You’re staring at a massive hole in the ground in The Jungle. You know there’s a Drake down there—the Slag Horn, specifically—but the elevator won't stay down, and the beast won't show its face. It’s frustrating. Path of Destruction God of War Ragnarok is one of those side quests (or "Favors," if we're being technical) that makes you feel like the game is broken. It isn't. You’re just missing a very specific, slightly annoying mechanical trick involving a cage, some wolves, and your Leviathan Axe.
Honestly, Vanaheim is a nightmare to navigate. Between the day-night cycle and the winding river paths, getting lost is basically a rite of passage. But this specific quest in the Crater is a standout because it requires a level of environmental manipulation that the game doesn't exactly hold your hand through. If you've been running around the pit in circles wondering why the boss won't spawn, you’re in the right place. Let's get that Slag Horn out of the dirt.
Getting Started: Finding the Footprints
First thing's first. You can’t even start this quest until you’ve completed the "Scent of Survival" Favor, which opens up the Crater. Even then, you need to flood the valley by completing "Return of the River." If the water isn't flowing, you can't reach the Jungle area where this mess takes place.
Once the water is back, hop in your boat and head to the far end of the Jungle. You’re looking for a spot where a massive creature has clearly had a bad day. You’ll find some footprints near a narrow wall gap. Squeeze through, and the quest Path of Destruction God of War Ragnarok officially kicks off. You’ll see a large circular wooden platform in the middle of a clearing. This is actually an elevator, and beneath it is the den.
Jump down into the hole.
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Now you’re in the pit. It’s empty. The Drake isn’t home, or rather, he’s not interested in you yet. Look around and you'll see a gate. To open it, you have to hit the wooden spinner with your axe, but here is the catch: the gate closes as soon as the spinner stops.
The "Wolf in a Cage" Puzzle Explained
This is where people get stuck. You see the cage. You see the Gulons (those weird, angry dog-like creatures) running around outside. Your goal is to lure them in.
- Freeze the Gear: Hit the spinner to raise the gate, then immediately throw your Leviathan Axe at the gear underneath to freeze it in place.
- The Bait: Leave the cage open and go back out into the main area. You need to get the attention of at least one Gulon. Lead it back toward the cage.
- The Trap: Once the creature is inside the cage, recall your axe. The gate will slam shut.
- The Elevator: Now, run back to the chain nearby and pull it. This lifts the cage—with the Gulon inside—up to the surface level.
The Slag Horn isn't a picky eater. It hears the commotion, smells the snack, and emerges to claim its prize. You’ll hear a distinctive roar and the screen will shake. That’s your cue.
Why the Drake Won't Spawn
Sometimes the AI pathing for the Gulons is just... bad. They might get stuck on a rock or decide they’d rather bite Atreus/Freya than follow you into a dark hole. If they aren't following, try hitting them with a low-damage arrow to aggro them. Also, ensure you haven't killed all the Gulons in the immediate area before trying to bait the trap. If you have, you might need to fast travel away and come back to reset the spawns.
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Killing the Slag Horn: A Masterclass in Patience
Once you take the elevator back up, the Slag Horn is waiting. This isn't a walk in the park. The Slag Horn is a heavy-hitter with high defense.
Unlike the smaller Drakes you fought earlier in the game, this guy loves a good "charge" attack. You’ll see the yellow ring indicator. If you parry this, you can stun him for a significant window. If you miss? Well, Kratos is going to take a face full of rock and scale.
The vulnerable spots are the legs. Focus your attacks on one limb at a time to build up the stagger bar. When he collapses, go ham on the head. Use the Spear’s ranged detonators to chip away at its health if you’re low on life and can’t risk getting close. Most players forget that the Draupnir Spear is the ultimate "safety" weapon in Path of Destruction God of War Ragnarok.
Watch out for the tail swipe. It has a much wider arc than you think. When you see the red ring—the unblockable attack—you need to roll backward, not sideways. The Slag Horn’s lateral reach is massive, and rolling to the side often puts you right in the path of its follow-through.
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Gear Recommendations
At this stage of the game, you should ideally be rocking the Lunda’s Lost Armor set if you like poison builds, or the Steinbjorn set if you need massive defense. The Slag Horn hits hard, so having a high Vitality stat is better than trying to glass-cannon your way through it.
- Runic Attacks: Use "Hels Touch" for a quick interrupt or "Leviathan’s Fury" for heavy stagger.
- Spartan Rage: Save your Valor (healing) or Wrath (damage) for when the Slag Horn is at roughly 30% health. That's when it gets more aggressive with its ground slams.
The Loot: Was it Worth It?
After the beast is dead, you’ll get the "Regenerating Essence" Amulet Enchantment. It provides a constant, small amount of health regeneration. In a game where health stones can be scarce during long boss fights, this is a top-tier item. You’ll also get some Dragon Claws and Dragon Tooth materials, which are essential for crafting and upgrading the Dragon Scaled Armor set—arguably one of the best mid-to-late game sets for players who love a parry-heavy playstyle.
Beyond the loot, completing this Favor is a requirement for the "Hunter" trophy. If you're a completionist, there’s no skipping this.
Actionable Tips for a Flawless Run
To wrap this up and get you back to the game, here is the exact sequence to ensure you don't waste time:
- Check the Clock: Make sure it is daytime in Vanaheim. Certain paths in the Jungle are blocked by vines that only move/change based on the celestial altar's setting.
- Clear the Path: Kill the smaller enemies around the elevator area before you try to bait the Gulon. Trying to kite a wolf while being shot at by plant monsters is a recipe for a restart.
- Don't Recall Too Early: When the Gulon is in the cage, make sure you are standing near the elevator chain before you recall your axe. If you're too far away, the gate might glitch or the creature might clip out.
- Break the Horns: If you use the Spear, aim for the glowing spots on the Drake's body. These are "weak points" that, when detonated, deal massive stagger damage and can end the fight significantly faster.
The Crater is easily the best part of God of War Ragnarok's end-game content. It feels like a mini-open world tucked inside a linear action game. The Path of Destruction God of War Ragnarok quest is a perfect example of why this area works—it’s a mix of environmental puzzle-solving and high-stakes combat that rewards you for actually paying attention to the world around you.
Go get your Dragon Claws. That armor isn't going to craft itself.