GOW Ragnarok: 10 Best Builds [Expert’s Take]

The Best Builds in God Of War Ragnarok, on the surface, might seem limited in options for players, but once you dive deep enough into acquiring every equipment piece, that is when the creative RPG aspect truly shines. While players can certainly control Atreus during several sections of the game, Kratos will always be the main star of the show, and quite a few builds can give you the edge in combat or during intense boss fights.

God Of War Ragnarok Best Builds

Before I begin, let’s have a look at each God Of War Ragnarok build in comparison to each other:

10. Pure Strength Build

This build is all about unleashing raw strength to hack and slash through foes, reminiscent of the old God of War games. The main objective is to maximize the Strength stat, exceeding 500+ or more.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

The following weapon attachments substantially boost your strength stat, which will help you cross the 600 value threshold easily at the highest upgrade tiers.

• Vidar’s Pauldron of Might: Combo finishers have a high luck chance to increase Kratos’ strength and stagger resistance for a duration.
• Vidar’s Bracers and Waist of Might: Both pieces only increase Strength stat parameters.
• Stonecutter’s Knob: Adds a concussive wave at the end of the R1 button Axe combo.
• Deadly Obsidian Handle: Low luck chance to grant a Rage burst on any blades of Chaos kill.
• Hind of the Four Winds: Adds a concussive wave at the end of the R2 button Spear combo.
• Any shield of your choice: Rond of Purification (When Kratos is afflicted with Frost, Burn, Poison, or Bifrost, Shield Strike hits will cleanse the status and deal that element’s damage to enemies.)
• Spartan Rage: Fury

Relic

As stated previously, the Hilt of Hofud can work great here as you will constantly be dishing out melee attacks on your enemies in a quick fashion. It doesn’t hurt to activate the relic to create a realm shift and squeeze in a moment of intense DPS on enemies or bosses. You can obtain the relic after defeating the main story boss of Chapter 13 in the Creatures of Prophecy quest.

Amulet Enchantments

It is worth stating beforehand that the enchantments listed here are equipped only for the sole purpose of boosting the strength stat, so feel free to check which one you have to increase the parameters:

• Niflheim’s Justice
• Helheim’s Force
• Muspelheim’s Force
• Alfheim’s Vigor
• Svartalfheim’s Safety
• Vanaheim’s Fortune
• Asgard’s Virtue
• Alfheim’s Fortune
• Alfheim’s Honor

The Alfheim Set bonus will empower Kratos’ next attacks based on his strength stat, which is a great bonus to have if you’re going for this build.

9. Runic Rampage

The “Runic Rampage” build, inspired by Kratos’ powerful Runic Attacks, encourages a relentless onslaught using various weapons like the Draupnir Spear and Leviathan Axe. Specifically, Wrath of The Frost Ancient and Ivaldi’s Anvil is highlighted, but adaptability is key to suit your preferences. The goal is consistent use of Runic attacks as soon as they’re recharged.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

A few weapon attachments here can be swapped out to your preference since most may depend on the situation, whether it’s a crowd-clearing battle or a challenging boss fight.

• Spaulders Of Enlightenment: Frost Awaken and Flame Whiplash hits have a moderate luck chance to provide a blessing of the Runic buff.
• Bracers And Belt Of Enlightenment: Runic Attacks do increased damage against status-afflicted enemies. The effect is increased by 15% from each piece, maxing to 30% for both equipped pieces.
• Runic Hailstone Knob: Moderate luck chance on hitting a frosted enemy to gain a blessing of Runic.
• Radiant Warden Handles: All incoming projectiles will be deflected while charging Flame Whiplash.
• Hind of Attuned: Elements Spear attacks against burning or frosted enemies and deal bonus damage.
• Shatter Star Shield: Rond of Absorption (The permafrost, Immolation, and Maelstorm skill gauges increase when parrying or blocking)
• Spartan Rage: Wrath

Relic

The Glaive of Dodher works great with the build as the Bifrost Chakrams can provide great leverage against a group of enemies. Not to mention, since I will be working on applying status effects to enemies to use the build to its full potential, the Bifrost will be an excellent application to fulfill those criteria.

