Gunnr: Valkyries

Learn how to defeat Gunnr, the first Valkyrie you'll encounter in God of War (2018). This guide breaks down her attacks and provides strategies to overcome this tough optional boss.

Alright, so you've stumbled upon one of the toughest optional challenges in God of War (2018): the Valkyries. Don't sweat it if you get wiped out a few times – that's totally normal! Gunnr is usually the first one you'll run into, and honestly, she's like a mini-tutorial for these fights. She's got just a few main moves, so focus on learning those, and you'll be golden.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Location: Thamur’s Corpse
• Rewards: Upgrade materials, Feather’s of the Fallen Servant Enchantment
• Weakness: Learning her attack patterns is key. She's a good introduction to the Valkyrie mechanics.

Phases: Gunnr has a few distinct attack patterns:

1. Wing Combo: She'll spin her wings around her in a circle. You can try to parry or block this, but the final hit is usually unblockable. Your best bet is to dodge backward through the whole sequence.
2. Wing Buffet: This is a series of wing attacks that you can block or parry. It's less dangerous than the Wing Combo.
3. Unblockable Punch: She'll rear back and deliver a powerful punch. This is telegraphed by her glowing red arm. You absolutely *must* dodge this to the side.
4. Leap Attack: When she jumps into the air, she's winding up for a dive bomb. Dodge to the side, and you'll usually have a window to get a few hits in.

Strategy:

• When Gunnr starts her Wing Combo, don't try to block it all. Just dodge backward repeatedly until she finishes.
• For her Wing Buffet, you can block or parry if you're feeling confident, but dodging is always safe.
• The Unblockable Punch is your cue to get out of the way. A quick sidestep is all you need.
• After her Leap Attack, she's often open for a couple of hits. Be quick and don't get greedy.
• Keep an eye on her movements. Most of her attacks have a clear wind-up, so pay attention and react accordingly.
• Don't be afraid to use your runic attacks when you see an opening, especially after dodging her big moves.
• If you're struggling, focus on defense first. Learn to dodge everything perfectly, and then start looking for those punish windows. You'll get her!