You’re probably expecting a repeat of 2018. If you played the first game, you remember the slog. Climb the mountain, hit the trial, get the loot, die, repeat. It was fun, sure, but it felt like a side quest that overstayed its welcome. Muspelheim God of War Ragnarok flips that script entirely. It isn’t just a place to farm Smoldering Embers anymore; it’s a central pillar of the narrative where Surtur’s heartbreak meets Kratos’s growth.
It's hot. Obviously. But the heat in Ragnarok feels heavier.
The first time you step through the Mystic Gateway into the Burning Cliffs, the scale hits differently. You aren't just at the base of a volcano. You're in the birthplace of the realms. Santa Monica Studio did something clever here by splitting the realm into two distinct "vibes." You have the linear, story-heavy path of the Burning Cliffs, and then you have the Crucibles, which is where the completionists go to lose their minds.
Most players rush through. They want the gear. I get it. The Steinbjorn armor or the Undying Pyres set won't craft themselves. But if you blink, you’ll miss the environmental storytelling that explains exactly why Odin was so terrified of this place.
Getting Into Muspelheim: It’s Not Just Luck
You can’t just walk into the land of fire. Unlike some other realms that unlock as you follow Tyr’s breadcrumbs, Muspelheim requires a bit of legwork. You need the Muspelheim Seed halves.
One is tucked away in Svartalfheim, specifically at Modvitnir’s Rig. It’s an easy find if you’re actually exploring and not just sprinting toward the yellow quest markers. The second half? That’s in the Dragon Beach area, hidden behind some debris you need the Draupnir Spear to bypass. Honestly, it's a bit of a gatekeep by the developers. They want to make sure you’re high enough level before the trials chew you up and spit you out.
Once the seed is whole, the Crucible opens up.
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This isn't the barren wasteland of the previous game. It’s a literal arena of the gods. The central sword—that giant, glowing hunk of metal in the middle of the floor—is your best friend and your worst enemy. It’s where you’ll spend hours trying to figure out the combinations.
The Crucible Trials Are Actually a Giant Puzzle
People think the trials are just about hitting things hard. They aren't. Not really.
The Crucible in Muspelheim God of War Ragnarok is structured like a modular puzzle. There are three smaller arenas branching off the main hub. Each has two initial challenges. You do those, and you unlock a third. But the real magic—or frustration—starts when you realize the runes on the floor matter.
If you complete a trial in Arena 1 and then Arena 2, a specific "Final Challenge" appears at the main sword. Change the order? You get a different boss or objective.
- Weapon Mastery: This one is a warm-up. Basically, kill things within a time limit. If you can’t do this, turn back now.
- Flawless: This is the one that breaks people. One hit and you’re done. It’s less about Kratos being a god and more about you being a twitch-reflex ninja. Use the spear. Keep your distance. Don't be a hero.
- Ring Out: Enemies heal instantly. You have to knock them into the lava pits. It’s hilarious until a heavy Draugr decides he’s not moving.
There are 15 trials in total. Completing them all isn't just for the Trophy; it's the only way to max out your gear. Divine Ashes are the currency of the realm here. You’ll need thousands of them to hit Level 9 on your favorite attachments.
Surtur and the Heart of the Fire
Let’s talk about the story because this is where Muspelheim God of War Ragnarok actually earns its name. In the 2018 game, Muspelheim felt empty of life. In Ragnarok, we meet Surtur. Or rather, we meet a man—a giant—who is tired.
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The Forge is one of the most visually stunning locations in the entire game. It’s quiet. It’s somber. The interaction between Kratos, Atreus, and Surtur isn't some epic "let's go to war" speech. It’s a conversation about sacrifice. Surtur knows that for Ragnarok to happen, he has to cease being Surtur and become a monster.
He loves Sinmara. The game doesn't show her, but you feel her presence in Surtur’s hesitation. The "Fate of the World" trope is usually boring, but here, it’s personal. Kratos sees himself in Surtur—a man being asked to be a weapon.
When you finally witness the transformation at the Spark of the World, the "fire" of Muspelheim takes on a new meaning. It’s not just an element. It’s a tragic necessity.
Survival Tips for the Burning Cliffs
If you're struggling with the combat encounters in the later stages of Muspelheim, you’re probably ignoring your build. This isn't Midgard. The enemies here, especially the Flame Phantoms, require specific elemental counters.
- Lunda’s Lost Armor: Honestly, if you’re under-leveled, use the poison build. It weakens enemy defense so much that even the toughest Einherjar melt.
- The Spear is King: The Draupnir Spear is the MVP of Muspelheim. Its ability to siphon elements means you can take the fire from a Burning Nightmare and throw it back at a frost-type enemy that’s annoying you.
- Check your Enchants: Equip things that boost your Permafrost or Immolation meters. Since the trials are time-sensitive, you need your maximum damage output active at all times.
The Gna boss fight also happens here. Let's be real: Gna is harder than the final boss of the game. She’s the new Sigrun. You’ll find her in a hidden nook of the Crucible after the main story ends. Don't even think about fighting her until you're at least Level 8. She will read your inputs, punish your rolls, and scream "For Asgard" while stomping your neck into the dirt.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Is it the loot? Maybe. The Berserker gear and the Hilt of Skofnung are big draws. But I think it’s the rhythm. Muspelheim provides a purity of combat that the rest of the game masks with dialogue and exploration. It’s just you, your axe, and a timer.
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It’s also the best place to test out those weird Runic attacks you never use. Have you tried the "Artillery of the Ancients" spear heavy runic? It rains down spears like a localized thunderstorm. Muspelheim is your laboratory.
Most players miss the small details in the environment. Look at the cooling lava flows. Notice how the ash falls differently depending on how close you are to the Spark of the World. The sound design is also incredible—the way the wind whistles through the volcanic glass sounds like a low-frequency scream.
Making the Most of the Endgame
Once the credits roll, Muspelheim is where the "real" God of War begins for many. You’ll be hunting for the Remnants of Asgard. These encounters in Muspelheim are particularly brutal because they mix the realm's natural hazards with high-level Einherjar captains.
Don't just grind the same trial over and over. Experiment with the rune combinations. The "Endurance Challenge" (99 enemies) is the ultimate litmus test for your build. If you can survive that without using a Resurrection Stone, you’ve officially mastered the game's mechanics.
Next Steps for Your Muspelheim Run:
- Hunt the Seeds: If you haven't found the second half of the Muspelheim seed yet, head to Dragon Beach in Svartalfheim and look for the chest hidden behind the geyser and the sonic-ore debris.
- Prioritize the "Crucible" Favor: Complete the first six trials immediately to unlock the heavy hitters. This is the fastest way to get the Undying Pyres armor set, which is arguably one of the best looking sets in the game.
- Equip Elemental Siphon: Use the Draupnir Spear to "steal" fire from enemies. It gives Kratos a temporary fire resistance and adds burn damage to your melee attacks, which is essential for the higher-difficulty trials.
- Prepare for Gna: Save your resources to upgrade the Shield of Starfall or the Onslaught Shield specifically for her gap-closing attacks. You’ll need the maximum defense stat possible to survive her aerial drops.
Muspelheim isn't just a pit stop. It’s the forge where the ending of the game is truly tempered. Whether you’re there for the story of Surtur or just to beat your best time on a trial, it remains the most intense experience Ragnarok has to offer.