As the God of War, Kratos is nearly invincible in battle. However, even the Ghost of Sparta needs to replenish his health during the epic fights in God of War Ragnarok. This guide will provide expert tips on the various methods to heal and endure through the toughest enemies.
Collecting Healthstones
The most direct way to heal Kratos during exploration or combat is to collect healthstones. These small green orbs provide instant healing and are dropped by defeated enemies or found in destructible containers.
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The size of the healthstone determines how much health Kratos recovers. Larger enemies typically drop bigger healthstones that heal more HP.
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Don‘t wait until you‘re nearly dead to collect healthstones. Try to grab them periodically to top off Kratos‘ health.
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You don‘t need to rush to gather every healthstone right away. It‘s often better to focus on the enemies first before collecting items.
Healthstones provide instant but limited healing
Activating Spartan Rage
Spartan Rage can heal Kratos in the midst of battle while also boosting his attack power. By activating this berserker-like rage state, you can enter either Fury or Valor modes.
Fury Mode
Fury mode causes Kratos‘ melee attacks to self-heal for a percentage of the damage dealt. Use this when you are low on health and need to regain HP quickly.
- Activate Fury mode by pressing L3 + R3 when the Spartan Rage meter is full
- Kratos will heal himself rapidly with strong melee attacks
- Try to maximize damage against enemies to recover more health
Valor Mode
Valor mode trades health regeneration for pure offense and defense. This can still heal Kratos but not as much as Fury mode.
- Best saved for major boss battles rather than normal fights
- Requires a significant portion of the Spartan Rage meter
- Use Valor for the attack boost more than the minor healing
Spartan Rage lets you heal yourself while fighting
Finding Idunn Apples
Idunn Apples are unique collectibles that permanently increase Kratos‘ maximum health. This reduces reliance on periodic healing items.
- There is one Idunn Apple located in each of the nine realms
- Check a collectibles guide to find exactly where to get these health upgrades
- Along with more HP, Idunn Apples also give you increased Rage meter
Building up Kratos‘ base health is extremely useful. Then you can focus more on offense instead of healing as much during battles.
Idunn Apples provide permanent health upgrades
Health-Boosting Armor and Enchantments
You can further improve Kratos‘ healing ability and survivability through armor upgrades.
Giptumadr’s Gauntlets & Waist Guard
This matching armor set provides a chance to have enemies drop healthstones or rage stones after landing a runic attack.
- 10% chance for a healthstone on hit
- 20% chance for a rage stone
- Craft this set early to help with health management
Health Burst Enchantment
The Health Burst armor enchantment gives you an instant burst of healing when Kratos drops below 25% health once per fight. Very useful as an emergency fail safe.
Bitter Squirrel Runic Summon
This unique runic summon allows you to call on Ratatoskr the squirrel to bring you a free healthstone.
- Complete the "Return of the River" favor to unlock it
- Use this when you‘re low on health and no enemies nearby
- Can only be used once per summon but has two charges
The Bitter Squirrel runic summon provides free healthstones
Having multiple options for healing makes a huge difference in God of War Ragnarok. Combine healthstones, Spartan Rage modes, Idunn Apples, high-health armor sets, and recovery enchantments to ensure Kratos outlasts anything the realms can throw at him!
