How Long is the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök DLC? A Deep Dive
The Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök DLC offers a substantial addition to the already expansive world of Valhalla. The development team at Ubisoft Montreal estimates that Dawn of Ragnarök contains approximately 35 hours of gameplay. However, like most open-world experiences, the actual playtime can vary depending on your play style, completionist tendencies, and difficulty settings. This estimate focuses on the main story content, but exploring the new realm of Svartalfheim, completing side quests, and mastering new abilities can easily extend your adventure well beyond that mark. Let’s delve deeper into what contributes to this playtime and answer some frequently asked questions.
What to Expect From Dawn of Ragnarök: A Detailed Overview
The Dawn of Ragnarök DLC isn’t just a small side story; it’s a full-fledged expansion that introduces a new map, new enemies, new abilities, and a gripping narrative focused on Norse mythology. As Havi (Odin), you embark on a quest to rescue your son, Baldr, from the clutches of Surtr, a fire giant, and other mythical foes.
The playtime is influenced by several factors:
- Main Story Completion: Focusing solely on the main story quests will bring you closest to the estimated 35-hour mark.
- Side Content Exploration: Svartalfheim is packed with optional quests, collectibles, and challenges. Engaging with this side content can significantly increase playtime.
- Power Leveling: While the recommended power level for starting the DLC is 340, some players might choose to level up further to tackle challenging encounters, adding more time.
- Mastering New Abilities: Dawn of Ragnarök introduces new godlike powers, such as the ability to absorb enemy abilities and transform into a raven. Experimenting with and mastering these skills contributes to the overall gameplay experience.
- Difficulty Settings: Playing on a higher difficulty will naturally increase playtime as enemies are tougher and require more strategic approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dawn of Ragnarök
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Dawn of Ragnarök DLC to give you a more comprehensive understanding:
1. Should I Finish Valhalla Before Dawn of Ragnarök?
For the most complete experience, it’s recommended to progress through the main campaign of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla before starting Dawn of Ragnarök. While you can jump into the DLC earlier, understanding the overarching narrative and Eivor’s journey adds context to Odin’s story.
2. Is Dawn of Ragnarök Bigger Than Origins?
In terms of playtime, Dawn of Ragnarök, with an estimated 35 hours of content, is longer than the main story of Assassin’s Creed Origins, which typically takes around 30 hours to complete.
3. What Does the Dawn of Ragnarök DLC Add to Valhalla?
The Dawn of Ragnarök DLC introduces a new open-world region called Svartalfheim, new enemy types based on Norse mythology, new godlike powers (like absorbing abilities from enemies), new gear and weapons, and a new storyline centered around Odin’s quest to rescue his son, Baldr.
4. Is the Dawn of Ragnarök Expansion Worth Buying?
Whether the Dawn of Ragnarök expansion is “worth it” depends on your enjoyment of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and its approach to Norse mythology. Critics generally agree that it offers a substantial amount of content, a well-written story, and fun new abilities. If you enjoyed Valhalla’s fantastical elements, Dawn of Ragnarök is likely a worthwhile purchase.
5. Which Valhalla DLC is Better: Dawn of Ragnarök or the Others?
Many players and critics consider Dawn of Ragnarök to be the best DLC for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, citing its expansive world, compelling story, and unique gameplay mechanics.
6. Do I Play as Eivor in Dawn of Ragnarök?
No, in Dawn of Ragnarök, you play as Havi, also known as Odin, the king of the Norse gods. The story focuses on his perspective and his quest to save his son, Baldr.
7. What Level Should I Be to Start Dawn of Ragnarök?
The recommended power level to start Dawn of Ragnarök is 340. While you can attempt it at a lower level, you may find the enemies and challenges significantly more difficult.
8. Is Dawn of Ragnarök Canon Within the Assassin’s Creed Universe?
Yes, despite its heavy focus on mythology and fantasy elements, the Dawn of Ragnarök DLC is considered canon within the Assassin’s Creed universe. It provides further insight into the Isu and their influence on Norse mythology.
9. What Happens After I Finish Dawn of Ragnarök?
After completing Dawn of Ragnarök, you’ll receive rewards like the Muspel Spark mythical Atgeir. There’s also a post-credit cutscene that occurs when you visit the Hodda Shelter, suggesting future events and connections to the main Valhalla story.
10. Is There Any DLC After Dawn of Ragnarök?
Officially, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has not received further DLC after Dawn of Ragnarök. Rumors suggest that future Assassin’s Creed projects will focus on new games.
11. Is the Forgotten Saga Before or After Dawn of Ragnarök?
The Forgotten Saga picks up after the events of Dawn of Ragnarök, serving as a continuation of Odin’s story.
12. How Long Does It Take to Beat the Forgotten Saga?
The estimated time to complete all achievements in the Forgotten Saga is 8-10 hours. However, completing the Forgotten Saga is more about skill than pure time investment.
13. Can You Quit the Forgotten Saga at Any Time?
Yes, you can abandon your ongoing run in the Forgotten Saga by opening your inventory and selecting “Abandon Run.”
14. What is the Best Armor and Weapon in the Forgotten Saga?
The Dwarven Armor set is considered one of the best for survivability in the Forgotten Saga. Mjolnir (the hammer) is an excellent weapon choice due to its shock damage and area-of-effect attacks.
15. Is Odin Actually Eivor?
The lore in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla reveals that Eivor is a reincarnation of Odin. Previous Assassin’s Creed games have indicated that these Norse gods are members of the Isu race, and that Odin has had their mind reincarnated in Eivor.
Conclusion
Dawn of Ragnarök provides a significant chunk of gameplay, offering a rich and immersive experience steeped in Norse mythology. With an estimated playtime of 35 hours for the main story and potentially much more for completionists, it’s a worthy addition to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Whether you’re drawn to the epic narrative, the new abilities, or the stunning open world of Svartalfheim, this DLC offers something for every Valhalla fan.
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