Advertiser Disclosure: At Slickdeals, we work hard to find the best deals. Some products in our articles are from partners who may provide us with compensation, but this doesn’t change our opinions. Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.
Reading Time: 3 minutesDawn of Ragnarök, the third major expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, releases on March 10th and takes players on a new adventure into the realm of Norse mythology as Odin, the god of Battle and Wisdom.
As the most aspirational expansion in the history of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Dawn of Ragnarök offers over 35 hours of additional gameplay, between the main story and side quests. You’ll explore an expansive new region – the dwarven realm of Svartalfheim – and battle other gods in a despairing quest to save Odin’s son, who has been taken by the Muspelheim warlord, Surtr.
Credit: Ubisoft
Those who have completed the main story in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and have a character power level of 340+ can seamlessly begin the Dawn of Ragnarök adventure by speaking with Valka in Ravensthorpe. If you haven’t reached power level 340 yet, when you enter the new area, the game will offer a temporary boost and upgrades so you can comfortably uncover Odin’s story. These boosts will only be active while playing Dawn of Ragnarök, but all experience points gained in the expansion will transfer back to the main game.
Alternatively, you can jump into a new game in Dawn of Ragnarök by using a pre-upgraded character that will not transfer to the main storyline.
Credit: Ubisoft
This extra story chapter also introduces a new gameplay mechanic via a piece of gear called the Hugr-Rip. Gifted to Odin by the dwarves, this artifact allows you to permanently acquire the power of fallen enemies, granting new abilities to fight, go stealth, or more efficiently traverse the massive landscape.
Credit: Ubisoft
I won’t spoil the new capabilities you might discover throughout the world, but know that the Hugr-Rip opens up lots of different and creative ways for dispatching foes and solving world puzzles. And while power acquisition is permanent and upgradable, there can only be two active abilities at one time. So knowing when to siphon power and when to pass it up is also part of the strategy of using the Hugr-Rip to its max potential.
Credit: Ubisoft
As you progress along Odin’s journey, earned experience points can be applied to the same skill tree from the main game, which has been further expanded on all three branches. You’ll find unique skills that further complement your playstyle, whether it’s charging head-on into battle, picking off enemies from a distance, or assassinating from the shadows.
Credit: Ubisoft
What I enjoyed most about the various boss battles was that they weren’t just hack-and-slash instances. Yes, you’d need to figure out their attack patterns and behavior, but there was also a bit of a puzzle element to the confrontation. Odin will drop verbal hints during the battle, and if you don’t take the proper action at the right time, it could prolong the fight considerably or put you at a great disadvantage.
Like in the main game, Dawn of Ragnarök offers so much more to do beyond the scripted quests. Random world events will appear and offer valuable completion rewards, and you can always create your own adventures by hunting down armor sets, rare gems, or hidden backstories, all of which offer special items or bonuses.
Credit: Ubisoft
Overall, Dawn of Ragnarök is a fun and robust continuation of Eivor’s exploration into Norse mythology, and offers a fresh take that’s uniquely “Assassin’s Creed.” Dive into Dawn of Ragnarök starting on March 10th by purchasing the add-on from the Ubisoft Store or wherever digital game downloads are sold.
Andrew Chen
Editorial Content Manager Andrew Chen is a longtime PC gamer, an automotive journalist and an avid deal hunter. His first PC had an 80 megahertz processor with 4 megabytes of RAM, light years away from the powerhouse gaming rigs he builds today. You can follow Andrew's high-speed sports car adventures over at 6SpeedOnline.com. As a Slickdealer for over 10 years, nothing makes him more excited than getting a freebie! Chat with Andrew on Twitter: @slickdealsdrew