God of War Inside the Mountain quest: Deer Head Statue, Heart of the Mountain Claw puzzle solutions, Hraezlyr guide

Guide by James Billcliffe Guides Editor

Published on April 24, 2018

Inside the Mountain is a long and arduous quest, taking many twists and turns as Kratos and Atreus try to make their way to the summit. Along the way there are many deadly traps and ferocious enemies, as well as a few brainteasers. Here’s how to complete the Inside the Mount quest in God of War, complete with solutions for the Deer Head statue puzzle and Claw puzzle.

God of War Inside the Mountain quest guide:

After they’ve collected the light of Alfheim to fuel the Bifrost and return to Midgard, Kratos and Atreus approach the mountain and try to dispel the Black Breath. They succeed, and the quest begins.

Walk through the Breath using the Bifrost as your light, and climb the craggy rock face. When you’re at the top, press Circle to use the Bifrost again and dispel the darkness.

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You’ll come to a door bearing the emblem of Jotunheim - open it and go through.

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Deer Head Statue puzzle:

You’ll now be confronted by the first major puzzle in this quest, the Deer Head Statue.

To get started, ask Atreus to read the sand bowl in the middle of the room by pressing Square.

Then turn to the left and enter to open room there. Kill any Draugr that stand in your way, before turning around to look above you. Over the door where you came in is another crystal, target it with Atreus’ arrows and fire. This will cause it to fall down so you can pick it up.

Take the fallen crystal back to the centre room and place it in the glowing empty slot in the floor by pressing circle near it. Then fire Atreus’ bow at both of the slotted crystals and pull the lever behind them.

The Statue will open up a door to your right, so push on through. It’s dark in these next rooms, so whenever you see one, fire Atreus’ bow at crystals lodged in the walls. These will light your way.

Explore the dark tunnels:

Next, jump down the hole and hop the ledge, following the tunnel and lighting crystals as you go. When you reach a small crevice, crawl through it.

On the other side, take a left up the stairs to collect a chest before returning to the bottom and lifting the broken pillar to progress. Kill the enemies that appear and push forward.

Leave the Nornir rune for now and climb the ledge, then kill the Draugr in front of you. If you look down and to the right when you’ve scaled the ledge, you’ll see a large crystal. Shoot at it, then cross the bridge it creates to collect another chest.

Then head over to the left and break the boards in front of the crystal on the wall. Shoot it, then walk up the light bridge. This is where the Nornir chest is. Shoot the crystal next to it and you’ll see that you need to use runes that look like a B, N and R to open it.

Go back down the light bridge and you’ll see a rune to the right. Hit this spinner once on the right to turn it into an R.

Head back up the bridge and take a left. You should now be on a bridge will a view of the spinner you saw earlier and another high on the right of the path. Leave the one you saw earlier alone, it should already look like an N. Hit the high spinner once on the right and it should turn into a B. Return to the chest and open it.

Now go to the other side of the room by heading back down the light bridge and bearing left. When you're over there, crawl through the small tunnel. This will lead to the other side of the room you entered in - next to the Deer Headed statue. Be sure to head around the front and grab the chest that’s been tantalising you since the beginning.

Heart of the Mountain Claw Puzzle

Open the door beyond the statue and kill the Draugr. Follow the tunnel until you reach a dead end. Climb the rocky wall until you reach the top, then turn the corner and walk along the illuminated path.

Open the door with the wheel and enter the large cavern.

When the dialogue ends and you regain control, bear right and turn the large wheel on the floor.

Kill the Draugr that appear, then enter the hole they come out of.

Climb up the ledge next to Brok and break the boxes on the left. Crawl through the revealed hole and collect the chests on the other side.

Jump down to where you can see a corridor filled with spikes and throw your axe at the spinning panel three to four times above and to the right of the spiked corridor to disengage the trap. Run through, the second set of spikes will open as the first closes. Then when you’re out the other side, throw your axe at the top right of the wall to progress.

You’ll come out in a large room full of ropes, pulleys and mining equipment. Kill the enemies that attack you, paying special attention to the fiery lizard that’s all the way on the right hand side of the room. It’s difficult to hit, so have your axe ready to bash it as soon as it surfaces, but when it’s dead it’ll drop some good loot.

Return to the centre of the room and push the large block that you can see on the tracks. When it won’t move, break the chain with your axe. Then push it again until the top of it lines up with the white marks on the raised walkway.

Pushing the block also reveals a secret room with an artefact inside.

Climb up on the block and proceed onto the walkway. Turning around here and throwing your axe at the ropes holding the bridge in place opens up the other side of the walkway here, which nets you a few items, Hacksilver and some armour, as well as a shot at one of Odin’s Ravens.

However to progress, walk forward and smash the boards in the tunnel, then follow the path around. Lift the boulder, pull the large chain in front of you, then open the shortcut gate on your left.

Go back to the block you pushed before and push it further - until it lines up with the white marks on the ledge to your left.

Climb up again, then jump across the gap to the platform.

Fight the enemies in your way, open the visible chest and drop the chain to enable easy access, before making your way over to the giant rock and trapped rope at the end of the platform.

When you’re there, mash Circle to lift the weight.

Troll Mini boss - Jarn Fotr:

When you’ve freed the rope, a troll will emerge and attack. Luckily he’s not too tough, just keep your distance and use your axe throw.

