Do You Need Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to Play Dawn of Ragnarök? The Definitive Answer
The straightforward answer is yes, you absolutely need Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to play Dawn of Ragnarök. It is not a standalone game. Dawn of Ragnarök is an expansion, a significant and ambitious one, but still requires the base game to function. Think of it like adding a massive new wing onto your already impressive Viking longhouse – you still need the longhouse!
Dawn of Ragnarök plunges players even deeper into the mythological side of the Assassin’s Creed universe, allowing them to embody Havi, better known as Odin, in a quest to rescue his son Baldr. It builds upon the world and mechanics of Valhalla, enhancing the experience with new powers, regions, and storylines. Jumping straight into Ragnarök without experiencing Valhalla would be like starting a novel halfway through – you’d miss crucial context and understanding.
Understanding the Interconnectedness: Valhalla & Ragnarök
Valhalla, even with its historical setting, leans heavily into Norse mythology. Eivor’s visions and journeys into the realms of the gods are integral to the overall narrative. Dawn of Ragnarök takes this a step further, focusing entirely on the godly realm of Svartalfheim and Odin’s desperate mission. This expansion weaves seamlessly into the larger tapestry of Valhalla’s story, enriching and expanding upon the themes established in the base game.
While the expansion can be started without having fully completed Valhalla’s main story, a certain level of progression in the base game is recommended. This is because Dawn of Ragnarök assumes a certain level of familiarity with the characters, mechanics, and world of Valhalla. Starting the expansion too early might lead to confusion regarding character relationships and overarching plot points.
Why a Standalone Option Seems Possible (But Isn’t)
There’s a common misconception that Dawn of Ragnarök can be played as a standalone experience. This stems from two primary reasons:
- The option to start a “new game” specifically for Dawn of Ragnarök: Within Valhalla’s main menu, you can select “New Game” and choose Dawn of Ragnarök. However, this isn’t a standalone experience. This option starts you with a pre-leveled character and a basic set of gear, ready to tackle the challenges of Svartalfheim. It still requires the Valhalla game files to run.
- Marketing that emphasizes the expansion’s scope and independence: Ubisoft has marketed Dawn of Ragnarök as a massive expansion, and rightfully so. Its content rivals that of some full games, leading some players to believe it might be a separate entity.
However, both points are misleading. The “New Game” option within Dawn of Ragnarök relies on Valhalla game files. So, without the base game, the option is useless. And while the marketing is accurate about the size and depth of the expansion, it never claimed Dawn of Ragnarök was a separate experience.
The Technical Requirements
From a technical standpoint, Dawn of Ragnarök builds upon the existing architecture of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. It utilizes the same game engine, assets, and world-building tools. This means that your PC or console needs to meet the minimum and recommended specifications for Valhalla in order to run Dawn of Ragnarök. Adding the expansion to your existing Valhalla installation is akin to adding more content to the base game, requiring minimal additional storage.
Dawn of Ragnarök: Enhancing Valhalla’s Gameplay
One of the best aspects of Dawn of Ragnarök is how Odin’s powers can be used in Valhalla. While exploring Svartalfheim, you discover new mythical and divine gear that is exclusive to the expansion. However, once found, that gear can transfer to Eivor’s inventory and can be used in the main Valhalla story. The gear gives you access to Odin’s powers, even when you are done playing the expansion.
Is Dawn of Ragnarök Worth It?
If you enjoyed the mythological aspects of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, then Dawn of Ragnarök is definitely worth considering. It offers a substantial amount of content, new gameplay mechanics, and a compelling story that delves deeper into Norse mythology. The ability to play as Odin and wield godlike powers adds a fresh and exciting dimension to the Valhalla experience. If you enjoy playing and studying games and the effects of them on culture and education, consider checking out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions surrounding Dawn of Ragnarök and its relationship to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla:
1. Can I play Dawn of Ragnarök on its own without Valhalla?
No. Dawn of Ragnarök is an expansion pack for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and requires the base game to play.
2. I see an option to start a new game for Dawn of Ragnarök. Does that mean I don’t need Valhalla?
No, that is only for players who own Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The option will not work without the base game installed.
3. Do I need to finish the main story of Valhalla before playing Dawn of Ragnarök?
No, but it’s recommended to have reached Raventhorpe and completed the “Settling Down” quest to fully understand the context and characters. The recommended Power Level to start Dawn of Ragnarök is 340.
4. Is Dawn of Ragnarök included in the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Season Pass?
No. Dawn of Ragnarök is a separate purchase and is not included in the original Season Pass, which only covers the first two DLCs (Wrath of the Druids and The Siege of Paris).
5. What level should my character be before starting Dawn of Ragnarök?
The recommended Power Level is 340. However, the game will scale to your level if you are below this threshold.
6. Do I play as Eivor in Dawn of Ragnarök?
While the overall game is centered around Eivor, in Dawn of Ragnarök you primarily play as Havi, also known as Odin, the Norse god.
7. Is Dawn of Ragnarök a completely open-world game?
Yes, Svartalfheim, the realm where Dawn of Ragnarök is set, is an open-world environment that can be freely explored. The open world and quest logic haven’t changed much, but there are little innovations in the combat and stealth systems.
8. How long does it take to beat Dawn of Ragnarök?
The main story takes around 10 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend around 21 hours to achieve 100% completion.
9. What new gameplay mechanics does Dawn of Ragnarök introduce?
Dawn of Ragnarök introduces new Divine Powers that Odin can acquire and use, such as the Power of Muspelheim, the Power of Jotunheim, and the Power of Raven. These powers offer unique combat and traversal abilities.
10. Does Dawn of Ragnarök have any impact on the main Valhalla story?
Yes, Dawn of Ragnarök adds depth to the existing characters’ backgrounds, and ties to the main story.
11. Can I still free roam after finishing the Dawn of Ragnarök storyline?
Yes, you can continue to explore Svartalfheim and complete any remaining side quests or activities after finishing the main story.
12. Is Dawn of Ragnarök significantly different from Valhalla?
While it builds upon the foundations of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dawn of Ragnarök is significantly different in the sense that it delves deeper into the Norse legends and myths that exist in the game.
13. Are the system requirements for Dawn of Ragnarök the same as for Valhalla?
Yes, Dawn of Ragnarök uses the same engine and assets as Valhalla, so the system requirements are essentially the same.
14. Will I be able to transfer my gear between Valhalla and Dawn of Ragnarök?
Players can also roam Svartalfheim to discover mythical and Divine Quality gear. While Odin’s powers are exclusive to the expansion, this gear can transfer into Eivor’s inventory and be used in the main Valhalla story.
15. Is Dawn of Ragnarök worth buying if I didn’t enjoy the mythological aspects of Valhalla?
If you primarily enjoyed the historical Viking setting and found the mythological elements less appealing, Dawn of Ragnarök might not be for you, as it leans heavily into the mythological side of the Assassin’s Creed universe.