Unleash Your Inner God: A Guide to the Best New Game+ Armor in God of War (2018)
Welcome back, warrior. You’ve battled your way from the wildwoods of Midgard to the peak of the highest peak, you’ve scattered Baldur’s ashes, and you’ve witnessed the beginning of Ragnarök. But your journey is far from over. God of War’s brilliant New Game+ mode beckons, offering a chance to replay the epic saga with all your hard-earned skills and gear, facing tougher enemies, crafting powerful new resources, and, most excitingly, acquiring a suite of devastatingly powerful armor sets.
Stepping into this heightened challenge, the question isn't just about survival anymore; it's about dominance. Which armor will transform Kratos from a formidable fighter into an unstoppable force of nature? This guide is your trusted companion, breaking down the absolute best New Game+ armor sets to help you tailor the Ghost of Sparta to your preferred playstyle. We'll dive deep into the stats, the perks, and the perfect moments to use each set, ensuring you are perfectly equipped for every encounter that awaits.
Understanding the New Game+ Armor Economy
Before we crown our champions, it's crucial to understand the new system. In NG+, you deal with a new currency: Skap Slag. This shimmering red material is found in legendary chests, awarded for completing major quests, and dropped by the most formidable foes. It’s the key to unlocking the true endgame gear. The Blacksmiths' shops are now stocked with Perfect versions of many iconic armor sets, like the Cod of War or the Tyr armor, which offer superior stats and often enhanced versions of their original perks.
More importantly, NG+ introduces brand-new, exclusive armor sets that are often the most powerful in the game. These are typically crafted from a combination of Hacksilver, standard crafting materials, and a hefty amount of Skap Slag. Your choice will define your journey, so let’s get to the best of the best.
The Contenders: Top-Tier New Game+ Armor Sets
There is no single "best" armor; there is only the "best for you." The ideal set depends on whether you prefer to be a relentless damage dealer, an unkillable tank, or a runic wizard. We'll cover the pinnacle of each archetype.
1. The Zeus Armor Set: The Ultimate Glass Cannon Build
If you believe the best defense is an overwhelming offense, look no further. The Zeus set is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. This NG+ exclusive set is obtained by defeating the Valkyrie Queen, Sigrun, on a New Game+ save file.
- Playstyle: Pure, unadulterated aggression.
- Set Bonus: Emnity of Zeus - Dramatically increases all damage you deal AND all damage you take.
- Breakdown: The Zeus Armor turns Kratos into a deity of destruction. You will shred through enemy health bars, including the health of New Game+ bosses, in a matter of seconds. A fully charged Leviathan Axe heavy runic attack can easily decimate half a boss's health bar. However, a single mistimed dodge or block can mean a quick death. This set is not for the faint of heart or those still learning enemy attack patterns. It demands perfection, speed, and an aggressive mindset.
- Best For: Players seeking the ultimate challenge and the fastest possible kill times. It pairs exceptionally well with high-stagger runic attacks and the Amulet of Kvasir for last-second dodges, which are essential for survival.
2. The Ares Armor Set: The Berserker's Blessing
A close cousin to the Zeus set in philosophy, the Ares armor offers a slightly different, yet equally aggressive, approach to combat. This is another NG+ exclusive, earned by completing the "Muspelheim Trials" on the Give Me God of War difficulty in NG+.
- Playstyle: Sustained aggression with a self-healing mechanic.
- Set Bonus: Rage of Ares - A portion of all damage dealt is returned as health, and your Rage generation is significantly increased.
- Breakdown: While the Zeus set focuses on ending fights before you get hit, the Ares set allows you to stay in the thick of battle by constantly regenerating health through your attacks. This creates a thrilling, in-your-face combat loop where you are constantly trading blows and coming out on top through sheer sustain. The increased Rage generation means you can activate Spartan Rage more frequently, either to save yourself from death or to unleash a devastating burst of damage.
- Best For: Players who love aggressive, melee-heavy combat but want a bit more margin for error than the Zeus set allows. It’s perfect for those who enjoy the feeling of being an unstoppable, health-stealing berserker.
