To beat Vali the Oath Guard in God of War Ragnarök, clear the nearby Shadows and poison plants, dodge his unblockable overhead slam and ground wave, and punish the recovery after he finishes an area attack. Parry his slower sword swings only if you are comfortable with the timing; otherwise, dodge and counter with short combos. You can interrupt his charged orb attack by throwing the Leviathan Axe or Draupnir Spear.
Where to find Vali
Vali is an optional Traveler in the Plains, in the northern part of the Crater in Vanaheim. You encounter him while completing the For Vanaheim favor to find Birgir. The area is described near a chest at the far end of the Plains and near a red chest by the entrance to the Crimson Dread fight; use those landmarks to identify the encounter rather than treating them as a precise route. Gamepur and PowerPyx place Vali in this area.
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Clear the arena before engaging
Approaching the chest can trigger two Shadows before Vali appears. Defeat them first, and watch for two nearby poison plants so they do not complicate the fight. Once the area is clear, you can focus on Vali’s attack cues instead of being pressured from multiple directions.
How to respond to Vali’s attacks
| Attack | What to do |
|---|---|
| Slow sword swings | Parry if you can read the timing, then counter. If not, dodge and use a short opening rather than risking a mistimed block. |
| Overhead slam or other heavy strike | Dodge out of the attack. Some heavy attacks can break a guard or are unblockable, so do not rely on holding your shield. |
| Frost or magical ground wave | Evade the wave instead of standing in its path. Vali briefly slows after the area attack, creating an opportunity to use a heavy Runic Attack or Spartan Rage. |
| Charged orb or skull attack | Throw the Leviathan Axe or Draupnir Spear at the orb to try to interrupt it. If you miss the interruption, evade the area effect and attack during his recovery. |
| Blue-ring special attack, if displayed | Use a Shield Strike by double-tapping L1 to interrupt a double-blue-ring attack. This is a general combat mechanic; not every Vali attack is identified as a blue-ring move. |
PlayStation’s official combat guide explains the double-blue-ring interruption and notes that light attacks are the fastest way to deal damage. Keep combos controlled: getting a few safe hits is better than being caught in a heavy swing while overcommitted.
#1 Best Overall
- Feel your journey through the Norse realms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality.
- Take advantage of multidirectional 3D Audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction. (3D audio with stereo headphones (analog or USB))
- Bask in the beautiful worlds you travel through, brought to life by precise art direction and arresting attention to detail.
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Choose weapons and abilities that suit your playstyle
There is no required weapon or single best build established for this encounter. The guides suggest different approaches, so choose based on your upgrades, available cooldowns, and whether you prefer range or close pressure.
Use the Draupnir Spear for range and interruption
Gamepur recommends the Draupnir Spear for mid- and long-range attacks and stun pressure. Spear throws can also interrupt Vali’s orb attack. Add Sigil Arrows, Runic Attacks, relics, and companion attacks when available, rather than waiting for one particular weapon move to carry the fight.
Rank #2
Apply fire with the Blades of Chaos
Push Square’s alternative is to set Vali on fire with the Blades of Chaos, then follow up with the Leviathan Axe while he is burning. The axe also gives you a ranged option against the charged orb. This approach is useful if you are more comfortable building pressure at close range.
Spend cooldowns when Vali is vulnerable
PowerPyx recommends chaining Runic Attacks, companion attacks, and Spartan Rage to deal damage and build stun pressure. Save the bigger commitment for a recovery window, such as after the ground wave. Spartan Rage is time-limited, so activate it when you can capitalize on the opening rather than while Vali is safely out of reach.
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- Those who break fate: Atreus seeks knowledge to help him understand the prophecy of "Loki" and what role he is to play in Ragnarök. Kratos must decide whether he will be chained by the fear of repeating his mistakes or break free of his past to be the father Atreus needs.
- Weapons of war : The Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos and Guardian Shield return alongside a host of new abilities for both Kratos and Atreus. As they take on gods and monsters from across the Nine Realms, Kratos's deadly Spartan skills will be tested like never before as he fights to protect his family.
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- Please note that this item is not for sale to people under the age of 18. By placing an order for this product, you declare that you are 18 years of age or older. This item must be used responsibly and appropriately.
Rewards for defeating Vali
The encounter’s listed reward includes the lore scroll The Path of Lies. Push Square also lists Bonded Leather and a Folkvangr Whetstone, while Gamepur and PowerPyx do not include those extra items in their Vali reward summaries. Treat those additional drops as reported by Push Square, not as guaranteed rewards.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Launch Edition includes in-game downloadable content Kratos Risen Snow Armor & Atreus Risen Snow Tunic (Cosmetic)
- Feel your journey through the Norse realms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality.
- Take advantage of multidirectional 3D Audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction. (3D audio with stereo headphones (analog or USB)
- Bask in the beautiful worlds you travel through, brought to life by precise art direction and arresting attention to detail.
- Switch between full 4K resolution at a targeted 30 frames per second, or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at a targeted 60fps. (4K resolution requires a compatible 4K TV or display)
Rank #4
- Feel your journey through the Nordic kingdoms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive activation functionality.
- Take advantage of multi-directional 3D audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction. (3D audio with stereo headphones (analog or USB))
- Enjoy the beautiful worlds you travel through, brought to life by precise artistic direction and arresting attention to detail.
- Switch between full 4K resolution at 30 frames per second or enhanced dynamic resolution at 4K at 60 fps lens. (4K resolution requires a compatible 4K TV or display)
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