Chaos. Prioritize runic attack damage and cooldown reduction. "Njord's Tempest" and "Hel's Touch" are excellent early choices.
- Why it works: Runic attacks deal massive damage and have invincibility frames. Spamming them can melt bosses.
- When to use: Use at the start of a fight or when enemies are grouped. Rotate between weapons to minimize downtime.

3. Atreus' Armor and Runic Upgrades
- Upgrade Atreus' bow and armor to increase his damage, arrow capacity, and special arrow types. The "Tunic of the Ravens" set boosts his damage significantly.
- Why it works: Atreus can kill weaker enemies on his own and apply stun to bosses. His arrows also trigger elemental effects.
- When to use: Fully upgrade Atreus as soon as possible. Use Shock Arrows against machines, Light Arrows against shades.

Puzzles & Environmental Interaction

1. Read the Runes and Match the Symbols
- Many puzzles require matching runes to gates or chests. Look for rune patterns on nearby cliffs or walls. Use the focus ability to examine.
- Why it works: Runes are often hidden in plain sight. Matching them correctly opens doors or chests with rare loot.
- When to use: Always scan the environment for rune references before brute-forcing. Use the D-pad to mark notes.

2. Freeze Mechanisms with the Axe
- The Leviathan Axe can freeze waterfalls or gears, allowing you to climb or cross. After freezing a gear, quickly run to the other side.
- Why it works: Freezing extends the window for traversal. You can also freeze enemies in place during combat.
- When to use: For moving platforms or timed puzzles. Use the axe throw to freeze distant mechanisms.

3. Burn Hel-Brambles with the Blades of Chaos
- Red vines called Hel-Brambles block paths. They can only be removed with the Blades of Chaos (obtained mid-game).
- Why it works: Clearing brambles reveals hidden areas and shortcuts. Some contain legendary chests with Idunn Apples.
- When to use: After getting the Blades, revisit earlier areas to clear brambles you couldn't before.

Boss & Enemy Strategies

1. Learn Enemy Attack Patterns
- Each enemy has distinct attacks with audio and visual tells. Learn dodge timings and parry windows.
- Why it works: Predictability allows you to avoid damage and counterattack. For example, Trolls swing slowly but have wide arcs; dodge to the side.
- When to use: Study patterns in the first encounter. Use Spartan Rage as a panic button, not a damage tool.

2. Use the Environment
- Many arenas have explosive pots, hanging objects, or ledges you can throw enemies off. Use them to deal extra damage or instant kill.
- Why it works: Environmental kills save time and resources. For example, throwing a Draugr into lava instantly kills it.
- When to use: Always be aware of your surroundings. Grapple smaller enemies and toss them into hazards.

3. Spartan Rage: Use Judiciously
- Spartan Rage makes you invincible, heals you, and deals massive damage. Save it for desperate moments or boss phases.
- Why it works: The healing is crucial in prolonged fights. The damage can break enemy stun meters quickly.
- When to use: Activate when health is low or when the boss is about to use a devastating attack. It also recharges over time with hits.

Advanced Techniques & Optimizations

1. Cancel Animations with the Arrow
- Firing an arrow from Atreus can cancel some of Kratos' recovery animations, allowing for faster combos.
- Why it works: Shaves off frames from heavy attacks. Great for speed kills.
- When to use: After a heavy attack, tap square to cancel and then continue comboing.

2. Rune-Gem Stacking
- Enchantments that boost the same stat (e.g., Runic) stack multiplicatively. Equip three "Perfect Rune of the Ancient" for massive damage.
- Why it works: Stacking allows you to exceed normal damage caps. Builds become one-shot capable.
- When to use: For power-farming Muspelheim trials or Valkyrie fights.

3. Utilize the "Frost Awaken" Stance
- After a successful axe throw recall, press R2 for a powerful frost-enhanced heavy attack. The axe has different stances based on movement.
- Why it works: The frost attack inflicts freeze quickly and deals high damage. It's a guaranteed stagger on most enemies.
- When to use: After recalling the axe from a throw, instantly use heavy attack.

General Tips

1. Read the Lore and Codex Entries
- The game's lore provides backstory, hints for puzzles, and context for bosses. Atreus also learns new abilities from lore.
- Why it works: Some puzzles require lore knowledge. Also, reading increases your understanding of the world.
- When to use: Whenever you find a lore marker.

2. Check the Map for Hidden Collectibles
- The map shows regions and their completion percentages. It also marks the locations of all collectibles once you purchase maps from the dwarf shop.
- Why it works: Saves time and ensures you don't miss Idunn Apples or other upgrades.
- When to use: After clearing a region, check map for missing collectibles before moving on.

3. Adjust Difficulty to Your Skill
- "Give Me a Challenge" is the default normal mode. If you struggle, lower it. The game is meant to be enjoyed.
- Why it works: Higher difficulties change enemy aggression and damage. Adjust to match your playstyle.
- When to use: At the start, or switch mid-game if frustrated.