3. The Cod of War / Perfect Tyr Armor Set: The Balanced Champion
Not everyone wants to live on the edge. For those who value versatility, consistency, and a well-rounded stat block, the "Perfect" versions of the mid-game armor sets are fantastic choices. The Perfect Cod of War set and the Perfect Tyr's Armor set are standout examples.
- Playstyle: Versatile and adaptable.
- Set Bonus: These sets typically offer balanced increases to Strength, Runic, Defense, and Cooldown. The Perfect Tyr set, for instance, provides a chance to grant a protective barrier on any successful hit, a fantastic all-around defensive perk.
- Breakdown: These sets don't specialize in one extreme area. Instead, they make you exceptionally good at everything. You'll have high damage, powerful runic attacks, and solid defense, allowing you to adapt to any situation the game throws at you. You won't kill as fast as the Zeus set, but you also won't die in one hit. This reliability is invaluable when exploring unknown territories or facing enemies with diverse attack patterns.
- Best For: The majority of players. It’s the ideal "first" NG+ armor set to craft, as it will carry you comfortably through the entire playthrough while you gather Skap Slag for the more specialized sets. It's also excellent for players who like to use a mix of axe, blades, and runic attacks.
4. The Valkyrie+ Armor Set: The Runic Master
If your favorite part of combat is unleashing a storm of magical attacks, the upgraded Valkyrie set is your endgame goal. This is the Perfect version of the iconic endgame armor from the base game, requiring you to collect the new NG+ materials from the Valkyries (again!) to craft.
- Playstyle: Runic-focused spellcasting.
- Set Bonus: Heart of the Valkyrie - Greatly reduces runic attack cooldowns and increases the damage of all runic attacks.
- Breakdown: This set turns Kratos into a master of the arcane. With high Cooldown stats and the set bonus, you can cycle through your four runic attacks (two for the axe, two for the blades) with incredible speed. Imagine stunning a troll with Hel's Touch, following up with the Leviathan's Wake, switching to the Blades of Chaos to unleash Hyperion Grapple and then Prometheus Flame, and having the first runic attack already off cooldown by the time you finish. It’s a spectacular and highly effective way to play.
- Best For: Players who love using runic attacks and want to control the battlefield with relentless magical assaults. Pair this with the Talisman of Unbound Potential for even more cooldown reduction.
Mixing and Matching: Creating Your Perfect Loadout
Don't feel you have to wear a full set! Some of the most powerful builds come from mixing armor pieces to cover your weaknesses or amplify your strengths.
- Example 1: The Hybrid Destroyer. Use the Zeus Cuirass for maximum damage, but pair it with the Cod of War+ gauntlets and waist guard for a boost to cooldown and a bit of extra survivability. This tempers the glass-cannon nature of the Zeus set just enough.
- Example 2: The Unstoppable Caster. Combine the Valkyrie+ gauntlets and waist guard (for cooldown and runic damage) with the Ares breastplate. This gives you powerful runic attacks while also providing the health-steal sustain to stay in the fight.
Your choice also extends to your Talisman and Enchantments. For a Zeus build, stack Strength and Enchantments that boost damage like the Perfect Mark of the Tyr. For a Valkyrie build, fill every slot with Perfect Enchantments of the Eldrhimn to maximize Cooldown.
The Final Verdict: Which Armor is Right for You?
So, which path will you choose?
- For the skilled player seeking the pinnacle of damage: Craft the Zeus Armor and learn to dance with death.
- For the aggressive player who loves to brawl: The Ares Armor will keep you fighting forever.
- For the versatile adventurer who values balance: The Perfect Cod of War or Tyr Armor is your reliable, all-purpose solution.
- For the player who commands the elements: The Valkyrie+ Armor will make you a master of runic magic.
No matter your choice, the world of New Game+ is waiting to be conquered once more. Visit Brok and Sindri, spend your Skap Slag wisely, and forge the legend you are meant to be. The journey ahead is perilous, but with the right armor on your shoulders, you are more than ready. Happy hunting, Kratos.