Amulet Enchantments

• Muspelheim Set: Three of the Muspelheim amulets equipped will increase Kratos’ melee damage when the Permafrost, Immolation, or Maelstorm gauges are fully charged. The increased melee damage will scale off of his total Runic stat.
• Vanaheim Set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage against status-afflicted enemies based on his total Luck stat.
• Sigil of Doom: Axe and Blades of Chaos melee attacks against Hexed enemies have a high luck chance to trigger bonus sigil elemental explosions.
• Attuned Runic Gem: Increases the damage of Runic attacks when the Permafrost, Immolation, or Maelstorm skill gauges are fully charged.
• Memento Of The Ailing: The Permafrost, Immolation, or Maelstorm skills charge up faster when hitting a status-afflicted enemy.

8. Luck Of The Spartan

This build leverages Kratos’ Luck stat, focusing on the Hilt of Skofnung relic obtained from berserkers for rapid Runic and relic cooldown refreshes. While reliant on RNG, the build excels when executed correctly. Central to this setup is Giptumadr’s Breastplate, which has a moderate chance of restoring 70 percent cooldowns when using a relic or Runic attack.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

For a detailed look at each of the attachments and the shield you need to be using, I have listed them below with their perks for your convenience. Feel free to use any Runic attacks for your weapons since they are hardly a concern for this build.

• Giptumadr’s Breastplate: Moderate Luck chance when using a runic attack or relic to restore 70% of its cooldown immediately.
• Berserker Gauntlets: Low luck chance for successful hits to cause a Soul Explosion, dealing damage and restoring some cooldown of the relic.
• Waist Guard of Guiding Light: Melee attacks have a lucky chance to strike critically, creating a damaging explosion.
• Grip Of The Nine Realms: Activating Glacial Permafrost (While the Permafrost gauge is full) triggers a Realm Shift. If you’re unfamiliar with it, the realm shift perk allows you to briefly slow down time around you.
• Cursed Empress Handles: Low luck chance on any Blades hit to grant an increase of Strength and Runic (Stacks up to three times).
• Hind of Weightless Recovery: When the Maelstorm skill gauge is fully charged, successful spear attacks have a moderate luck chance to grant a blessing of Cooldown.
• Onslaught Shield: Rond of the Nine Realms (Low luck chance to trigger a realm shift when parrying enemies)
• Spartan Rage: Use whichever you want

Relic

The Hilt of Skofnung shreds enemies by allowing you to summon these magical green swords, which can rip and tear through enemies. Unfortunately, you must conquer all of the Berserker Gravestones to claim the relic. Still, once you do, the build shines as the best, especially if you’re looking to use it later down the line when the NG+ update launches for another playthrough.

Amulet Enchantments

• Vanaheim Set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage against status-afflicted enemies based on his total Luck stat.
• Sigil of Doom: Axe and Blades of Chaos melee attacks against Hexed enemies have a high luck chance to trigger bonus sigil elemental explosions.
• 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.

However, for the rest of the enchantment slots, I recommend slotting in any ones that can increase your luck parameters as your looking to reach past the threshold. Other singular enchantments, such as Muspelheim’s essence, Alfheim’s Virtue, and Svartalfheim’s Fortitude, can greatly increase Kratos’ Luck.

7. Equalizer Build

The Equalizer Build for Kratos in God of War Ragnarok aims for an equal spread of stats, providing versatile gameplay suitable for both mid-game and late-game events. In my opinion, the cornerstone of this build is the Dragon Scaled armor set, with all three pieces offering a nearly even distribution of Strength and Defense stats, making it an ideal choice for balance.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

The weapon attachments that I used all comprise of helping provide additional values to your Strength and Defense stats. Additionally, since you will want to block or parry to efficiently use the build, the Rond of Absorption here will become vital.

• Dragon Scaled breastplate: Blocks and parries grant a buff of increasing Strength and Defense with each stack. Resets when damage is taken.
• Dragon Scaled bracers and Girdle: Increases all shield damage, and successful blocks and parries deal shield damage to nearby enemies.
• The Furious Maul: High luck chance to grant a gift of Strength on any axe kill
• Pommels of the Undying Spark: Increases the damage that the burn status effect inflicts on enemies.
• Warrior’s Echo Sauroter: Spear attacks against Sonic-afflicted enemies deal bonus damage and build bonus Maelstrom skill charge.
• (Any shield of choice): Rond of Absorption (The permafrost, Immolation, and Maelstorm skill gauges increase when parrying or blocking)
• Spartan Rage: Fury or Valor

Relic

The Hilt of Hofud once again works remarkably well with the following build, as it allows you to create a Realm Shift, providing you with a free window to annihilate your foes with heavy damage. Since it’s a build focused both on being tanky and having a large amount of Strength, it is easily a relic that can go hand-in-hand here.

