God Of War Ragnarok’s Hardest Bosses + Expert’s Strategy

My list below features fifteen of the toughest enemies in God Of War Ragnarok. I will also include a helpful section for each boss with tips on handling and eventually beating them.

No.	Boss	Location
1	The Hateful	Svartlfheim
2	Miklimunnr	Svartlfheim
3	Vanadis	Midgard
4	Gravel Belly	The Forbidden Sands
5	Garm	Helheim
6	The Crimson Dread	North-Western region of The Plains
7	Stinnr And Sterkr	Remnants of Asgard
8	Nidhogg	Yggdrasil’s roots
9	Thor	Midgard
10	Hrist And Mist	Asgard
11	Heimdall	Himinbjörg
12	Bodvar The Fierce & Starolfr The Troublesome	Svartalfheim
13	Maven	Elven Sanctum
14	King Hrolf Kraki	Midgard
15	GNA	Muspelheim

All Hardest Bosses Table.

The following list was curated based on input from several players who have beaten the main story and their personal experiences. Moreover, the general difficulty setting of the game also affects some bosses more than others.

The Hateful

Many players might not be familiar with the Hateful in God of War Ragnarok. Despite being a mini-boss, players will encounter this formidable opponent numerous times. The Hateful is a unique Draugr that first appears early on in Svartlfheim.

Defeating The Hateful is challenging early on and in attempts throughout the story. The main reason behind this is The Hateful’s ranged and melee attacks.

Even if you keep a distance from the mini-boss, it will still throw molten rocks at Kratos. Moreover, the Hateful engages in axe attacks up close, with upward slashes. 

• The Hateful also dodges Kratos’s Leviathan Axe throws unless stunned and is equally violent at range.
• It is common to die a swift death to the Hateful on your first try and for many after that.
• One of the primary attacks players need to look out for is its fast stomp attacks.
• It is critical to dodge these stomps as they charge up. Alternatively, players can use the shield or a powered-up axe throw to stun the Hateful and attack during this charging up.
• The key to defeating the Hateful is to parry and dodge the axe combos and deliver ranged axe throw attacks while it charges up.
• Newer players might need a more definitive guide to beating The Hateful due to how early you encounter this boss fight.

Miklimunnr

The next challenging boss fight for players is with another giant known as Miklimunnr. He is a side-quest boss with extensive moves and damage-draining attacks. Players encounter Miklimunnr during one of the many sidequests in Svartlfheim.

• As for the battle, the giant uses a large stone pillar to attack and numerous stomps to crush Kratos.
• Miklimunnr also packs some flame, so watch out for fire damage, as it may not end well for Kratos.
• To top it all off, taking down Miklimunnr’s massive health bar is tedious and lengthy.

• The primary strategy to defeat Miklimunnr involves learning his pattern of relatively easy-to-understand attacks.
• Spartan Rage is also key in stunning him and chopping down his health little by little. Spartan Rage also temporarily helps maintain Kratos’s health as some of the damage is converted into HP.
• Miklimunnr strikes may be slow, but they are highly fatal for Kratos.
• Most of these attack patterns are repetitive and straightforward to learn.
• Upon depleting Miklimunnr’s mighty health bar, players need only to stun him and watch the rewarding animation of his defeat.

Vanadis

The next challenging boss fight players will struggle with is against Vanadis, which is close to the middle of the game. Vanadis is a massive surprise to many players and serves as the first Valkyrie fight of the game.

She is extremely fast and agile in combat, pushing Kratos’s limits further. Her quick movement means landing a hit on her even more complex and tricky. Beating her is mandatory to progress through the storyline. She makes up for her lack of health in her combat moveset.

