Nidhogg Boss Fight in Vanaheim

Master the Nidhogg boss fight in God of War Ragnarök. Learn Nidhogg's attacks, weaknesses, and strategies across all four phases to emerge victorious in Vanaheim.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Nidhogg is encountered during the main story quest 'The Reckoning' in Vanaheim.
• The fight has four distinct phases.
• Checkpoints are available after each phase.
• Ranged attacks are less effective when Nidhogg is partially emerged.
• Many of Nidhogg's attacks can break your guard, so dodging and parrying are key.
• Freya joins Kratos in Phase 3, providing support and unique mechanics.

Phases:

1. Phase 1: Nidhogg emerges partially from a portal. Focus on close-range combat, dodging its shockwaves, lunges, and swipes. Watch out for the yellow-ringed Lunging Bite (guard breaking) and Claw Slam. Avoid the Bifrost Puddle by backing away. General strategy: hit a few times, then retreat.
2. Phase 2: After Nidhogg loses about 1.5 health bars, it stuns, initiating Phase 2. Attacks are extended versions of Phase 1 moves, often chained together. The new move is the Tail Slam/Double Ring Attack: an unblockable tail slam followed by a double blue ring attack that requires a double L1 press to break.
3. Phase 3: Occurs after losing roughly 3 health bars. Freya regains her form and assists. Nidhogg wraps around pillars. Freya will create pink bubbles on one pillar (hit with Leviathan Axe) and Nidhogg will inflict Burn on the other (use Blades of Chaos, hold L2, R2). The fight returns to the ground until Nidhogg has one health bar left, allowing for a Stun Grab to initiate Phase 4. Nidhogg uses a Tail Laser (Bifrost) sweep attack, dodgeable by rolling underneath, sometimes followed by a vertical laser that breaks guard. Avoid blocking Bifrost attacks.
4. Phase 4: Initiated via a Stun Grab when Nidhogg has one health bar remaining. Nidhogg will open realm tears and attempt to stab Kratos. (Details on this phase's attacks are cut off in the source text).

Strategy:

• Prioritize dodging and parrying over blocking, especially for attacks with yellow or red circles.
• Be patient; don't get greedy with attacks. Strike a few times and then disengage.
• Learn the timing for the double L1 press to counter the Tail Slam/Double Ring Attack in Phase 2.
• In Phase 3, coordinate with Freya's mechanics: use the Leviathan Axe on pink bubbles and Blades of Chaos for Burn on the other pillar.
• Pay close attention to attack telegraphs, especially the fast ones.
• Avoid blocking Bifrost attacks as they bypass guard.