God of War Ragnarök continues Kratos and Atreus’s emotional journey across the Nine Norse Realms in search of answers. After years of grief and isolation, Kratos now struggles to restrain his rage to set an example for his young son Atreus – who faces his own internal turmoil. Solving magical puzzles and overcoming obstacles like the emerald green shields showcases their growing cooperation. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to break these arcane shields using Atreus’s new Skjalfa ability.
Backstory of Kratos and Origins of God of War
As a refresher, Kratos first appeared in 2005‘s God of War on PlayStation 2, beginning his mythic saga. Once a fierce Spartan general, Kratos murdered his family while blinded by bloodlust spread by the God of War, Ares. After slaying Ares, the embittered and ashen-skinned warrior becomes the new God of War himself.
The original trilogy follows Kratos’s path of vengeance against the Pantheon of Greek gods like Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena. He explores fantastical locations like the cursed desert vista of Pandora’s Temple and overcomes beastly foes like the Hydra and Cronos using his chained Blades of Chaos.
By the end of God of War III in 2010, Kratos has systematically killed all the Greek gods in increasingly elaborate action set-pieces. Yet with nobody left to blame, he finds himself more hollow than ever.
The 2018 God of War reboot for PlayStation 4 fast forwards to many years later, after Kratos has migrated to the Norse wilds to start life anew with a second wife named Faye and their son Atreus. After Faye dies, possibly due to the encroaching Fimbulwinter, father and son journey to spread her ashes from the highest peak of Midgard according to her last wishes.
Along their quest they meet dwarven brothers Brok and Sindri, the friendly monster Mimir, and the embittered Norse God Baldur. Through spectacular boss fights against mythical beasts like trolls and valkyries, their father-son bond strengthens while Kratos keeps his violent past a secret from Atreus. Little do they realize how this unfinished business will soon resurface…
God of War Ragnarok picks up years after the last game ended on a cliffhanger, with the prophecized Fimbulwinter already underway. Deteriorating relations between Kratos and the resident Norse gods sparks an impending war with grave consequences.
He now struggles against repeating past mistakes and Bellona his fury and grief for Atreus’s sake, serving as a cautionary tale about the lineages fathers pass onto sons. Their journey drives this theme home as they traverse hostile environments rife with gods and monsters who push Kratos mentally and physically. Overcoming obstacles like the emerald shields showcases how cooperation has strengthened their family bond.
What Are the Green Shields in God of War Ragnarök?
Throughout the hostile fantastical environments, Kratos and Atreus will come across shimmering emerald shields blocking access to some areas. These translucent magical barricades obstruct passages and treasure rooms, preventing easy access to useful resources like crafting materials and armor upgrades.
The jade glow makes them stand out distinctly against surfaces carved from stone, wood, or ice. Attempting to break through via blunt force does not work unlike smashable clutter in the game. Instead these shields seem connected to magical rune mechanisms.
Keen observers will notice a subtle throbbing pulse near the center, indicating mystical energy protects it. Cinematic moments when Kratos struggles to break them through raging strength alone provides early hints that a different method is required.
Later in the story, Atreus unlocks new spiritual abilities that can counteract these emerald shields. Once upgraded, he can dispel specific magical barriers – broadening exploration across the beautifully hostile realms.
Unlocking the Skjafa Arcane Arrows
A key turning point takes place during the search for Tyr in the underground dwarven kingdom of Nidavellir about 20 hours into the story. This realm filled with rising magma channels, mine cart rails, and claustrophobic caverns provides a tactile backdrop for a key upgrade.
After assisting the friendly blacksmith dwarf brothers Sindri and Brok, an important cutscene plays out in Sindri’s house within the Applecore region. Atreus experiences a vision showing the missing limping god Tyr and a glimpse of his prophetic destiny.
Shortly after this vision, Atreus mysteriously gains access to a new ability – the arcane Skjafa arrow type for his Talon Bow. This finally enables the breaking of pulsing emerald shields. I missed this on my first playthrough!
