As an avid gamer and gaming strategy writer, few things excite me more than quality video game armor. The armor design in Santa Monica Studio‘s God of War Ragnarok is some of the best I‘ve ever seen. And the Darkdale armor set you get with the Digital Deluxe edition offers an incredible early game advantage.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll provide everything you need to know to obtain the mighty Darkdale armor set for Kratos and dominate the first 10 hours of God of War Ragnarok.
Let‘s get started!
The Lore Behind God of War‘s Darkdale Armor
Before we dive into unlocking it, some background on the Darkdale armor set. Longtime fans may notice this jet black finely-crafted armor bears a striking resemblance to the imposing Dragonscale set from 2018‘s God of War.
This is no coincidence – Santa Monica Studio designed the Darkdale armor as an homage to the Dragonscale set which became so popular among fans. The ornate engraved details and sinister skull adornments make it one of the most badass-looking options for Kratos.
In an interview with Game Informer, God of War Ragnarok creative director Cory Barlog revealed the inspiration behind the armor‘s creation:
"We wanted to celebrate the Dragonscale armor which the fans really responded to. So we iterated on that to create this really intricate black armor set engraved with gold accents. The design draws from historical Viking Age armors we researched – like the ornate helmets and armor found in sites like Gjermundbu and Torslunda."
This connects the Darkdale armor directly to ancient Norse warrior culture. An excellent fit for Kratos‘s own warrior background!
Now let‘s get into how to actually obtain this elite armor set in God of War Ragnarok.
Overview of the Darkdale Armor Pieces
The complete Darkdale set includes:
- Darkdale Chest Armor – Improves strength (+10) and defense (+30).
- Darkdale Gauntlets – Grants strength (+5) and defense (+10).
- Darkdale Waist Guard – Boosts strength (+5) and defense (+10).
- Darkdale Boots – Provides increased defense (+5).
- Darkdale Axe Grip – Upgrades axe damage and strength (+7).
- Darkdale Blades Handles – Enhances runic (+8) and vitality (+10).
I‘ll provide a detailed comparison of the Darkdale armor versus top-tier endgame sets later in this guide. But in short, it provides an excellent early game buff to strength, defense, and damage output.
The bonuses may not surpass elite late game armors. However, Darkdale gives you a tremendous headstart in the first 10-15 hours.
Now let‘s get into unlocking it.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Unlock the Darkdale Armor
Follow these steps to redeem your Digital Deluxe code and equip the Darkdale set:
1. Purchase the God of War Ragnarok Digital Deluxe Edition
This special edition includes the Darkdale armor set and is available on PS4 and PS5 for $79.99 USD.
You‘ll receive a download code that can be redeemed to unlock the armor. Many retailers like Amazon provide instant digital codes.
2. Redeem Your Darkdale Armor DLC Code on PlayStation Store
Once you have your code, redeem it by:
- Opening the PlayStation Store app on your PS4 or PS5.
- Scrolling down and selecting "Redeem Codes".
- Entering your 13-character Darkdale armor code.
- Hitting "Continue" and confirming to attach it to your account.
You‘ll get a notification that the Darkdale armor has been redeemed!
3. Find the Chest After Unlocking the Weapons Area
Now for actually obtaining the gear in God of War Ragnarök:
- Play through the intro mission up until you unlock the weapons workbench in Sindri‘s house. This takes about 1 hour.
- After unlocking the workbench, look for a lootable chest next to the blacksmith dwarf Brok.
- Open the chest to claim your Darkdale armor pieces and axe/blades items!
4. Equip the Darkdale Gear at the Workbench
Finally, access the weapons workbench menu and equip whichever Darkdale armor components you desire. Then slaughter away in style!
It only takes about an hour of playtime to unlock the Darkdale set. If the items don‘t appear at first, double check that you looted the chest next to Brok.
Now let‘s analyze how the Darkdale boosts your power in key stages across God of War Ragnarok.
