Table of Contents

Mastering Atreus’ Runic Abilities in God of War Ragnarök: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re diving deep into the Norse realms of God of War Ragnarök and want to unleash the full potential of Atreus? You’ve come to the right place! Atreus, while not always the main playable character, is a vital companion whose runic abilities can significantly impact your combat effectiveness. This guide will break down exactly how to use Atreus’ runic summons and bow abilities, turning him into a force to be reckoned with.

The core functionality for using Atreus’ runic abilities lies in two main areas: Runic Summons and Bow Abilities.

Runic Summons: To trigger a Runic Summon, hold down the Square button. Atreus will then unleash the special move associated with the currently equipped Runic Summon. These summons are powerful but have a cooldown, so you can’t spam them. Understanding when to use them strategically is key to mastering combat.
Bow Abilities: When Atreus is a playable character during certain parts of the story, his Bow Abilities function like Kratos’ light runic attacks. These are activated through specific button combinations. Generally, it involves using the bow in conjunction with other attacks, creating powerful synergies.

Unleashing Atreus’ Runic Prowess: A Deeper Dive

Understanding Runic Summons

Runic Summons are special moves performed by Atreus when he’s acting as a companion. They offer a variety of offensive and supportive capabilities. These can range from summoning spectral animals to unleashing powerful single-target attacks. Here’s what you need to consider:

Acquisition: Runic Summons are acquired throughout the game, often as rewards for completing quests or exploring hidden areas.
Equipping: You can equip different Runic Summons via the game’s menu, allowing you to tailor Atreus’ abilities to your playstyle and the encounter at hand.
Cooldowns: Each Runic Summon has a cooldown period that must elapse before it can be used again. This cooldown is displayed visually on the screen. Keep an eye on it to optimize your usage.
Upgrading: Some Runic Summons can be upgraded to increase their damage, range, or other effects. Invest in upgrading your favorite summons to maximize their impact.

Mastering Bow Abilities (as Playable Atreus)

When you control Atreus directly, his bow becomes his primary weapon, and you gain access to a variety of specialized arrows and abilities. This changes the gameplay dynamically.

Arrow Types: Atreus can use different types of arrows, such as Sigil arrows. Sigil arrows explode when set on fire or frost. This can be achieved through a variety of combat moves.
Combos: Experiment with different button combinations to discover unique attack patterns and combos with the bow. Learn which combos are most effective against different enemy types.
Skill Tree: As Atreus levels up, you can unlock new skills and abilities in his skill tree, further enhancing his bow combat.

Strategic Considerations for Atreus’ Runic Abilities

The following tips can significantly improve your gameplay:

Synergy: Experiment with different combinations of Kratos’ and Atreus’ abilities to create powerful synergies. For example, Kratos can stagger an enemy, allowing Atreus to unleash a devastating Runic Summon.
Enemy Weaknesses: Pay attention to the weaknesses of different enemy types and choose Runic Summons and bow abilities that exploit those weaknesses.
Crowd Control: Use Runic Summons and bow abilities that provide crowd control to manage large groups of enemies.
Support Roles: Some Runic Summons offer supportive benefits, such as healing or providing buffs to Kratos. Use these abilities strategically to enhance your survivability.
The Wrath Of The Wolf is the strongest damage dealing Atreus runic summon.
Consider the Watchful Protector skill as it lets Atreus take some of the agro away from Kratos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Atreus’ Runic Abilities

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of how to use Atreus’ runic capabilities:

How do I equip different Runic Summons for Atreus? Access the game menu, navigate to the “Equipment” or “Abilities” section, and select Atreus. You’ll find options to equip different Runic Summons in the designated slots.
What determines the effectiveness of Atreus’ Runic Summons? The effectiveness depends on factors like the summon’s base stats, upgrades, and how well it complements Kratos’ abilities and the enemy’s weaknesses.
Can Atreus’ Bow Abilities be upgraded? Yes, through Atreus’ skill tree. Invest skill points to unlock and upgrade various bow abilities, enhancing their damage, range, and other effects.
How do I use Sigil arrows effectively? Spam arrows at enemies when mashing triangle with the Blades of Chaos. The arrows mixed with these moves will decimate crowds of enemies because they explode when set on fire or frost.
What happens when Atreus’ Runic Summon is on cooldown? You won’t be able to use that specific Runic Summon until the cooldown period has elapsed, indicated by a visual timer on the screen.
Does Atreus’ armor affect his Runic abilities? Yes, Atreus can equip armor which can influence his stats and how the runic abilities work.
Can I customize Atreus’ playstyle beyond Runic Summons and Bow Abilities? Yes, you can customize Atreus’ skill tree to further specialize his combat role. This allows you to optimize him for a supportive playstyle, or any other way.
Is there a ‘best’ Runic Summon for Atreus? No single Runic Summon is universally “best.” The optimal choice depends on your playstyle, the enemy type, and the encounter’s specific circumstances. However, The Wrath Of The Wolf Runic Summon is the highest in damage out of all of Atreus’s summons.
How does Atreus’ role change when he becomes a playable character? When playable, Atreus becomes the primary damage dealer, relying heavily on his bow skills and specialized arrow types. Kratos becomes a support character.
What is the significance of Fenrir, the wolf, in relation to Atreus’ abilities? In God of War Ragnarok, Fenrir is one of the wolves being looked after by Kratos and Atreus who dies at the start of the game, but is ultimately saved when Atreus uses a Jotnar spell to bind his soul, first to his dagger, and then into another great wolf, Garm.
How do I manage Atreus’ agro during combat? The Watchful Protector skill lets Atreus take some of the agro away from Kratos.
Where can I learn more about the lore behind Atreus’ transformations and abilities? Exploring the game world, interacting with characters, and reading in-game lore entries can provide deeper insights into Atreus’ background and powers.
What is the best ability for Atreus in Ragnarok? The Watchful Protector skill is considered by most to be the best skill for Atreus. Found in the Instinct section of the skill tree, Watchful Protector simply lets Atreus take some of the agro away from Kratos.
How do I use companion ability in God of War? Square – Companion Attack (tap), Runic Summon or Special Ability (hold).
Can Atreus use relics? No, Kratos uses relics. In order to use relics, players have to hold L1 + Circle.

By mastering these aspects of Atreus’ runic abilities, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the challenges that God of War Ragnarök throws your way, turning Atreus into a valuable asset in your quest for survival and discovery. Remember to explore, experiment, and tailor your approach to suit your personal playstyle. The Norse realms await! For more insights into the educational aspects of gaming, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of games and learning.

How do you use Atreus runic?