Amulet Enchantments

• Svartlfheim Set: Increases Stun damage inflicted based on Kratos’ Defense stat.
• Niflheim Set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage when his health is above 75% based on his Defense stat.
• 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.
• Emblem Of the Nine Realms: Increases Melee damage during Realm Shifts.
• Boon of Valor: The Valor Spartan Rage heals less but provides a powerful buff of Strength and Lifesteal for a duration.

6. Healer Build

For a formidable mid-game healing-focused build in God of War Ragnarok, consider the Nidavellir Armor Set’s chest piece, which heals on stun finishers. Opt for the Bracer and Girdle of the Raven Tears Armor Set by hunting down at least 12 of Odin’s Ravens in the Nine Realms. Pair this with the Dauntless Shield for skilled parries, and when combined with the Rond of the Nine Realms, it provides rare time-slowing opportunities in combat.

In my experience, I found the playstyle to be very straightforward – chain stun grabs for continuous healing. However, note that this build may not be as effective in boss fights and is better suited for crowd-control scenarios during mid-game encounters.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

• Nidavellir’s Finest Plackart: Stun-grabbing an enemy grants a health burst
• Raven Tears armguards and waist guard: Increases healing from health stones, rage, and gear.
• Grip of Weighted Recovery: Stun grabbing an enemy provides a blessing of cooldown buff.
• Pommels of Brutal Might: Stun grabbing an enemy grants a gift of strength.
• Hind of deadly vitality: Moderate luck chance to grant a health burst on any successful spear hit.
• Dauntless shield: Rond of the Nine Realms (Low luck chance to trigger a realm shift, temporarily slowing down surrounding enemies when parrying.)
• Spartan Rage: Valor or Fury

Relic

The ideal relic for this build is the Motsognir’s Call, which creates a shockwave that deals high stun damage to surrounding enemies. The relic will allow you to lock an enemy into a stunned state instantly, but I encourage you to use it when enemies overcrowd you since it will prove highly advantageous during that kind of situation.

Amulet Enchantments

• Svartlfheim Set: Increases Stun damage inflicted based on Kratos’ Defense stat.
• Emblem of the Nine Realms: Increases melee damage during Realm shifts.
• Stunning Fang: Hitting stunned enemies unleashes shockwaves and has a chance to grant a stack of increasing strength and stun damage.

In my opinion, the bread and butter amulet enchantments are Svartlfheim enchantments and the Stunning Fang. The rest of the enchantments can come down to your choice since, at the mid-game point, you will hardly have the entirety of the enchantment slots unlocked for Kratos.

5. Endless Realm Shift

I’ve talked about Realm Shifts as a crucial element in some unconventional game builds. In God of War 2018, it was exceptionally potent, allowing me to easily take down endgame bosses such as Sigrun in a personal best record time. In God of War Ragnarok, my in-game tests confirm that the Realm Shift-focused build remains popular and effective.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

• Surtr’s scorched cuirass: Kratos’ attacks that hit enemies during their attack animations do bonus damage.
• Gauntlets And Belt of Radiance: A last-second evade activates Realm shift, temporarily slowing down surrounding enemies.
• The Furious Maul: High luck chance to grant a gift of strength buff on any Axe kill.
• Deadly Obsidian Blades: Low luck chance to grant a rage burst buff on any Blades kill.
• Hind of the Four Winds: Adds a concussive wave to the end of the R2 Spear combo.
• Dauntless Shield: Rond of Disruption (low luck chance to create an Elemental Storm when interrupting double Blue ring attacks or Parrying.)
• Spartan Rage: Fury or Valor

Relic

While it may be obvious to use the Hilt of Hofud with this build, I urge you to use the Talisman of Meign instead, as it will boost your melee damage for a short duration.

Amulet Enchantments

• Alfheim Set: Last-second dodges empower Kratos’ next attack based on his strength.
• Muspelheim Set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage when the Permafrost, Immolation, or Maelstorm skills are fully charged based on his Runic stat.
• 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.
• Emblem of the Nine Realms: Increases melee damage during Realm shifts.
• I ended up using Niflheim’s Justice enchantment as the final piece to boost my total strength value.

