Much like its 2018 predecessor, God of War Ragnarok did not feature a New Game Plus mode at launch, with players instead having to wait until the 4.000.000 update in early April 2023. The new mode brings with it plenty of big additions, including four brand-new armor sets and a powerful new shield to make the increased difficulty a little more bearable.
Those hoping to get all of the new armor sets in God of War Ragnarok's New Game Plus mode are going to have their work cut out for them, as one of the sets won't become available until near the very end of the game. Thankfully, though, it's possible to unlock all of the other New Game Plus armor sets in God of War Ragnarok as early as the game's second chapter, which can be reached in under an hour now that players can skip cinematics.
Before beginning their New Game+ mode playthrough, players may want to spend a bit of time farming materials at the Crucible . These will be needed to upgrade some of the new armor sets to Level 10, but won't become available to the player until they gain access to the second half of the Muspelheim realm key in Chapter 10.
How to Get the Armor of the Black Bear in God of War Ragnarok's New Game Plus Mode
Players will get the Armor of the Black Bear immediately after beginning their New Game Plus playthrough. It starts at Level 7, and, like all but one of the other armor sets in God of War Ragnarok, can be upgraded to Level 10 while playing in New Game Plus mode.
The Cloak's perk is Shadow Step, which increases immunity duration while evading and causes last-second evades to fire off a volley of Bifrost shards. The Wraps and Belt provide Kratos with the Shadow Strike perk, which grants a 40% increase to damage dealt by Kratos' first melee attack immediately after dodging. In addition to this, the Cloak of the Black Bear can also change color depending on which waist armor is worn with it.
How to Get the Spartan Armor in God of War Ragnarok's New Game Plus Mode
The Spartan Armor can be purchased from any of Brok and Sindri's workshops for a combined total of 58,000 Hacksilver. The Sorrow of Sparta (Chest) will set players back 25,000 Hacksilver, with the Scars of Sparta (Wrist) and the Woe of Sparta (Waist) coming in at 16,500 Hacksilver each.
Unlike other armor sets in God of War Ragnarok, the Spartan Armor cannot be upgraded, meaning that it will be stuck at Level 1 for the duration of the playthrough. It offers no perks or stat bonuses, though players can equip special Enchantments known as Burdens to it, which, as the name might suggest, can actually make life harder for Kratos.
How to Get the Ares Armor in God of War Ragnarok's New Game Plus Mode
Players can purchase the Ares Armor from the Huldra brothers as soon as they gain access to their first workshop. The set starts out at Level 7 and will cost a combined total of 58,000 Hacksilver, which is an absolute bargain given how effective it can be in battle. Like the Spartan Armor, the chest piece will set players back 25,000 Hacksilver, with the Gauntlets and War Belt coming in at 16,500 a piece.
The Cuirass of Ares comes with the Rage of Ares perk, which increases the chance of Rage hits dropping Healthstones. Healthstones will also fill up the Rage meter and will trigger bigger explosions. The Gauntlets and War Belt offer the Enraged Might perk, which grants a 50% bonus to all damage when the Rage meter is first activated from full.
How to Get the Zeus Armor in God of War Ragnarok's New Game Plus Mode
Annoyingly, the Zeus armor doesn't become available until after players have completed the main story in New Game Plus mode. They'll get the Cuirass from defeating Gna, Queen of the Valkyries, and will find the Gauntlets (The Barrens, Alfheim) and War Belt (Eastern Barri Woods, Vanaheim) in chests at two of the other Remnants of Asgard.
Much like the Zeus Armor in the previous God of War game, the set turns Kratos into a glass cannon thanks to its Divine Edge perk and its distinct lack of defensive stats. With the Cuirass, Gauntlets, and War Belt all equipped, players will receive an 80% boost to all of the Melee and Runic damage that they dish out, but will also see all incoming damage increased by a monstrous 180%.
How to Get the Spartan Aspis Shield in God of War Ragnarok's New Game Plus Mode
Like the Spartan and Ares armor sets, the Spartan Aspis shield becomes available to New Game Plus players as soon as they arrive at their first workshop. It starts out at Level 6 and can be purchased for the very reasonable sum of 7,500 Hacksilver.
The Spartan Aspis is pretty similar to the Guardian Shield, only with a much smaller parry window and considerably stronger special counterattacks. Like other shields in God of War Ragnarok, it provides 130 Defence at Level 9 and can be upgraded to Level 10 in New Game Plus mode.
God of War Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.