Brok - The True Measure of a Man

Brok is an artist, and artists seek truth.

[@akaj2013]

Brok's last words were forgiveness for his greiving brother. Even in death, he stayed true to who he was: Honest with everyone. The antithesis of Odin.

[@ShadowKamehameha32]

"I know what you done, and I forgives ya" *sobbing*

[@CloudyK1ng]

@@ShadowKamehameha32 he likely knows that theres no afterlife for him so that fact hes so forgiving to his brother is all the more sweet

[@WarFoxThunder]

FR

[@joshuahecht6866]

I know what you’ve done, and I forgive you. But you got to stop, you got to let go…

[@EzraM5]

@@ShadowKamehameha32 I still don't understand how people say Ragnarok has worse writing than the first game in the Norse setting. You show me a man who doesn't feel grief for Brok and Sindri, I'll show you someone who doesn't know what it's like to lose someone.

[@RoyJrthe2nd]

I imagine part of the reason Kratos likes Brok so much is that he's spent his entire life around grandstanding liars and bastards. So, spending some time around a guy who's honest, humble, and a little crass is likely a bit refreshing to him.

[@willhicks7027]

And the fact Brok probably is very laconic, something All Spartans are after all the word laconic comes from the Spartan capital Laconia.

[@UltraXan]

As someone who has been around far too many liars growing up... Can confirm. Hell, Brok was basically my favourite side character from the jump because of that.

[@awalkinthepark88]

I've never met a soldier who didn't like an amazing blacksmith

[@quadgames1334]

Kratos spent time arouns not only grandstanding liars, bastards, but people who were terrified of him

[@michaelkriston2516]

Brok means so much more to him than this video expresses. The scene of him telling Brok back his line about form and nature? It is a scene directly paralleled only by Atreus with the lines about being better. Do with that what yoi will.

[@cb-9938]

I love Brok reaction to Heimdalls death. Everyone talking about how it was bad because it triggers the start of Ragnarok. But Brok says *"if he was gonna hurt your boy, it's a good thing he's dead"*

[@adamlauer1096]

Me too

[@connorsiegers3384]

Everyone:the apocalypse is coming! Brok:tell me you made it hurt. Noone fucjing hurts the boy.

[@eikrzatarra7867]

Heimdall wasn't gonna stop there. If Kratos had let him go, he would have killed Atreus just to appease his broken ego.

[@neetlikereallyneet9103]

Ties back to that theme of choice vs fate. Everyone else was terrified because Ragnarok was prophesized after Heimdall died. Brok only cared that Kratos made the right decision.

[@connorsiegers3384]

@@DanaWhites_CocaineDealer Brok in myths did sew Loki's mouth shut. Wonder what Game brok would do to his ass. Heheheh

[@Skillshot360s]

It’s also worth noting that when you first meet Brok, he offers to upgrade the Leviathan axe for two complete strangers and was a gift made by him and his brother for Faye, who was a great warrior and friend. I like how this can be interpreted as Brok quickly piecing together who Kratos and Atreus were to Faye and what might have happened to her without stirring up a commotion like Sindri and Durlin and shows how much more perceptive Brok is than we’re initially led to believe.

[@BlazingSteel]

Ooh, yes! He noticed that Kratos could throw and summon the Leviathan Axe, which must mean Kratos couldn't have simply stolen it from Faye, he was attuned to it.

[@quietone2674]

In Sindri and Durlin's defense, they just saw the axe strung on Kratos' back. I bet if they saw it return to him they'd have known he had Faye's blessing to wield it.

[@rvolcano7338]

@@quietone2674there’s also the matter of Brok knowing Faye and her nature. Even if he hadn’t seen Kratos use the axe he would still have known that it couldn’t have been taken from her by force. Remember he knew that Faye was in Midgard and that she had used the axe to go toe to toe with Thor once. If someone tried to take the ax it would’ve brought about a natural disaster that a blind and deaf hermit couldn’t have missed.

[@quietone2674]

@@rvolcano7338 hm...good point. While Kratos probably *could've* taken it by force if they weren't together, he'd absolutely have caused noticeable destruction doing it.

[@BlazingSteel]

@rvolcano7338 Faye was also evenly matched to Thor, who wields Mjolnir, a weapon confirmed to rival a nuke, and both Kratos and Thor fought Faye to a draw.

[@gamerkingdom1442]

Brok is that type of guy who’s as rude as possible, but you can’t help but sit down with a couple of beers and chat about life. A respect to pure honesty, that’s the best way to describe his writing.

[@georgekostaras]

Brok is the kind of guy who’s rude but also really nice , any compliment from him is sincere and with no ulterior motives

[@gamerkingdom1442]

@@georgekostaras exactly!

[@ryanbelmont2676]

Yeah, for me, out of all the dwarves we meet, Brok is my favorite because he isn't afraid to speak his mind. Also, Brok has a unique perspective outlook on life and has some pretty creative solutions that others wouldn't think of to do or use.

[@justingary5322]

FACTS Brok is always bluntly honest unlike Odin who is cruelly deceitful yet uses honesty as a veil

[@edgarhidalgo3743]

I can imagine kratos and brok around a grill

[@Phobie_2008]

Brok was an absolute chad, good example of just because somebody isn’t super highbrow and mature, doesn’t mean they aren’t smart and observant. And replaying the game and seeing all of the hints they dropped that Odin was slipping up as Týr is just god tier writing.

[@the_king_of_kings_3413]

Omg yeah Brok the best character.

[@luisiana1121]

I'd say he's very mature since he knows when to be brash and when to tone it down especially when Kratos needed to go to Helheim to help his son in the previous game

[@therecombinant6215]

Ha! God Tyr.

[@ckay_real2765]

Missed the chance to say “god Týr writing” there

[@olyviermonteau4300]

true, and chad doesn't necessarily mean you can get girls, you just need to be true to yourself.

[@frankensteinmonster1931]

In the Journal, Kratos even wrote about how he respects and trusts Brok. Calling him foul mouthed but honest and that he speaks plainly and is an excellent weapons craftsman. The only compliment he gives Sindri is that he is just as good at his job as his brother.

[@KerMaWaffLe]

Probably because Kratos gets annoyed with how finicky and micromanaging Sindri is, while Atreus prefers Sindri’s mannerisms. Kratos prefers the Perfectionist Aspect Squirrel, since Perfectionist is similar to Brok. They both are straightforward and don’t dance around the issue at hand

[@christiancabrera9495]

Also for a big part of the game, Kratos is displeased with him helping Atreus to sneak out behind his back.

[@thedarkknight727]

“It’s the NATURE of a thing that matters, not it’s form.” -Brok “Fake Tyr”, may have had Tyr’s form, but NOT his nature.

[@pancakes8670]

Everyone else assumed that Tyr was just acting strange because Odins torture broke him. Not Brok, he had faith in Tyr, he know Tyr wouldn't be easily broken.

[@nicripolas816]

Or the correct name. For real. Watch the subtitles. Referring to the real one everyone says Týr. But Odin is named Tyr. Without the "ý" Same with real Týr in Valhalla. Correct name.

[@ElPresidenteMargz]

@@pancakes8670yup. Not to mention. Brock n Sindri met the real Tyr once or twice since Faye was his ally and they have gone on a couple adventures together. I don’t think Brok knew he was Odin exactly, but he knew that dude was lying and an imposter slipping up and called it immediately

[@voidgods]

​​@@pancakes8670 I think it's the opposite. Brok does NOT have "faith" in Tyr, in fact he has no reverence for anyone, he only sees people for what they are. Everyone's judgement was clouded for an excess of "faith". Freya and Mimir were just happy to see their friend back, Atreus was excited about the prophecy and Kratos was happy that Tyr was not eager for war. Only Brok was not clouded by all the apparent "good news" that Tyr brought to their lives

[@craigwilde2162]

@@voidgods I suspect though that Odin's performance was close enough to actual Tyr that even Brok was fooled to a degree. It wasn't until the mask was complete when Odin's performance was starting to falter and Brok immediately caught him. As Brok says; "All the pieces ain't welding together true", so it's likely looking at the 'pieces' of Tyr seemed more or less correct initially but once they start getting assembled the fact they aren't coming together correctly or with flaws stood out to him straight away.

