Ancient

All Ancients, as well as the Soul Eaters, are impervious to nearly all attacks. An Ancient’s chest opens up during combat, revealing its vulnerable core. With a successful hit, a volatile chunk pops out of the enemy, which can be used to damage and stagger it. Its move set consists of a combination of four basic attacks: an area-of-effect blast, mortars, missiles, and a beam. They don’t always retain all four attacks, and the element attached to the attacks may be Light, Burn, or Frost.

Collect Ancient’s Heart and Ancient’s Rubble from defeated Ancients and deliver the resources to Brok or Sindri, who can use them to craft powerful Legendary gear.

Fire Ancient

After the water drops a second time, paddle a boat to the southwest portion of Lake of Nine and dock at the southeastern beach of Iron Cove. The Fire Ancient lies in a heap of rocks next to a coffin. Get its attention by detonating one of the nearby explosive jars, or hit it directly. It possesses three attacks to look out for: fire mortars, a fire blast, and fire missiles. Refer to the Lake of Nine Exploration chapter for more information on the Ancient and the beach where it’s found.

Lava Ancient

Despite spending so much time underwater, the Lava Ancient has managed to keep its fire. After the water drops a second time, more land becomes accessible at Veithurgard Pass—introducing a pack of Draugr along with the hibernating Ancient. Eliminate all conscious enemies before going after the big guy. Use the boulders scattered around the area to block its incoming attacks, which include fire mortars, a blast attack, and missiles. Check out our Lake of Nine Exploration chapter for more information on the Ancient and how to access it.

Forest Ancient

The Forest Ancient wanders the forest outside Fáfnir’s Storeroom instead of hibernating like most Ancients. It appears as you exit the storeroom during the Favor “Fáfnir’s Hoard.”It attacks with a fire area-of-effect blast, missiles, and a variety of beams. Although fighting the Ancient is unnecessary to complete the Favor, it rewards valuable resources and XP when defeated. Turn to the Favors chapter to find out more about Sindri’s first Favor and this unique Ancient.

Stone Ancient

The Stone Ancient is your introduction to this interesting class of enemy. Navigate through the Alfheim trench in order to reactivate the Ringed Temple Bridge. At the final platform, after you defeat a Dark Elf ambush, a glowing “rock pile” comes to life. This is the Stone Ancient, the first Ancient you face during the Journey. Check out “The Light of Alfheim” chapter of The Journeyfor detailed strategy.

Frost Ancient

The Frost Ancient lies dormant inside the Mountain. Not long after riding the elevator up through the cave shaft on a return visit, Kratos and Atreus find the Frost Ancient; give it a nudge to get its attention. Unlike the Fire Ancients fought before, this one utilizes Frost area-of-effect and beam attacks that hit with the Slowed status effect. The “Return to the Summit” portion of The Journeycovers the miniboss in detail.

If you did not eliminate the Ice Ancient at the frozen lake next to Thamur’s Corpse, a Frost Ancient appears. Another Frost Ancient hibernates at near the Northern Dock after the area has been destroyed near Thamur’s Corpse, and is extremely easy to miss.

Ice Ancient

The Hel-Walker can be left alone, but where’s the fun in that? Wake it up near Thamur’s Corpse at the Frozen Lake, next to the Shatter Crystal dispenser. It attacks with an area-of-effect blast, missiles, and beam that all hit with Frost and a Slowed status effect. This Ancient is extremely easy to miss. If you avoid the miniboss and exit the region with Thamur’s Chisel, you cannot return. Later in the game, a Frost Ancient appears near the Northern Dock, but only if you missed the Ice Ancient.

Soul Eater

The Soul Eater was accidentally created by Andvari while experimenting on Ancients in Völunder Mines. It continues to hang out inside and is fought as part of the “Second Hand Soul” Favor. It’s similar to Fire Ancients, with its impenetrable exterior and attacks, a fire area-of-effect blast, and fire missiles. It doesn’t hibernate like most Ancients, and attacks on sight when Kratos and Atreus get too close. A second Soul Eater can be fought if you return to River Pass later in the game.

Soul Devourer

The Soul Devourer is similar to the Soul Eater, except it uses four attacks: an area-of-effect blast, mortars, a beam attack, and missiles. It’s found at three locations: Ruins of the Ancient, Konünsgard Stronghold during the “Hail to the King” Favor, and Niflheim (it emerges from a Realm Tear with a pair of Wulvers). Find coverage of the enemy in the Favors chapter.