God of War Ragnarök gives you many skills early, and it is easy to spend XP too fast. Some skills look cool, but they are not always useful in the first hours. The best early skills are the ones you use in almost every fight.
In the early game, you need simple value: more damage, better control, faster movement, and safer fights. You do not need a perfect build yet. You need skills that make Kratos stronger right away.
This guide covers the best skills to unlock first for the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, Shield, and Atreus support.
Best Early Skills to Unlock First
Use this table as a simple early-game path.
1. Extinguish Flames
Extinguish Flames is one of the best first skills in God of War Ragnarök. It makes the Leviathan Axe deal more damage to enemies affected by Burn.
This works well because the Blades of Chaos can apply Burn. After that, you switch to the Axe and hit harder. It is simple, useful, and teaches you how to use both weapons together.
Use the Blades to burn an enemy, then switch to the Axe for stronger hits. This is very good against stronger enemies with more health.
2. Vaporize Frost
Vaporize Frost is just as important. It makes the Blades of Chaos deal more damage to enemies affected by Frost.
The Leviathan Axe can build Frost, then the Blades can punish that frozen enemy with bonus damage. This gives you one of the best early combat loops in the game.
Use the Axe first, build Frost, switch to the Blades, and attack fast. This works well against normal enemies and tougher fights.
3. Permafrost
Permafrost is a great early Axe skill because it rewards clean fighting. When you land hits without taking damage, your Axe builds Frost power.
This skill is good for players who like controlled combat. The Axe is strong, safe, and great for slowing enemies down. Permafrost makes that style even better.
It also teaches better habits. You start blocking, dodging, and picking your attacks more carefully because you want to keep the Frost charge active.
4. Immolation
Immolation works like Permafrost, but for the Blades of Chaos. When you keep attacking without taking damage, the Blades build Burn power.
This is great if you like fast combat. The Blades are strong against groups and have good range. With Immolation, you get more value from clean aggressive play.
Do not spam attacks without thinking. Move, dodge, pull enemies in, and keep pressure while avoiding damage.
5. Glacial Rake
Glacial Rake is one of the best early Leviathan Axe skills for groups. Kratos drags the Axe through the ground and sends ice forward.
This is very useful when enemies are standing in front of you. It can hit more than one enemy and help you control space.
In early fights, groups can become messy fast. Glacial Rake gives you breathing room and helps stop enemies before they surround you.
6. Hyperion Grapple
Hyperion Grapple is one of the best Blades skills for movement. Kratos throws the Blades into an enemy and pulls himself forward.
This is useful against enemies that move away, fly, or attack from range. Instead of chasing them slowly, you can close the gap fast.
It keeps combat active and helps you stay on enemies before they recover.
7. Rushing Chaos
Rushing Chaos is a strong early opener. It lets Kratos rush forward and attack with the Blades of Chaos.
Use it when enemies are far away or when you want to start a fight quickly. It works well with Immolation because it helps you get close and keep attacking.
This skill is best for players who like fast pressure and close-range combat.
8. Serpent’s Snare
Serpent’s Snare is a strong heavy attack for the Leviathan Axe. It gives you a powerful hit with good impact.
It is useful against bigger enemies, but you should not spam it. Use it after an enemy misses, after a block, or when you have enough space.
This skill is good, but unlock your main damage and control skills first. After that, Serpent’s Snare becomes a nice upgrade for heavy Axe damage.
9. Shield Check
Shield Check is easy to ignore, but it helps a lot. It gives you a quick shield attack that can interrupt enemies and build stun.
Many players focus only on Axe and Blades skills. That is a mistake. Your shield is a major part of combat. Blocking, parrying, and shield pressure can save you in hard fights.
Unlock Shield Check after your main weapon skills. It is not the first skill you need, but it is worth getting early.
10. Atreus Upgrades
Atreus is very useful in the early game. His arrows can interrupt enemies, build stun, and help you control fights.
You do not need to spend all your XP on Atreus first. Kratos should get the main combat skills early. Still, a few Atreus upgrades make fights easier, especially against groups.
Use his arrows when enemies are about to attack or when you need extra pressure.
Final Tips
The best early skills in God of War Ragnarök are the ones that improve your core combat loop. Prioritize Extinguish Flames, Vaporize Frost, Permafrost, and Immolation first, as they provide the biggest damage boosts and help you learn how to combine the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos effectively. After that, invest in mobility and crowd-control skills like Hyperion Grapple and Glacial Rake to handle tougher encounters more comfortably.
Remember that XP is limited during the early game, so avoid unlocking skills that only fit specific situations. Focus on abilities that provide value in almost every fight, and your journey through the Nine Realms will become much smoother.
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