Relics in God of War Ragnarok serve as powerful combat abilities that can turn the tide of battle when used effectively. These special items grant Kratos unique active skills, ranging from devastating radial area-of-effect attacks to short-term buffs and tactical time manipulation. Finding every relic across the Nine Realms is essential for players looking to optimize their combat builds and achieve total game completion.
Story Progression and Crafting Relics
Several relics are unlocked automatically as you progress through the main storyline or through blacksmith crafting options. Key items like the Talisman of Meign are acquired during early main quests, teaching players how to incorporate relic cooldowns into basic combat encounters. Other unique relics become available at Brok and Sindri's shop after gathering rare lost pages and specific crafting materials scattered across realms like Midgard and Alfheim.
Defeating Powerful Realm Bosses
Many of the strongest relics in the game are guarded by tough optional bosses and endgame encounters. Defeating the Berserker Souls located at various gravestones rewards Kratos with potent hilts, including the Hilt of Skofnung, which summons spectral swords to shred enemy health bars. Similarly, conquering optional bosses in Niflheim and Vanaheim provides specialized relics that drastically boost elemental damage and status effects.
Exploration and Secret Realm Locations
A handful of relics are hidden inside legendary chests located in remote corners of the world map. Regions like The Crater in Vanaheim and the Lake of Nine in Midgard contain hidden paths requiring specific gear tools to access. Carefully exploring these optional areas ensures you do not miss rare hilts like the Hilt of Forsbrandr, which grants temporary invulnerability during intense fights.
Maximizing Relic Upgrades and Combat Synergy
Once acquired, relics can be upgraded using Kratos's accumulated XP at any dwarven workshop to enhance their potency and lower cooldown times. Pairing specific relics with armor sets that boost Luck or Cooldown stat attributes creates incredibly strong synergy for combat scenarios. Experimenting with different relic combinations allows players to adapt their playstyle whether tackling tough crucible challenges or finishing remaining favor quests.