Players engaged in the Sanctuary areas of God of War Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC will encounter locked barriers, but initially, they won’t be able to remove them.

This free Valhalla DLC offers a plethora of activities, from enhancing Kratos’ stats to selecting the right runic attacks and relics. Generally, the game guides players effectively, but sometimes introduces new mechanics without immediate explanation.

A notable challenge is the smoke barriers in Sanctuary areas. These barriers block access to valuable items, and initially, there’s no clear method to bypass them. They display a lock symbol, but initially, interacting with this yields no results. As players progress, however, the means to overcome these barriers become available.

How to Open Locked Barriers in God of War Ragnarok Valhalla

To permanently remove a barrier in a Sanctuary, players must acquire a Sanctuary Barrier key. These keys are crafted at the Tablet of Influence at The Shore, but only after defeating Tyr for the first time. The first key costs 100 Spirit Seals, with the price increasing for subsequent keys. The availability of the Tablet of Influence and the ability to craft Sanctuary Barrier Keys are both tied to main story progression. Players yet to access it need to continue exploring Valhalla.

What’s Behind the Sanctuary Barriers in God of War Ragnarok Valhalla?

Behind each barrier, players find a chest containing items like Fleeting Echoes, Mastery Seals, and Runic Attacks. While unlocking a barrier is permanent, it’s advisable to unlock one barrier per Sanctuary. This strategy increases the likelihood of accessing at least one chest early in a run, when the rewards are most beneficial. Focusing all keys on a single Sanctuary could reduce the chances of visiting that realm early on.