Hel-Walker

Most denizens of Helheim are icy versions of the regular goons and creatures that populate other realms. These Hel-Walkers have harnessed the deadly power of frost and ice. Each variety features the distinctive bluish hue that indicates high Frost resistance, and each also has low Burn resistance. Most Hel-Walker encounters can be approached similarly to Draugr—they can be tripped, launched, and stunned the same as a Draugr but are a bit more resilient.

The Hel-Walker’s primary attack is a Frost wave that applies a Slowed status effect to Kratos and puts nearby Hel-Walkers in a frenzy for the duration of the debuff. Frenzied Hel-Walkers increase their movement and attack speed, and in large groups can make short work of Kratos, so avoid incoming Frost waves at all times. Evading to the side is the best method to dodge the attack completely, though it can be blocked. Higher-level Hel-Walkers are capable of three successive Frost waves so remain alert.

Hel-Reaver

The basic Hel-Walker boasts moderate health and defense, carries a sword, and has low resistance to fire. They’re prevalent in Helheim, and also found in parts of Midgard as well. Use the Blades of Chaos to slice through the Hel-Reavers, keeping them off-balance until you can finish them off. They’re only a real threat in large groups, but the blades’ wide attack radius allows Kratos to deal with multiple enemies at once.

In-Game Tips: “These enemies become enraged and super aggressive when you’re frosted. Father should do his best to avoid their frost blast attack.”

“If these things manage to freeze us, we should stay on the defensive until it passes.”

Hel-Reaver Guard

Hel-Reavers called Guards carry shields to boost their defenses and augment their attacks. A shielded Hel-Walker attacks faster and can break Kratos’ guard with a shield check at higher levels. These enemies share the same weaknesses as the Shield Draugr, but are more dangerous up close. If their Frost wave lands, they follow up with an attack that can daze Kratos momentarily. Taking out their legs from a distance or performing a Block Break up close are the best methods here.

In-Game Tips: “Hel-Walkers with shields can block just about anything. Father can use his Block Break skill to break their guard.”

“Father should throw his axe at their feet to get around their shields and trip them up.”

Hel-Reaver Lord

Hel-Reaver Lords have the ability to encase themselves in ice armor that makes them invulnerable to Leviathan axe attacks. Stun these enemies with Atreus’ arrows while pummeling them in close with barehanded attacks. Once Kratos acquires the blades, their heat cuts through the icy armor, so use them instead of his fists.

In-Game Tips: “These enemies will deflect Father’s frost axe attacks. He’ll have to use his fists instead to stun them.”

“Hel-Walkers seem to draw their power from the frost, which makes Father’s axe pretty weak against them. Good thing he’s strong with his fists, too. I wish we had a fire weapon.”

Hel-Shadow Archer

This ranged Hel-Walker uses ice magic to conjure a sharp spear that it tosses with uncanny accuracy. The Hel-Shadow Archer shares the same basic weakness as Projectile Draugr, falling fast if you can get in close for melee hits.

Atreus can interrupt their attacks, or you can evade the projectiles with a quick sidestep. The Countering Blast skill works well against the Hel-Shadow Archer’s spears. Parry just before the ice hits Kratos to send the spear back at the Archer or redirect it into another foe.

In-Game Tips: “Their projectiles are quick but don’t stun us. If we rush them, we can take them out of the equation early.”

“I should be able to help Father with these enemies. Just like their projectiles disrupt his movements, my bow can disrupt theirs.”

Hel-Shadow Scout

Like his Archer cousin, the Scout uses ice magic to fling deadly cold projectiles, and can’t take a punch (or an arrow) very well. To compensate for his weakness, the Scout puts up a sturdy ice barrier to block incoming attacks. Keep in mind that the barrier is also explosive! Deal with these guys from a safe distance.

In-Game Tips: “They can cast an ice wall as cover. Father can throw the axe when they pop up behind cover, or throw it past them and recall it to hit them from behind.”

“His ice walls do more than just provide cover: if we get too close, he can detonate it! We should try to deal with them from range.”

