God Of War Ragnarok How To Use Relics

Relics in God of War Ragnarök are special equippable items that grant Kratos powerful, temporary abilities. They are a crucial element of combat, allowing players to significantly enhance their offensive or defensive capabilities and turn the tide of battle against formidable foes. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to effectively use Relics in God of War Ragnarök.

Acquiring Relics

Relics are not automatically available at the beginning of the game. They must be found and acquired through various means throughout Kratos' journey. These methods include:

• Exploration: Many Relics are hidden within the game world, often found in chests located in optional areas, behind puzzles, or after completing side quests. Thoroughly exploring each realm is essential to uncovering these valuable items.
• Defeating Bosses and Mini-Bosses: Certain powerful enemies, particularly bosses and mini-bosses, drop Relics upon their defeat. Overcoming these challenges is a direct path to acquiring some of the game's most potent Relics.
• Completing Favors (Side Quests): Many of the game's Favors reward players with Relics upon completion. Engaging with these side quests not only expands the game's lore but also provides access to valuable equipment.
• Crafting: Some Relics can be crafted at the Huldra Brothers' workshop. This requires specific resources and materials, which are typically obtained by defeating enemies, exploring environments, and completing quests.

Equipping Relics

Once a Relic is acquired, it must be equipped to be used. To equip a Relic, follow these steps:

1. Pause the game and navigate to the Equipment menu.
2. Select the Relic slot.
3. Choose the desired Relic from the list of available Relics.

Only one Relic can be equipped at a time. Experiment with different Relics to find the ones that best suit your playstyle and the challenges you are facing.

Using Relics in Combat

Relics are activated during combat using a specific button combination. By default, this is often a combination of the L1 button and the Circle button (on PlayStation consoles). The exact button combination can be found and potentially remapped in the game's settings. Activating a Relic consumes its charge, and it must recharge before it can be used again.

Understanding Relic Abilities

Each Relic possesses a unique ability that can significantly impact combat. These abilities can range from offensive bursts of damage to defensive buffs and tactical maneuvers. Some examples include:

• Short bursts of immense damage: Some Relics unleash powerful attacks that can instantly stagger or even eliminate weaker enemies.
• Temporary buffs to Strength, Defense, or other stats: These Relics can temporarily increase Kratos' combat effectiveness, making him more resilient and deadly.
• Healing: Some Relics provide a burst of healing, which can be invaluable in tough fights.
• Crowd Control: Certain Relics create area-of-effect attacks that can stun, knock back, or otherwise disrupt groups of enemies.

Managing Relic Cooldown

After a Relic is used, it enters a cooldown period before it can be activated again. The duration of this cooldown varies depending on the specific Relic. Managing the cooldown is crucial to effectively using Relics in combat. Some strategies for managing cooldown include:

• Knowing the Cooldown Duration: Understanding how long each Relic takes to recharge allows you to plan your attacks and defensive maneuvers accordingly.
• Upgrading Relics: Upgrading Relics at the Huldra Brothers' workshop can often reduce their cooldown time, making them more readily available.
• Equipping Cooldown-Reducing Gear: Certain armor pieces and enchantments can reduce the overall cooldown time of Relics.
• Using Relics Strategically: Avoid wasting Relics on trivial encounters. Save them for challenging fights and critical moments.

Upgrading Relics

Relics can be upgraded at the Huldra Brothers' workshop using resources gathered throughout the game. Upgrading a Relic typically enhances its effectiveness in several ways:

• Increased Damage: For offensive Relics, upgrading can significantly increase the amount of damage they inflict.
• Longer Buff Duration: For buff-granting Relics, upgrades can extend the duration of the buff.
• Reduced Cooldown Time: As mentioned earlier, upgrading can often reduce the cooldown time of a Relic, allowing it to be used more frequently.
• Enhanced Effects: Some upgrades introduce new or enhanced effects to a Relic's ability.

Prioritize upgrading the Relics that you use most frequently to maximize their benefits in combat.

Strategic Considerations

The effectiveness of a Relic depends not only on its inherent abilities but also on how it is used strategically in combat. Consider the following factors when choosing and using Relics:

• Enemy Types: Different Relics are effective against different types of enemies. Consider the weaknesses and resistances of your opponents when choosing a Relic.
• Combat Style: Choose Relics that complement your preferred combat style. If you favor aggressive attacks, focus on offensive Relics. If you prefer a more defensive approach, prioritize defensive Relics.
• Synergy with Other Equipment: Experiment with different combinations of Relics, armor, and enchantments to create powerful synergies.
• Boss Encounters: Boss fights often require specific strategies. Consider which Relics might be most effective against a particular boss's attacks and weaknesses.

"The most powerful weapon is not always the most obvious one." - Mimir

Examples of Effective Relic Usage

Here are a few examples of how Relics can be effectively used in different combat scenarios:

• Against a Group of Draugr: Use a Relic that creates a wide-area attack to quickly eliminate multiple enemies.
• Against a Powerful Elite Enemy: Use a Relic that grants a significant strength buff to deal increased damage.
• When Low on Health: Use a Relic that provides a burst of healing to quickly recover health.
• During a Boss Fight: Use a Relic that can interrupt a boss's powerful attack or exploit a specific weakness.

Adapt your Relic usage to the specific circumstances of each combat encounter.

Conclusion

Relics are a vital component of God of War Ragnarök's combat system, offering players powerful temporary abilities that can significantly impact their effectiveness in battle. By understanding how to acquire, equip, upgrade, and strategically use Relics, players can gain a considerable advantage over their enemies and overcome the game's most challenging encounters. Mastering Relic usage is essential for any player seeking to fully experience and conquer the world of God of War Ragnarök.