Crafting Your Spartan: The Ultimate God of War Early Game Build Guide

So, you’re stepping into the brutal world of God of War (2018) and want to dominate from the very beginning? Forget fumbling through Fights; let’s forge a Kratos that rips through Draugr like tissue paper. The best starting build prioritizes a blend of Strength and Defense, focusing on consistently dealing high damage while staying alive long enough to deliver it. This translates to aggressively pursuing early-game gear that boosts these stats, using specific runic attacks, and upgrading essential skills.

Think of this guide as your blacksmith, helping you craft the perfect Spartan warrior early on. We’ll cover armor choices, axe upgrades, and even Atreus’s crucial support role. Let’s dive in.

Building the Foundation: Early Game Armor & Equipment

The name of the game is early optimization. You won’t have access to the legendary sets yet, but you can make smart choices with what’s available.

Armor Choices

• Guardian Armor Set: This is your go-to, readily available from Brok’s shop. The Guardian set offers a balanced boost to Strength, Defense, and Vitality – perfect for a beginner. Upgrade it as soon as possible; it’s worth the investment.
• Hunter’s Armor Set: While offering a significant boost to Runic and Cooldown, this set is often a trap for beginners. Prioritize mastering basic combat maneuvers before relying on powerful abilities.
• Focus on Enhancements: Keep an eye out for armor enchantments that specifically boost Strength, Defense, and Vitality. These can be found in chests, through side quests, and sometimes even dropped by enemies.

Axe Pommel

• The Traveler’s Grips: This early game pommel helps when being overwhelmed by enemies. It also increases strength to get more damage.
• Forbidden Grip of the Ages: Located in the Shores of Nine, this axe pommel increases all of your core stats and is a worthwhile early pickup.

Runic Attacks

• Light Runic: Fury of the Ice Troll. This Runic Attack is a powerful early game option that can be found and used as soon as possible.
• Heavy Runic: Hel’s Touch. This is one of the first heavy runic attacks you can find, and is also one of the best.

The Atreus Factor

Don’t neglect Atreus! His abilities are crucial. Focus on upgrading his arrow skills.

• Shock Arrows: Obtaining these early will turn Atreus into a valuable asset.
• Improved Arrow Damage/Stun: Skills that increase the damage and stun potential of his arrows are invaluable for crowd control and setting up Kratos’s attacks.
• Atreus’ Armor: Give Atreus whatever armor improves his effectiveness, and be sure to purchase him new armor as soon as it is available.

Stats to Prioritize

While all stats are valuable, focusing on a few early on will maximize your effectiveness.

• Strength: Increases the damage dealt with all attacks. This is your bread and butter for this build.
• Defense: Reduces the damage taken from enemy attacks. Staying alive is just as important as dealing damage.
• Vitality: Increases your maximum health and reduces stagger.
• Luck: Increases XP gains, Hacksilver acquisitions, and the chance to activate perks.

Skill Tree Focus

Investing in the right skills early on can dramatically improve your combat prowess.

• Axe Skills:
  • Guardian’s Justice: Essential to getting out of tight situations.
  • Executioner’s Cleave: A brutal single-target attack that deals massive damage.
  • Whirlwind Throw: Great for hitting multiple enemies and interrupting their attacks.
• Shield Skills:
  • Shield Strike: Stunning enemies is essential to controlling combat.
  • Guardian’s Justice: A quick counterattack that can interrupt enemy attacks and deal decent damage.
• Spartan Rage:
  • Wrath of the Frost Ancient: Using your spartan rage effectively is essential to beating some of the more challenging enemies in the game.

Combat Strategy: Strength and Defense in Action

This build isn’t just about stats; it’s about playstyle. Here’s how to utilize it effectively.

• Aggressive Offense: Don’t be afraid to get in close and unleash combos. The Strength boost will make your attacks hit hard.
• Strategic Defense: Use your shield to block and parry incoming attacks. Master the timing to create openings for counterattacks.
• Atreus Support: Coordinate Atreus’s arrows with your attacks to stagger enemies, interrupt their attacks, and create opportunities for high-damage combos.
• Runic Attack Timing: Save your Runic attacks for when you need them most, such as when facing a large group of enemies or a powerful boss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Strength or Runic more important early game?

Early on, Strength is significantly more important. Runic builds require specific gear and enchantments that aren’t readily available in the early game. Focus on building a foundation of high damage output through Strength.

2. Should I spend Hacksilver on upgrading armor or buying new armor?

Upgrading existing armor is generally more beneficial than buying new armor early on. Upgrading improves the stats of your current gear, providing a more substantial boost to your overall power.

3. How important is Luck in the early game?

While not as critical as Strength and Defense, Luck does provide a noticeable boost to XP and Hacksilver gains. This can help you level up faster and acquire better gear.

4. Which early game side quests are most beneficial?

Prioritize side quests that reward you with armor enchantments, Hacksilver, and XP. These will help you upgrade your gear and level up your character more quickly.

5. What is the best way to farm XP early on?

Completing side quests and defeating challenging enemies are the best ways to farm XP. Focus on exploring the world and taking on optional challenges to maximize your XP gains.

6. Should I explore Niflheim and Muspelheim early on?

While Niflheim and Muspelheim offer powerful gear and challenges, they are generally best saved for later. The enemies in these areas are significantly stronger, and you may not have the gear or skills necessary to survive.

7. What is the best difficulty setting for beginners?

“Give Me a Balanced Experience” is a great starting point for most players. It provides a challenging but fair experience that allows you to learn the game’s combat mechanics and explore its world.

8. How often should I use Spartan Rage?

Use Spartan Rage strategically. It’s best saved for when you’re facing a large group of enemies, a powerful boss, or when you’re low on health and need to turn the tide of battle.

9. What’s the deal with enchantments and where do I find them?

Enchantments can be found in chests, rewarded for side quests, and dropped by enemies. They are equipped into your armor and can provide various boosts to stats or perks.

10. Are there any missable items or opportunities early in the game?

Yes, there are definitely some missable things! Pay attention to the story and explore thoroughly.

11. How important is parrying?

Parrying is extremely important for mastering the combat. Parrying not only negates damage but also stuns enemies, creating openings for attacks. Practice your parrying timing to become a more effective fighter.

12. Can I respec my skills later in the game?

No, you cannot respec your skills in God of War (2018). Choose your skills carefully and focus on those that complement your playstyle.

13. What is the best way to defeat early game bosses?

Learn their attack patterns, utilize your shield effectively, and coordinate your attacks with Atreus. Runic attacks can also be a powerful tool for dealing damage to bosses.

14. Is it worth buying resources from the shop?

Generally, it’s better to find resources through exploration and defeating enemies. Buying resources from the shop should be a last resort if you’re missing a specific ingredient for an upgrade.

15. How does the Games Learning Society relate to playing God of War?

While seemingly unrelated, the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explores the educational potential within games. God of War, with its strategic combat, narrative depth, and problem-solving puzzles, offers valuable learning opportunities. It enhances critical thinking and decision-making skills.