[@callofgamers1042]

Loved the part of the game where mimir cannot come up with the response for broks riddle, until it was too late.

[@pathological8231]

Mermir hm

[@grands4ram]

Me too, it felt like a tip of the hat to his respect for Brock tbh

[@jonathantalley6110]

I mean I called it as soon as I heard the riddle and it still broke me

[@jackashmore]

I keep feeling like if we get to see brok one more time mimir will tell him his answer and brok starts laughing to tell him it’s something simpler

[@kevind3974]

Way to late and after he was confronted with the answer in the most literal and tragic way possible

[@moonlightwarriorgaming743]

Broks death hit like a truck. He cared for friends and family, but couldn't always say it. Watching odin kill him took me by surprise.

[@Kruppuchino]

The most important thing about a guy like Brok is that they may never say that they like you, but you sure as hell feel it.

[@relishcakes4525]

Brok was saying he cared. Just not using words. The love language of others is different from our own.

[@younghero80]

I was hopeful that the dlc would let us go get what we need to bring him back.

[@justingary5322]

FACTS 🔥👊❤️. Brok is always bluntly honest unlike Odin who is cruelly deceitful yet uses honesty as a veil

[@Riosjonathon]

@@younghero80unfortunately dying the second time with an incomplete soul meant they can never bring him back. 😢

[@Vesperitis]

Brok is a perfect example of one of my favorite tropes: The Reliable One. He's the one that people go to the most to the point they take him for granted. He'll walk into hell, pull through when you need him in a pinch, and until you lose him, you'll never realize just how much you depended on him.

[@YoungSweezy]

The same thing can be said for Sindri, and if you think about it, both were giving and both ended sadly.

[@Darkmage1293]

....I feel like a lot of my life revolves around that concept. And hindsight makes me hate it, but respect that....I'm in that spot. I'm okay with being, or trying to be, reliable and honest. It's my conviction, and I know a lot of people are fucking with me.....but I'd rather be an honest fool than a damned liar.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

​@@Darkmage1293 Truth! 👑🏆

[@remymabboux6480]

At the beginning of the Tyr scene, I like that everybody is getting all excited over planning the big final battle. Its like planning an awsome party for tomorrow, you feel that sense of anticipation, those butterflies in your stomach. But Brok stays calm. Doesn't rush it. Everybody else, caught up in the rush, skips over the fine details, the contradictions. But not Brok. Because Brok is an artist. He doesn't rush stuff and always pays attention to the fine details.

[@georgekostaras]

I feel like brok saw through Odin because Odin’s con job depends on people being too polite to poke too many holes in his story, a problem that brok doesn’t have

[@justingary5322]

Exactly Brok is always bluntly honest unlike Odin who is cruelly deceitful yet uses honesty as a veil

[@emqui]

Yeah I thought so too but I don’t think Brok saw it until right before he was killed. He didn’t suspect anything of Tyr beforehand, but when he was being all weird right before the reveal he had no issues probing & calling Tyr/Odin on the carpet for his lies.

[@X-SPONGED]

Brok saw through Odin because he understood it's the nature of a thing that matters not the form. The real Tyr is a God of War and Law. He will respect you but like the strong arm of the law, not hesitate to put you in your place. Odin's interpretation of Tyr is a bastardization of the real Tyr's nature which Brok can see through. Although Sindri is very germophobic, even he admits Brok is the detail oriented one.

[@user-km9bv9di8l]

Also, Brok must be the only one who gets to call Kratos "son of a bitch" literally for free. Imagine, what Kratos from times of original trilogy would have done to him. Another perfect way to show, how far Kratos' character traveled.

[@cjdziesiuta1995]

Well Brok was just being Honest. Zeus was a little bitch till the end

[@pogmothoin7122]

I would have fought young Kratos for Brok.

[@user-km9bv9di8l]

@@pogmothoin7122 Brok would fight old Kratos with old one. Edit: only now realised how weird it must be. Correction: he would fight an old-times Kratos with our new, modern Kratos.

[@kelleygieger1598]

And the first time they meet 😂😂

[@tacticallemon7518]

and he called atreus a turd

[@SGTRSSS]

I just realized Draupnir had the element of wind because Brok used the same bag that holds the components of the spear to gather the "sound of the wind".

[@johnmanapol9734]

"I have met many on my travels, but your are one of the few i would ever call "friend" " shows that Kratos really cared about Brok as much as he cared for his son

[@IanPendleton-gh6ox]

I wouldn't say Kratos cared for Brok quite as much as Atreus, but I can easily see Brok becoming Kratos' best friend had Mimir not been there.

[@user-km9bv9di8l]

Also, another thing about Brok. I don't know how about you, guys... But I fucking teared into tears when Kratos said "It needs a blessing from great Blacksmith". So. Fucking. Touched.

[@blackblastgaming1381]

Also when kratos said, I met many on my travel, your one of a few I call friend

[@TheEffectOfMass]

"The essence of the thing" really sticks with me when I reflect on the game. Some of the best story telling i've seen in games.

[@tim.noonan]

@@TheEffectOfMass’It was a whole mo-tif!’

[@bradleybourgeois4710]

Kratos cared more about the spear being blessed by Brok rather than any god. Not only did he help save Atreus by empowering the blades, he has seen how much of wise and caring dwarf Brok is. The antithesis to the selfish and arrogant gods. Kratos not only cares for Brok, he respects him, which is an honor few in the series can say they have.

[@jeffmcauley4070]

My favourite moment with Kratos and Brok is after the first sequence of using the spear, Kratos turns to Brok and just says "Thank you Brok, It is a good spear." The way that line was delivered just seems so heartfelt and I teared up at that.

[@alexmontenegro9991]

I think Kratos asking Brok to bless the spear (even after it has likely been blessed by the lady of the forge) was a way for Kratos to help make amends with Brok's past sins. It's widely known that the reason for Brok and Sindri's falling out in GoW 2018 is as a direct result of arguments stemming from the guilt of creating Mjolnir for the Aesir. I think that when he gave his blessings to the Draupnir spear, he is intentionally imbuing the qualities he should have placed into the hammer. That means Kratos' decision in the moment was more than just trying to make a friend feel better. He wanted to make a promise that this weapon won't be a repeat of Mjolnir. That the spear won't be used for unending and senseless slaughter like the hammer is, but instead to strike true, be used sparingly, and to be put down when there's no need for violence.

[@koji6745]

Love your comment but just wanna add, the spear hadnt been blessed, when Brok asked the Lady for it she couldnt perceive him and just left Thats what cued the scene

[@carbinecryo30716]

@@koji6745They say it wasn't blessed, but the gesture she made, and how long she stuck around, it sorta implies that she did.

[@taddad2641]

oh no she did giv the weapon her blessing with those hand gestures. she is a feesh so she can't talk and.... didn't know that he was there. but it now had two powerful blessings. The blessing of a powerful magical forgemisterss, and the blessing of an honest man. @@koji6745

[@TheGIJew.]

I think that he definitely kept lessons from Mjolnir in mind, but I think the main expression of the guilt of Mjolnir is in the Leviathan Axe. it's implied a few times that they built the axe for Faye to try and undo all the harm they indirectly caused by creating Mjolnir. Brok even says that the axe standing up to Mjolnir is "kind of the point."

