As an avid gamer and Norse mythology enthusiast, few video game creatures ignite my imagination like the iconic trolls of God of War Ragnarok. These hulking beasts draw directly from the wondrous tales of Scandinavian folklore, manifesting as more than mere pixels on a screen. The trolls of Midgard exist as legends brought to life, their symbolic meaning deeply ingrained into the Nine Realms.
From their awe-inspiring yet grim mountain domain to the invaluable materials harvested upon their defeat, trolls represent the incredible riches and lethal adversitiescentral to Norse culture. Embodying the drastic extremes of the unforgiving Fimbulwinter, this definitive guide delves into unlocking the secrets around Ragnarok‘s revelatory trolls.
The Mythic Origins of Trolls
Storied artifacts and texts depict trolls as giant supernatural beings wielding nature‘s primordial fury, dwelling high among cragged peaks blanketed year-round by ice and snow.
These locations endured as perilous no-go zones for humans, except for the bravest adventurers risking life and limb for whatever magical treasures lie there. Trolls exemplified the richest bounties and fiercest threats posed by the old Norse frontiers.
Many fabled troll lairs held troves filled with hacked silver and luminous gems. But the creatures themselves stood as the ultimate trial against interlopers.
As a gamer venturing through God of War‘s sublime vistas capped by mountains infested with trolls, this history resonates deeply during my own virtual pilgrimage. I too must ascend the towering crags concealing these runic troves and confront the prodigious wardens that have existed in Norse stories for ages.
Overview of Ragnarok‘s Trolls
God of War Ragnarok remains remarkably faithful to the enthralling tales of past eras. Across the realms, Kratos and his son Atreus will uncover four trolls echoing those found in centuries-old accounts. Defeating each grants rewards befitting their masterful craft as smithy raiders and runestone hoarders.
But first, the trolls must be reawakened using the following relic before they can be engaged in battle:
The Mystical Heirloom
This arcane trinket channels magic to revive the dormant troll statues. The heirloom lies secreted away in Midgard, requiring tackling a hidden route. As a devoted gamer, discovering lore items like this feels akin to actual myth hunting!
With mystical heirloom in hand, the four trolls sprinkled across the realms are as follows:
Blodugr Steinn – Derelict Outpost in Midgard
Bjarg Stormr – Forbidden Sands in Alfheim
Golrab of the Ashes – Vanaheim twin #1
Golrab of the Frost – Vanaheim twin #2
| Troll | Location | Weakness | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blodugr | Midgard | Frost damage | Amulet of Retaliation + slumber stones |
| Bjarg | Alfheim | Shock arrows | Amulet of Soul Summoning + slumber stones |
| Golrab of Ashes | Vanaheim | Frost damage | Amulet of Tillage + slumber stones |
| Golrab of Frost | Vanaheim | Fire damage | Amulet of Tillage + slumber stones |
Now let‘s analyze each troll encounter in detail, including effective combat approaches from my perspective as an experienced Norse gamer.
Locating the Mystical Heirloom – Gateway to Troll Awakening
As the key to unveiling each troll, the context behind discovering this artifact bears an enticing connection. Historically, heirlooms were passed down possessions retaining generations of ancestral memories.
In similar fashion, grasping the heirloom in God of War Ragnarok unlocks centuries of history recorded in the trolls dating back to the Age of Fury when they were actively worshipped by giantkind.
Midgard‘s Secret
The heirloom rests secreted away in southern Midgard, requiring deduction to pinpoint the specific locale. Near Tyr‘s temple south of the Lake of Nine, a conspicuous glow pierces the blizzard.
Using the Draupnir Spear, a tunnel is revealed housing the relic beside a fallen dwarf. This clever homage brings to mind the arcane ruins and failed quests of fortune seekers from Old Norse records. Seizing this long-guarded trove feels like enduring the same mythical voyages told around hearths!
Now bearing the heirloom, the path opens to reuniting with Midgard‘s eldritch past – creature and material alike – frozen in the ageless epoch before the troll statues…
Midgard Troll – Bloðugr Steinn, Hoarder of Runestones
As God of War Ragnarkok‘s opening realm, Midgard fittingly harbors the inaugural troll named Bloðugr Steinn residing not far from where the mystical heirloom is acquired in the Derelict Outpost.
Appropriately housed within a shattered relic of bygone eras, the appellation "Bloody Stones" forecasts the lethal projectiles incorporated into Bloðugr‘s attacks. And as a devoted gamer versed in Norse lore, I cannot help but link the Bestiary entry on this troll as a "hoarder of runestones."
This characterization coincides with historical accounts of trolls as covetous creatures aggressively accumulating precious minerals and magical items. Now rendered as a statue from a remote age, Bloðugr‘s reawakening carries the opportunity to topple a walking bastion of treasure and reap whatever relics remain.
Strategy Guide
Bloðugr Steinn‘s moveset combines close quarters fists with lobbing clairvoyantly-inscribed stones that detonate on impact. Sidestepping these explosives while weaving axe throws into combos works smoothly. Targeting the shimmering rune cluster on Bloðugr Steinn‘s back also inflicts amplified damage, promptly progressing the fight to…
Victor‘s Spoils
Felling this stony sentinel sees Bloðugr Steinn revert to sleeping rubble, with a smattering of loot comprising his "hoarded stones." These manifest as slumber stones necessary for crafting the Steinbjörn armor set. A fitting reward from a troll renowned in Bestiary lore for such smithing prowess.