• One of the best strategies to defeat her is to keep a distance and dodge all of the attacks timely.
• Players must watch her closely and recognize her attack patterns to dodge timely.
• If she manages to hit Kratos, severe damage is taken, especially on harder difficulties.
• Vanadis focuses more on ranged attacks than close-ranged combat, meaning players should be close to her.
• I strongly recommend investing XP into Kratos’s Melee and Combat skills, which will pay off here.
• Eventually, Kratos’s attacks will drain her HP and allow her to reveal her true identity. 

Gravel Belly

As the name implies, Gravel Belly is a giant beast with one of the game’s best intros. This beast will pop out of a massive gate and stun Kratos. The entire Gravel Belly boss fight resembles giant monster battles in previous God Of War entries.

• At the start, the beast will try to take a munch out of Kratos, yet this isn’t his primary attack pattern.
• His tail strikes and massive stomps covering a huge area are the major attacks to look out for. 
• Although Gravel Belly has little mobility, he is still a dangerous boss in close-range combat.
• As for Kratos, it is highly advised to take on the beast using the Draupnir Spear.
• Gravel Belly’s main weak point is near his chin and should be targeted by ranged weapons.
• The optimum time to get in close combat is after dodging Gravel Belly’s tail strikes.

Garm

Garm’s boss fight is a fan favorite and my most loved fight in the game. Garm is a giant fierce wolf that players encounter late into the main story. His entire fight manages to be tough while also serving as a spectacle.

The unique aspect of Garm’s boss fight is that it occurs in multiple stages. Garm’s primary attack pattern will be biting and slashing throughout all these stages, and he even has ranged attacks.

• The scary thing about Garm is how quickly he manages to close the distance between him and Kratos.
• Garm’s boss fight is significantly more brutal at higher difficulties.
• Players must deplete Garm’s health multiple times and utilize everything.
• As such, ranged attacks will be relatively easier to execute due to Garm’s severe size.
• Close-range attacks are critical when Garm gets stunned after a dodge or heavy ranged hit.
• At one point in the battle, Garm will have specific weak points throughout his body that need to be hit by the axe.
• Doing so will stun Garm and allow players to get several close-range hits.

The Crimson Dread

Crimson Dread is a mighty flying dragon and an optional boss in the Vanaheim realm. His boss fight involves lots of fire, slashing, and tail swings to dodge.

• The Crimson Dread is massive, and its attacks cover a larger area than other bosses.
• Players must look out for his stomps while he’s up in the air, as they cause severe damage.
• The Crimson Dread releases fire breath, which players may need to block with their shield.
• Players must use long-range attacks with axes or spears to beat the Crimson Dread.
• Evading and blocking will also be apparent throughout the entirety of this boss fight.
• Players should charge up the axe before throwing it at the dragon to maximize damage.

Stinnr & Sterkr

Stinnr and Sterkr is this list’s first boss fight involving Kratos battling two enemies simultaneously. Players will have faced Stinnr and Sterkr as regular enemies throughout the game, albeit evolved and more challenging. You will be able to encounter Stinnr and Sterkr during the quest of Remnants of Asgard.

• Stinnr and Sterkr carry heavy Bifrost weapons, temporarily hindering Kratos’s health throughout the fight.
• Both enemies are difficult to stun and have the ability to teleport before or after attacks.
• In addition, their attacks are severely damaging and relentless.
• Players will already be familiar with their attack patterns and need a strategy before the battle.
• I recommend focusing Kratos and Freya’s attacks on one of the two bosses and depleting his health entirely.
• Remember to stun before attacking as much as possible to avoid being hit back.

Nidhogg

Nidhogg’s is a giant monster that guards Yggdrasil’s roots. Since Freya needs to interact with the roots, it will awaken Nidhogg. Although it is stuck inside the rift for the first phase of the battle, it is still a fast beast that will try to punch or bite Kratos. 