[@nirjhar4803]

​@@carbinecryo30716It really doesnt though... We dont even know what the action of her blessing the speae looks like.

[@DoctorPorkenfries]

11:45 its more subtle, but Sindri expresses an appreciation for the blades, too. If you have him upgrade the blades or their hilts, he'll say things such as, "No, thank YOU." "Always a pleasure to work on these." or "The honor is all mine." Or, "So sharp. So, so sharp!" The only reason Brok got the cutscene reacting to the Blades is because he happens to be the first one you run into after getting them.

[@noamias4897]

That doesn't take away from anything he said about Brok though, and I think there was a reason why the developers had Brok see the blades first

[@juliandavila21]

Brock’s riddle broke me at the end of the game I went half the game wondering about that damn riddle only to think I’d never get the answer only too get it in the most heartbreaking way possible damn it was such a great moment

[@SOHCHEAD]

It hit me like kissing a freight train… Probably watching Jill’s reaction at the end of FFXVI (trying to be as vague and iykyk as I can here) is the only other scene in recent memory that hit THAT hard. Even after several viewings and in any personal condition, that scene just breaks me.

[@juliandavila21]

@@SOHCHEAD completely agree ff16’s characters are so good another one of my favorite games the last 5 years

[@Resi.point45]

I think the saddest part of the riddle for me was that I'd heard if before and was laughing at mimir for not getting it. By the time they get it it wasn't funny just left me feeling empty

[@juliandavila21]

@@Resi.point45 awe I feel you I just remember wanting to hear that riddle so bad after the game ended while doing the post game content then finally going to the secret ending and balling when I heard it because it was a little line in the game but for some reason had so much impact just two words and 5 letters I just think that’s amazing for a game to do

[@BaselBannoud]

To the first question of "How did Brok know, and nobody else did?" Mimir is very smart, but when he's happy he often turns off some of his logic, meaning he was so happy to see Tyr alive he turned off his skepticism. Atreus is Atreus, he doesnt know much about this kind of stuff. Sindri assumes the best in everyone. Freya just didnt suspect it. Kratos is very skeptical, but on topics he doesnt know much about like Odin or Tyr, he trusts the people who do know much about them, like Mimir who was also fooled. Brok never drops any suspicions, which is confirmed by the fact that even at the end of GOW4 he still was rough towards Atreus and Kratos.

[@KRJayster]

Also Mimir and Freya were friends with Týr and too polite generally to call out how he’s not acting normally. Odin is exploiting the protagonist’s kindness and expecting them to not question why the guy they just rescued after centuries of imprisonment and torture seemingly has a few screws loose. He was expecting their mercy and kindness to cover for him. He was not expecting a simple brusque “slave” (from odin’s perspective on the dwarves) to call him out to his face about it, and make everyone else finally vocalize what they’ve been thinking but too polite to say out loud.

[@backtoklondike]

@@KRJayster Plus given Freya hates Odin with a passion, she would assume he tortured Týr extremely cruelly that it broke even the most stable of all the gods she knew. And Mimir suffered so much that he is willing to be a decapitated head for the rest of eternity then continuing experience that. So he would've understood how Týr felt. Had both of them not had those hangups, they might have realized that Týr would've never in a million years break that way.

[@shagarumedic]

I honestly thought Freya would’ve sniffed him out the millisecond he referred to her as Frigg

[@KRJayster]

@@shagarumedic you can kind of see her sort of about to react when Tyr calls her that and then she holds herself back and politely corrects him. She's thinking, he's traumatized and might have been out of it for so long he thought she liked that nickname. She's trying to be gentle with him because of everything that's gone down. Meanwhile Odin is like "Oh hell yeah I get to insult my useless ex-wife who wouldn't make me invulnerable and she can't do anything about it." God Odin was a dick, wasn't he? XD

[@enlongjones2394]

@@KRJayster Oh he sure was. Another example: when Atreus frees Garm, Odin says things to comfort Atreus, telling him he messed up, but it can be fixed, and that he’ll have a place in Asgard when he wants to return. And not 10 minutes later, “Tyr” is accusing Atreus of freeing Garm on purpose as some horrible mischief, tearing him down and sowing distrust. Odin was never sincere in comforting Atreus. He was planning on using this to drive a wedge between everyone.

[@kenpachirubinion4896]

He really was a great character. When he died in my first playthrough I got actuallly tunnel-visioned until Odin was defeated, just straight rush through the remaining story. I actually wanted to avenge his death. Which hasn´t happened in a game before or after ( for now.). Really, we all need a friend like him around.

[@azureoverlord9346]

Before that point i was obsessed with pursuing the trophies by doing all the side quests and exploring things. I was saving the remaining story to complete any quests since i hate doing it after the post game. After odin killed brok it feels like it's no fun anymore at that point so i too went straight through the remaining story so i could avenge bock. Avenge brok i did. Odin deserved more than that

[@Janitor_Dragon]

I watched jacksepticeye play it. And I remember when odi killed brok I felt anger. Like genuine rage and anger towards Odin, even when I wasn’t the one playing. I ended up clenching my hand so hard I tore the skin (got sharp as fuck nails at the time) And by god I wanted to see Odin hang by that noose once more

[@sunwukong825]

That is when you actually just had Spartan Rage and started to go in the path of vengence against Odin.

[@JFGMusicien]

Try last of us 2

[@chloesmurf]

Me too, I ended the story and the absolute first secondary mission I did was the funeral one, and that's when I actually felt like the game finished

[@vincentcavanagh1784]

The scene with the Lady is the most touching scene in the entire series for me. The moment where Brok realizes Sindri lied to him about him dying, it *crushes* him. It is Kratos who validates Brok, and is there for him while he's working through that trauma. He repeats Brok's words back to him from earlier while crossing the chasm on the lift, "It is the *nature* of a thing that matters. Not its form." Brok loves his creations, he loves his friends, he loves his family, he loves the truth, and he loves peace. I fucking cry every time. I cried this time.

[@guimon78]

I'd argue Brok doesn't really have any trauma from it, nor is he really crushed, he's just sad, mad, and disappointed in the brother that he STILL loves so much

[@vincentcavanagh1784]

@@guimon78 when he realizes he "doesn't have all of his soul bits," it absolutely crushes him and his sense of self-worth. He says, "Nah, nah, I can't bless shit." It's clearly weighing on him. He's dealing with it in his own way, which doesn't include weeping or sulking, but he's shook when he realizes he was lied to, and what that means for his personal sense of personhood.

[@thebutterflycomposer7130]

This guy right here, this character? This is the one who started cracking away at Kratos' ice after Fay died. Hes the one who Kratos thanks and appreciates first. Hes the one who Kratos empathises and identifies with. And unlike everyone else he's met in the norse realms, Brok never once lets him down, goes behind his back or disappints him. And Kratos respects the eff out of the guy. He even kneels before him and humbly asks for his blessing, not just because the spear needs it but more because he wants to boost Brok up after being hurt badly. These two characters have an amazing relationship and they share very little screen time.

[@MagicalPhi]

One small detail I always loved in Ragnarok is in the notebook, Kratos's entry on Brok states "I find him to be acceptable company." which, to me, is very high praise from Kratos. idk I always found it kinda touching. Brok really was the best tbh

[@StillWeRide]

Love that line! Yeah its basically Kratos way of saying "He's cool."

[@mellowyello1478]

Kratos probably appreciates Broks blunt honesty more than anything else. He doesn't out up a front or is obviously hiding his intentions from anyone.

[@MadDoctorWalsh]

He speaks plain

[@xcarnage3936]

A true man who understands people could detect bullshit. Kratos isn't exactly a people person, and he's on a path now of wanting to understand and trust others, which is why he gave Tyr the benefit of the doubt.