Hel-Viken

Less common than the Hel-Walker minor grunts, the Hel-Vikens are much more dangerous. They cannot be tripped or launched and can block ranged attacks, forcing Kratos to fight them up close and personal. They attack slightly faster than a Heavy Draugr and have two separate area-of-effect frost attacks, though they move slowly. Hel-Vikens also wind up slowly for their attacks, so take advantage of this by evading just outside their range, then counter fast after the attack whiffs.

Watch for the Hel-Viken to scrape the ground with his spiked mace before sending a frost wave your way. Evade to the side to avoid taking damage. His overhead slam hits with a small area of effect and also adds the frost effect.

Whereas Seiðr Vikens will pound the ground three successive times when powered up, Hel-Vikens alternate between unblockable ground slams and side swings that can be parried. Watch for the yellow flash and parry the attack to get the upperhand.

In-Game Tips: “Father can dodge his mace depending on the type of swing. Looks like it’s best to dodge horizontal swings backwards, and the vertical swings sideways.”

“If he misses his overhead attack, his mace gets stuck in the ground and he’s open for an attack.”

Hel-Traveler

More aggressive than the unfrozen variety of Traveler, the Hel-Traveler is relentless with his attacks and extremely tough to interrupt early on in the fight. Stay on the move and out of reach of his large sword while picking away at his health. As his armor is removed, your attacks become increasingly more effective.

Watch for him to lift his sword and thrust it into the ground, causing a frost area-of-effect attack that inflicts anyone nearby with the slowed status.

In-Game Tips: “The Undead Travelers are more aggressive than the regular ones. Ranged attacks are tricky, because he sprints right at us.”

“We can whittle down his armor if we stay close and dodge his strikes. But when he charges up his sword for an overhead strike, it’s time to move!”

Hel-Brood

Just like their Brood cousins, Hel-Brood move fast and are capable of hopping onto Kratos, forcing you to shake them off. With very low health and low resistance to fire, Hel-Brood go down easily with the Blades of Chaos. Their strength shows within the large numbers that they assemble in an attempt to overwhelm. Keep a distance and fend them off one at a time whenever possible.

Hel-Brood come at Kratos with a vicious jump attack, which can be evaded by moving to the side. It can also be countered with a well-timed parry. This sends the enemy backward, and just like standard Brood, these guys explode when they die.

In-Game Tips: “Their air slam attacks can leave us slowed. If they’re up in the air, steer clear.”

“The Brood are extremely weak to Father’s Runic Attacks.”

Hel-Revenant

Hel-Revenants use attacks that can slow Kratos or even freeze him completely. If the enemy attempts to use the ice-breath attack, keep moving and evade out of her range, or Kratos will become frozen. Escape by quickly wiggling the left analog stick, or you risk being shattered and instantly killed.

The hag’s ground-rake maneuver sends shards of ice that track her target, hitting Kratos with the Slowed status effect if not avoided. Immediately evade to the side as she rakes the ground, and stay on the move until it dissipates.

As with all Revenants, use Atreus’ arrows to remove her protective shroud, allowing Kratos to attack the witch.

In-Game Tips: “Her icy fissure attacks damage and freeze Father. We’ll have to avoid them if we want to be able to take her down.”

“We can either interrupt, outrun, or dodge her ice-breath attack—it can freeze Father and leave him idle and vulnerable to attacks.”

Ice Nightmare

Ice Nightmares fire ice projectiles that inflict a slowed status if they manage to hit you. Watch for incoming attacks, and dodge-roll to avoid being hit. Use Atreus’ arrows or an axe throw to knock the flier down, and finish it off before it takes flight again. Use the Blades of Chaos to grab the Nightmare, and then use the Nightmare as your own explosive projectile.

In-Game Tips: “They’ll look straight up before firing their ice projectile, so we should either get out of the way or hit them with Father’s axe (or my arrows).”

“When Father throws his axe at Nightmares, it knocks them closer to the ground. Then he can use melee attacks to finish them off.”