An Amulet of Retaliation is also dropped, boosting resistance to area-of-effect attacks. Given Bloðugr‘s reliance on bombing Kratos from range, gaining this talisman seems an appropriate parting gift before moving on to the next troll.
Alfheim Troll – Bjarg Stormr, Tempestuous Adversary
Venturing westward leads Kratos and Atreus to Alfheim – domain of the light and dark elves. Cataclysmic forces scarred parts of this primordial realm, with the fallout birthing dangerous corrupted wastelands. Known as the Forbidden Sands, howling dust storms cloak structures from eons past. One edifice shields the exchangeable troll statue Bjarg Stormr.
As a passionate gamer, the chance to tackle a mythic colossus empowered by surging air draws me in instantly. Outmatching this capacity could rely heavily on shock and frost gear…
Strategy Guide
Awakening Bjarg Stormr spawns an intensely mobile foe flourishing twin swords, no doubt symbols of this ancient jotunn‘s authority, now imbued with storm magic. Bjarg‘s intermittent spinning mayhem forces reliance on blocking and evasion.
Shocking this tempestuous titan requires sufficient distance for Atreus to draw a bead with his arrows. Once stunned, pummeling Bjarg with an icy elemental flurry helps further slow his attacks until the opportunity to target the exposed green rune stone arises.
Inflicting enough damage prompts Bjarg Stormr‘s downfall, concluding another grueling yet electrifying troll confrontation! But the fight is not futile…
Victor‘s Spoils
Felling Bjarg Stormr thunders down slumber stones plus the Amulet of Soul Summoning for extended magical capabilities to keep weapons powered. Lore entries even detail this talisman drawing energy directly through one‘s pores! What better trophy when besting an enemy channeling the raw magic of storms?
Having toppled two of the four Fimbulwinter fiends, Kratos‘ journey progresses to the jungle realm of Vanaheim. Here the next two trolls await, promising even greater challenges…
Vanaheim Twin Trolls – Double Trouble
Ahead lies possibly the toughest troll quest so far against not one but two brutish behemoths: Golrab of the Ashes & Golrab of the Frost. Located along the River Delta in Noatun‘s Garden, these dormant sentinels represent the final colossal hurdles before obtaining all slumber stones necessary for crafting the Steinbjörn armor.
Strategy Guide
As in past battles, clearing surrounding hostiles prevents undesirable interventions when confronting the Vanaheim twins. Fortunately an elevated cliff overlook provides the lay of the land to strategize one‘s approach:
Golrab of the Ashes relies mainly on pulverizing fiery attacks while Golrab of the Frost harnesses crippling icy outbursts. This obvious but key weakness insight means saddling up with corresponding gear to counter such exposure.
With the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos equipped, plus shock arrows readied, the showdown begins by awakening both brutes with the mystical heirloom…
Quickly backpedaling avoids the chunky damage-over time fields cast by the twin trolls. Freezing Golrab of the Ashes dampens their scorching strikes, opening the chance to ignite the already smoldering Golrab of Frost.
By alternating weapons to hammer each troll‘s weakness, their health bars steadily drop during my hit-and-run gambits. Though demanding keen reflexes while handling their differing movesets, devoting attention economy between targets leads to an epic triumph!
Victor‘s Spoils
Felling the Vanaheim goliaths completes the set of four trolls, meaning four slumber stones more – eight total! Plus the versatile Amulet of Tillage enhancing moves like Shield of Athena to boost defense. With the twin trophies claimed, only one task remains…
Crafting the Impenetrable Steinbjörn Armor
Like assembling Mjolnir itself, gathering all slumber stones enables forging this storied armor back at the blacksmith. Derived from the Old Norse "Stone Bear", no doubt this stone-laden outfit transforms the wearer into a lumbering dreadnought.
Indeed, donning the Steinbjörn armor blesses Kratos with incredible defense, plus frost and stun resistance. Thematically, I find it poetically satisfying to craft protective gear from the remains of formidable trolls themselves. That enduring Norse mentality of beating your enemy then utilizing the spoils.
Though scarcely an appetizing notion, even the historical Norse would render down trolls into glue and craft wearing their pelts! Therefore tearing materials from the backs of these icons of colossal might in God of War to safeguard oneself makes contextual sense.
The Epic Saga Continues…
And so Kratos and Atreus‘ journey rolls forth, endowed with fresh apparel and relics courtesy of Midgard‘s ancient troll kings. As a devout gamer, I deeply appreciate how intelligently Santa Monica Studio wove the lore of oppressive yet magnificent creatures from authentic folk tales into pivotal game elements.
Trolls existed in Old Norse conscience not merely as scary monsters, but the divine personification of unyielding stone and snow capped peaks; of the grave promise and precious gifts one could harvesting in those perilous ranges. Defeating God of War‘s trolls in tactical battle Thereby continues this age-old relationship of man struggling to overcome, then reaping the mineral wealth of immense but lifeless titans.
As the next horizon approaches promising further enemies and biomes to explore, these hard-fought victories over storied adversaries spur anticipation for whatever colossal tests await. Hefting the Leviathan Axe reforged with fragments of my mighty felled troll rivals, I steadily trudge forth through the deepening snows.
Behind me the wind still whispers the names of Blodugr, Bjarg and Golrab, their watch now ended. But ahead new giants yet dwell. And this gamer cannot wait to meet them next!