[@LinkinMark1994]

Especially since most of the actions he takes in Ragnarok, he does so for Atreus’ sake (because of his “death prophecy”)

[@Lightna]

@@LinkinMark1994 Not to mention Mimir's encouragement for Kratos to walk with Atreus.

[@justingary5322]

Exactly 💯. Brok is always bluntly honest unlike Odin who is cruelly deceitful yet uses honesty as a veil to hide his sociopathic and psychopathic nature

[@droidmaker7932]

⁠@@justingary5322I don’t think sociopathic and psychopathic would be right. More of, callous and psychopathic. He never cared for others until they’re not useful or betrayed him. Which I don’t doubt you know.

[@thehermit8618]

He's also admitedly out of his depth when it comes to the Aesir. He says it as much many times. So he mostly goes based on what others with more knowledge on the subject say and Odin had both Freyja and Mimir fooled

[@Mububban23]

25:54 when Kratos knelt to ask for Brok's blessing I teared up - seeing the great hulking God of War humble himself out of true respect and admiration of Brok, to show how much Brok means to him, was truly emotional. And to turn Brok's line about form back around on him as a massive compliment and verbalisation of love - excellent story-telling and acting and animation work. I loved everything about Brok's character and I will miss him in future games 😞

[@thehermit8618]

"It needs the blessing of a great blacksmith" at first glance it sounds like just a statement of fact but you can sense Kratos appreciation for Brok's craftmanship. He doesnt just say it because its true, he says it because he believes it

[@HovektheArtist]

And broks blessing is also not just to the spear but for brok himself, he finds out he is missing something in his soul, figures he died, and the blessing also fits him, as its time for him to do his job and finally rest

[@nicripolas816]

I believe we may see Brok again. At least, I hope. Thor talks to Mjolnir, right? What if the piece of Brok's soul (the guide) was left in it during the accident and his entire soul went back into it after his death. They put a lot of emphasis on Fen's soul being in Atreus' knife, likely for a reason beyond the shallow.

[@moneygrabber6720]

@@nicripolas816 that would be nice to have happen, but Fenrier’ soul was put into the knife accidentally by a spell. There was no spell involved with Broks death so let’s just let a good character rest with his good name intact

[@MRFIKSIT31]

One of my favorite parts. Kratos gives him exactly what he needs in that moment and shows Brok that he respects him. Also broks actual blessing is fantastic. “May this weapon strike true, may it be weilded with wisdom, may it be put down when it’s work is done.”

[@KamikazeDreamer]

Something my brother pointed out to me with fake Tyr that i thought was really cool was a subtle detail. When lore or anyone refers to Týr proper, its written like that. "Týr." Whenever Odin/fake Tyr speaks, it's written without that little mark above the Y. It's just "Tyr." Fake Tyr technically never lied to the player. He advertised he wasnt real but it was subtle enough to be missed or just kinda shrugged off as unimportant

[@bizzaroblake2519]

As did almost everyone else in the game

[@quicksilvertheelegant3964]

I didn’t notice that detail until they spoke to the actual Týr later in the game (from watching videos of the scenes), and when I went back to the scenes of fake Tyr is when I saw the difference. Very subtle but it makes the scenes of fake Tyr much more potent since the hint was always right in front of us

[@GeeTeeDubs]

The thing about Sindri is that he and Brok make the perfect blacksmiths because, in my eyes, they represent the forge itself. Brok is a steady and dependable rock for Sindri. The rock surrounding the fire, directing and focusing Sindri in a way no one but Brok can. And when he is gone all that Sindri has is his fire, feelings much bigger than he is that consume him. I think this is reflected when Brok is dying by the background, the forge disappears leaving just the flames burning alone.

[@Qardo]

Sindri changing from being this clean freak to a man that just does not give a fuck. All covered in filth and grime. Just shows that the fire within him is out of control. He lost his brother, forever, gone, no more. I do not blame him for his anger. He has every right to be angry in grief. Just who he blames. I hope to see Sindri return some day. If there is a some day. As we need an ending to that story. Sindri's story is not over. Either be acceptance of what happened. Or somehow bending fate and the will of creation. Sindri pulls off to bring his brother back a second time. Even after being told his soul was lost. Never know. Personally, I am more in favor of acceptance. To see that fire be self-contained and self-control.

[@droidmaker7932]

@@Qardomuch like Kratos, once upon a time.

[@bizzaroblake2519]

Also that in a forge you need to temper the weapons to treat them right and make them strong. When we see sindri and he's calling us out, he hits the sword with a hammer without it being treated. He also hits harder where the hammer will eventually break the blade. Just as his sanity and he himself.

[@facilde1]

Kratos actually being legitimate sad about Brok's death always makes me tear up

[@jonthebizkit360]

The one person who never lied to him 😭

[@WarpChaos]

He finally made a real friend.

[@PhyllisLane-xj5uf]

Atreus didn't even goto Broks funeral.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

​@@PhyllisLane-xj5uf Yeah, Atreus could've at least paid his respects to Brok before leaving, even if he and Sindri weren't on the best of terms.

[@unubolddemberelbayar7690]

I feel like Kratos felt sad, guilty, and understanding for Sindri's feeling He felt sad because he lost his friend He felt guilty because he brought Odin, even though he never knew it was him And he understood Sindri's feeling of lose because he lost his family due to manipulation of gods and Brok died due to Odin's manipulation

[@KATO0914]

Corey Barlog, the director of GoW 2018, told the new director of Ragnarok, one of the most important events that had to happen was Brok's death. It was already planned from the very beginning.

[@Christopher_TG]

Eric Williams, the director of God of War Ragnarök, recalled in an interview a conversation he had with Corey about the story of the second game. Corey apparently told Eric that 3 things needed to happen in part 2: Ragnarök needs to happen, Atreus needs to leave at the end, and Brok needs to die. Everything else, Corey trusted Eric and his team to figure out.

[@KATO0914]

@@Christopher_TG correct. If I remember correctly, they referred to Brok as the family dog (or something like that).

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

​@@KATO0914 Basically like Brian from Family Guy or Roger the Alien from American Dad. 😂😂😂

[@sjbrigante4845]

21:54 It was also alluded that part of the reason Kratos chose Brok and not Sindri was because he was mad at Sindri for encouraging Atreus' behavior and activity at that point in the game (going to see Freya, going to Asgard). Kratos didn't really trust Sindri at that point

[@jaffinator2166]

4:19 no it’s not the only thing. The second honest thing Odin does is kill Thor. Because that is also showing how he truly doesn’t care about anyone but himself and his goals, even if they’re family, they’re all a means to an end for Odin.

[@thinkingsoutherner9911]

And the third honest thing is his admittance to Atreus after defeat: he can’t stop because he needs to know what happens next. No matter what

[@CelestiaLily]

I do find it interesting that Odin had the presence of mind to _immediately_ shift into bullshit mode with killing Thor ("I didn't want to do this"), but for Brok it's flat-out *"DO YOU EVER SHUT UP"* -- like his actions _and_ words had been reduced to their cruel truth simply by annoying him enough lmao

[@justingary5322]

@@CelestiaLily Exactly Brok is always bluntly honest unlike Odin who is cruelly deceitful yet uses honesty as a veil

[@PaynetoTheMax-gg1hu]

​Odin had control of Ragnarok through deception and manipulation. He infiltrated Kratos's home and gathered enough intel. He even soured the relation between Kratos and Atreus to a small extent. He was probably gonna lead all of them into an ambush and kill them. But, Brok completely undid Odin's entire plan to stop Ragnarok.