Check your equipment screen once gaining control – Skjafa should now be slotted as one of Atreus’s arrow types, replacing the default arrows. Test them out on debris to witness their shield-shattering might.
The name Skjafa references Norse myth – Skjálf was a fertility goddess married to Odin. The arrow type seems connected to piercing protective magic. Now returned to where an emerald barrier blocked your path before – Skjafa will work wonders!
When Can You Break Green Shields?
The shimmering green magical shields first appear organically through God of War Ragnarok’s story campaign once gaining Skjafa. This creates an “a-ha!” moment after struggling to progress previously.
For most players, this occurs 20 hours in upon returning to previously explored realms like Svartalfheim and Vanaheim. The exact context can vary based on side quest progress – the key is meeting Sindri in the Applecore and speaking to the witch.
These arcane barriers start showing up more frequently from here onward. Typically they block hidden chambers with useful gear like Idunn Apples for health upgrades. Skjafa provides access to enlarged wealth and gear options.
Without spoiling too much, the second half of Ragnarok begins introducing Nornir Chests guarded by emeral shields. Each Nornir Chest provides an Idunn Apple for extending Kratos’s health bar – very useful for tougher, lengthier boss fights against the likes of Gna and Heimdall.
So in summary – the green shields appear organically late in the story campaign once Atreus unlocks Skjafa. This spearheads a minor meta-game of hunting down now-accessible Nornir Chests across the realms.
Step-By-Step Instructions on Breaking Green Shields
Follow these instructions once you unlock Skjafa to easily shatter emerald barriers:
Reach Sindri’s House in the Applecore
This dwarf-made cavern region links various mines and tunnels in Nidavellir. Reach the Applecore while pursuing the main objective of finding Angrboda. Light crystals and use mine cart rails to descend deeper.
Eventually you will discover a small house near a drop – this is Sindri‘s home. When interacting with the interior, a lengthy cutscene will play out showing Atreus‘s vision.
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Gain the Skjafa Arrow Ability
Shortly after the cutscene ends, open your inventory screen. Atreus should now have the deadly arcane Skjafa Arrows equipped automatically for use with his Talon Bow.
Test them out on nearby debris – instead of thunking objects, the arrows emit a shockwave on impact, disintegrating obstacles. Their true purpose lies ahead!
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Return to Green Shield Locations
Now backtrack through Nidavellir‘s tunnels and mine tracks, returning to previously inaccessible areas blocked by shimmering green barriers. These often obstruct side chambers packed with crafting materials and Nornir Chests.
For example, you may discover a new tunnel just before the mine cart bringing you to Sindri‘s house. At the end lies one such barricade.
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Fire Skjafa Arrows to Break Shields
Approach the pulsating translucent wall and press L2 to aim Atreus’s Talon Bow. Charge up by holding L2, then tap Square. An awesome animation plays where Atreus shouts as he launches the mystical arrow, shattering the green obstruction instantly.
Repeat this process anytime you encounter an identical barricade across the realms. It never gets old!
Now enter where it stood to snag epic loot like an Idunn Apple which permanently boosts Kratos’s health – crucial for defeating upcoming mythic foes! All thanks to Skjafa’s magic-dispelling abilities.
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And that covers how to easily destroy green magical shields in God of War Ragnarök once obtaining Skjafa shock arrows! This powerful new tool opens up hidden chambers blocked off previously. Now Kratos and Atreus can increase their strength further for the challenges that lie ahead.
Let me know in the comments if you still have any questions on breaking through these barred pathways! For more Ragnarok tips check out the guides below:
- Best Armor & Gear Upgrades
- All Odin Raven Locations
- How to Defeat All Boss Fights
- Niflheim Cipher Puzzle Solutions
So in over 2,000 epic yet emotional words – that is how to smash magical obstructions in God of War Ragnarök using Skjafa shock arrows gained deep in the mines of Nidavellir! Return to where pulsing green barricades taunted you before – and enjoy the wealth within using Atreus’s new gift. Their journey into mystery can now continue…
