Is There Enough Resources to Upgrade Everything in God of War Ragnarok?
Yes, absolutely! You can fully upgrade everything in God of War Ragnarok. It’s a daunting task, no doubt, but Santa Monica Studio has meticulously designed the game so that, assuming you explore thoroughly and complete a substantial amount of side content, you’ll have precisely enough resources to max out all your armor sets, weapons, and gear. Be prepared to engage in significant Hacksilver grinding and conquer a downright obscene number of Muspelheim trials. While it requires dedication, the satisfaction of a fully upgraded Kratos is well worth the effort.
The Road to Max Power: Understanding Resource Management
The key to achieving maximum power in God of War Ragnarok lies in understanding how to acquire and manage resources effectively. The game employs a multi-layered system, with various materials needed for different types of upgrades. Hacksilver, the primary currency, is crucial for nearly all enhancements. More specialized resources, like Dwarven Steel, Luminous Alloy, and Dragon Claws, are specific to certain gear and become more prevalent as you progress.
Early in the game, the upgrade costs are relatively low, allowing you to experiment with different armor sets and weapons. Don’t be afraid to spend your Hacksilver and resources freely, as the rewards scale exponentially in the later stages. Late-game missions and challenges reward you with significantly larger sums of XP and Hacksilver, ensuring you can catch up and fully upgrade your preferred equipment.
It’s also essential to explore every nook and cranny of the Nine Realms. Hidden chests, side quests (Favors), and optional challenges often contain valuable resources that are essential for maximizing your gear. Pay close attention to the descriptions of each resource; they often hint at where you can find more of them.
Mastering Muspelheim and Niflheim
A significant portion of your resource gathering will involve tackling the challenges in Muspelheim and Niflheim. Muspelheim’s Crucible challenges are particularly important, providing substantial rewards in the form of rare materials needed for high-level upgrades. These trials can be demanding, requiring precise combat and strategic builds. Niflheim, while comparatively less grueling, also offers valuable resources through its labyrinthine exploration and challenging combat encounters.
New Game+ Considerations
The arrival of New Game+ (NG+) further complicates, and enhances, the resource management aspect. NG+ introduces new gear, enchantments, and upgrade paths, pushing the maximum gear level beyond 9, to level 10. While the base game provides enough resources to fully upgrade everything within its limitations, NG+ demands additional effort to acquire the resources needed for the new content. Enemies in NG+ are tougher, necessitating strategic builds and maximizing your gear’s potential.
The most challenging bosses in NG+ also have an increased level, with the max character level being extended beyond level 9. Enemies stats also get updated based on the players max level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I upgrade all armor sets to Level 9 in God of War Ragnarok?
Yes, you can upgrade all armor sets to the maximum Power Level 9 in God of War Ragnarok. This requires a significant investment of Hacksilver and various specialized resources. The key is thorough exploration and completion of side content. All armor upgrades are done at the shop.
2. Is it worth upgrading all my gear in God of War Ragnarok?
Absolutely! Upgrading your gear significantly enhances Kratos’s stats, making him more durable and increasing his damage output. While some armor sets are more suited for specific playstyles, upgrading your preferred gear is crucial for tackling the game’s tougher challenges.
3. Does it matter what Atreus’s armor is?
Interestingly, the stats of Atreus’s armor do not impact gameplay. It only affects his appearance. Therefore, choose whichever armor you find aesthetically pleasing. However, the armor accessories Atreus uses do matter, impacting his combat abilities.
4. How long does it take to 100% complete God of War Ragnarok?
100% completion of God of War Ragnarok typically takes around 55-60 hours or more, depending on your playstyle and difficulty setting. This includes completing the main story, all side quests, collecting all collectibles, and mastering the various challenges.
5. What should I do after finishing the main story of God of War Ragnarok?
After completing the main story, there’s still plenty to do, including:
- Muspelheim Crucible challenges: Test your combat skills against increasingly difficult waves of enemies.
- Freeing the real Týr: Embark on a quest to uncover the truth about Týr.
- Defeating the Berserkers: Challenge the powerful Berserker bosses scattered throughout the realms.
- Closing Draugr Holes: Eliminate the Draugr infestations plaguing the lands.
- Fighting secret bosses: Discover and defeat hidden, formidable foes.
- Collecting Bloom Flowers, Kvasir Poems, and Dvalin’s Lost Pages: Complete these collectible quests for unique rewards.
6. What is the best armor in God of War Ragnarok?
The “best” armor depends on your playstyle. However, the Steinbjorn armor is often considered excellent due to its high defense stats and health regeneration ability. The Dragon Scaled armor is also very strong, offering balanced stats and damage buffs. The Ivaldi’s Deadly Mist Set is another great choice, offering stat boosts and regeneration.
7. What is the maximum gear level in God of War Ragnarok?
In the base game, the maximum gear level is 9. However, in New Game+ (NG+), you can upgrade your gear to level 10.
8. How can I level up Kratos to the maximum?
To maximize Kratos’s level, you must upgrade all your equipped weapons, weapon attachments, armor pieces, shield, and shield rond to the maximum level. Completing labors, undertaking Surtr’s Gauntlet challenges, unlocking Nornir Chests, and upgrading your armor are essential steps.
9. Is it possible to 100% complete God of War Ragnarok after finishing the main story?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to 100% complete God of War Ragnarok after beating the main story. No essential collectibles are located in areas that become inaccessible.
10. Is the Dragon Scaled armor worth it in God of War Ragnarok?
The Dragon Scaled armor is one of the best in the game. Fully upgrading it requires defeating all Dragons, Drakes, and Dreki, which is a challenging but rewarding endeavor.
11. What is the best shield in God of War Ragnarok?
Again, the “best” shield depends on your playstyle. The Dauntless Shield is excellent for parrying, while the Stone Wall Shield is great for blocking and absorbing damage. The Guardian Shield offers a balanced approach.
12. How do I get the Zeus Armor in God of War Ragnarok?
The Zeus Armor pieces are obtained by:
- War Belt of Zeus: Clearing your fourth Remnant of Asgard.
- Gauntlets of Zeus: Clearing your sixth Remnant of Asgard.
- Cuirass of Zeus: Defeating Valkyrie Queen Gna.
13. How old is Kratos in God of War Ragnarök?
While his exact age is debated, it’s estimated that Kratos is around 1,055 years old in God of War Ragnarök.
14. Is God of War Ragnarok longer than the 2018 God of War?
God of War Ragnarok is longer than the 2018 God of War, especially if you aim for 100% completion. The main story is only slightly longer, but the amount of side content is significantly increased.
15. Is the Nidavellir armor good in God of War Ragnarok?
The Nidavellir armor is a solid choice, especially if you want to increase your VITALITY and DEFENSE. It’s a well-crafted armor set that provides a significant boost to your survivability.
Ultimately, the answer remains a resounding yes: you can fully upgrade everything in God of War Ragnarok. It demands dedication, exploration, and strategic resource management, but the payoff is a fully realized Kratos, ready to face any challenge the Nine Realms throw his way. This intricate gameplay mechanic could serve as a valuable case study for game design educators. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) provides excellent resources for understanding the educational potential of games like God of War.