You’ve been grinding through Muspelheim, haven’t you? I know the feeling. You’re standing there in the middle of the Crucible, sweat dripping off Kratos’ beard, looking at a piece of gear that needs just one more thing to become legendary. That thing is the greater crest of flame. It’s basically the gatekeeper for some of the best end-game upgrades in God of War Ragnarök. If you want to max out your Surtr’s Scorched set or some of those high-tier pommels, you’re gonna need a pile of these. Honestly, it’s one of those materials that feels rare until you figure out the "rhythm" of the trials.
But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about winning any random fight.
Ragnarök handles its crafting economy differently than the 2018 game. Back then, everything felt a bit more linear. Now? You have to be specific. If you’re just smashing draugr and hoping for the best, you’re going to be disappointed. The greater crest of flame specifically drops from the harder versions of the Muspelheim trials. We’re talking about the "Hard" iterations of the initial six challenges and the massive "Final" trials that unlock once you’ve messed around with the giant swords in the main arena. It’s a bit of a loop. You run the outer arenas to get the combinations right, then you hit the middle for the big payout.
Why the Greater Crest of Flame is the Real Bottleneck
Most players hit a wall around level 7 or 8. You’ve got the basic materials. You’ve probably got enough Hacksilver to buy a small kingdom. But then you look at the upgrade requirements for the Greater Crest of Flame. It’s the mid-to-high tier currency of the fire realm. It’s rarer than the basic Smoldering Embers but more common than the Burning Embers you get from the truly elite challenges.
Think of it as the "Blue-Collar Elite" material.
You need it for the Surtr's Scorched Arm and Waist armor. Those pieces are essential if you’re running a build centered around the "Prey on Fear" or high-aggression playstyles. Without the crests, your stats just... stall. You’re stuck with "good" gear when you should have "god-slaying" gear. It’s frustrating. You’ll find yourself looking at the Huldra brothers’ shop menu, sighing because you’re two crests short.
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Where to Actually Find Them (No Fluff)
You have to get to Muspelheim first. That means finding the two halves of the Muspelheim seed. One is usually in Modvitnir’s Rig in Svartalfheim, tucked away in a legendary chest. The second is over in Alberich Hollow. Once you’re there, the "Crucible" opens up.
There are three main arenas leading to the central hub. Each has a giant sword with two challenges initially.
- Arena 1 (Weapon Mastery / Flawless): Completing these on the "Hard" difficulty is your first consistent source.
- Arena 2 (Ring Out / Outlast): Again, stick to the harder versions.
- Arena 3 (Kill Fuse / Phantom): This is where people usually struggle because the Kill Fuse challenge can be a nightmare if your crowd control isn't on point.
Once you’ve done the combinations (1+2, 2+3, etc.) to unlock the "Final Trials" at the center sword, the greater crest of flame starts flowing a bit more freely. The "Boss Rush" and "Endurance" trials are particularly generous. You’ll get them as part of the reward chest that spawns after the trial ends. It’s not a random drop from enemies during the fight—it’s the "participation trophy" from Hell. Except it’s a trophy that actually does something.
The Trial Combinations That Matter
You’ve got to play the letters. Each arena has a rune on the sword.
F, N, and R.
If you do an "F" trial and then an "N" trial, the center sword glows with a specific combination. Different combinations yield different rewards. For the greater crest of flame, focus on the "Endurance" challenge (the one where you have to kill 99 enemies). It’s tedious. It’s long. It’s basically a test of how much you like the combat system. But the chest at the end? It’s loaded. If 99 enemies sounds like a chore, the "Boss Rush" is faster if your DPS is high enough to melt Travelers and Stalkers.
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Maxing Out Your Efficiency
Don’t just go in there with whatever gear you have on. If you’re farming for crests, you want to speed things up. Use the Lunda’s Lost Armor set if you’re under-leveled; the poison damage helps scale against the tougher mobs. If you’re already decently geared, the Giptumadr’s Breastplate is a sleeper hit because it has a chance to drop Health or Rage stones, keeping you in the fight longer without needing to reset.
The greater crest of flame is a reward for consistency.
Honestly, the biggest mistake I see is people repeating the "Easy" trials thinking they’ll get lucky. You won't. The loot tables in Ragnarök are pretty strict. You have to step up the difficulty. If the "Hard" trials are kicking your teeth in, go to Vanaheim, clear some side quests, get your level up to at least 6 or 7, and then come back. Muspelheim doesn’t scale down for you. It’s a jerk like that.
What to Craft First?
When you finally have a stack of crests, don't just spend them on everything. Priority matters.
- Surtr’s Scorched Cuirass: This should be your first stop. The damage reduction during attacks is huge for late-game bosses like the Berserkers or Gná.
- Hilt of Forsbrandr: If you use Relics often, this is a solid investment.
- Weapon Attachments: Look for the ones that specifically boost Strength and Defense.
The greater crest of flame is also used for some of the higher-level enchantments for your Yggdrasil Amulet. These are often overlooked but the stat bumps they provide are what separate a Level 8 Kratos from a Level 9 powerhouse.
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The "Secret" to Infinite Crests
There isn't a glitch. There isn't a "one weird trick." It’s just the loop.
Do Arena 1 (Hard). Do Arena 2 (Hard). Go to the center. Do the Boss Rush. Open chest.
Repeat.
It takes maybe 10 to 15 minutes per cycle once you’re fast. You’ll end up with more greater crest of flame than you know what to do with, eventually transitioning into the hunt for Divine Ashes and those annoying-to-get Burning Embers.
Common Misconceptions
People think you can get these in the main story. You can't. You won't find them in chests in Midgard or Vanaheim. They are strictly a Muspelheim currency. Also, don't confuse them with "Crest of Flame" (the standard version). You can't "upgrade" a regular crest into a greater one at the shop. You have to earn them.
I’ve heard some players say the drop rate is bugged. It’s not. It’s just tied to the specific trial difficulty. If you aren't seeing them, check your quest log. Make sure you’ve actually cleared the "Crucible" favor and aren't just doing the introductory versions of the fights.
Actionable Steps for Farming
- Check your seed: Ensure both halves are found so you can actually travel to the Crucible.
- Gear up for Fire: Equip enchantments that reduce burn damage or increase resistance. You’re going to be standing in lava. A lot.
- The "F-N-R" Method: Run the trials in Arena 1 then Arena 2 to trigger the center sword.
- Target the Boss Rush: It’s the most reliable way to get greater crest of flame along with other high-end materials.
- Visit the Shop: Immediately check with Lunda or Brock/Sindri to see exactly how many you need. Don't over-farm; Muspelheim is fun, but not that fun.
- Upgrade the Scorched Set: Prioritize the chest piece to make subsequent farming runs easier.
Once you have your gear at Level 9, the game changes. You stop being the one surviving and start being the one dominating. Those crests are the key. Go get 'em.