[@thebloodyaussie1458]

​@@CelestiaLily see, my interpretation is that he is being honest in saying he "didn't want to do this", however, he's not saying "I didn't want to kill my son", he's saying "I didn't want to get rid of my weapon". Because ultimately, that is all he thinks of Thor. He's a weapon. Not his son.

[@bjh2o]

I think there is another underlying aspect to Kratos and Brok's relationship. Brok (especially more than Sindri would) reminds Kratos of Hephaestus. Perhaps some of the respect and compassion Kratos shows Brok stems from how he wishes he treated Hephaestus.

[@BlazingSteel]

Hephaestus was probably just as honest with Kratos as Brok was, at least until Pandora was thrown into the mix, but even though Hephaestus betrayed Kratos so that the Spartan wouldn't harm Pandora, he always made his intent to protect his daughter clear.

[@justingary5322]

Exactly 💯

[@bizzaroblake2519]

​@BlazingSteel kratos always understood and respected his reasons. He was doing all of thst to protect his child and died to keep her safe slightly longer. He knew the guy was doing everything right.

[@BlazingSteel]

@bizzaroblake2519 aye, but Kratos put his interests and his self-preservation over Hephaestus' in that instance.

[@bizzaroblake2519]

@@BlazingSteel thats true. All because he feels he needs the box. But once we learn it's empty: they both died for nothing. Kratos gave respect to him despite the ending. And if he knew the box quest would fail, he would of spared them both and wanted to kill zues anyway with less obstacles.

[@WTFisTingispingis]

Brok is the friend you absolutely need in a tough time. Dude never let the team down when he was needed.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

Exactly. Those honest types of people are few and far between; everyone's a prick until their dumbasses are in a jam.

[@Spud1189]

He’s also the type to tell you how it is. If you messed up he won’t sugarcoat it.

[@mistertwister2000]

Brok is the perfect antithesis to Odin. Honest to the point of bluntness, confident without being arrogant, doesn’t feign affection but is genuine with those he considers friends, feels no need to prove how smart or important he is, etc. It is unsurprising that it’s Brok who sees through the BS before anyone else, and therefore is the one that gets under Odin’s skin and causes him to act rashly.

[@xavencross]

Little detail I just remembered, in the scene after getting Draupnir when Kratos meets Odin, Odin specifically says that he's "never much cared for Brok." If Brok is the most honest character, the one whos honesty cuts through Odins bullshit, of course Odin "wouldn't care for him."

[@thehermit8618]

There's nothing liers and decievers dislike more than people they cannot manipulate. Brok was one such person

[@BgChf-dg5lv]

Well done on Brokr (his original name). If you read the entry in the Ragnarok journal, Kratos literally writes how he appreciates Brok for his brutal honesty. Something he’s not used to getting from people. And it makes sense. Brutal honesty vs brutal deception.

[@Mr.squach]

You couldn’t just say Brok like everyone else 💀

[@BgChf-dg5lv]

@@Mr.squach NEIN!!!!

[@SilverbackSlipsteam]

I also like the fact that Brok chose to make Draupnir a spear instead of a crossbow or something. It's like he instinctively knew Kratos could wield it as a spear.

[@skrum7005]

there's so many reasons as to why he made a spear but your reason is low on that list, the main reasons are probably because a bow/crossbow would basically make atreus useless just ask brok/sindri to slap all the enhancements that atreus has on kratos another thing is because a spear is essentially the fastest weapon due to it being light and having long range making it a good weapon against a god that can move fast and predict your attacks (yes ik it didn't work and the spears boom was the reason they won but they technically didn't know that yet and just put the logic of the fact that the spear is the fastest weapon)

[@thehermit8618]

When Kratos requested them to make a weapon to take Heimdall, the brothers exchanged a small conversation where they pretty much finished eachother's thoughts but didn't say anything aloud; what i think is that they had the idea of Draupnir exactly how it works: a spear that can throw endless copies of its own blade which then could detonate in command thus overwhelming Heimdall's sense and giving Kratos an edge. They just didn't expect Kratos to also have had practical mastery over the spear because "its the first weapon a spartan learns". It was a deal of a great weapon idea being given to probably the best user for it

[@hunterofcomedy]

I always loved Brok, because no matter how many times he tries to pretend he doesn’t care, you can tell deep down he is a good person. Even if he knew that his actions would’ve resulted in his own death, I think he would’ve done it anyway. Because he considered everyone in that room friend or family. I was very fortunate to meet the actor who played Brok, he was so cool! He signed my replica leviathan axe and even said, “well, I got a sign the blade me and my brother made!” that actor, and this character will stay with me for the rest of my life!

[@nuyabuisness7526]

I have to applaud the devs for putting impact over perfect immersion. Throughout the story whenever a major character moment or interaction that concludes an arc happens the lighting, camera work, and sound design tells you to focus. The characters in question literally get the spotlight like they're on stage.

[@johngddr5288]

Thats what I love about these GOW games, they're a type of theatre that is really awesome.

[@Harrison_big_lad]

"The nature of a thing is more important than the form of a thing" one of my favorite lines in the whole game (which is saying a lot)

[@JoshSweetvale]

Again, that's Dwarven Smithing philosophy in a nutshell. They change what a thing does, not by adding tech or spells, but by altering its very nature.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

​@@JoshSweetvale I love that. 👑

[@Fenrir-mk1ll]

​@@JoshSweetvale when Kratos and Mimir saw Brok collects wind as material for the weapon, they asked how and why an intangible thing can be a material for forging. Brok replies "its the nature of the thing what matters, not is form". Brok just simply explained to them why, nothing more. Also, I don't think they alter the nature of anything they create but rather combines the nature of each material and put it into one (E.G. a ring that can multiply + wind + a spearhead = a ring that can transform into a spear, that can multiply, and can explode/blow wind). That's why the nature of the thing the most matter in dwarven forging.

[@JoshSweetvale]

@@Fenrir-mk1ll Combining is altering. Stop trying to acthually me.

[@Fenrir-mk1ll]

@@JoshSweetvale chemically yes, but to other things e.g. cooking - if I put garlic on my fried rice its not a rice anymore? Lmao

[@mystermothman3092]

Brok's remarks upon seeing Atreus when he's older remind me of what like, one of your dad's old army buddies would say upon seeing you years later. Especially the remark about how he's "too damn tall now", especially that Brok is a dwarf. I love it so much lol

[@exodosthesoulbanish]

Brok's death came about during a very scary time in my life when we discovered that one of my dogs had a heart murmer that led to fluid building up in her lungs. She passed away 3 months after but the song that plays at his funeral immediately makes me think of her and how much i miss her.

[@justingary5322]

I'm sorry about your dog passing 😔😞

[@bullseyebulldog8001]

Skill issue?

[@wynsonrao5177]

​@@bullseyebulldog8001fucking hilarious😐

[@kratosgow342]

that's really fitting Eric William the director of Ragnarok said that Cory condition 3 things that need to happened in the game one of them is that Brok need to die because he's a "family dog"

[@adolfrizzleer-wk5ms]

​@@bullseyebulldog8001 that's crazy hilarious bro😶

[@cameroncrawford6871]

Brok’s blessing is that of his own character. He was true with his strikes and put down when his job was done. His fate was to start the demise of Odin, and so after doing so his job was done.

[@captainbirch2.079]

My favorite scene in the entire norse saga is brok blessing the spear. In my opinion, it's the first time in all the Norse games that Kratos has gone out of his way to make someone else feel better. He could have just took the spear and not cared for Brok's feelings, but not only did he ask Brok to bless the spear, he used Broks words to uplift him. Great writing

[@madmire]

The sad part is that Brok died after finding someone he would truly love and his brother loved him so much, it made me so bitter yet he had a pure soul in him

[@nicripolas816]

Speaking of soul: I believe Brok's Soul is in Mjolnir. The accident happened when they were making Mjolnir and Thor talks to the hammer. I believe part of Brok's soul (the guide) was in Mjolnir and it went back into the hammer after his death. Maybe wishful thinking because I miss him. But it makes sense, right?

