The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Every Berserker Gravestone in God of War Ragnarök
The journey through the Nine Realms in God of War Ragnarök is filled with breathtaking vistas, heart-wrenching story moments, and, for those seeking the ultimate challenge, the spectral calls of the Berserker Gravestones. These ancient markers, scattered across the realms, are the final resting places of King Hrolf Kraki's most ferocious warriors. Answering their challenge is optional, but for any warrior looking to test their mettle and claim the best rewards in the game, seeking out and defeating these spectral berserkers is a rite of passage.
This comprehensive guide is your trusted companion, a map and a strategy scroll rolled into one. We will not only pinpoint the exact location of all twelve Berserker Gravestones but also provide crucial tips for the battles that await. Consider this your one-stop resource for locating these challenging fights, understanding the unique mechanics of each berserker, and ultimately, claiming your prize.
Understanding the Berserker Gravestones
Before we embark on our realm-hopping quest, it's important to understand what you're getting into. The Berserker Gravestones are God of War Ragnarök's equivalent of the Valkyries from the previous game, but with a brutal, Viking-twist. Each gravestone, when interacted with, will summon one or more spectral fighters. The battles range from one-on-one duels to frantic two-on-one or even three-on-one brawls.
The key to even accessing these fights is the Relic known as the Hilt of Skofnung, which you acquire by completing the "The Word of Fate" main story quest in Midgard. Once you have this relic, the gravestones will glow with a blue light, beckoning you to unleash the fury within.
Now, let's begin our tour of the Nine Realms and uncover the locations of all twelve Berserker Gravestones.
The Twelve Gravestone Locations
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The Barrens (Alfheim): Our first stop is the sun-scorched desert of Alfheim. In the central area known as The Barrens, you will find a gravestone not far from the Mystic Gateway. This fight is a straightforward one-on-one against Bodvar the Fierce. It's a great introduction to the speed and aggression of these undead warriors.
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The Forbidden Sands (Alfheim): Also in Alfheim, but this time in the larger, western area of The Forbidden Sands. Head to the elven library structure in the northwest. The gravestone is located outside. This is a two-on-one fight against Starolfr the Troublesome and Beigadr the Feared, a chaotic battle that teaches you the importance of crowd control and prioritizing your targets.
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The Jungle (Vanaheim): Vanaheim's lush and tangled jungle hides a gravestone. After completing the main story quest that opens the crater, you can find this marker near a giant skeletal dragon corpse. This is a duel against Haklangr the Bearded, a heavily armored berserker who hits like a train.
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The Sinkholes (Vanaheim): Deeper within the Vanaheim Crater, in the Sinkholes area, you'll find another challenge. This gravestone requires you to day/night cycle the region to access it. The fight is against the sisters, Hardrefill the Callous and Frækni the Zealous. Their coordinated attacks will push your dodging and parrying skills to the limit.
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The Plains (Vanaheim): In the sprawling Plains of Vanaheim, you'll find a gravestone near the region's Mystic Gateway. This is another two-on-one encounter, pitting you against Skjothendi the Unerring and Hjalti the Stolid. One is a ranged attacker, while the other is melee-focused, forcing you to constantly manage the space between them.
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Pilgrim's Landing (Midgard): Return to the frozen lake of Midgard. Head to the shore at Pilgrim's Landing, to the right of the massive statue of Thor. This gravestone summons Bödvar the Fierce once more, but he's accompanied by Starolfr the Troublesome. This fight reinforces the lessons from The Forbidden Sands but in a more confined space.
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The Well of Urd (Midgard): In the southwestern part of Midgard's Shores of Nine, near the Well of Urd story location, you'll find a gravestone. This is a one-on-one fight against Hvitserkr the Bold, a surprisingly fast and aggressive berserker who uses a variety of elemental attacks.
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Nidavellir (Svartalfheim): In the dwarven town of Nidavellir, after you've lowered the water level twice, you can access a small dock area behind the town. The gravestone is here, summoning the trio of Berserkers: Beigadr the Feared, Frækni the Zealous, and Hjalti the Stolid. This is one of the most demanding fights, a true test of your endurance and ability to handle multiple threats simultaneously.
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The Applecore (Svartalfheim): Deep within the mines of The Applecore, in a large chamber with a water wheel, you'll find this gravestone. It's a one-on-one duel against the sisters, Hardrefill the Callous.
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Radsvinn's Rig (Svartalfheim): On the rig itself, you'll find a gravestone. This fight is against Skjothendi the Unerring, a berserker who prefers to keep his distance with deadly projectile attacks, making closing the gap your primary objective.
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Jarnsmida Pitmines (Svartalfheim): In the Pitmines area, after using the train cart to create a new path, you'll come across this gravestone in a circular arena. This is your final one-on-one test before the king, a duel against Haklangr the Bearded, now more powerful than his Vanaheim counterpart.
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King's Grave (Midgard): The final gravestone is not just another fight; it's the ultimate challenge. Located at the King's Grave in Midgard, this gravestone only becomes accessible after you have defeated the previous eleven berserkers. Interacting with it will summon King Hrolf Kraki himself, the leader of the pack and arguably the most difficult boss fight in the entire game.
Strategies for Success and Your Ultimate Reward
Conquering the Berserker Gravestones is no small feat. Here are some universal tips to guide you:
- Gear Up: Do not attempt these fights under-leveled. Ensure your armor, weapons, and enchantments are fully upgraded. The Berserker Armor Set, crafted from the materials they drop, is ironically one of the best for these very fights due to its stat bonuses and perks.
- Learn the Patterns: Each berserker has a specific moveset. Spend the first few attempts just learning their attack patterns, tells, and when it's safe to counter-attack.
- Use Your Arsenal: Don't forget about your runic attacks, companion summons, and relics. A well-timed Spartan Rage can save you from death or break an enemy's super armor.
- For Duos and Trios: Always prioritize the ranged attackers first. Use the environment to block projectiles while you deal with the melee-focused berserker.
Your perseverance will be richly rewarded. Beyond the immense satisfaction of victory, you will receive some of the best resources in the game, including Berserker Fragments used to craft the powerful Berserker armor set and the Hilt of Skofnung relic, which is upgraded with each victory.
Finally, by defeating the formidable King Hrolf Kraki, you will be granted the Hilt of Ridill, one of the most powerful relics in the game, and the true mark of a warrior who has conquered the deadliest challenge the Nine Realms have to offer. So, sharpen your Leviathan Axe, charge your Blades of Chaos, and prepare to answer the call of the gravestones. Your legend awaits.
