Unlocking the Secrets of Binggo: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

When I first picked up God of War Ragnarok, I was honestly a bit overwhelmed by the combat system. It’s fast, it’s fluid, but it’s also unforgiving—especially if you’re new to the series or haven’t played in a while. That’s why I wanted to put together this step-by-step tutorial: Unlocking the Secrets of Binggo. Now, before you ask—yes, I’m calling it “Binggo” as a sort of inside nod to that satisfying feeling when combat just clicks. You know, when you dodge, parry, and strike in perfect rhythm, and everything falls into place like a winning bingo card. But getting there? That’s the real challenge.

Let’s start with the absolute basics. One of the first things I had to learn—sometimes the hard way—was paying attention to the on-screen indicators. Early on, I’d get so caught up in the intensity of fights that I’d completely lose track of that little arrow warning me about attacks from behind. It switches from yellow to red, which is supposed to help with timing, but honestly? I still got clipped more times than I’d like to admit. It’s easy to brush off at first, but later in the game, enemies can stunlock you, and that’s where things get messy. I remember one fight where a single Draugr opened me up, and before I knew it, three others piled on, and I was dead in seconds. It didn’t feel like a skill issue—more like the game had thrown something at me I wasn’t equipped to handle. So my first piece of advice? Train yourself to watch that indicator like a hawk. Practice in lower-stakes encounters until checking it becomes second nature.

Another thing that made a huge difference for me was learning how to use Atreus effectively. In the previous game, he was helpful, but here? He’s a game-changer. Alongside Mimir, he’ll call out threats or loose arrows to distract or stagger enemies, giving you those precious seconds to reposition or heal. I can’t tell you how many times his interventions saved me from a stunlock spiral. Early on, I’d forget to command him, relying too much on my own reflexes. But once I started integrating his arrows into my rhythm—whether by tapping the square button or letting him act on his own—fights felt way more manageable. He’s not just a sidekick; he’s your lifeline. And in those brutal boss fights or Valkyrie-style challenges, that support can mean the difference between a flawless victory and a humiliating respawn.

Timing your dodges and blocks is another layer that’s easy to underestimate. At first, I’d spam the dodge button, thinking evasion was all about distance. But it’s not—it’s about rhythm. Some attacks require a quick sidestep, others a full roll, and a few demand a perfectly timed parry. I’d say about 60% of my early deaths came from mistiming defensive moves. There’s one particular enemy type—the Hateful—that forced me to relearn this. Their combos are relentless, and if you slip up once, you’re often done for. What helped me was treating each encounter like a dance: watch, wait, then move. It sounds simple, but it’s surprising how many players (myself included) charge in blindly.

Then there’s the gear and upgrade system. I made the mistake of ignoring it for the first few hours, thinking I could brute-force my way through. Big mistake. By the time I hit the halfway point, my gear was under-leveled, and I was taking way more damage than necessary. My advice? Check your inventory after every major fight. Look for resources to upgrade the Leviathan Axe or Blades of Chaos, and don’t hoard your hacksilver—spend it on armor that complements your playstyle. If you’re aggressive, go for strength boosts; if you’re defensive, stack vitality. I personally leaned into runic attacks because they let me control the battlefield, but your mileage may vary.

Boss fights, thankfully, are a bit more forgiving in one key area: checkpoints. Unlike some of the smaller skirmishes that can reset entirely, Ragnarok does a solid job saving your progress mid-fight. I remember one epic battle against a certain frost giant where I died maybe… eight times? But each attempt felt fair because I didn’t have to redo the whole phase. That’s a small mercy, especially when you’re facing those end-game challenges that are even trickier than the Valkyries from the last game. And trust me, there are more than a few of those.

So, where does that leave us? Well, if there’s one takeaway from my experience, it’s this: mastering combat in God of War Ragnarok isn’t just about reaction speed—it’s about awareness, preparation, and using every tool at your disposal. From keeping an eye on attack indicators to leveraging Atreus’ support, each piece plays a part in that satisfying moment when everything comes together. And that, my friends, is what I’d call truly Unlocking the Secrets of Binggo. It might take practice—maybe a dozen deaths in some cases—but once it clicks, you’ll feel unstoppable. Or at least, less likely to get stunlocked into oblivion.