Darkdale Armor Progression Analysis
While not the mightiest late game set, the Darkdale armor provides excellent benefits in the early to mid game:
| Game Stage | Armor Viability | Key Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Early Game (1-10 hours) | Excellent | Big starting boosts to strength, defense, and damage. Better than early options. |
| Mid Game (10-20 hours) | Strong | Still decent boosts to core stats. Viable but losing relevance. |
| End Game (20+ hours) | Average | Outclassed by top-tier endgame armors. Lacks resistance/effects. |
As you can see, the Darkdale set is at its peak during the first 10 hours. It makes you an absolute wrecking ball compared to low-level armors.
The gap closes as you progress and unlock legendary sets like the Berserker, Radiant, and Fallen armor. But Darkdale remains a solid choice through the mid game when upgraded fully.
Late game is when more specialized armors with powerful situational enchantments surpass the raw stats of Darkdale.
Let‘s analyze the armor‘s strengths and weaknesses compared to God of War‘s best endgame sets:
| Armor Set | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Darkdale | Excellent early game boosts, badass appearance | Lacks resistance, weaker late game |
| Berserker | Massive strength boost, raises rage bonuses | Low runic/defense, lack of effects |
| Radiant | High runic/vitality, activates health burst | Lower strength benefits |
| Fallen | Huge defense and vitality boosts | Weakness to Fire damage |
As you can see, while the Darkdale bonuses are smaller, the armor itself has no glaring weaknesses either. It‘s a great all-around set perfect for early progression.
Now let‘s analyze some tips for maximizing your domination with the Darkdale armor set fully equipped.
7 Tips to Dominate with the Darkdale Armor
To get the most out of the Darkdale set, keep these tips in mind:
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Fully upgrade the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos to amplify the Darkdale attachment bonuses.
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Use powerful Runic attacks to take advantage of the +8 runic boost.
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Enchant your armor with Resistance of the Ancients to offset Darkdale‘s lack of resistances.
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Equip the Shattered Gauntlet for even greater strength.
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Swap in a high Crit Chance talisman to benefit from the +9 luck bonus.
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Activate Spartan Rage immediately to maximize early damage.
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Pair with strength and runic boosting armor until finding something better. The Scalded armor is a great early pairing.
Pro tip: Pay Brok and Sindri at their workshops to upgrade all your equipped gear. This will ensure your Darkdale set stays powerful for longer.
Now let‘s examine some common questions about unlocking the armor.
FAQ about Unlocking Darkdale Armor in God of War Ragnarok
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about obtaining the Darkdale armor:
Q: Can I unlock the Darkdale armor without buying the Digital Deluxe Edition?
A: Unfortunately no – the Darkdale armor is exclusive to the Digital Deluxe edition and can‘t be obtained through regular gameplay.
Q: What if my armor code doesn‘t work or already redeemed?
A: Try contacting PlayStation Support with your order info. If your code was already used, they should be able to provide a new one.
Q: Do I need PlayStation Plus to redeem the armor code?
A: Nope! PS Plus is not required to redeem DLC armor codes.
Q: If I unlock on PS4, can I also use the armor on PS5?
A: Yes! The Darkdale armor code redemption is tied to your PlayStation Network ID and carries across PS4 and PS5.
Q: Is the Darkdale armor usable in New Game Plus?
A: You bet! The Darkdale set remains available across all playthroughs once unlocked.
I hope this FAQ helped cover any lingering questions! Now let‘s recap why obtaining this elite armor set is worth your time.
TL;DR – Unlock Darkdale Early to Dominate God of War‘s First 10 Hours
The complete Darkdale armor set offers Kratos stellar stat improvements perfect for early to mid game domination in God of War Ragnarok.
While it loses some relevance end game, the bonuses provide an excellent advantage in the first 10-15 hours. Unlocking it ASAP helps you wreck shop against early level enemies and bosses.
Just be sure to grab it the moment the weapons workbench unlocks, and get ready to feel like an unstoppable Norse god!
So for those wanting to get a headstart on their God of War adventures, claim your epic Darkdale armor set today!
