This page of our God of War: Ragnarok guide lists every ability you can unlock that allows you to access and explore more of Nine Realms, similar to the Lightning Arrows and Thamur’s Chisel in the previous game.

When Can I Fully Explore God of War: Ragnarok?

If all you want to know is when you have all the abilities you need to reach everything in the game, open up the spoiler box below to learn when. It won’t give away story information, but still, beware of Spoilers!!

Sonic Arrows

• Unlocks during: Tap to Reveal

Sonic Arrows are the first new ability you unlock in the game, and work much like the Lightning Arrows did in the 2018 God of War.

• Sonic Arrows are fired at objects and surfaces made of Soundstone, which has a shimmering green appearance. Once hit, they’ll explosively compress and destroy themselves.
• Soundstone is primarily there as obstacles, but destroying them can also spawn in optional enemies that you can kill for a little XP, or pouches of Hacksilver.
• Some cranes in Svartalfheim also have Soundstone plates that, once hit, will throw off any Grims perched on them.

Sigil Arrows

• Unlocks during: Tap to Reveal

Sigil Arrows are a new arrow enchantment acquired automatically during the story.

• Sigil Arrows inflict the purple Hex status effect on enemies, making them more susceptible to status effects.
• If hit with a sufficiently powerful Axe or Blades attack, the Hex will react with an elemental explosion.
• Hexes are also used for puzzle solving: several "Hex Bubbles" can cause a chain reaction if they're close enough to each other, letting you light Torches that would normally be out of reach. This is the trickiest aspect of Sigil Arrows to master.
• A Hex Bubble can be enlarged up to two times by firing a second or third Sigil Arrow at an existing Hex. However, enlarged bubbles will expire after about 10 seconds.
• A Hex placed on an already lit torch will explode automatically.
• Hexes are required to burn down Red Fungi Bramble, similar to Hel's Bramble. Place a Hex on them, then use the Blades of Chaos' Blazing Surge with L2 and then R2.
• If a Hex is placed on something like a Scorn Pole and then the Axe is thrown at it, the Hex will keep the object frozen for a good while after the Axe is removed.
• Several plants will also react to an elemental Hex explosion. Experiment and you may get some good loot!
• To remove all Hexes at once, hold L2 and press X.

Runic Slates

• Unlocks during: Tap to Reveal

Runic Slates are environment-altering objects found uncommonly throughout the Nine Realms, and use an enhanced Thamur's Chisel, an item Kratos picked up in his previous adventure.

• Once Thamur's Chisel has been enhanced, simply approach a Runic Slate and hit the normal Interact button.
• Follow the instructions to carve part of a Nordic Rune into the slate. This will cause a phrase to appear in the vicinity. Have it read out to activate the slate.
• Once activated, Runic Slates will move a part of the environment nearby, allowing you to explore new areas of the realm.
• Runic Slates aren't always placed right next to the thing they move. If the way forward seems blocked with no apparent solution, look around for any Runic Slates nearby you might be able to use.

Draupnir

• Unlocks during: Tap to Reveal

The Draupnir is a brand new piece of equipment that allows Kratos to explore the realms in unique new ways. It does so via three methods:

• Wind Vents:
  • Wind Vents are small ports in the sides of walls that you can throw Draupnir into.
  • You must be at a relatively straight-on angle in order for this to work, otherwise it won't work properly.
  • Once Draupnir is inserted, it will remain there for the rest of the game, unless it's for an optional side path, where it will despawn upon death or you leave the area.
  • "Plugged" Wind Vents can be swung on like poles, or as ledges to help reach higher areas.
• Wind Fissures:
  • Wind Fissures are yellow cracks that are commonly spotted in the sides of rocks and ice. Destroying these objects will open up new areas to explore.
  • Throw Draupnir into a Wind Fissure, then press the Triangle button to detonate it and destroy the object.
  • Some objects will have multiple Wind Fissues on them: you must detonate all of them at once to clear the object.
  • Certain bosses will also have yellow Wind Fissure-like cracks on their body. Throw Draupnir into them and then detonate to deal massive damage!
• Rope Frames:
  • Rope Frames are wooden structures with a rope hanging off them. Kratos can tie the rope to Draupnir and then throw them at another frame in the distance.
  • Doing this creates a new zipline that he can use to explore new areas. That's all there is to it!