Conquering the Valkyries: What Level Should You Be?

So, you’re eyeing those fearsome Valkyries in God of War (2018), eh? Admirable ambition! But before you rush headfirst into a winged whirlwind of pain, let’s talk about the most crucial factor besides skill: your level.

Generally speaking, aim for at least Level 6, but preferably Level 7 or 8, before seriously attempting to take on most Valkyries. This provides you with a decent stat base, access to more powerful gear, and a reasonable chance of survival. Level 7 is Recommended Level: Level 7 for a reasonably difficult fight.

However, level isn’t everything. Gear, skills, strategy, and good old-fashioned persistence play a massive role. But being appropriately leveled significantly tilts the odds in your favor. Let’s dive deeper into why, and address some common concerns.

Understanding the Valkyrie Challenge

Valkyries are designed to be challenging. They’re optional boss fights that serve as a major skill check. They hit hard, have varied attack patterns, and demand near-perfect execution. Unlike many standard enemies, you can’t simply button-mash your way to victory.

Being under-leveled amplifies these difficulties exponentially. Your damage output will be significantly lower, meaning fights drag on, giving the Valkyrie more opportunities to punish your mistakes. Conversely, their attacks will shred through your health bar, making even minor missteps potentially fatal.

Factors Beyond Level: Gear and Skill

While level is a key indicator, it’s not the only factor determining your success. Consider these elements:

• Gear: Your armor, weapons, and enchantments are crucial. Focus on gear that boosts Strength, Defense, Runic, and Vitality. The Ivaldi armor from Niflheim, with its health regeneration perk, is often recommended.
• Runes: High-level Runic attacks can deal substantial damage and stagger the Valkyries, creating openings for follow-up attacks. Experiment with different combinations to find what suits your playstyle.
• Skills: Unlock and upgrade skills that enhance your combat effectiveness. Skills that provide invulnerability frames (like certain dodges) or that allow you to interrupt enemy attacks are invaluable.
• Strategy: Learn the Valkyries’ attack patterns. They are repetitive attacks, each Valkyrie has its own specific moveset, so observation and adaptation are essential.
• Patience: Don’t get discouraged by early defeats. Learning from your mistakes is crucial. Each death should be a lesson in what not to do.

Choosing Your First Valkyrie

While all Valkyries are challenging, some are more manageable than others.

Gunnr is widely considered the easiest to defeat, making her an excellent starting point. She’s located in Odin’s Hidden Chamber along the shores of Thamur’s Corpse, and her moveset is relatively straightforward.

Defeating Gunnr will provide you with valuable experience and resources to better prepare for subsequent Valkyrie encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Level 9 overkill for fighting Valkyries?

Not at all! While Level 7 or 8 is often sufficient, being Level 9 provides a significant advantage. You’ll deal more damage, take less damage, and have a larger health pool. However, even at Level 9, you still need to employ proper strategy and skills.

2. What’s the minimum level I can realistically beat a Valkyrie at?

With exceptional skill and a lot of patience, you might be able to beat a Valkyrie at Level 5 or even lower. However, this requires near-flawless execution and is not recommended for most players. You will die many, many times.

3. Does difficulty level affect the recommended level for Valkyries?

Yes. On higher difficulty settings (like “Give Me God of War”), you’ll need to be at a higher level to compensate for the increased enemy damage and health. Add one or two levels to the recommendations.

4. What’s the best armor set for fighting Valkyries?

Many players recommend the Ivaldi armor set from Niflheim due to its Regenerating Essence perk. However, the Mist armor set is also a good choice, especially if you prioritize defense and vitality. Ultimately, the best armor set depends on your playstyle.

5. Which Valkyrie is the hardest to beat?

Valkyrie Queen Sigrun is the ultimate challenge. She combines the movesets of all the other Valkyries, making her unpredictable and incredibly difficult to defeat. Gna is by far the toughest encounter in all of God of War Ragnarok

6. What are the best Runic attacks to use against Valkyries?

Experimentation is key, but some popular choices include:

• Leviathan Axe: River of Knives, Wrath of the Frost Ancient
• Blades of Chaos: Hyperion Slam, Rampage of the Furies

Prioritize attacks that deal high damage and stagger enemies.

7. Is it worth using a Resurrection Stone?

Absolutely! A Superior Resurrection Stone can be a lifesaver, especially during challenging Valkyrie fights. It restores a significant portion of your health and gives you a second chance to finish the battle.

8. Does Atreus’ gear matter when fighting Valkyries?

Yes! Legendary Runic Vestment is valuable. Equip Atreus with armor and skills that enhance his support capabilities. Skills that allow him to stun enemies or provide healing are particularly useful.

9. How many Valkyries do I need to defeat before facing Sigrun?

You must defeat the other eight Valkyries before you can challenge Valkyrie Queen Sigrun. Gunnr, Geirdriful, Eir, Kara, Rota, and Olrun are the names of the first six Valkyries

10. What rewards do I get for defeating Valkyries?

Defeating Valkyries grants you powerful gear, enchantments, and materials necessary to upgrade your equipment. Completing the entire questline is necessary if you want to unlock the armor set/pommels/enchantments and the required number of materials needed to fully upgrade them

11. Is it possible to parry all of the Valkyries’ attacks?

No, some Valkyrie attacks are unblockable (indicated by a red ring). You must dodge these attacks to avoid damage. Mastering the parry window for blockable attacks is essential.

12. Should I focus on Strength or Runic when fighting Valkyries?

A balanced build is often the most effective. Prioritize Strength for consistent damage output, but don’t neglect Runic, as Runic attacks can provide crucial bursts of damage and stagger opportunities. I ran a strength, runic, defense, vitality build. Not the most optimal, but it allowed me to hit hard(er).

13. What’s the best strategy for dealing with Sigrun’s aerial attacks?

When Sigrun takes to the air, be prepared to dodge. She has several aerial attacks, including a ground slam and a valkyrie dive. Watch her movements carefully and time your dodges accordingly. Probably the best tip for fighting Sigrun the Valkyrie Queen is to throw the Leviathan axe at her, specifically, when she’s in the air preparing an attack.

14. Are there any specific enchantments that are particularly effective against Valkyries?

Enchantments that boost your Strength, Runic, Defense, and Vitality are generally useful. The Epic enchantment Njord’s Temporal Stone is also a popular choice, as it grants a brief period of realm shift upon a successful dodge.

15. What if I’m still struggling even at a high level?

Don’t be afraid to lower the difficulty setting. There’s no shame in making the game more accessible. Focus on learning the Valkyries’ attack patterns and refining your combat skills. You can always increase the difficulty later once you’re more confident. If that’s not an option, watch videos of other players defeating the Valkyries. Observe their strategies, timing, and gear choices. You can learn a lot by watching others. Remember, persistence is key!

Final Thoughts

Facing the Valkyries is a true test of skill and determination in God of War. While level plays a significant role, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. By focusing on your gear, skills, strategy, and most importantly, your ability to learn and adapt, you can conquer these fearsome foes, regardless of your initial level. And remember, gaming can be a great learning experience. The folks over at GamesLearningSociety.org are doing great things, and I encourage you to check out their website. Now go forth and claim your victory!