One of the newest, most innovative additions to the God of War franchise was that of the shield. This shield was not only a gift from Kratos’ departed wife, Faye, but was also a great addition to his new arsenal. Not only can players equip different shields in God of War: Ragnarok, but they can also equip entirely different shield ronds.
These shield ronds are greatly effective for changing the pacing of God of War: Ragnarok‘s intense combat. Kratos’ new arsenal of the classic Blades of Chaos and the Leviathan Axe makes for a more interesting experience in the Norse Mythology continuation of Kratos’ story in God of War, especially when paired with the best shield ronds in the game.
Updated on September 21, 2024, by Jake Fillery: As Kratos has aged since the fall of the Greek Pantheon, it’s no surprise that he fights smarter and somewhat harder than his younger self. As such, players who embark on the Norse adventure through God of War Ragnarok are going to have a selection of 13 Shield Ronds, but only one of them can offer them the protection and ability bonuses they need at any given time. Listed below is every Shield Rond in God of War Ragnarok, along with what it actually does.
13 Rond of Sparta
Crafted in New Game Plus for 15,000 Hacksilver
- A worn rond beaten down by time, primarily used in training.
The Rond of Sparta may offer some sense of home to Kratos, as the design is familiar to the Spartan as his time in training before he became the Ghost of Sparta. However, outside of a visual identity, the Rond of Sparta offers no other advantage and simply exists as a cosmetic piece to homage to Kratos’s origins as a Spartan.
The Rond of Sparta holds no perks of extra lines of defense, and it can only be obtained by completing the game and reaching New Game Plus. As such, it’s a neat cosmetic reward, but it offers no set bonus that makes it worth using compared to other ronds.
12 Rond Of Volition
The Default Shield Rond For Kratos
- A basic shield rond. Sturdy and reliable.
Upon starting God of War Ragnarok, players will immediately have the default shield rond, Volition. There’s nothing special about this round, and it’s simply the first players will have. The Rond of Volition is purely for Defense stats, but it’s not the greatest, even after upgrading. If players want to make the most out of their shield ronds, it’s probably a good idea to avoid this one.
The Rond of Volition has no special perks or attributes to warrant use, so once players unlock a new one, it’s probably best to equip it unless they really enjoy the extra points of Defense for the cost of Hacksilver and Slag Deposits.
11 Rond Of Purification
Location: Legendary Chest In The Well of Urd, Midgard
- Contagion Discharge Perk: When Kratos is afflicted with Frost, Burn, Poison, or Bifrost. Shield Strike hits will cleanse the status and deal that element’s damage to enemies.
Kratos will be gifted a few bonus points for Strength and Defense by equipping the Rond of Purification. Whilst this increase in stats might be seen as a good thing, the points are rather weak in comparison to others, and the Contagion Discharge perk also doesn’t really add anything to make it worth it, unless players find themselves unable to dodge and evade certain attacks.
Rond of Purification provides players with the opportunity to remove their Frost, Burn, Poison, or Bifrost affliction if they use the Shield Strike ability. The fact that it can cleanse the status and gives enemies that same affliction when struck with the Shield Strike turns a shield into a weapon, but it also means players have to catch an affliction, which isn’t exactly desirable for defense.
10 Rond Of Disruption
Location: Complete A Stag For All Seasons Favor In Vanaheim
- Elemental Storm Perk: Low LUCK chance to create an Elemental Storm when interrupting double BLUE ring attacks or Parrying.
There’s an element of power placed upon the player with the perk Elemental Storm. Players will have a low Luck chance to create an Elemental Storm, but only whilst interrupting double Blue ring attacks. These can only be countered through a double tap of L1. Players also have a chance to activate Elemental Storm through parrying.
The Rond of Disruption is fairly decent in God of War Ragnarok, as said Elemental Storm will cause further ailments and affliction to the enemies that are affected by its might. However, considering it is luck-based, players might not even get to see its results successfully.
9 Rond Of Obliteration
Location: Defeat Gna at The Crucible in Musphelheim
- Shards of the Valkyrie Perk: Hold L1 for several seconds to charge the shield, then Press L1 + L3 to fire a volley of Valkyrie shards at enemies.
Obtaining this shield is an achievement unto itself, as players can only receive the shield after beating the Valkyrie Queen. It’s quite the challenge, but worth it for the reward.
This shield focuses on Strength, Defense, Runic, Cooldown, Vitality, and Luck, providing a bounty of bonus stats. The shield itself has the Shards of the Valkyrie perk, which allows players to fire a volley of Valkyrie shards at enemies if they hold L1 for several seconds to charge the shield, and then release with L1 + L3.
8 Rond Of Affliction
Location: Found in a Legendary Chest in The Barrens in Alfheim, Located Near The Canyons
- Strike of Affliction Perk: Shield Strikes against Status-Afflicted enemies consume the ailment, causing a damaging elemental explosion.
With the perk Strike of Affliction, players will be able to cause enemies to consume the ailment of their status-affliction, meaning that they will be dealt a powerful elemental explosion to further damage them.
