God of War Ragnarök takes players on an epic journey across the Nine Realms alongside Kratos and Atreus. As you battle fearsome enemies and take on legendary beasts, it‘s important to unlock skills that maximize your combat effectiveness. In this guide, I‘ll highlight the most useful skills to unlock for Kratos, Atreus, and the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos.
Most Important Skills for Kratos
As a seasoned Spartan warrior, Kratos relies on his brute strength and array of runic attacks to defeat enemies. Here are the most essential skills he should unlock:
Whirling Storm
This excellent Leviathan Axe skill (Level 4) allows Kratos to rapidly spin with his axe unleashing a series of devastating strikes. It only costs 500 XP and helps build the Permafrost meter quickly. Against tough enemies or groups of draugrs, Whirling Storm allows you to attack continuously without being interrupted.
Hyperion Slam
The Blades of Chaos gain this epic ability (Level 5) that causes a massive explosion launching enemies skyward. Kratos leaps and slams the blades down conjuring up shockwaves that inflict heavy damage. It‘s great for crowd control and creating breathing room when things get hectic. Costing 800 XP it‘s worth investing early.
Spartan Charge
This shield-based skill epitomizes Kratos‘ sheer power and delivers bone-crushing knockout punches. By sprinting and pressing R1, Kratos bashes his shield straight into enemies and through breakable objects. Upgrade Spartan Charge (Level 3) first to maximize impact damage for just 350 XP.
Guardian Shield
An invaluable defensive skill for Kratos is Guardian Shield (Level 4) which costs 500 XP. After blocking just before an enemy attack connects, Kratos counters with a shield-swipe knocking them back. This skill bought me time to recover many times when being swarmed.
High-Value Skills for Atreus
While lacking his father‘s strength, Atreus contributes with his bow and summoning abilities. These skills maximize his support effectiveness:
Sigil Arrow Storm
A fantastic ranged attack for Atreus, Sigil Arrow Storm calls down waves of arrows from the sky bombarding enemies (Level 4). At just 400 XP, it inflicts substantial damage, interrupts dangerous enemies mid-attack, and never runs out of arrows!
Boar Versatility
This Instinct skill buffs Atreus‘ Boar special move allowing him to strike airborne enemies when summoned. Given many bosses have aerial combos, being able to counter them with 600 XP investment can be a combat lifesaver.
Soul Summons
A vital combat support tool for Atreus is calling Spirit Wolves to harass enemies. Soul Summons (Level 6) upgrades this ability for 750 XP letting him call two spectral wolf allies simultaneously. They are extremely effective at staggering frustrating enemies like Nightmares.
Furious Unarmed Strike
To hold his own, Atreus needs Furious Unarmed Strike (Level 5). This 800 XP skill makes his standard punches much faster allowing him to batter enemies and potentially interrupt attacks. During phases where I lost my weapons, this saved me from taking heavy damage.
Best Leviathan Axe Skills
Forged by Brok and Sindri, the Leviathan Axe is Kratos‘ preferred melee weapon harnessing ice elemental magic. To dominate enemies with frost power, these are the most potent skills:
Permafrost Acceleration
This exceptional ability (Level 2) instantly maxes out the Permafrost meter increasing frost damage. Only costing 500 XP, using Permafrost Acceleration at the right time can completely turn the tide of battle. It also leaves enemies severely vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
Glacial Rake
A brutal Leviathan Axe skill, Glacial Rake (Level 4) calls down shards of ice inflicting moderate damage over time. Best of all, it costs a mere 600 XP making it extremely accessible. Glacial Rake works wonders against tough, hard-to-stagger beasts.
Frost Awakening
The ultimate for crowd control is Frost Awakening which instantly freezes all enemies temporarily. This rare skill (Level 6) gives you critical breathing room against mobs of enemies for 850 XP cost. Stop even the most intimidating foes cold in their tracks!
Best Blades of Chaos Skills
These chained blades forged in fire enable Kratos to immolate enemies with burning carnage. The hottest skills to acquire first are:
Rampage of the Furies
This aptly named ability (Level 5) bolsters the Blades‘ fire damage each successive strike for maximum heat! Costing 850 XP, it also prolongs the valuable Fire Meter boosting all fire-based skills. Rampage of the Furies truly unlocks the Blades‘ potential.
Searing Conflagration
Another combustion-fueled skill, Searing Conflagration (Level 7) calls down exploding fireballs from the sky that track enemy movements. At the cost of 1,000 XP, it‘s fantastically powerful for demolishing resistant enemies like ancients over time.
Chaos Slam
A real stunner, Chaos Slam (Level 5) sees Kratos leap and drive the fiery blades down with earth-shaking force for 750 XP. This ability is great for interrupting the combo chains of Valkyries while dealing hefty damage even to traveler enemies.
Parting Thoughts
Mastering combat in God of War Ragnarök means adapting your playstyle and skills to counter each dangerous foe. Hopefully this guide has shed light on the most game-changing yet affordable skills to unlock first for Kratos, Atreus, the Leviathan Axe, and Blades of Chaos. Employing their unique strengths harmoniously is the key to glorious victory!
Let me know in the comments what your favorite skills are in God of War Ragnarök!
