How to Get Berserker Cuirass in God of War Ragnarok: A Comprehensive Guide
The Berserker Cuirass, or chest armor, is a highly sought-after piece of equipment in God of War Ragnarok, known for its powerful perks and significant stat boosts. Obtaining it requires dedication and skill as it’s not simply found lying around. This article will guide you through the process, detailing exactly how to acquire this impressive armor piece and answer frequently asked questions about the Berserker armor set.
Acquiring the Berserker Cuirass: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
The Berserker Cuirass isn’t acquired through a simple quest or treasure chest. Instead, it’s a reward for defeating a specific Berserker Gravestone boss. Here’s how to get it:
- Unlock Berserker Gravestones: The first step is unlocking the ability to activate these challenging encounters. This is done by acquiring the Inert Hilt of Skofnung during the story mission “The Word of Fate“. This hilt is crucial as it allows you to interact with the Berserker Gravestones scattered throughout the realms.
- Locate the Correct Berserker Gravestone: While there are ten Berserker Gravestones in total, the Berserker Cuirass specifically drops from defeating Svipdagr the Cold and the Sisters of Illska. This encounter takes place in The Barrens, a desert-like area within Alfheim.
- Prepare for Battle: Berserker fights are notoriously difficult, and Svipdagr and the Sisters are no exception. It’s strongly recommended that you tackle this encounter after completing the main story, having acquired high-level gear and upgrades.
- Defeat Svipdagr the Cold and the Sisters of Illska: This is a multi-stage fight that will test your combat skills. Successfully overcoming this challenging boss will reward you with the coveted Berserker Cuirass.
- Claim Your Reward: Once you’ve defeated them, the Berserker Cuirass will be available as loot. Equip it to experience the benefits of its powerful stats and unique perk.
Understanding the Berserker Cuirass
The Berserker Cuirass is more than just a piece of armor. It comes with the unique perk “Soulless Warrior“. This perk temporarily turns Kratos into a glass cannon. Upon using a Relic, Kratos will receive a significant increase in melee attack damage, but he will also take increased damage. This makes the Berserker Cuirass a high-risk, high-reward item suited for players who want to maximize their offensive output while being cautious.
Key Stats and Benefits
- Primarily focuses on Strength, significantly enhancing melee damage.
- Offers boosts to other stats, providing a well-rounded improvement.
- Soulless Warrior perk: Significantly increases melee damage after using a Relic, but increases damage taken.
- Pairing it with the Hilt of Skofnung Relic is highly recommended, due to the synergy between the Relic’s spectral swords and the Cuirass’s damage boosting perk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the full Berserker Armor set and how do I get it?
The complete Berserker Armor set includes the Berserker Cuirass (chest armor), Berserker Gauntlets (wrist armor), and Berserker Waist Guard (waist armor). To get the full set, you need to defeat three specific Berserker Gravestones, not necessarily in any order:
- Berserker Cuirass: Defeat Svipdagr the Cold and the Sisters of Illska in The Barrens, Alfheim.
- Berserker Gauntlets: Defeat Fraekni the Zealous.
- Berserker Waist Guard: Defeat Skjothendi the Unerring.
2. When can I start fighting Berserkers?
You can activate Berserker Gravestones after obtaining the Inert Hilt of Skofnung during the story mission “The Word of Fate“. However, it is strongly advised to postpone these fights until after the main game’s completion due to their extreme difficulty.
3. Where is the easiest Berserker Gravestone to find?
The easiest Berserker Gravestone to find is Hardrefill the Callous, located very close to the Nidavellir Beach mystic gateway in Svartalfheim. You’ll find it immediately to the right when you arrive at this location.
4. What rewards do I get for defeating all the Berserkers?
Defeating all Berserkers grants a wealth of valuable resources, including five Tempered Remnants, 180 Bonded Leather, 75 Shattered Runes, the full Berserker Armor set, Asgard’s Security (Amulet Enchantment) and a Frozen Flame.
5. What is the perk on the Berserker Cuirass?
The Berserker Cuirass comes with the perk called Soulless Warrior. This perk temporarily turns Kratos into a “glass cannon” – after using a Relic, you receive a significant increase in melee attack damage, but take more damage in return.
6. Which Berserkers drop which parts of the Berserker armor?
- Berserker Cuirass: Svipdagr the Cold and the Sisters of Illska
- Berserker Gauntlets: Fraekni the Zealous
- Berserker Waist Guard: Skjothendi the Unerring
7. What is the best armor to use against Berserkers?
While there’s no single best armor for all Berserkers, the Steinbjörn Armor Set is excellent for defense due to its high stats and health restoring perk, making it a strong option for those struggling with the Berserker fights. It is considered a good choice to help you survive and defeat the hardest fights in the game.
8. Is the Berserker armor the best in the game?
The Berserker armor is considered one of the best late-game armor sets, highly praised for its damage output thanks to its stats and the Soulless Warrior perk. However, it does not make Kratos tankier. Other armor sets like the Steinbjörn set are better suited if you are focused on defense.
9. Is the Berserker armor worth it?
The Berserker armor is worth acquiring for players seeking high damage output and a challenge, especially for experienced players in the late-game. However, for those who want a more forgiving experience, it’s not the best option, since its perk makes you take more damage.
10. What are some of the hardest Berserker fights?
The most difficult Berserker battles are considered to be those against:
- King Hrólf Kraki – generally considered the most difficult fight in the game.
- Svipdagr The Cold And Sisters Of Illska.
- Starólfr The Troublesome And Bödvar The Fierce.
11. How does the Berserker Cuirass pair with the Hilt of Skofnung?
The Hilt of Skofnung Relic pairs wonderfully with the Berserker Cuirass. The relic summons spectral swords to Kratos, which can bolster his offensive attacks while the Soulless Warrior perk is active. Its defensive aspect can also help mitigate some of the damage taken when the perk is active.
12. Should I sell old armor pieces?
Yes, it’s generally safe to sell old armor pieces once you’ve replaced them with better ones. They provide little to no value and selling them is a good way to get Hacksilver, which is the main currency in the game.
13. What is the best shield in God of War Ragnarok?
While shield choice depends on playstyle, the Dauntless Shield is generally considered the best, particularly for offensive players, due to its ability to parry and stagger enemies effectively.
14. What is the easiest difficulty mode in God of War Ragnarok?
The easiest difficulty mode is Give Me Grace. This mode allows players to focus on the story while still experiencing a simplified version of the game’s combat.
15. What is the hardest optional boss in God of War Ragnarok?
The hardest optional boss is Gna, The Valkyrie Queen. This boss encounter is unlocked after the game’s main story, and provides one of the toughest challenges in the game.
Conclusion
The Berserker Cuirass is a powerful and rewarding piece of armor to acquire in God of War Ragnarok. Obtaining it requires skill and preparation, but the benefits of its high damage potential and unique perk make it worth the effort. By following this guide and utilizing the information provided in the FAQs, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the Berserker challenge and claiming this coveted prize. Remember to always upgrade your equipment, learn enemy patterns, and adapt to the changing challenges to emerge victorious.