The Precision Throw Combo ability is really useful here, since the troll has a large head to aim for and the following ice explosion interrupts his attacks.

Defeating him will net you a Frozen Flame to upgrade your axe - nice!

Once the troll’s done for, go back to the wheel you spun to start the whole puzzle off.

When this doesn’t work, go back to the block you pushed from the other room and move it a final time so that it’s under the claw.

Go back to the wheel, spin it down, then freeze the gears next to you with an R2 throw of your axe.

Climb up on the block, then call your axe back. This will raise you up and completes the Inside the Mountain Claw puzzle.

Get past the traps:

When you reach the top of the lift, jump off and follow the path off.

The flames are quite easy to avoid, just wait until the moment they shut off and move then - this gives you the most time before they start up again.

When you get to the second flame trap, position yourself in between two jets and walk around. Use the pillars for cover when you’re attacked, then repeat.

Follow the path until you reach another mining lift. Press Circle to move the weight on the right to get moving. Then when you get stuck, smash the cart in front of the second large weight and move that too.

Kill the enemies that drop down, and mash circle when you get stuck, you’ll eventually reach where you’re meant to go. When the ogre enters the fray, focus your attack on it. Once it’s stunned, you can press R3 to mount it and deal with the rest of the enemies.

Lightning Dragon Hraezlyr boss fight:

As the lift rises, you’ll be beset by the lightning dragon Hraezlyr.

Phase 1:

Stick to the right of the platform to try and dodge its biting and swiping attacks, raising your shield with L1 when you seen an attack coming in.

Get in close and rain as many blows as you can on the dragon’s hand. After a small amount of damage, you’ll have to free the platform again by pressing Circle. Repeat the process in the second stage.

When you’re back on solid ground, follow the path around and move through the World Tree sap by using the Shatter crystals you pick up on the side of the path. The first crystal in on the right before the Sap, the second is on the left after you’ve shimmied across the ledge.

When you’re past the Sap, follow the tunnel around and formulate your plan with Atreus.

Once the cutscene is over, run over to the left and press circle at the end of the ledge to mount Hraezlyr.

Mash R1 and R2 to deal damage to Hraezlyr’s tongue while you have the chance.

Phase 2:

When you’re on the ground, Hraezlyr will attack you with lightning. Use double tap X dodges to avoid the electrified spots on the ground and make your way over to the back right of the arena. There’s a cache of Shatter Crystals here, so grab one.

You need to throw them at Hraezlyr when it’s electrified. That’s when you can see the lightning crackling around its body. The timing can be a little tricky, the best time to throw is either during its attack - which isn’t always possible - or immediately afterward. A strategy is to run out of the way just as Hraezlyr launches an attack, then throw the crystal as it finishes.

Once you’ve hit it with two explosions, the dragon will fall. Run up to it and spam attacks at the glowing spot on its head.

Phase 3:

Hraezlyr will then swap sides, so now the easiest cache of crystals in now on your left.

The dragon will start to switch up its attacks too. When it slams the ground with two claws, hold L1 to block, then when the wave has passed, rush in and hit its hands with your axe.

When Hraezlyr attacks with one slamming claw, double tap X to dodge out of the way, then dive in and hit it with your axe again.

After you’ve dealt some damage, the dragon will start to breathe electricity in a beam across the ground.

Using a similar strategy to the first phase, grab a shatter crystal, dodge out of the line of the attack just as it starts, then throw the crystal while Hraezlyr is still crackling with electricity.

After another couple of explosions, the dragon will fall again so jump in and spam attacks.

Hraezlyr will swap sides again after that, but continue the same attacks, so repeat the process.

After another couple of explosions, the dragon will fall for a third time - which will trigger a cutscene.

Phase 4:

Hraezlyr will start again will the claw attacks, but now adds in the occasional bite attack too. Dodge or block the claws in the same way you have before, and dodge roll backwards to avoid the bite.

After you’ve dealt some damage, the electric attacks will start again. But now Hraezlyr will use both beam attacks and ones that highlight spots on the ground. Dodge each of these in the same way you have in the previous phases, grab crystals and throw them at the creature when it's surrounded by electricity - you know the drill.

When it’s dropped after two explosions, press Square next to the dragon to put your plan into motion.

Mash Circle and enjoy as carnage ensues.

Finishing the quest:

Following the cutscene with Sindri, walk over to the dragon and collect the tooth and fire your new shock arrows at the Sap blocking the way.

Continue through the tunnel and climb up the wall at the end.

Kill the Nightmare infused Draugr at the top, then shoot your shock arrow at the sap at the base of the wall in front of you.

Then roll the wheel to your right and loose another shock arrow at the crystal. Kill the Nightmares that appear, then climb up the opening you created.

Follow the tunnel around, killing the enemies on the way. Then take care of the enemies praying to the Nornir chest.

To open the chest, grab a Shatter Crystal from the cache next to the bridge, turn around and throw it at the sap in the corridor you used to enter the room. Shoot a shock arrow at the sap and you open up a room that contains a seal and a lore shrine.

Go back to the bridge and use Shatter Crystals and shock arrows to remove the sap at both ends of the bridge. Walk up it, on your right is the second seal.

Kill the enemies at the top, then turn around. Roll the wheel on your right, then freeze the gears with your axe to hold it in place. Run up the bridge and the third seal is at the top.