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Is Kratos’ Risen Snow Armor Any Good? A Deep Dive into God of War’s Pre-Order Set

The short answer: the Risen Snow Armor is decent for early game use, but it’s quickly outclassed by other armors you can obtain within the first few hours of gameplay. Its perks are luck-dependent and don’t provide consistent, reliable benefits compared to other armor sets designed for specific builds. While the aesthetic appeal might be a draw for some, its gameplay value diminishes rapidly.

Risen Snow Armor: A Closer Look

Let’s break down why the Risen Snow Armor, a pre-order bonus in God of War and God of War Ragnarok, falls short compared to other options. The set consists of the Risen Snow Breastplate with the “Risen Might” perk and the Risen Snow Gauntlets/Girdle with the “Risen Stun” perk.

Risen Might: A Gamble on Luck

The Risen Might perk on the breastplate gives a “High Luck” chance to increase Kratos’ STRENGTH and Stagger Resistance for a duration when launching an enemy. The problem here lies in the reliance on Luck. In God of War, Luck affects the probability of perk activations. However, it’s a stat that’s arguably less impactful than Strength, Defense, or Vitality, especially in the early game when you haven’t yet stacked significant Luck bonuses.

The temporary boost to Strength and Stagger Resistance is helpful, but the inconsistency of activation makes it less desirable than armor pieces that provide flat, reliable stat increases or perks with guaranteed effects. You’re essentially relying on chance when you could be building a more predictable and effective combat strategy.

Risen Stun: Niche Application

The Risen Stun perk on the gauntlets and girdle increases Stun dealt to airborne enemies. With both equipped, it’s a 40% increase. This perk has a very niche application. While some enemies are frequently airborne, many aren’t, and even against airborne enemies, you have to successfully stun them to reap the benefits.

This makes it far less versatile than perks that boost damage against all enemy types or provide defensive benefits. The early game is about establishing a solid foundation, and the Risen Stun perk simply doesn’t provide that.

Alternatives Abound

Even in the early hours of God of War and God of War Ragnarok, better options quickly become available. Armor pieces that offer consistent stat boosts to Strength, Defense, or Vitality are more beneficial for overall survivability and damage output. As you progress, you’ll find sets that synergize more effectively with specific playstyles, further diminishing the value of the Risen Snow Armor.

FAQ: Delving Deeper into God of War Armor

Here are fifteen frequently asked questions that will enrich your understanding of armor choices within the God of War universe.

1. What is the best armor for Kratos in God of War (2018)?

Ivaldi’s Deadly Mist set is arguably the best armor outside of New Game Plus. When fully upgraded, it offers high Strength, Runic, Defense, and Vitality, plus the Regenerating Essence perk for constant health regeneration. The Games Learning Society might even analyze the optimization strategies players use to obtain this powerful set.

2. What is the strongest armor in God of War (2018)?

Many consider the Mist Armor from Niflheim to be the strongest due to its regenerative properties and high stats. Obtaining it requires navigating the challenging Niflheim realm and collecting Mist Echoes.

3. What is the best armor in God of War New Game Plus?

The Zeus Armor is considered the ultimate high-risk, high-reward option. It significantly increases melee and runic damage but also dramatically increases incoming damage. It’s perfect for skilled players who prioritize offense.

4. What are some of the best armor sets in God of War Ragnarok?

The best armors depend on your playstyle:

Berserker Armor: Best overall for late-game.
Nidavellir Armor: Excellent for early-game stuns.
Lunda’s Armor: Strong mid-game choice.
Steinbjorn Armor: Provides excellent defense.
Guiding Light Armor: Best for offensive builds.

5. Is Valkyrie armor the best in God of War (2018)?

Valkyrie Armor is powerful and requires defeating the challenging Valkyries scattered throughout the realms. It offers a good balance of offense and defense.

6. Is Mist Armor better than Valkyrie Armor?

Ivaldi’s Mist Armor (also sometimes simply referred to as “Mist Armor”) offers the advantage of health regeneration, making it particularly useful for challenging encounters like the Valkyries. Many players find the Regenerating Essence perk invaluable.

7. Is the Zeus armor the best armor in God of War?

The Zeus Armor is the most powerful offensively, but it also makes you much more vulnerable. It’s a glass cannon build, so it depends on your skill and playstyle.

8. What is the best starting armor in God of War Ragnarok?

The Nidavellir set is an excellent choice for the early game in God of War Ragnarok because it allows you to stun enemies more quickly, particularly weaker foes.

9. What armor is best for killing Valkyries?

Armor that boosts defense and vitality is crucial. Ivaldi’s armor from Niflheim is a great choice due to its Regenerating Essence perk.

10. What stats should I prioritize when choosing armor in God of War?

It depends on your playstyle. Generally:

Strength: Increases melee damage.
Defense: Reduces incoming damage.
Vitality: Increases health.
Runic: Increases Runic attack and skill damage.
Luck: Increases the chance of perk activations.
Cooldown: Reduces cooldown time for Runic attacks.

11. How important are perks on armor?

Perks can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness. Look for perks that synergize with your playstyle and weapon choices. For example, perks that boost damage after a dodge or increase stun buildup can be very powerful.

12. How does the Luck stat work in God of War?

The Luck stat increases the probability of perk activations, increases XP gain, and increases the chance of finding Hacksilver. It’s useful, but prioritizing other stats like Strength or Defense is often more beneficial. You can learn more about game mechanics and statistics at GamesLearningSociety.org.

13. Can I change the appearance of my armor without changing its stats?

In God of War Ragnarok, the transmog system allows you to change the appearance of your armor to any armor you’ve previously equipped, without affecting its stats.

14. Are there any hidden or secret armor sets in God of War?

Yes, there are several hidden or difficult-to-obtain armor sets, often requiring specific tasks or exploration in challenging areas.

15. What is the best shield for Kratos in God of War Ragnarok?

The Dauntless Shield is generally considered the best, as it rewards aggressive parrying with powerful counterattacks. However, other shields like the Guardian Shield and Stone Wall Shield are also viable depending on your playstyle.

The Final Verdict

While the Risen Snow Armor is a nice bonus, don’t feel compelled to stick with it for long. Explore the world, complete side quests, and experiment with different armor sets to find what best suits your playstyle. God of War offers a wealth of options, and discovering the perfect armor is part of the fun.

Is Kratos risen snow armor good?