[@madmire]

@@nicripolas816 it does make sense. Atreus can help out in this situation but it won't change anything unless they go back in time to change Brok's fate

[@nicripolas816]

@@madmire Well we did learn that he can transfer souls to other bodies, too. Like with Jormungandr. A giant in a snake body.

[@user-tw3mm6ru1s]

Didn’t he say to not bring him back? To just, let him die or sumn?

[@Tranqwillity]

I remember Atreus asked Mimir if they could go to the light again to bring Brok back again, and Mimir had stated that unfortunately no because being that Broks soul was incomplete, he has no afterlife. Maybe if the case of the portion of his soul being in Mjolnir is true they won’t use it to bring Brok back to life, but rather use it to grant him an afterlife that he deserves.

[@Harrison_big_lad]

Another amazing part of the forge scene is that it starts off at the bottom of the water. This is a very low moment for Brok, but they slowly begin ascending as Kratos opens up to him

[@JAYDOG1337A]

It's worth mentioning that Kratos was likely still pissed off at Sindri helping Atreus to defy him, that did actually hurt Kratos's trust in Sindri, and it's not just that he didn't mention it to him, a lie of omission, no he lied to Kratos's face until Atreus told him that Kratos already knew.

[@HavikXIII]

As you talk about Broks honesty, all I can think about is his speech about the true nature of things. That's really the crux of it all, he's a master at seeing the true nature of things

[@justingary5322]

Exactly Brok is always bluntly honest

[@JoshSweetvale]

That is also how their smithing magic works. They change the nature of things, make the laws of reality change. Miracle work.

[@an_ancient_architect2889]

It felt almost surreal seeing Broks first scene again. Everything was so small, so contained back then. So simple… almost melancholy looking back

[@sirvarrick4520]

When Brok died, I was devastated. But I mostly held it together until the end of the game. But the whole funeral, and the end credits song and everything…. I bawled my eyes out for multiple minutes. I haven’t cried like that in a decade. It just got to me so frickin hard. I still get a little misty eyed thinking about him

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

Brok was a true OG, a real MVP.

[@bryanm498]

The soundtrack of the game is a little off to my taste, but Bear Mcreary really nailed the funeral track. One of the few moments of the game that I remenber since the launch (never replayed, didn't like It so much - also, the free DLC is worth?).

[@nightshade3115]

@@bryanm498 its pretty cool (the free dlc) if you like the roguelite game achetype then you will probably like it , if you hate roguelites, well, its a roguelite

[@nicripolas816]

I believe Brok's Soul is in Mjolnir. The accident happened when they were making Mjolnir and Thor talks to the hammer. I believe part of Brok's soul (the guide) was in Mjolnir and it went back into the hammer after his death. Maybe wishful thinking because I miss him. But it makes sense, right?

[@CephalonAxii]

@@nicripolas816 Unfortunately, I don't see how that's possible. In order for the soul to get to the Lake of Souls, the soul bits have to follow the Fylgja, the Direction part of the soul. Because of this, all the other soul bits naturally follow it to not get lost. If a soul bit went into Mjolnir, it would have immediately left to follow the Fylgja. Unlike Fen's soul where his Hugr went into Atreus' knife via his accidental Giant magic spell he cast, Sindri nor Brok are able to perform that Giant magic. Accident or otherwise. Unless, it was the Fylgja that went into Mjolnir, but if that happened then the rest of the bits would have followed meaning Brok's soul would have never made it to the lake and would have been in Mjolnir. But because we know for fact that Sindri went to the lake to get Brok's soul bits, that shoots down that theory. Unfortunately, Brok is gone. His Fylgja was the only bit to get to the lake, and because of that his other bits Hamr, Hugr, and Hamingja are all wandering aimlessly across the Realms for all eternity. This also means that due to Brok's Hamingja specifically never making it back to the lake, Brok can't even reincarnate into another person either. Brok is gone, gone. A fate worse than death.

[@ShadowKamehameha32]

"An Artist among Warriors" Holy shit that's a good line

[@jdp3578]

Brok was a real one. That man literally went to hel for his friends, wasnt afraid of a fight, and was downright happy to build a weapon to kill an aesir.

[@jakevelasco4072]

I think the reason why Brok was able to break Odin into revealing his disguise was because unlike most characters, Brok has had the least interaction with Tyr as a person, so in Ragnarock, Brok was able to analyze the inconsistency in Fake Tyr. With characters like Mimir, Freya, and Kratos, they were kinda blinded by both what Tyr did in the past and how they believed Tyr is just in need of adjusting after being psychologically tortured in a prison.

[@megabladechronicles962]

I get the feeling that Sindri was the one that left Book when they had their arguement. All throughout 2018, Sindri is very quick to insult Brok's ability as a blacksmith nd as a person. While Brok does this a few times, he is also the only brother that showed any regret for their breaking up. He asks if Sindri is eating well and when Sindri does return to him, Brok acts as if nothing happened between them in the first place, he's just happy to have his brother back to work on a project

[@nostalgiagamer9452]

Brok was truly a tragedy hes lost everything even his life after death but even after that he continued forward but because of odin being a deeply flawed being brok lost even more but even then he died possitively

[@theradicalginger3060]

Here in memory and honor of Brok he was the best god damn potty mouth forger this side of the 9 realms

[@JoshSweetvale]

Add 'zombie' to that list.

[@matti.8465]

Gotta love the contrast of how Kratos treats Brok, with such respect and tenderness, vs how he treats Sindri. He almost treats the poor guy like a servant, completely takes him for granted.

[@petermj1098]

Brok is a guy who sounds mean but is actually nice and open towards people. Sindri is a guy who sounds nice but is actually mean and closed towards people. Kratos likes Brok more than Sindri because Brok doesn’t hide his flaws while Sindri does.

[@kratosgow342]

I mean before that Sindri was the one who secretly helping Atreus to finding the Giants shrine that hold the true prophecy about the Ragnarok at that point not to mention that Atreus left him for Asgard at the time so Sindri pretty much on the thin line when it come to trust with Kratos cause Kratos really hate being keep in the dark

[@FireBomberBassist]

Brok’s death really hit hard and Sindri’s reaction to it felt so real to me. Both were so well written.

[@t-rexcellentreviews1663]

It hit us all hard mate, I still hope that one day Sindri will come back around to us like Freya did.

[@lucidstudious750]

The writing in this game was amazing, truly worthy of being a sequel to 2018 GoW. I just wish more people could see these videos so they could understand the story better!

[@mattanderson8575]

People are dumb unfortunately and dislike things for being different than they expected

[@high.level.noob.]

A God of War trilogy would’ve been better for pacing. Characters and plotpoints were rushed through.

[@justingary5322]

FACTS 🔥👊❤️. Brok is always bluntly honest unlike Odin who is cruelly deceitful yet uses honesty as a veil to hide his sociopathic and psychopathic nature

[@lucidstudious750]

@Jeralt_of_Rivia the feeling of it being rushed comes from the way they told the story. When you watch the individual breakdowns in this guy's channel, he tells the entire narrative for each character and then you can see how well written it is. In the game it goes from focusing on Freya to spending 20 minutes with brok, to atreus in asgard, back to Freya, etc. Makes it feel rushed when it's not Basically they handled each narrative very well, but the constant focus switch gives you the feeling of rushed. Another game wouldn't have helped with this. The ending itself was very rushed tho lmaoo

[@thenipplethiefo2417]

@@lucidstudious750You kinda just described why it’s rushed, if it wasn’t, you wouldn’t need a video like this. The pacing of the game is what makes it rushed, like you said. It’s like in last of us 2 when you do nothing for almost an hour then joel just dies. Yeah it makes sense for the story and characters in it but it’s not satisfying to the person experiencing it.