4. Poison Build

When in doubt, I recommend using the Poison build in God of War Ragnarok, as it’s simple and effective for taking down tough foes and bosses. Start with Lunda’s Armor Set as the foundation. Enhance it with attachments and enchantments to boost poison buildup on enemies.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

• Lunda’s lost cuirass: Bare-handed attacks, parrying, and blocking have a high chance of dealing bonus damage and poisoning enemies, lowering their power level.
• Dragon Scaled bracers and girdle: Increases all Shield damage, and successful blocks or parries now deal shield damage to nearby enemies.
• Stonecutter’s Knob: Adds a concussive wave at the end of the R1 button Axe combo.
• Deadly Obsidian Handle: Low luck chance to grant a Rage burst on any blades of Chaos kill.
• Hind of the Four Winds: Adds a concussive wave at the end of the R2 button Spear combo.
• Stone Wall shield: Rond of Affliction (Shield strikes against status-afflicted enemies consume the element, causing a damaging elemental explosion)
• Spartan Rage: Valor

Relic

The relic honestly comes down to your own personal choice here, as I found almost anything to be effective, but most players will most likely go for the Hilt of Hofud due to its ability to slow down time.

But, if you are like me and trying to maximize damage output, then the Talisman of Meign will likely benefit you in the long run.

Amulet Enchantments

• Vanaheim set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage against status-inflicted enemies based on his luck.
• Svartalfheim set: Increases stun damage inflicted based on Kratos’ defense.
• Niflheim set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage when he is above 75% health based on his defense.

3. The Maximum Healing Tank Build

Evolved from the previous healer build, this tank build for Kratos in God of War Ragnarok prioritizes maximizing the Defense stat for nearly limitless damage mitigation. From my experience, you should aim for a Vitality stat around 170 through the loadout to use healing-focused enchantments effectively.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

• Steinbjorn Plackart: After significant damage, Kratos’ attacks will restore some lost health for a time.
• Bracers of Raven: Increases the healing from Healthstones, Rage, and gear.
• Surtr’s Scorched Girdle: Kratos takes reduced damage and has increased stagger resistance during his basic attacks and skills.
• Banahogg Knob: Successful precision throws increase bare-handed attack damage for a short duration.
• Hardened War Handles: The Hyperion Grapple and Hyperion Pull skills do extra damage and stun.
• Hind of Volatile Might: Elemental siphon-imbued spears do increased melee damage, but the siphoned element now fades after a short duration.
• Stone Wall Shield: Rond of Restoration (On taking damage, Kratos has a luck chance to gain defense for his next shield strike hit to restore health. The chance increases with lower health.
• Spartan Rage: Valor

Relic

You can freely use any relic of your choice for the build, but if you want an extra layer of protection, then feel free to use the Hilt of Frosbandr, which pushes enemies back and grants an aura of protection. But I strongly suggest using any offensive-type relic, since you will hardly need that resiliency.

Amulet Enchantments

The enchantments for the indestructible tank build will be the main building blocks for it to work properly, so I suggest grabbing each one here and equipping them. They are all pretty much based on healing as well as adding multiple layers of resiliency to Kratos, which makes him almost unkillable:

1. Regenerating Essence: Provides a small constant health regeneration.
2. Greater Regenerating Essence: Offers a higher constant health regeneration.
3. Crest of Desperate Heroics: When Kratos’ health becomes critical, it grants a brief invincible barrier, increased strength, and a health burst upon completion.
4. Stone Idol of Souls: Using healthstone or ragestone grants soul steal, restoring a small amount of health and rage when striking enemies.
5. Eir’s Armament: Provides a very high chance of a health burst upon a successful runic attack kill.
6. Celestial Panacea: Offers 25% resistance to all status effects, including Frost, Burn, Blind, Daze, Poison, Shock, and Bifrost.
7. Poison Protector: Increases resistance to poison by 50%.
8. Bright-Eyed Emblem: Enhances resistance to Blind and Daze by 50%.
9. Boon of Valor: Valor heals less but grants a potent strength buff and lifesteal for a duration.

2. The Spartan Rage Build

This build caters to fans who miss Kratos’ ruthless Greek pantheon days. It centers on using Kratos’ rage bar, thanks to the Redemptive Rage perk of Sol’s Spaulders of Courage, to heal from incoming damage, making you nearly invincible. From my experience, I strongly recommend using this build for the Muspelheim Trials due to the unique survivability it provides.

