God of War Ragnarok: How to Unlock the Hidden Crater in Vanaheim and Why It’s Worth Your Time

Key Takeaways

1. The Crater is an expansive hidden area in Vanaheim, packed with side quests, rare loot, and tough bosses that enrich the overall experience of God of War Ragnarok.
2. Unlocking and exploring The Crater requires completing specific quests like “The Creatures of Prophecy” and “Scent of Survival.” It’s highly recommended to visit this area before finishing the main story.
3. The Crater offers some of the game’s best rewards, including the Dragon Scaled Armor and multiple trophies needed for completionists aiming to achieve platinum status.

If you thought God of War Ragnarok was already dense with content, think again. Just when you think you’ve conquered the Nine Realms, the game reveals a massive hidden area called The Crater in Vanaheim. This sprawling zone, which doesn’t even appear on the map until later in the story, is brimming with treasures, challenging bosses, and lore-rich side quests.

Many players miss this secret area entirely, but discovering and fully exploring it is one of the most rewarding experiences the game has to offer. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to unlock The Crater, what to expect when you get there, and why you shouldn’t skip it especially if you’re aiming for 100% completion.

How to Unlock The Crater in Vanaheim

Unlocking The Crater isn’t straightforward it requires progress through the main storyline and the completion of a specific side quest. Here’s a step-by-step guide to gain access to this hidden area:

Step 1: Complete “The Creatures of Prophecy” Quest

To access The Crater, you first need to complete the mission “The Creatures of Prophecy.” This mission is part of the main story and involves helping Freyr (Freya’s brother) deal with a pressing issue. Once you’ve wrapped up this quest and returned to Freyr’s camp, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2: Begin “Scent of Survival”

At Freyr’s camp, you’ll encounter Helka, a pig-dog creature. She’ll prompt you to follow her, initiating the “Scent of Survival” side quest. Don’t ignore this! It’s the key to unlocking The Crater.

• Follow Helka’s trail: She’ll guide you through Vanaheim, leading you to a boat.
• Board the boat: Take the newly opened path on the right side of the waterway.
• Continue on foot: Once back on land, follow Helka through a series of enemy encounters until you reach a Celestial Altar.

Step 3: Restore Sunlight with Skoll

At the Celestial Altar, use it to summon Skoll, the wolf of the sun. This step is essential to progress further.

Step 4: Arrive at The Crater

Keep following Helka, and you’ll eventually reach a cliffside. Here, an airboat cutscene will play, and you’ll arrive in The Crater the largest area in God of War Ragnarok.

Exploring The Crater: What to Do and Where to Start

The Crater is divided into three zones: The Plains, The Jungle, and The Sinkholes. Each area is packed with activities, collectibles, and hidden surprises. However, before you start exploring, there’s one critical task you need to prioritize:

Step 1: Restore the Waterways

The Crater’s rivers are dry when you first arrive, which limits exploration. To unlock more convenient travel routes and access new areas, you’ll need to:

• Head to The Jungle first: Look for a small bridge leading into a foggy area. This path takes you to the dam.
• Unleash the floodgates: Activating the dam floods the rivers, making navigation much easier and opening up new collectibles and travel shortcuts.

Step 2: Explore Each Zone Strategically

Once the waterways are restored, you’re free to roam. Here’s a quick overview of what each zone offers:

• The Plains: A wide-open area teeming with side quests, boss fights, and collectibles.
• The Jungle: Home to the dam and several challenging enemies, including the lair of a recurring Huntress boss.
• The Sinkholes: A more compact area with plenty of secrets and a pathway to the Wishing Well.

Why The Crater Is Worth Your Time

The Crater isn’t just another side area; it’s a treasure trove of content and rewards. Here are some reasons why this hidden region is a must-visit:

1. Rare Loot and Trophies

The Crater is packed with unique items and trophies, making it a paradise for completionists. Here are some of the standout rewards:

• Dragon Scaled Armor Set: To craft one of the game’s best armor sets, you’ll need to hunt the dragons that roam The Crater.
• Odin’s Ravens and Nornir Chests: The area contains several Ravens and Chests, which are essential for unlocking specific trophies.
• Artifacts and Collectibles: The Crater is full of hidden items, perfect for players aiming for the Curator trophy.
• Trophies: Key achievements like Purge of Hart, Full Belly, and Invasive Species are tied to activities in The Crater.

2. Challenging Boss Fights

The Crater is home to some of the game’s toughest enemies, including:

• The Huntress: A recurring centaur boss who appears in all three zones before culminating in a final fight in her lair.
• Dragons: Each zone features a powerful dragon you’ll need to take down to earn materials for the Dragon Scaled Armor.

3. The Wishing Well

The Wishing Well is a hidden area accessible through The Sinkholes. Here, you can trade resources you’ve collected for rare items, making it a valuable stop during your exploration.

Tips for Exploring The Crater

• Level Up First: The Crater is designed for high-level players. Aim to be at least Level 7 or 8 before tackling its hardest challenges.
• Don’t Skip Side Quests: The area’s side quests provide valuable context and rewards that tie into the overall story.
• Explore Before the Final Mission: While you can visit The Crater post-game, experiencing it before the final mission in Midgard makes the story beats more impactful.
• Take Your Time: With over 10 hours of content, The Crater is worth savoring.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to explore The Crater to finish the main story?
No, The Crater is optional, but it adds significant depth to the game’s narrative and offers some of the best rewards.

Q: What’s the best time to visit The Crater?
It’s ideal to explore The Crater after unlocking it during the main story but before starting the final mission in Midgard.

Q: Can I return to The Crater post-game?
Yes! You can revisit The Crater anytime using the Mystic Gateway at its entrance.

Q: How do I find the Stags of the Four Seasons?
The Stags are located in The Jungle, The Sinkholes, and The Plains. However, one Stag in The Plains is accessible only through the Wishing Well in The Sinkholes.

Q: Is the Dragon Scaled Armor worth the effort?
Absolutely. It’s one of the strongest armor sets in the game and provides excellent stats for high-level combat.