However, this perk can only activate upon a shield strike, which is accessible through a double tap of L1. These enemies also need a status affliction, meaning they need to be struck with a certain amount of arrows or through Kratos’ violent weapons.
7 Rond Of Fortification
Location: Offer Crystalline Fragments at the Wishing Well at the Crater in Vanaheim
- Fortification Perk: Holding L1 for several seconds will trigger a high Stun explosion on the next successful Block or Double Tap L1 attack.
Defense seems to be a virtue in God of War: Ragnarok. The inclusion of the shield allows gamers to each play in their unique way. If players rely more on defensive tactics, then the Rond of Fortification is certainly a good shield to use, thanks to the Fortification perk.
This perk allows players to hold L1 for several seconds to trigger an explosion when they next block or double tap L1 for a shield attack. This explosion will Stun enemies. Players that constantly hold their shield up will be rewarded with this high Stun explosion, meaning they can effectively build Stun to Stun grab and eliminate their enemies.
6 Rond Of Absorption
Location: Craftable After Reaching Level 6
- Defender’s Momentum Perk: The Permafrost, Immolation, and Maelstrom skill gauges increase when Blocking or Parrying.
This shield rond focuses on Defense and Runic stats, and has the perk known as Defender’s Momentum. This perk grants bonus skill gauge to Permafrost, Immolation, and Maelstrom, as long as the player is blocking or parrying with the shield.
The Rond of Absorption is good because there’s always a great luxury and power with the skill gauge of the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear. It adds bonus damage to attacks, making defense important for the fence.
5 Rond of Restoration
Location: Found In a Legendary Chest in Vanaheim’s Abandoned Village (The Reckoning Mission)
- Restoring Shield Perk: On taking damage, Kratos has a LUCK chance to gain DEFENCE and for his next Shield Strike hit to restore Health. The chance increases with lower Health.
There are plenty of dire times in God of War: Ragnarok. With Kratos and Atreus facing off against the oncoming prophecy of Ragnarok, and against the might of Odin and Thor, it’s no wonder that the Rond of Restoration may be fairly important to some players.
Thanks to the perk Restoring Shield, players will have a Luck-based chance to gain Defense when he takes damage. Kratos will also have a chance to restore Health with the next Shield Strike that he does. The lower the player’s health, the higher the chance to heal. It can be beneficial to players struggling to keep their health up.
4 Rond Of Expedition
Location: Defeat Alva Inside The Temple of Light in Alfheim
- Riposte Refresh Perk: Grants a Blessing of COOLDOWN when interrupting double BLUE ring attacks or Parrying.
Players should use their runic attacks in God of War: Ragnarok as often as possible. These attacks deal incredible damage, and the only thing holding back Aesir’s demise is the fact that Kratos has runic Cooldowns. That will be less of an issue thanks to the perk Riposte Refresh.
Players will be granted a Blessing of Cooldown when they interrupt a double Blue ring attack by double tapping L1 for a shield strike or Parrying. This Blessing of Cooldown means that players will shorten the time required for their runic attacks, perhaps making the difference between life and death.
3 Rond Of Aggravation
Location: Obtained From a Chest Where Players Free the Lyngbakr’s Tail in Svartalfheim’s During The Weight of Chains Favor
- Riposte Rage Burst Perk: High LUCK chance to grant a Rage Burst when Parrying.
With the Riposte Rage Burst perk built-in to this shield rond, players will have a High Luck chance to receive a Rage Burst when they pull off a parry. This grants more power to Kratos’ Spartan Rage, perfect for a fight against Thor.
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Considering how important Spartan Rage can be for survival, the fact that players can build that up further through a well-timed parry is excellent. Spartan Rage can be used to deal damage or even just heal, changing the outcome of an otherwise defeated battle.
2 Rond of the Nine Realms
Location: Complete the Favor ‘For Vanaheim’
- Riposte Realm Shift Perk: Low LUCK chance to trigger a Realm Shift, temporarily slowing down surrounding enemies, when Parrying.
Realm Shifts are a great feature in God of War: Ragnarok. The ability to slow time can make Kratos a true threat to the battlefield, as he causes immense damage before the opponent can even blink. This is entirely possible, even with a low possibility, with the perk Riposte Realm Shift.
This perk for the Rond of the Nine Realms grants a low-Luck chance to trigger a Realm Shift. This will slow down the surrounding enemies for a brief while and can be achieved through parrying. Parrying may not be easy for the inexperienced, but it is something to invest in, as it helps to build stun. Paired with a Realm Shift, Kratos will become the god of parrying.
1 Rond Of Deflection
Location: Craft from Brok or Sindri for 3,000 Hacksilver
- Agile Deflection Perk: Increases the timing window on Parries.
There’s something innately rewarding in pulling off a perfect parry. It’s a great mechanic in video games, as it tests players’ pattern recognition and reflexes to the most precise degree. With the Rond of Deflection, the best shield in God of War: Ragnarok just got a lot better.
Thanks to the Rond of Deflection, players will be gifted with Agile Deflection, which will increase the timing window on Parries. This means that players will have an easier time deflecting more hits from enemies, thus making it one of the best shield ronds in God of War: Ragnarok.
