As an avid God of War fan whose platinumed every installment, I was eager to tackle the sweeping vistas and lethal obstacles of Ragnarök‘s Vanaheim realm. But even I met my match navigating the sheer cliffs, crumbling terraces, and disease-ridden thickets of the Cliffside Ruins.
It wasn‘t until countless hours mastering the area‘s threats – feral lynx, venomous reptiles, undead horrors – that I unlocked every secret etched into its stone walls. Hard-fought wisdom now ready to impart to fellow adventurers, so you too can seize the legendary riches buried in this forgotten outpost.
Orienting Yourself in the Cliffside Ruins
Before chasing after the coveted legendary chest, getting your bearings in the sprawling Cliffside Ruins is essential. As you dock your boat along the southern river delta, a jagged landscape of broken ramparts and partially collapsed dilapidated structures awaits you.
Key Features to Locate:
- Central Platform: The heart of ruins, connects various bridges and houses chest at highest point
- Drawbridge: Retracted bridge spanning a gorge to sealed-off northern cliffs
- Goddess Falls Entry: Riverside cavern leading to mystic Veiled Passage
- Watchtower: Contains chain mechanism to extend main drawbridge
Don‘t expect to access all areas immediately. Chains barricade plenty of paths, necessitating backtracking once you‘ve unlocked shortcuts. Poison plants propagate rapidly here too – stock up on Arteus‘ arrows to eliminate spreads.
| Structure | Description |
|---|---|
| Central Platform | Main hub of ruins; houses epic chest at pinnacle |
| Eastern Terraces | Series of broken platforms and bridges along cliffs |
| Watchtower | Controls drawbridge mechanism granting northern access |
| Veiled Passage | Secret tunnel leading from Goddess Falls to northern cliffs |
Claiming the Legendary Chest
As you explore the ruins‘ southern half, a tempting glimmer calls from across the river gorge – the precious legendary chest. Retrieving it, however, requires manipulating mechanisms in the northern cliffs. Here is the most efficient path:
Follow Goddess Falls to the Veiled Passage
Rather than tackling drawbridges right away, locate the Goddess Falls inlet east of your docking point. Behind a unassuming waterfall lies the entrance to the Veiled Passage – a winding cave network navigating the heart of the cliffs.
Fight through wulvers and sorcerers inside before eventually emerging on the northern cliffs themselves. You‘ll end up much deeper inland, bypassing the need to cross drawbridges spanning the river gorge.
Descend to the Watchtower
Navigating back outside, traverse westward along the cliffs toward the retracted drawbridge. Move downward through the various terraces and platforms, using your Blades of Chaos to swing across gaps.
Eliminate any revenants in your path, but don‘t get greedy – some areas have instant-death drops if you overcommit attacking! Eventually you‘ll spot the towering Watchtower connected to the bridge controls.
Extend the Drawbridge
A tedious troll guards the Watchtower bridge controls – use Atreus‘ shock arrows to stun him, then unleash your heaviest runic summons. Once you‘ve felled the beast, freeze the mechanism and have Atreus shoot the counterweight.
This will finally extend the pivotal central drawbridge granting you access to the coveted chest.Peer across the spanning bridge to spot the chest housed on a raised dais. Sprint over before the counterweight resets the bridge!
Destroy Obstructive Debris
Sadly, even with the bridge lowered, debris blocks direct access to the legendary chest. Spy explosive urns on terraces below the obstruction. Have Freya detonate them with Sigil Arrows, then quickly traverse the cleared route to claim your prize!
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Enter Veiled Passage | Secret route behind Goddess Falls waterfall |
| Lower Central Bridge | Use Watchtower mechanism guarded by burly troll |
| Obliterate Debris | Target explosive jars near chest dais |
| Loot Legendary Chest | Seize mythical Heavy Runic Attack for Leviathan Axe |
Maximizing Your Haul in the Ruins
While the legendary weapon upgrade is certainly the crown jewel, dedicatedCollect several other tantalizing upgrades and artifacts by combing the crevices:
Nornir Chest
This devioustrial awaits along the southern river banks right of the dock. To unlock it, synchronize button presses to ignite three distant braziers. Its reward? A rare Horn of Blood Mead upgrade to boost maximum Rage meter.
Lore Chronicling the Ruins
A mournful spirit named Hjödhr haunts these ruins after his village was lost to plague. Aid him by locating glowing grave markers and return for tales of the settlement‘s tragic fate. It‘s one of the game‘s most gut-wrenching narratives.
Conscience for the Dead Favor
That same specter, Hjödhr asks you to lay his people‘s remains to rest. This intricate favor interweaves with the ruins‘ secret passages and explosive demolition puzzles. Complete it to unlock access to the legendary chest and learn this site‘s melancholic history.
| Collectible | Type | Reward | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nornir Chest | Puzzle Chest | Horn of Blood Mead Upgrade | Goddess Fall Riverbanks |
| Hjödhr‘s Graves | Lore Markers | Backstory Experience | Northern Secret Ledges |
| Conscience Favor | Story Quest | Access Mechanisms + Upgrades | Hidden Chambers |
Conquering God of War Ragnarök‘s Deadliest Ruins
For cherished heroes like Kratos and Atreus, the Cliffside Ruins pose threats unmatched across the realms. But with enough preparedness, determination, and skill, all its hazards transform into rewarding opportunities.
I hope my hard-fought lessons spare you some painful failures and set you on the path to uncovering all this land‘s generous treasures – especially that glorious Heavy Runic Attack for the Leviathan Axe! This power serves me well as I adventure across the next harrowing lands. May it offer you strength too!
Now steel your nerves, weapons, and wits – more ominous challenges loom on the road of Ragnarök ahead!