• The central aspect that makes Nidhogg a formidable opponent is its unique attack strikes and Bifrost damage on Kratos.
• On top of that, Nidhogg features ten HP bars and a three-phase battle.
• Players must look out for bites, claws, and Bifrost stomps or spills throughout the battle.
• The first and second phases of the boss are where Nidhogg attacks with its claws and bites.
• It will also occasionally stomp the ground or spew Bifrost breath at Kratos.
• Players will want to attack Nidhogg when he’s stunned or recovering from a heavy attack instead of running in randomly.
• Nidhogg uses his claws to swipe away Kratos when he’s close, so make sure to dodge timely.
• Most importantly, learn Nidhogg’s moveset early, as his third phase will see him start attacking rapidly.

Thor

The battle with Thor is arguably Ragnarok’s most anticipated boss fight and one that pays off multiple times in the game. Players face Thor twice in God Of War Ragnarok, with the initial fight at the very start of the game.

I will focus on the second battle with Thor, which is arguably more challenging and considered one of the endgame fights. Thor is both more robust and has health in the second battle.

• His attacks range from ground stomps, throwing Mjolnir, and hard-hitting close-range attacks. Endgame bosses typically have more damaging attacks than the ones in early to mid-game.
• Players should attack Thor after blocking or dodging one of his close-range combos, as that is when he is most vulnerable.
• Long-range attacks with the spear serve well to damage his health little by little.
• Spartan Rage will also come in clutch to significantly damage Thor when he’s giving Kratos trouble.

Hrist & Mist

To stop Kratos and Atreus, Odin sends Hrist and Mist, two of his most seasoned Valkyries, to put down the duo. Fighting two Valkyries simultaneously makes Hrist and Mist two of the hardest bosses in God of War Ragnarok.

• Hrist and Mist’s boss battle begins with a bang and doesn’t let up the tension throughout the fight.
• Both Valkyries pack a punch and quickly attack Kratos repeatedly without breaks.
• This boss fight spans multiple stages and involves Kratos rescuing Atreus several times.
• Players will have to choose when to attack, when to help Atreus and how to dodge various forms of attacks.
• Both Valkyrie’s attacks include close combat, large AOE attacks, and long-ranged combat, which are highly damaging.
• To make matters worse, players must keep an eye on both Valkyries as they attack altogether and not in turns.
• The optimal strategy for beating both Valkyries involves familiarizing yourself with their movesets and audio cues.
• At this point, players should be well versed with the game’s combat system and instead need to know when to attack.
• I recommend focusing attacks on one Valkyrie and always being ready to dodge.
• Specific audio cues, such as when the Valkyries shout ” Yield,” relay when they are about to attack.

Heimdall

Heimdall is the God entrusted by Odin to protect Gjallarhorn and stop anyone from using it. Heimdall’s boss fight is equally matched in difficulty to the twin Valkyrie fight, except for one key difference. Players must use the Draupnir Spear to stun Heimdall and engage in close combat with him.

• The battle begins with Heimdall on a beast that Kratos has to defeat before the actual fight.
• Initially, Heimdall dodges all attacks and is invulnerable to all weapons except the Draupnir Spear.
• The fight lasts multiple phases, with his primary attack being continuous melee combinations to damage Kratos.
• Heimdall’s second phase elevates his combat style and allows him to slow down time.
• Beating Heimdall involves well-timed strikes with the spear to stun him, after which players should use special abilities for significant damage.
• I recommend throwing spears at Heimdall or near him and detonating them to stun and then attack him.
• Players will also have to dodge several times throughout the boss fight and should not rush their attacks.
• In the second phase, players must parry, dodge, or block Heimdall’s attacks when he slows time down.
• Failure to do so will result in Heimdall doing heavy damage to Kratos.
• Attacking Heimdall only after parrying or dodging his attacks is recommended to avoid taking damage.

Bodvar The Fierce & Starolfr The Troublesome

Berserker fights are extremely tense and should be attempted after the main story with the best gear and weapons. The optional battle with Bodvar and Starolfr is significantly more demanding than any main story boss due to the lack of checkpoints.

