Unleash the Power: Mastering Runic Summons in God of War
So, you’re ready to unleash the full might of Runic Summons in God of War? The answer is elegantly simple: press and hold the square button! However, there’s a lot more to these powerful abilities than just a single button press. Understanding their nuances, acquisition, and strategic use can dramatically enhance your gameplay. Let’s dive deep into the world of Runic Summons, covering everything you need to know to dominate the battlefield.
Understanding Runic Summons
Runic Summons are special abilities that allow your companions, such as Atreus or Freya, to unleash a powerful attack or provide crucial support during combat. They’re essentially a way to amplify your offensive or defensive capabilities by leveraging your ally’s unique skills. These summons are not to be confused with Runic Attacks, which are specific to Kratos and utilize the Leviathan Axe or Blades of Chaos.
The key difference lies in the activator and the nature of the attack. Kratos’ Runic Attacks are initiated by holding L1 and pressing either R1 (light) or R2 (heavy). Runic Summons, on the other hand, rely on your companion and are generally triggered by holding the Square button, though specific timing or conditions may apply depending on the summon itself.
Acquiring Runic Summons
Unlike some abilities that are unlocked through skill trees, Runic Summons are often found within the game world, typically in Legendary Chests. This means exploration is key to expanding your arsenal. Keep a keen eye out for these chests as you traverse the various realms, as they often contain game-changing abilities.
One notable example is the Bitter Squirrel Runic Summon for Atreus, which is found in Niflheim during the “Unlocking The Mask” mission. This summon has Atreus unleash a squirrel to dig up healthstones, making it incredibly useful for survivability.
Maximizing Your Runic Summon Usage
Simply knowing how to activate a Runic Summon is not enough. To truly master them, you must understand their cooldowns, strategic applications, and how they synergize with your playstyle.
Cooldown Management
Each Runic Summon has a cooldown period after use. This prevents you from spamming these powerful abilities and forces you to use them strategically. Pay close attention to the cooldown indicator on the screen. Planning your attacks and knowing when to deploy your summons is essential for maximizing their effectiveness.
Strategic Deployment
Consider the situation before activating a summon. Is the battlefield swarming with enemies? Is a particularly tough opponent giving you trouble? Different summons are better suited for different scenarios. For instance, a summon that provides crowd control might be ideal for hordes of enemies, while a summon that focuses on single-target damage might be best saved for a boss fight.
Companion Synergy
Understanding how your companion’s skills and abilities complement your own is crucial. Choose summons that enhance your strengths and shore up your weaknesses. If you tend to play aggressively, a defensive summon might be a good choice. If you prefer a more tactical approach, an offensive summon that adds burst damage could be more beneficial.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Runic Summons
1. How do I activate Atreus’ Runic attack as Kratos?
As Kratos, you don’t directly activate Atreus’ Runic Attack. Atreus’ attacks are triggered by pressing or holding the Square button, and his specific abilities depend on the equipment and skills you’ve equipped him with.
2. How do I activate Atreus Runic attack on PC?
On PC, activating Atreus’ Runic Summon as Kratos typically involves pressing and holding the button mapped to the Square button on PlayStation controllers. The default for this is [L1] + Tap [R2] while playing as Atreus you can directly control your Runic Summons.
3. What is the best Atreus skill for using Runic Summons effectively?
While individual preferences vary, the Watchful Protector skill is highly regarded. This skill makes Atreus draw aggro away from Kratos, allowing you more breathing room to strategize and use Runic Summons effectively.
4. What is Kratos’ special ability vs Atreus’ special ability?
Kratos’ abilities primarily revolve around his weapons (Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos) and focus on melee, ranged, and technique. Atreus, on the other hand, uses his Talon Bow and his abilities concentrate on aggression, archery, and instinct.
5. What godly powers does Atreus possess that enhance his summons?
Atreus has a variety of godly powers including:
- Mastery over Languages: He can understand and learn languages easily.
- Spartan Rage: Similar to Kratos, he can enter a state of rage.
- Precognition: He possesses the ability to see the future.
These powers contribute to the effectiveness and versatility of his Runic Summons.
6. What is the best Atreus rune for summoning?
There is no single “best” rune, as effectiveness depends on your playstyle and the situation. However, some popular choices include:
- Wrath of The Wolf: A powerful offensive summon.
- Bitter Squirrel: Provides invaluable healing support.
- Falcon’s Dive: Offers utility and evasion.
7. How do I use Atreus’ abilities with Kratos?
Simply tap the Square button, and Atreus will fire an arrow with his Talon Bow. Aim with L2 first to have Atreus fire at a specific enemy.
8. How do I make Freya shoot sigil arrows?
To use Freya’s Sigil Arrows, aim with L2 and then shoot with the Square button. You must strategically chain the arrows to solve puzzles, like those found in Vanaheim.
9. Which is the best shield to use with runic summons in God of War Ragnarok?
Again, it comes down to personal playstyle, however, popular shields include:
- Dauntless Shield: A good all-around option.
- Stone Wall Shield: Great for defense.
- Onslaught Shield: Suited for aggressive players.
The best shield will depend on your strategy for combining defense and offence when deploying your Runic Summons.
10. How do you activate Freya’s Runic Summon?
Similar to Atreus, you typically activate Freya’s Runic Summon by pressing and holding the Square button.
11. How do I get more runic summons in God of War?
Explore thoroughly! Look for Legendary Chests hidden throughout the various realms. These chests often contain new Runic Summons for Atreus or Freya.
12. What are some examples of effective Runic Summon strategies?
- Using the Bitter Squirrel before a tough fight to ensure you have healthstones readily available.
- Employing the Wrath of the Wolf during a boss fight to deal significant damage.
- Using a crowd control summon when facing large groups of enemies to create an opening for Kratos to attack.
13. Do runic summons level up?
No, Runic Summons do not level up. Their base power remains the same. However, upgrading Atreus or Freya’s stats and skills will indirectly enhance the effectiveness of their summons.
14. How does luck affect Runic Summons?
The Luck stat primarily increases XP gains, Hacksilver acquisitions, and the chance of activating perks from pommels and enchantments. It doesn’t directly impact the power or effectiveness of Runic Summons, but it can indirectly benefit you by allowing you to acquire better gear and skills.
15. Are Runic Summons the same as Runic Attacks?
No, they are distinct. Runic Attacks are specific to Kratos and use the Leviathan Axe or Blades of Chaos, activated with L1 + R1 or R2. Runic Summons are companion abilities, activated by holding Square.
Elevating Your Gameplay
Mastering Runic Summons requires more than just knowing the button to press. It involves understanding the nuances of each summon, managing cooldowns effectively, and strategically deploying them to maximize their impact. By taking the time to learn and experiment with these powerful abilities, you can significantly enhance your God of War experience and become a truly formidable warrior.
The strategic deployment of these summons, along with a deeper understanding of game-based learning and how players engage with complex systems, is an area of ongoing study. Organizations like the Games Learning Society contribute significantly to the field by researching how games can enhance cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.