God of War Ragnarok offers players an exhilarating action-adventure experience as they embark on an epic journey across the Nine Realms. One of the most coveted items in the game is the Grip of the Nine Realms, which provides unique abilities that aid Kratos and Atreus on their quest. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining and mastering this powerful relic.
The Significance of the Grip in God of War Lore
Before we dive into acquisition and gameplay, it‘s important to understand the lore behind this iconic item. According to legends in Norse mythology, the Grip was forged containing sparkling sands gathered from each of the Nine Realms linked by the cosmic World Tree Yggdrasil.
The item‘s time-slowing abilities are attributed to harnessing the sands of time itself, scattered across the realms by the Fates. There are also accounts of the mystical giantess Rind gifting the Grip to Odin in Asgard, further enhancing its powers.
In the continuity of the God of War games, the Grip‘s origins can be traced back to the Jötnar Shrines side quest in the 2018 installment. Its capabilities make it a formidable asset for Kratos and Atreus on their journey across the realms. Unlocking it allows you to wield the cosmic might of Yggdrasil itself!
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining the Grip
Now that you understand the lore behind it, let‘s get into the nitty-gritty of how to obtain the Grip for yourself:
Prerequisites:
- Reach The Forbidden Sands region in the main story
- Unlock the ‘Berserker Gravestone‘ landmark
- Recommended Power Level: 7 or higher
Location:
The Grip is acquired by defeating the optional boss Hjalti the Stolid at the ‘Berserker Gravestone‘ landmark in The Forbidden Sands.
Specifically, travel to the northwest region of The Forbidden Sands, near the sandy coastline. Look for a large runic stone with blue glyphs embedded in it. Interact with the gravestone to initiate the boss fight.
Boss Strategies:
Hjalti is a formidable two-stage boss fight. Here are some tips:
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Use projectile attacks from a distance in stage one. Avoid his charging axe attacks.
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Parry his attacks and dodge his ground-pound shockwaves in stage two.
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Inflict stun damage to trigger QTEs for big damage windows.
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Activate Spartan Rage when low on health for temporary invincibility.
Reward:
Defeating Hjalti rewards you with the Grip of the Nine Realms relic! Equip it from the inventory menu to use its powers.
How to Use the Grip Effectively in Combat
Once obtained, the Grip provides a powerful new combat tool. Here are some tips to use it effectively:
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Upgrade your Permafrost meter capacity to maximize Realm Shift duration.
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Activate it just before a major attack to slow down projectiles.
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Use it when surrounded to safely take out enemies one by one.
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Combine it with Runic attacks for huge burst damage.
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Activate preemptively before QTEs for easier execution.
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Use offensively to keep tough enemies staggered.
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Activate while evading attacks to gain more time to dodge.
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Utilize it to slow Valravens for easy headshots.
Advanced Techniques and Strategies
As you gain mastery over the Grip, consider these advanced tactics to take your combat prowess to the next level:
Complementary Gear
Equipping complementary armor and enchantments can vastly improve the Grip‘s capabilities:
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Cuirass of the Ancients chest armor extends Realm Shift duration.
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Realm Shift amulets further slow time and boost damage.
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Permafrost amulets increase meter regeneration.
Combat Scenarios
Certain enemies and situations allow you to maximize the Grip‘s impact:
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Slowing down Revenants allows you to sever their projectiles.
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Activating against Ogre ground pounds lets you escape unscathed.
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Use against Valkyrie dive-bombs to land extra hits.
Character Builds
These character builds fully capitalize on the Grip‘s powers:
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Runic Build: Stack runic stats and activate the Grip before Runic attacks.
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Crowd Control Build: Extend Realm Shifts to control mobs.
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Defensive Build: Slow projectiles and land uninterrupted combos safely.
Upgrading the Grip at the Huldra Brothers
As you progress through God of War Ragnarok, be sure to upgrade the Grip at the Huldra Brothers shop. This increases the activation radius and duration of the Realm Shift while reducing the Permafrost cost.
Here‘s a comparison of the Grip‘s upgrades:
| Upgrade | Permafrost Cost | Activation Radius | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 3 bars | 10 meters | 3 seconds |
| Level 2 | 2 bars | 13 meters | 5 seconds |
| Level 3 | 2 bars | 16 meters | 7 seconds |
As the above table illustrates, fully upgrading the Grip allows you to trigger much longer Realm Shifts, on more enemies, at a reduced Permafrost cost. This greatly enhances its utility.
The Grip‘s Place in God of War Ragnarok‘s Progression
The Grip occupies an interesting spot in the overall gear progression system. It‘s one of the few rare items that manipulates time, providing a uniquely powerful ability not found on other armor.
Obtaining it represents a major vertical upgrade rather than just a small incremental bonus. Once equipped, it remains relevant for players throughout their entire playthrough rather than just being a short-term stepping stone.
This makes acquiring the Grip a major milestone, letting Kratos take on enemies and challenges otherwise thought impossible at that stage of his journey. It aligns beautifully with God of War Ragnarok‘s themes of growing power yet remaining human.
Conclusion
The Grip of the Nine Realms represents one of the most uniquely powerful and tactical items in God of War Ragnarok. Obtaining it rewards players with game-changing abilities to manipulate time itself against foes.
We hope this comprehensive guide has fully prepared you to acquire the Grip and unleash its full potential in your journey through the Nine Realms. Time itself will bend to your will!
For more God of War Ragnarok tips and tricks, check out our guides on farming Asgardian Ingots efficiently, navigating the mist-shrouded paths of the Mist Fields realm, and collecting valuable Smoldering Embers.
