God of War Ragnarok made several significant changes to the gear that Kratos uses in combat. While the primary weapon systems remain largely the same, players will find that Ragnarok‘s new Relic mechanic completely changes the way certain items are used. Talismans are gone for good. Now, Kratos has a single Amulet where Enchantments are equipped, and all the special moves that were associated with Talismans have now been replaced by Relics, which take many forms.
God of War Ragnarok Relics Explained
There are 14 Relics in God of War Ragnarok, each with its own unique function or perk. These range from passive boosts like Gift of Strength from the Talisman of Meign, which increases melee attack power, to special attacks, like Motsognir’s Call. Players will have a wide range of options, with different Relics bolstering different play-styles. Kratos will collect Relics throughout his journey, in a variety of different ways. Some will be rewards for defeating difficult bosses, and others will be found through exploration.
Regardless of which Relic you have equipped, they will always be activated by
holding L1
and pressing
Circle
.
Upgrading Relics:
Just like most of Kratos’ other tools, Relics can be upgraded. The process is similar to upgrading Runic attacks, and uses the XP Kratos earns through combat. To upgrade a Relic, highlight the desired item in the menu, and you’ll see the upgrade menu at the center-bottom of the screen. Each Relic has three tiers, with each item starting at the first tier, followed by two possible upgrades. The cost of upgrades varies between Relics, with the rarer items usually costing more.
Talisman of Meign
Because all Cooldowns are affected by the associated stat, the length of Cooldowns can vary based on what an individual player’s Cooldown stat is at. For this guide, all Cooldowns are based on a stat level of 100.
|
Description |
Grants bonus to Melee damage for a short duration |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
89 Seconds |
How to Get the Talisman of Meign:
- Location: The Applecore, Svartalfheim
The Talisman of Reign will be the first Relic players acquire in God of War Ragnarok. It will be encountered automatically while searching for Tyr in the Applecore, during the first trip to Svartalfheim. You’ll find the Relic when you encounter the dead body stuck in the crack in the wall. Interact with the body to acquire the Talisman of Meign.
Hilt of Gram
|
Description |
Grants a burst of Rage and applies Stun to nearby enemies |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
89 Seconds |
How to Get the Hilt of Gram:
- Location: Temple of Light, Alfheim
During Chapter 4, Kratos will have to make his way through the Temple of Light once again. To find the Hit of Gram, you’ll need to start in the chamber just before the main platform surrounding the Light of Alfheim. If you’ve already reached the Light, start there and head up the stairs and through the door. In the chamber before the Light, you’ll notice that you need to drop to the level below to use a wheel that lowers the reflective surface. From the wheel, you can see a round door into a different chamber. There is a small puzzle that allows you to open a Legendary Chest in the next chamber. The chest holds the Hilt of Gram.
Hilt of Angrvadall
|
Description |
Slash forward three waves of light that deal increased damage against enemies afflicted with sonic. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
133 Seconds |
|
Crafting Requirement |
Skirnir’s Gambanteinn |
How to Get the Hilt of Angrvadall:
- Location: The Barrens, Alfheim
This Sword Hilt Relic is one of four special items that make up a special Favor known as “The Lost Pages.” Instead of locating the item itself, you’ll find one of the four Lost Pages, and then be able to craft the item once you have the required materials.
The lost page that allows for the crafting of the Hilt of Angrvadall is found in the northern end of the Barrens in Alfheim. You’ll find a circular set of ruins at the location marked on the above map. At this location, you’ll find a Legendary Chest guarded by two Dark Elves. On the ground next to the chest is the Lost Page.
Where to Find Skirnir’s Gambanteinn:
This item can only be found after Chapter 9, and is given as a reward for completing multiple side quests and defeating the boss Gravel Belly. Complete the following quests in Alfheim:
With these quests complete, you’ll be able to craft the Hilt of Angrvadall.
Glaive of Dodher
|
Description |
Throw a Bifrost chakram that swerves into enemies |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
89 Seconds |
How to Get the Glaive of Dodher:
- Location: Abandoned Village, Vanaheim
This Relic is easy to acquire, as Kratos must simply defeat Fiske, the formidable Einherjar boss fought in Chapter 6 – The Reckoning. This fight cannot be missed, and Kratos will automatically collect the Glaive of Dodher upon defeat.
Hilt of Ridill
|
Description |
UNleash a wave of Shock to electrify enemies |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
133 Seconds |
|
Crafting Material |
Crackle of Bilskinir |
How to Get the Hilt of Ridill:
- Location: The Lost Treasury, Midgard
The second “Lost Pages” Sword Hilt Relic can be found inside the Lost Treasury in Midgard. Unfortunately, reaching The Lost Treasury is not a simple task. To do this, you’ll need to gather two keys, one from The Oarsmen, and the other from the Derelict Outpost – both in Midgard. With these keys, you’ll then need to solve the puzzle of the large shield in front of the Treasury. Once inside, you’ll find the required scroll in a pit to the left of the entrance.
How to Get the Crackle of Bilskinir:
Luckily, this item only requires Kratos to complete one Favor: “Animal Instincts.” At the end of this Favor, you will fight Olaf Nautson. Defeating this raider will complete the Favor and reward you with the needed material.