To boost your rage, equip the Fate Breaker Wraps and waist, and use the Furious Immolation skill upgrade for the Blades of Chaos and the Deadly Obsidian Blades. This combo rapidly builds rage, making it great for crowded fights.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

• Sol’s Spaulders of Courage: Kratos deals more melee damage as his rage increases, and it can absorb incoming lethal damage if there’s enough rage available.
• Fate Breaker Wraps and Belt: Increases the rate at which rage is gained.
• Banahogg Knob: Successful precision throws temporarily boost bare-handed attack damage.
• Deadly Obsidian Handle: A low chance of triggering a Rage burst on Blades of Chaos kills.
• Hind of Volatile Might: Elemental siphon-imbued spears deal increased melee damage, but the siphoned element fades briefly.
• Stone Wall Shield: Rond of Restoration grants a chance to gain defense and restore health on taking damage, with a higher chance at lower health.
• Spartan Rage: Valor ability.

Relic

The Hilt of Gram will undoubtedly prove great for the build here, as upon activation, it will grant you a burst of rage and apply stun to nearby enemies. The best time to use it is when you’re looking to quickly gain rage when it’s run out and when enemies are swarming over you.

Amulet Enchantments

• Jotunheim set: Increases Kratos’ maximum rage based on his vitality.
• Helheim set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage when he is below 50% health based on his vitality.
• Stone idol of souls: Using Healthstone or Ragestone grants Soulsteal, during which a small amount of Health and Rage is restored when striking enemies.
• Crest of desperate heroics: When Kratos’ health drops to a critical level, it grants a short invincible barrier, buff to Strength, and Health Burst when complete.
• Greater regenerating essence: Adds a greater amount of constant health regeneration.

1. Soulless Warrior Melt Build

This build focuses on dealing massive damage quickly to the enemy. The key is using the Berserker Armor Set’s Cuirass piece, obtained by defeating Berserker Svipdagr and Sisters Of Illska in the Barrens of Alfheim. Combine it with Vidar’s bracers and belt for maximum strength. I personally found this build too overpowered, to the point where I refrained from using it unless I wanted to speedrun through specific bosses.

Loadout And Weapon Attachments

• Berserker Cuirass: Using a relic massively increases the damage of Kratos’ melee attacks but also the damage received for a short duration.
• Vidar’s Bracers and Belt: Increases Strength stat.
• The Furious Maul: High luck chance to grant a gift of strength on any axe kill.
• Deadly Obsidian Blades: Low luck chance to grant a rage burst on any blade kill.
• Mighty Olympic Sauroter: Detonating Thrown spears have a moderate luck chance to increase strength and stagger resistance.
• Dauntless Shield: Rond of Expedition (Grants a blessing of cooldown when interrupting double blue ring attacks or when parrying)
• Spartan Rage: Valor

Runic Attacks

The following is the list of the Relic attacks that you will need for each of the three main weapons for the build to function properly:

Leviathan Axe

• Hel’s Touch: An extremely quick burst of energy that interrupts and knocks back all nearby enemies.
• Mists of Helheim: A lingering area-of-effect attack that creates a small hazard, inflicting frost status on all enemies inside.

Blades Of Chaos

• Flames of Anguish: Quick uppercut that creates a fiery geyser, launching nearby enemies.
• Nemean Crush: A massive fiery shockwave attack that sends enemies flying back.

Draupnir Spear

• Thurst of a Thousand Soldiers: Perform a flurry of stabs with Draupnir, which embeds spears into the enemy. Press the R1 Button for extra stabs!
• Vindsvalr’s Windstorm: An array of chaotic clones rampages through the field, damaging all enemies in their path

Relic

The Hilt of Hofud once again takes center stage again as you will be using it slow down time to pour out the tons of damage I stated previously. Without it, the build will be missing a consequential component to make it work efficiently, so I urge you to grab it if you haven’t already in GOW Ragnarok.

Amulet Enchantments

• Vanaheim Set: Increases Kratos’ melee damage against status-afflicted enemies based on his total Luck stat
• Asgard Set: Increases the damage of all of Kratos’ weapon (Triangle button) attacks and abilities based on his cooldown.
• Boon of Valor: Valor heals less but provides a powerful buff of strength and lifesteal for a duration.
• 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.
• Emblem Of the Nine Realms: Increases Melee damage during Realm Shifts.

What I Think Is The Best Build

If you ask me, as someone who’s achieved the Platinum Trophy, I strongly recommend the Soulless Warrior and Poison Build. The latter is extremely good in the early to mid-game stages, while the Soulless Warrior build can pretty much melt bosses when it is executed properly. I found that it helped me take down Gna and the Berserker bosses on Normal difficulty with relative ease.

Up Next:

• GOW Ragnarok Lake Of Nine Artifact Locations
• Draugr Hole Locations in GOW Ragnarok
• GOW Ragnarok Combat Tips and Tricks
• GOW Ragnarok All Troll Locations