God of War Ragnarok: 10 Pro Tips to Beat Every Berserker

Face the Berserkers

If you've explored the nine realms in God of War Ragnarok, you've likely stumbled upon glowing gravestones that unleash some of the most brutal optional bosses in the game. These are the Berserkers, fallen warriors whose skills rival even a Spartan's. Each fight is a brutal test of reflexes, timing, and build preparation. After burning hours on their gravestones, I've compiled the essential strategies to help you walk out of every arena victorious.

Master the Parry Window

Berserkers love fast, multi-hit combos that can shred through your health bar in seconds. While dodging works, parrying is your best friend here. The trick is to focus on the enemy's weapon, not their whole body. Most attacks have a tell: a subtle glow or a quick wind-up. Press L1 just as the strike begins—not when it reaches you—and you'll land a clean parry, opening them up for a counterattack. In the early game, practice on the lesser Berserkers in Svartalfheim before tackling the harder ones.

Equip the Right Shield

Your shield can make or break these fights. For Berserkers with red-ring attacks that can't be parried, the Dauntless Shield with its shield bash is a safer bet, as it lets you break through their guard. Alternatively, the Stone Wall Shield absorbs heavy blows without breaking stance, perfect for the tanky, hammer-wielding Berserkers. Test both and see which fits your playstyle—just never go in with the default shield if you're struggling.

Invest in Runic Attacks

Runic attacks are your burst damage and crowd control. Before any Berserker fight, swap your runic attacks to ones that deal high stagger damage, like Leviathan's Frost Blast or Blades of Chaos Nemean Crush. These can interrupt a Berserker's combo and buy you precious breathing room. Save them for when the enemy is stunned or after a successful parry—you'll deal massive damage and maybe skip a phase entirely.

Tip #1: Keep an Eye on the Elemental Aura

Each Berserker has a unique elemental affinity, and they'll periodically cloak themselves in that element (frost, fire, or bifrost). When you see the aura, they're resistant to that damage type and hit harder with it. Switch to the opposite element immediately: use Blades of Chaos against frost, Leviathan Axe against fire, and always have a purification crystal on hand for bifrost buildup. This simple switch can cut the fight's difficulty by half.

Tip #2: Use Spartan Rage as a Panic Button

Don't hoard your Spartan Rage for a big damage phase. Berserkers can overwhelm you in moments, so treat Rage as a get-out-of-jail-free card. If you're low on health or about to get comboed, activate it to tank through hits and regain HP. The stun from a Rage punch can also interrupt their deadliest attacks, making it a lifesaver—not just a damage tool.

Tip #3: Upgrade Your Gear Before Attempting

Berserkers scale with your level, but that doesn't mean you should enter undergeared. Make sure your armor is upgraded to at least Level 7-8, and that you've equipped relics and amulets that boost your preferred stats—like Cooldown Reduction or Vitality. A good strategy is to farm half-realm resources first; you don't want to face a Level 9 Berserker with Level 6 gear unless you enjoy pain.

Tip #4: Learn the Telegraphs for Unblockable Attacks

Every Berserker has at least one unblockable attack that glows red. It's tempting to roll away, but a sideways dodge often works better than a roll, as rolling leaves you open at the end. Watch for the double-wind-up where they feign an attack and then launch the real one—dodge only on the second wind-up. Once you memorize the rhythm of these, the fight becomes a dance you can lead.

Tip #5: Focus on One Enemy at a Time

Some gravestones spawn two Berserkers at once. The Golden Rule: kill the weaker one first. The weaker Berserker has less health and won't resummon if you finish them quickly. Use Atreus or your companion's arrows to keep the stronger one busy while you concentrate your attacks. Don't split damage—that only prolongs the fight and increases your chances of getting swarmed.

Tip #6: Use Heavy Attacks to Break Stance

Berserkers love to block and counter. When you see them hold their weapon defensively, stop your light attacks and switch to a heavy attack (hold R2). Heavy attacks have a natural shield-breaking property, and after two or three, the Berserker will stagger, allowing a full combo. This is especially effective against the Hammer-wielding ones who turtle up constantly.

Tip #7: The Best Runic Summons for Crowd Control

Your companion summon can be a massive help. Equip an ability that applies a status effect like Atreus's Thunderbolt or Freya's Vine Bomb. Use it when the Berserker is mid-combo to stagger them and give you an opening. Don't waste summons on the opening; save them for moments when you're cornered and need a reprieve.

Tip #8: Dodge Toward the Boss, Not Away

Most of a Berserker's attacks have a longer reach than you'd expect. Dodging backward will put you in the arc of their follow-up attacks. Instead, dodge diagonally toward their back. You'll avoid the swing and end up in a prime position to counterattack. This is counterintuitive but crucial for the fast-moving dual-wielding Berserkers.

Tip #9: Use the Environment to Your Advantage

Every Berserker fight takes place in a circular arena. While there aren't traps to exploit, you can use the walls and pillars to block some of their projectile attacks. Also, keep an eye on the arena's perimeter—you can sometimes aggro the Berserker into a corner, making their attacks easier to dodge. Just beware of environmental hazards like fire pits; they can hurt you both.

Tip #10: Don't Be Afraid to Lower the Difficulty

This is the most important tip: it's okay to step down to Easy if you're stuck. Berserkers are optional, and while the reward is a valuable stone, your sanity matters more. The game's combat doesn't change on lower difficulty—you just take less damage and deal more, letting you focus on learning patterns. You can always bump it back up for the story. A victory is a victory, Kratos would approve.

Final Words Before the Ragnarok

These Berserkers are some of the most challenging encounters in the entire game, but they're far from impossible. With the right shield, a proper elemental rotation, and a calm mindset, you'll be adding their husks to your collection. Remember: patience is key. Don't get greedy, wait for openings, and let the Spartan in you shine. Now go knock those gravestones over—they won't break themselves.