[@kanekikingstorm2113]

I won’t lie, I enjoyed seeing Brok the entire time on screen. He reminded me so much of my late grandpa. He kept things straight, and he never minced words. But he also knew what to say at the right time to someone who needed to hear to help someone keep their head on straight in the most dire of moments. But most of all, it was his talk with Kratos that really made me feel like my gramps and Brok was similar. It felt like I was personally wronged when Odin killed Brok.

[@9tailedKitsune]

I have always loved the scene where Brok ogles the Blades of Chaos. So short but so packed with character for the both of them. He loves the Blades, he immediately offers help, and Kratos instantly acknowledges this.

[@imaplaygames633]

Brok is an artist, his tool of choice is the hammer not the brush nor the chisel, he strikes true, when the iron is hot and he embodied his tool perfectly. Blunt, gruff and perfect for what he is, just as the hammer is heavy so too is my heart at his loss but to remember the fallen for the empty space they leave is to discount the artistry that they leave behind, the blessing of the Draupnir Spear, the Leviathan Axe and the friends that were made along the way. I have only watched videos on GoW and Brok dying brings tears to my eyes without fail. We stan you short king.

[@FortressWolf97]

Can I just say how beautiful the music is in that scene where Brok gives the blessing? It tells so much about how Brok is feeling right as Kratos repeats that phrase he heard from Brok. That uplifting orchestra gives me chills every time.

[@nextgen5619]

One small thing I noticed in God of War 2018 the fact how even though Brok and Sindri have issues they still work together upgrading the Axe and building upon each of their upgrades shows how the brothers are in sync even though they are apart

[@godzillakingofthemonsters5812]

The fact that so many people stupidly overlook the series' more complex history that Valhalla literally TELLS YOU THIS is something that makes me appreciate Brok more.

[@brendono2625]

The kindness that Kratos shows to Brock in that one scene is such a beautiful moment and one of the many ways they show his growth throughout the game.

[@ExactlySandwich]

Something I wish was mentioned in this video was a scene in God of War 2018, when Sindri asks "Brok was asking about me? Was there mead on his breath?", Kratos throws the axe at/near him to 1. shut him up, and 2. show him his work on the axe. Granted, this was very early in their friendship, but I like to think that was Kratos' way of saying "put some respect on his name".

[@unknownstranger3646]

Ah yeah, 😂 i remember that part. Really funny, by the way. And i was asking myself why kratos threw his axe at sindri.

[@Butter_Warrior99]

Everyone needs a homie that has mouth of a sailor that can see through the BS.

[@atticus999x]

The death of Brok and Sindri’s mental anguish and anger towards the event is beautiful and extremely heartbreaking. Sindri’s performance is something that I’ve contemplated for a long time and it hurts. Honestly a lot better version than how TLOU2 felt with Joel and Ellie

[@itswindle1580]

I’ve always maintained that Odin’s ability to manipulate would be impressive if it wasn’t also so despicable. Richard Schiff fucking killed it in this game (well i mean, every actor and actress killed it but that’s far and away beside my point). To me, Odin is the embodiment of the saying: “Betrayal never comes from an enemy”. Because honestly after Atreus settles into asgard and Odin sort of opens up to Atreus about his fears and goals I ended up really liking Odin. He seemed down to earth, charismatic, and even sort of humble. And i mean his ambitions are just so damn relatable since i think it’s a question that we’ve all had to wrestle with at least once in our lives: “Where do i go when i GO?”

[@tyrantravealpha]

GOW and GOWR have an absolutely incredible cast. Brok shines so brightly. I loved him right out the gate, his manner of speech, wit and 100% straight forwardness was immediately endearing.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

We don't get too much of that blunt honesty in the real world; everyone puts up a facade. A fake, ignorant world. A clown world.

[@OnlyAtJaMart]

It’s haunting that the last 2 God of War games I played were during significant portions of my life that echoed the themes of each game. When playing GOW 2018, I was connecting with my estranged son. During Ragnarok, my dad died. He reminded me of Brok’s character, while brash, and vulgar, he truly cared for the people in his life, and always spoke directly. He was also an artist. Best guitar player I’ve known personally. He died a week after Ragnarok came out.

[@godknightomega]

The fact Mimir got stumped by the most simple and straightforward character with the most simple and straightforward riddle was a nice touch with a double meaning. "A hole...gets bigger the more you take away." I think Brok understood Sindri the best. Knowing that Sindri was always one step from being a bottomless hole of destructive nature.

[@Gir558]

I think the most important thing in answering the question of why Mimir never put two and two together is actually in the very scene of the reveal. When Brok calls "Tyr" out Mimir is the first one to respond, and his tone starts out as indignant and defensive before he actually stops and thinks about it and admits Brok has a point. Mimir didn't see Odin's deception because he didn't *want* to see it. He wanted to take the simple, easy explanation of why Tyr was acting strange that had been laid out for him: the years of isolation and torture. And because he so very much wanted Tyr to be real, and for everything to be what it seemed to be on the surface he just... never thought too hard about it. Even the smartest people can act like fools when confronted with a question they don't want the answer to. Which I think brings us to an important point: Mimir might have been close to Odin and known a lot about him, but the opposite was true too. Odin had spent a long time working closely with Mimir, and given what a sneaky, manipulative person he is you *know* he was definitely spending that whole time picking him apart for every weakness and flaw he could find. As someone who relied on deception so much Mimir's intelligence is a threat Odin wouldn't dare to underestimate, so of course he'd have set up a deception he knew Mimir wouldn't want to question at all. In the end that's another reason it had to be Brok. Odin's greatest tool, his greatest power was deception, and even when he spoke the truth he was never truly honest because it would always be a tool to further his deceptions. Odin placed no value on honesty and didn't believe it held any power whatsoever. Out of the entire group Brok was the one person who held a strength that Odin didn't understand. A strength Odin wasn't *capable* of understanding. Odin was always prepared for anything, so he had to be blindsided with something he didn't understand well enough to prepare for to set the stage for him to be faced with an overwhelming power he couldn't manipulate his way out of facing.

[@dekul7325]

I love Freyr's body language when (Not) Tyr declares he will lead them to Asgard.

[@Gir558]

That's a great point. I never really noticed it, but its clear that he's already thinking what Brok's about to say but keeps quiet. It really goes to show how smart Odin's deception was despite his mistakes. He understood most everyone he was planning to deceive well enough to know that's how it would go: they might notice things were off, but they'd just politely keep quiet and brush it off because of who they thought he was and what they thought he'd been through. I imagine that's part of why Brok gets to him so deeply and causes him to snap. Everyone else was behaving exactly as expected, and his whole plan was falling apart because of a single piece he'd thought was too insignificant to account for. If it had been anyone else except probably Sindri he would have had a plan, a contingency for if they started asking too many questions, but Brok seemed so unimportant to him that he never even prepared for him, and I think that having his plan fall apart because of his own negligence was what really made him snap.

