Ever since God of War Ragnarök bombarded the masses on November 9, 2022, gamers everywhere have begun to explore which skills and abilities are the most advantageous to unlock and obtain early in the game. For instance, before selecting which skills to unlock, players must first choose which weapon to give Kratos: The Blades of Chaos or Leviathan Axe, both of which have unique upgradable skills to assist players in combat.
While more advanced skills and abilities for the two main weapons can be unlocked in the latter stages of the game, the most effective ones to obtain early on will pay valuable dividends down the line.
10 Extinguish Flames
Available on level 1 for a cost of just 250 XP, Extinguishing Flame is a strategic Technique skill every GoW Ragnarok player should use to bolster their Leviathan Axe melee attacks. The skill immediately increases the amount of frost damage the Axe can incur on Burning enemies, which will benefit players greatly from start to finish, especially when flame-licked Draugrs lunge at Kratos and Atreus at the start of the game.
Beyond being the most effective way to deal massively increased damage in battle early on in the game, the Extinguish Flames will help players later on when enemies with fiery shields appear by putting out the flames with a few hits.
9 Vaporize Frost
Essentially functioning in the same manner as the Extinguish Flames skill but for the Blades of Chaos weapon instead, the Vaporize Frost skill can also be unlocked at level 1 for 250 XP in the beloved action-adventure video game. Once activated, the Blades of Chaos weapon will inflict increased fire damage to Frost enemies, which is sure to come in handy when taking on the Phantoms and Hel-Walkers.
Aside from rapidly upgrading the amount of fire damage Kratos can inflict on frozen enemies, once the Vaporize Frost skill is activated along with the Flames Extinguished skill, a mutual synergy between the two weapons results, allowing Kratos to toggle back and forth between the Leviathan and Axe and Blades of Chaos at will and easily defeat foes in the early part of the game.
8 Vengeful Sickle
Accessible at level 1 for 500 XP, the Vengeful Sickle ranged skill for the Leviathan Axe is as deadly as it sounds. By holding R1, the skill aims and charges the Axe for Kratos to throw at his enemies, causing it to twist and turn in the air until it slices them multiple times in one hit. For the Blades of Chaos' equivalent Freezing Throw skill, aiming and holding R2 is required.
Essentially turning the Leviathan Axe into a brutal Tomahawk, the Vengeful Sickle skill is a great way of inflicting damage on enemies from a safe distance. Moreover, the skill tends to stagger enemies and hold them in a static position long enough to mount deadly follow-up attacks.
7 Rushing Chaos
Attainable at level 1 for 500 XP, Rushing Chaos is an extremely helpful and versatile skill for the Blades of Chaos that players should get as soon as possible. The skill enables Kratos to leap toward enemies while sprinting before unleashing a barbarous multi-slashing blade attack, allowing him to stay on the move while defeating foes.
Deadly, dynamic, and dependable as can be, the Rushing Chaos skill is ideal for taking on solo enemies or rushing through large crowds alike, giving Kratos tremendous leeway and diverse ways of protecting himself. Since the Evasions skills leave a lot to be desired, Rushing Chaos atones by combining melee attacking with sprinting in ways sure to behoove players learning the layout of the environment early in the game.
6 Glacial Rake
While some gamers favor using the Frost Ascension skill with the Leviathan Axe in the highly anticipated 2022 game, the Glacial Rake is much easier and quicker to unlock in the game and functions in a very similar fashion. Available at level 1 for 750 XP, Glacial Rake is a melee line attack skill that allows Kratos to pierce the ground and drag the Axe through the environment to create a huge AoE of frost damage.
As ice shards spring from the ground and just toward enemies, the Glacial Rake enables Kratos to inflict repeated high frost damage by holding R1. This is a great early skill to use when taking on multiple enemies at once, especially since it charges the Axe's first damage in the process.
5 Hyperion Grapple
For 750 XP at level 1, players can activate the useful Hyperion Grapple skill for the Blades of Chaos, which turns the weapon into a rope-and-pulley-like tool to reel enemies in. After striking a grounded enemy, players can use the Hyperion Grapple to pull them forward and stun them long enough to mount follow-up attacks.
Even handier, the Hyperion Grapple will slam airborne enemies to the ground, making them much earlier to corral and defeat in tighter quarters. The heavy runic ranged attack skill has the most effective stun damage and the shortest cooldown, making an absolute must-have for those working their way through level 1.
4 Chaotic Rampage
The best skills to outfit Kratos' Blades of Chaos tend to come from the melee tree, with the Chaotic Rampage leading the way. Available at level 1 for 750 XP, the Chaotic Rampage skill lets Kratos bombard foes with a flurry of attacks, which inflicts direct massive damage to single enemies on contact rather than weaker secondhand collateral AoE damage.
While some skills are ideal for taking on large throngs of foes at once or from afar, Chaotic Rampage is ideal for up-close one-on-one melee altercations like boss fights and miniboss showdowns, which occur earlier in the game than some might expect.
3 Blazing Explosion
For 1,000 XP at level 1 in the eagerly awaited 2022 video game sequel, players can equip Kratos' Blades of Chaos with the Blazing Explosion skill, which is one of the more advanced must-have weapon abilities for early playthroughs. When aiming with L2, players can press R2 to impale enemies with an incendiary pulse sent down a chain. By holding R2 when the skill is activated, players can hurl an additional blade at the enemy to deliver twice as much burn damage.
While pricier than some skills, Blazing Explosion is easily one of the most impressive skills for the Blades of Chaos, which tend to take a backseat to the Leviathan Axe's awesome upgrades. The skill is a great way to clear large enemy arenas at once while also taking on solo rivals, giving Kratos the flexibility he'll need in the early part of the game before acquiring Gold-tier upgrades.
2 Permafrost
For 500 XP at level 2, players can obtain the Permafrost skill for The Leviathan Axe, which is paramount to keep the almighty weapon damage-free in battle. Once activated, Permafrost allows Kratos to repeatedly bludgeon enemies while charging up frost damage, ensuring that the weapon never loses its integrity and breaks down in the heat of battle.
Moreover, utilizing the Permafrost skill in the best video game to play in November 2022 also rewards players with bonus Luck and Runic points, which is a great way of gaining extra value early in the game. While Technique skills often take a back seat to melee skills, Permafrost is a handy tool that will ensure the Blades of Chaos function optimally at all times.
1 Serpent's Snare
Another must-have skill to use early in the game with the Leviathan Axe is Serpent Snare, which allows Kratos to hurl the large heavy axe at foes with brute force by holding down the R2 button. If targeting smaller and weaker rivals, an explosion of Frost damage will result with each accurate hit.
Aside from inflicting significant damage on impact from the blade itself by either swiping or throwing the Leviathan Axe, the Serpent Snare skill is so valuable in how it can throw enemies and knock them off nearby cliffs and ledges, ensuring instant fatalities. For a cost of just 1,000 XP and available to unlock at level 2, do wise and cop Serpent's Snare ASAP.
Source:gamerant.com