Hilt of Dainsleif
|
Description |
Slam the ground to create an explosion of Seidr poison, leaving behind a hazard. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
148 Seconds |
|
Crafting Material |
Svefnthorn |
How to Get the Hilt of Dainsleif:
- Location: The Forbidden Sands, Alfheim
The third “Lost Pages” Sword Hilt Relic is found in a set of Light Elf ruins in the Forbidden Sands. This location is only accessible after the sandstorm has been cleared, and is the same location where ‘The Elven Sanctum’ takes place. In the building, there’s a large chamber with several tables and books. Head to the back of the chamber to find the scroll sitting on a table.
Where to Find Svefnthorn:
Svefnthorn is received as a reward for completing “The Lost Treasure” favor in Svartalfheim. You’ll need to get your hands on Draupnir to complete this Favor. Head to Dragon Beach in Svartalfheim and make your way to the top of the large wooden structure. You’ll encounter a spirit here offering ‘The Lost Treasure’ favor.
Hilt of Tyrfing
|
Description |
Charge the sword to sacrifice Health and deal damage based on the amount of Health lost. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
56 Seconds. |
|
Crafting Material |
Nar’s Cup |
How to Get the Hilt of Tyrfing:
- Location: The Wishing Well, Vanaheim
The Hilt of Tyrfing is the final “Lost Pages” Sword Hilt Relic, and can only be found after completing Chapter 13 and the “Scent of Survival” Favor. This will unlock The Crater region in northern Vanaheim. The scroll with the crafting recipe is found near the Wishing Well, just before the shortcut that leads to the Mystic Gateway.
How to Get Nar’s Cup:
Nar’s Cup is dropped by Blatonn, a boss that can be found very close to where Kratos fought Niðhögg in Vanaheim. To find him, follow the main path to the right of the boss arena, and you’ll eventually reach him.
Mystical Heirloom
|
Description |
Awakens something dormant, deep down inside the bearer. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
15 Seconds. |
How to Get the Mystical Heirloom:
- Location: Lake of Nine, Midgard
Just south of Tyr’s Temple in Midgard, you may have noticed a glowing yellow spot on the long wall of ice just before the path to the Lost Treasury. Once you have Draupnir, return to this location and use the spear to blow the ice wall open. You’ll find the Mystical Heirloom behind the wall of ice. This item is only used to wake the Slumbering Trolls you’ll find around the Nine Realms, which are required to get the Steinbjorn armor set.
Hilt of Hofud
|
Description |
Distort space and time by creating a Realm Shift |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
193 Seconds |
How to Get the Hilt of Hofud:
- Location: Main Story Mission, Vanaheim
The Hilt of Hofud is automatically awarded to Kratos upon defeating Heimdall in Vanaheim.
Hilt of Hrotti
|
Description |
Applies a mark to nearby enemies. Attacking a marked enemy reduces Runic Cooldowns of the equipped weapon. Killing a marked enemy grants a Blessing of Runic. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
133 Seconds |
How to Get the Hilt of Hrotti:
- Location: The Crater, Vanaheim
This is another Hilt that players can only get after reaching The Crater in Vanaheim. In the area, there are three Traveler bosses that Kratos will encounter. One is encountered on the path to The Sinkhole area, another is found in the southwest section of The Plains, but only at night, and the third is found near the Overgrown Tower. You can fight these enemies in any order, and the Hilt will drop from whichever Traveler Kratos defeats second.
Motsognir’s Call
|
Description |
Create a shockwave that deals High Stun to surrounding enemies |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
148 Seconds |
How to Get Motsognir’s Call:
- Location: Aesir Prison Wreckage, Niflheim Postgame
After fully completing the main story, head to The Raven Tree mystic gateway in Niflheim. Just before the tree, you’ll find a new path that splits off to the left, leading to Odin’s personal prison. Make your way through the prison until you arrive on the opposite side of the upper floor from where you entered. There, you’ll find a Legendary Chest. Just past the chest, you’ll find a dead body on the ground, and a tuning fork next to it. the tuning fork is actually the Relic you are looking for.
Huldra Project #9
|
Description |
Turn Mimir’s discomfort into a Bifrost Blast against nearby enemies. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
178 Seconds |
​​​​​​​
How to Get Huldra Project #9:
This is the only Relic that is purchased directly from the Shop with no other requirements. However, it is only available after completing the main story.
Hilt of Forsbrandr
|
Description |
Push enemies back with force and grant an Aura of Protection. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
89 Seconds |
How to Get the Hilt of Forsbrandr:
- Location: The Raven Tree, Niflheim
This hilt can only be acquired after Kratos has destroyed all 48 of Odin’s Ravens. Once you have done this, return to the Raven Tree in Niflheim, and you’ll have to fight the Raven Keeper. Defeating this difficult boss will reward you with the Hilt of Forsbrandr.
Hilt of Skofnung
|
Description |
The sword unleashes power from the souls within. |
|---|---|
|
Cooldown |
241 Seconds |
How to Get the Hilt of Skofnung:
The hilt itself is given to Kratos during “The Word of Fate,” but it is not available to use as a Relic until Kratos completes an extremely difficult task. At first, the only use for this hilt is gaining access to all 10 Berserker fights. This includes the final fight with King Hrolf, the Berserker King. Defeating Hrolf allows Kratos to access the Hilt of Skofnung at its full potential.
