How to Use Runic Attacks

Learn how to equip, use, and upgrade powerful Runic Attacks in God of War Ragnarök. Master these special combat abilities to deal massive damage and control the battlefield.

Runic Attacks are potent combat abilities in God of War Ragnarök that offer effects varying from elemental damage to physical damage or stun. They are significantly more powerful than normal attacks but have a cooldown period influenced by Kratos’ COOLDOWN stat. The range, area-of-effect, and number of strikes also differ, making some better for crowd control, others for single-target stun, and some for pure damage output against aggressive foes. Kratos’ RUNIC stat directly impacts their potency. Initially a supplemental damage boost, Runic Attacks become a primary offensive tool later in the game as more Runic Arts are acquired and stats improve.

Each of Kratos’ weapons can be equipped with one Light Runic Attack and one Heavy Runic Attack. Runic Arts are obtained as enemy drops (often from bosses), from Legendary Chests, or by progressing the main questline or completing Favors. To equip them, navigate to the Weapons tab in the menu, select a weapon, and choose the desired Runic Attack for the Light or Heavy slot. For example, the **Winter’s Bite** is a Light Runic Attack for the Leviathan Axe. Since each weapon has separate cooldowns for its Runic Attacks, swapping weapons allows for continuous use of these abilities.

To perform a Runic Attack, equip a weapon with one assigned and hold the L1 button, then press the Square button for a Light Runic Attack or the Triangle button for a Heavy Runic Attack. Some Runic Attacks have additional effects if you mash or hold the Square or Triangle buttons during their execution. Consult the Runic Attack’s description in the Weapons tab for specific details.

Runic Attacks can be upgraded in the Weapons tab by holding the Triangle button, provided you have the required XP. Upgrades enhance stats like elemental damage, physical damage, and stun, and can expand range, enable charging, or add successive attacks, making them essential for maximizing their effectiveness.