You finally made it to The Crater. It’s easily the most impressive hidden area in God of War Ragnarök, a massive, sun-bleached expanse tucked away in the northern reaches of Vanaheim. But if you’re standing in the Eastern Plains looking at a sealed stone box covered in blue runes, you’re probably frustrated. That specific Crater Nornir chest is a notorious head-scratcher for a reason.
It isn't just about finding the torches. It’s about the order, the timing, and the sheer verticality of the environment.
Most players stumble upon this chest after completing the "Scent of Survival" favor. You chase Helka, hop on a paper boat, and suddenly the world opens up into this prehistoric playground. The Nornir chest in the Plains—specifically the one near the overgrown structures and the lightning-scarred trees—requires you to ignite three braziers. Sounds simple? It’s not.
The Problem With the Plains Braziers
The first thing you’ll notice is the distance. Unlike earlier Nornir chests in Midgard or Svartalfheim where the seals are tucked behind a nearby rock, the Crater Nornir chest braziers are spread across different elevations. You can’t just swing your Blades of Chaos and call it a day.
Look up. Seriously.
The first brazier is usually the "freebie." It’s sitting on a rock ledge behind the chest to the left. You can hit it with a heavy R2 throw of the Blades from the ground level. But the other two? They require a bit of a hike. You have to navigate around the cliffside to get a clear line of sight. One is perched high on a pillar to the right, almost mocking you from across a chasm. The third is tucked away inside a hollowed-out tree trunk structure that you can only see properly if you backtrack toward the entrance of the area.
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Why Nighttime Changes Everything
Here is the kicker: the Crater is a dual-state ecosystem.
If you’re trying to solve the Crater Nornir chest during the day, you might find certain paths blocked by massive, aggressive flora. The "Celestial Altar" is your best friend here. By changing the time of day to night, the environment shifts. Those grabbing vines that block your path or obscure the braziers often retract.
I’ve seen dozens of players waste twenty minutes trying to find a "glitchy" angle to hit a brazier that is clearly intended to be reached from a different spot once the sun goes down. Don't be that person. Run to the nearest altar, let the wolves howl, and watch the landscape change. It makes the line of sight for the far-right brazier significantly more manageable.
Use Your Sigil Arrows Correctly
Precision matters. The distance for the furthest brazier is often just outside the reach of a standard Blades of Chaos grapple. You’re going to need to chain Sigil Arrows.
Place your first Sigil on the brazier itself. Then, fire a second and third arrow to create a "chain" of purple bubbles leading back toward a spot you can actually reach with your blades. If the bubbles are glowing bright pink, they’re connected. Hit the closest one with the Blades of Chaos. The resulting explosion will ripple down the line and ignite the brazier.
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It’s a mechanic the game teaches you early on, but in the heat of exploration—especially with a stray Wyvern or those annoying Seidr shadows nipping at your heels—it’s easy to forget.
The Loot: Is It Worth the Headache?
By the time you reach the Crater, your Kratos is likely already a powerhouse. So why bother?
This Crater Nornir chest typically contains an Idunn Apple or a Horn of Blood Mead, depending on how many you’ve already found. If you’ve maxed out your health and rage, you’ll get a "Yield" of Hacksilver and some rare crafting components like Asgardian Ingot or Divine Ashes.
More importantly, clearing these chests is essential for the "Collector" trophy and hitting that 100% completion mark for the Vanaheim region. The Crater is home to some of the toughest boss fights in the game, including several dragons and the Berserker Gravestone. You want every scrap of health you can get. Trust me, when a Flame Gradungr is charging at you, you’ll be glad you spent five minutes hunting down those braziers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't just throw your axe at the torches. It won't work. Nornir chests are divided into types: those you hit with an axe (bells or spinning poles), those you break (statues), and those you burn (braziers). This specific Crater Nornir chest is a burner.
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- Forgetting the spear: If you’re playing after a certain story beat, you have the Draupnir Spear. While the braziers require fire, some of the access points in the Crater require the spear to blow up cracked rocks. If you can't get a view of a brazier, look for a "weak point" (the glowing yellow cracks) in the nearby cliffs.
- Ignoring the enemies: The Plains is teeming with life. Nothing ruins a puzzle-solving session like a projectile-vomiting plant hitting you in the back. Clear the area of small fry before you start aiming your Sigil Arrows.
- The "Middle" Brazier Trap: There is one brazier that looks like it's inside a cave. It’s actually accessible from the top. If you’re standing in front of it and can’t reach it, look for a way to climb the ruins above the chest.
Mastery of the Vanaheim Wilds
The Crater Nornir chest is a microcosm of Ragnarök’s level design. It rewards curiosity and forces you to use the elemental tools at your disposal. It isn't just a gear check; it's a spatial awareness check.
Once you’ve cracked the chest, don't just fast travel out. The Crater is one of the densest zones in the game. Just a few meters from that chest is a path leading to the "Jungle" or the "Sinkholes," both of which contain their own Nornir puzzles and legendary rewards.
Actionable Next Steps
To wrap this up and get that chest open right now, follow these exact moves. First, locate the Celestial Altar and ensure it is Night. This clears the pathing and visibility. Stand directly in front of the chest and pan your camera left; hit that first brazier with a basic Blade throw. Next, move to the right of the chest and look toward the large rock pillar across the gap. Use three Sigil Arrows to chain an explosion from the ground up to that brazier. Finally, head back toward the entrance of the Plains area, look up at the ruined wall structure, and you’ll see the third brazier tucked into a high alcove. Chain your Sigils one last time, and the seal will break. Grab your loot and head toward the nearby mystic gateway to save your progress.
The Crater is a brutal place. Every upgrade counts. Now that you've got the health or rage boost from this chest, you're better prepared for the dragon hunts that define this region. Keep your blades hot and your arrows ready.