[@bradleybourgeois4710]

I'm glad someone is finally getting the attention he deserves and not just an accessory to Sindri's fall into sadness and anger. In truth, he's the MVP of God of War Ragnarok because of two major factors: The Tools of Success: Brok's main purpose for Kratos and Atreus is proving them with weapons and upgrading them to be better than they were. This is seen best when he creates the Draupnir Spear, a weapon that completely undermines Odin and his plans, even after murder by the latter (ex. killing Heimdall, Kratos preventing Odin from taking the mask by throwing the spear, and, potentially, being the weapon used to defeat Odin in the final battle with him). While not a frontline fighter, he more effectively gives Kratos and his son the equipment needed to defreat the evil tyrant. Bonds Over Fate: While many of the characters are concerned about fate and destiny, Brok helps grounds them back to reality by encouraging them to stop focusing on these things and focus on their bonds and not be too concerned about destiny. If you talk to Brok after killing Heimdall, while Kratos is worried over the consequences of his actions, Brok tells him not to worry about what the fates said. Atreus is safe and that's all that matters. Additionally, he also encourages others to make a choice for the better, like when he tells Freya to talk it out with Freyr, rather than letting the issue fester like it did for him and Sindri. Brok is more than part of comdeic duo: he's a true blacksmith, a crude, but wise philosopher, and an amazing friend.

[@robertfuentes9677]

His blessing to the spear will always be my favorite part and bring a tear to my eye

[@Profwolfman]

The story dynamic between Brock and sindri always hits close to home for me. I spent many years upset with my brother, and never got to fully reconcile before he passed away. I now carry our childhood goals with me, even though I don't have him to turn to when I come up with ideas. It makes the world feel like a very lonely place. Love them while they are there, everything can be gone in an instant.

[@TheEffectOfMass]

Man, every time I watch a deep dive video on Ragnarok I am even more impressed with the game.

[@redrider2653]

I like the difference between the relationships of the Huldra brothers and Kratos and Atreus. Kratos and Brok show a healthy connection between two individuals, Brok wanting to help his friend in any situation and Kratos only accepting help in a form that doesn't ask too much of the smith. On the flip side is Atreus and Sindri who are inseparable. Sindri tries to look after Atreus on their journey and willing gives what skills and items he can to help, but Atreus is so determined to find the answers he seeks that he ignores the dwarf's advice and takes advantage of his generosity. In the end the insatiable greed leads to Sindri losing his brother, the group losing a friend, and Atreus having to live with the consequences of his actions. A relationship built on personal gain takes from the healthy bond of respected friends.

[@NicholasGeschke]

I sure am going to miss Brok. His crass, open, passionate and utterly hilarious character made me think of him as one of the very best characters in the series.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

Definitely. Brok IS the best character in the series aside from Kratos.

[@Kodunkion]

I think that both Sindri and Brok are equally good in different ways, Brok being ever truthful usually means one who focuses on the foundation, on the core strengths and weaknesses of something, while Sindri is one who focuses on the minor details to get things just perfect.

[@erminatio1475]

The best part about this, is that in the notes section, Kratos outright admits he likes Brok for being who he is, honest humble and braver then most of anyone he'd met, even if he is overly crass, honestly so beautiful.

[@interviolet6675]

Brok's death stung heavily, he's such a matter of fact type of person. It's so endearing his nature and his interactions with everyone, someone once mentioned he's like the uncle you would have that would let you have a drink if you never had before. A friend that anyone would be so lucky and thankful to have irl, it would be and feel so shitty to be deceitful and manipulative to someone like him. I just wants to give 'im a bigole bear hug

[@youshouldntadidthat7691]

I do think an important touch about the blessing scene is that Kratos actually kneels to Brok. That isn’t something Kratos has done to *anyone* it’s a sign of respect, and can be taken as an action of submissiveness, something he is *extremely* wary of showing to people due to his past. The fact that Kratos is not only willing but volunteers to do this speaks volumes about their relationship

[@theodoresherman5707]

RIP Brok, An honest man, and a man among gods.

[@BlakeLaFae]

honestly with both the brothers videos my only true thought each time i see them and the ending is just "game devs why wont you let me hug them i want to give them a hug especially sindri!"

[@OpiumPrime28]

Brok's death was the first time in probably 5 years a game has made me cry (I may have shed a small tear when Aunt May died)

[@lexomoniyi]

Feels good to experience a shared appreciation for this series and specifically this character. Brok is my favorite character outside of Kratos. They had a “A fisherman always sees a fellow fisherman from afar” dynamic.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

A "real recognize real" type of thing. Definitely few and far between in this reality.

[@crancelbrowser5478]

I think the devs choice to put Brok's line of "the nature of the thing is more important than the form of the thing" during a kind of mundane travel sequence could be read as kind of a nod to some of the criticism that the previous game had received, and maybe a general conversation about video games and art

[@ryanbelmont2676]

Brok is my favorite dwarf because, as he and Kratos said before, he speaks plain and to the point. He didn't didn't deserve to die like that. He deserved to go out on his own terms and in a blaze of glory. I and many others are going to sincerely miss him and he will live on in our memories.

[@MugiwaraZero]

I love the little blue bastard I'm guessing the thing that brought him back the first time prevented Freya from reanimating him again which sucks I'd give my left kidney to have broks head on kratos's waist beside mimir

[@BlazeMakesGames]

I really like the reading of Brok as the embodiment of Truth. It also plays well into his nature as a crude and crass individual. The Truth is not always pretty. People might not always enjoy to hear the truth, and they may want to push the truth aside in favor of a more comfortable lie. But running from it or trying to hide it doesn't change the nature of truth.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

Well put! 🏆👑

[@sigmatickx]

At some point in our lives, we need a person similar to Brok to be blunt with us. No sugarcoat or pity. Just a person getting straight to the point with some tough love.

[@transcendentsacredcourage]

With how soft and pussified people are, they'd try to cancel Brok. Idiots.

[@Nyghtking]

I wonder what Thor would have thought of Brok. I'm curious if we'll encounter Brok's soul at some point, it depends on exactly what they mean by "Can't find the well" if it means the soul will simply wonder because it has no direction then there's a chance we'll see him again, if they mean that without direction the soul disappears then we won't.

[@christianjacinto7042]

I believe he just ceases to exist. Without the part of his soul that leads the soul to the Well of Souls he simply is gone. Which makes Sindri's grief more heart-wrenching. When Brok died the first time, he was at least still around in the afterlife. But Sindri couldn't live with that and went and brought him back. Accidentally losing that one part of Brok's soul doomed him for when he eventually died again. Now he's gone forever and Sindri is in a way responsible for. Just like Freya, he acted selfishly in the name of love and lost someone for it.

[@bizzaroblake2519]

The soul pieces dissapeared. The light was snuffed out without any direction. It no longer exists. If there was a way mimir would alert sindri and everyone else to retrieve them. (Possibly the direction piece would be the only one left but if sindri couldn't get it it became one with the light or sindri couldn't get in.) So sadly there's no method to retrieve his soul. Not unless they find a way to retrieve the mask using atreus' connection to it to sense it and keep it again then combine the pieces of the soul. The problem would be that the impact of his death no longer has that depth. The character changes lost value and points of interest aren't seen the same anymore.

[@darthmemewalker2807]

Broks was/is my favorite side character in the series, so his death hit me hard

[@Jzwiz]

Brok and mimirr were my favorite characters in the game, they really added something to what can sometimes be a slow paced or quiet/serious game. Always gave a good laugh and he was very straightforward for a comedic relief character. not just clown 24/7

[@mcmewsen]

I'm very happy you played the scene with Brok noticing the blades and offering to help Atreus. My gaming friends didn't understand why that scene was so amazing!! It sets in stone just how purely selfless and genuine Brok is as a character, and this is only built upon in Ragnarok. Brok is the perfect foil to his brother. Sindri is analytically brilliant, with a knack for details and creative instruments. His works are intricate and adaptive, and his ability to craft objects for any occasion or task is second to none. He sees potential and possibility in what he can create. But Brok? He sees the big picture. He's perceptive, and a brilliant tactician. He has a solid foundation in the basics of things, is grounded, and his works are stalwart and operate exactly as they're meant to. He sees objects, and PEOPLE, for what they are, and he crafts his creations to match that. Both brothers are their own type of genius.