• What makes this boss fight severely tricky is the absence of a shared health bar between the Berserkers and unique movesets.
• Both Berserkers feature specific attacks, including AOE attacks, teleportation, and ranged combat.
• Players must retry this boss fight multiple times until they memorize the Berserker’s movesets without a fault.
• Winning against the Berserkers involves last-minute dodges and parries to stun the Berserkers and land a few hits.
• Players should find the opportunity to attack; their primary focus should be evading attacks and conserving health.
• I recommend focusing on one Berserker first while using Freya to distract the other.
• In my experience, targeting Bodvar first was ideal, as Starolfr tends to teleport away.
• Remember that this battle is unwinnable unless players are familiar with the best skills to use in the game.

Maven

Maven is a light elf and an optional boss in Alfheim that is brutally efficient at both long and close-range attacks. She earns her spot on this list because of her ability to attack you mid-combo and quickly deplete Kratos’s health.

• One of the most dangerous aspects of Maven is her irregular attacks while levitating in the air.
• Most of her attacks are close-range melee involving two swords.
• These swords are capable of striking at long ranges, too. Maven also restores her health at points throughout the fight too.
• It is highly recommended to dodge and parry her primary attacks early during combat.
• Look out for her red circle attacks as she throws a fatal projectile of swords.
• The only way to avoid it is to dodge roll and waste her projectiles.
• It is worth noting that if you fail to break her attacks, she will heal herself, thus extending the length of a battle. 
• The key to landing hits on Maven is interrupting her blue ring attacks and stunning her.
• After she is stunned, players should attack her with various combos to damage her as much as possible.
• Remember to dodge her AOE attack, as it takes the most health out of Kratos from all of her attacks.

King Hrolf Kraki

The final Berserker is known as King Hrolf, which players can beat as an optional boss in Midgard. Before attempting to fight King Hrolf, players must win all other Berserker boss battles, which is a feat in itself.

• King Hrolf incorporates attacks and defenses from all previous Berserkers, which adds to the difficulty of this boss fight.
• He is also relatively more aggressive and will actively try to break Kratos’s guard and land attacks.
• King Hrolf’s attacks also have several elemental effects, including fire, frost, shock, and more.
• Before fighting King Hrolf, players must equip their favorite Runic abilities and practice with them at the training arena.
• Doing so will familiarize players with a specific combat style to avoid minor and major errors during the fight.
• Almost all of King Hrolf’s attacks deplete Kratos’s health quickly, making dodging and parrying imperative.
• Make sure to interrupt his AOE attack by throwing Kratos’s axe and stunning him.
• The only time players should be attacking King Hrolf is after he’s finished with his attack combo or if he is stunned.
• Landing random hits will do no good and lead to a quick death.

GNA

GNA has arguably the most challenging fight, giving even the most seasoned veterans trouble. Despite having maxed-out stats and gear, most players will still have trouble beating GNA, deemed the Valkyrie Queen.

• The time given to players to dodge GNA’s attacks is incredibly short, and even one hit diminishes Kratos’s health.
• Her attacks include large AOE attacks, long-range arrows, and wide-wing attacks ending with a close strike.
• GNA’s moveset is one of the hardest to memorize, and players will have trouble predicting what she does next.
• Most of GNA’s melee attacks are unavoidable and need to be evaded. Trying to block GNA without a hefty shield will lead to Kratos’s quick death.
• To damage GNA, it is recommended to parry or block her wide-wing attacks or dodge roll her long-range attacks and then land hits.
• Remember to keep the fighting short before she deflects and stuns Kratos to kill him.

My Thoughts On The Hardest Boss Fights

Boss fights in God of War Ragnarok involve strategizing and utilizing the proper gear. The latest game in the series balances the game, so players do not feel overwhelmed by any boss. As evident by the list above, there is no shortage of difficulty in God Of War Ragnarok’s hardest bosses. 

• God of War Ragnarok Nornir Chests.
• God Of War Ragnarok Trolls.