God of War has just been followed up with the immediately popular God of War: Ragnarök from Santa Monica Studio. Currently available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, this cross-generation release has pushed the boundaries with what weapons Kratos can wield to battle.
While the basic format continues to remain, there are various incarnations of each weapon, based on the attachments and upgrades chosen, and even some companions that can be classed as weapons in their own right. These weapons are therefore best considered based on their average usefulness and power, and then compared to their most dangerous iteration in the game with those modifications taken into account.
8 Atreus
Atreus is one of the controllable companions in the title and thus can be used as a weapon in combat. His bow will be touched on in more detail, but Atreus himself boasts plenty of special abilities that serve to distract and deal minor damage, while the player places Kratos in a more tactically advantageous position.
God of War: Ragnarök sees Atreus with an updated skill tree that includes the incredibly useful Dive Into Battle, an effective close-range melee attack, alongside Rushing Ascent and Bludgeoning Strikes; the former launching enemies into the air, while the latter stuns them. While Atreus won't help to turn the tide of battle as other weapons might, as a companion he is reliable and his abilities are perfect for support.
7 Freya
Thanks to the narrative that plays out and some very important story details, Freya is another companion that the player will be able to utilize in battle, much like Atreus. Freya brings plenty of benefits with her, the magic and sword she provides becoming an extension of the character's usefulness in this context.
Again, because of her companion status, there are limitations to Freya, but her Entangled Grip, which traps the enemies in vines, is an absolute game-changer. Combine this with the powerful Valkyrie Spirit that sees a specialized attack, and the power of her upgradable sword, and Freya is a genuine weapon of significant destruction, but can't be controlled quite in the way Kratos' regular weapons can be; especially with slow cool-down times.
6 Kratos
Much like Atreus and Freya, Kratos himself can also be considered a weapon in Ragnarök. The initial God of War on PlayStation 4 saw the character embrace his name and become a physical embodiment of battle. Kratos' fists have thus been used to pulverize the enemy.
While Kratos as a weapon isn't as strong and powerful as the use of companions in the field, it's useful to note that the player has complete control over those fists of fury and can channel the god's rage into his fight at great speed. The lighter and heavier attacks are still effective without holding a traditional weapon, although of course can't compare to some of the other items in the hack and slash hero's roster.
5 Shield
A shield is usually considered a defensive item, but the way Kratos uses it, it's hard to deny that in his hands it's a weapon. It's a great item for pushing against the enemy, with some attacks involving the shield hitting against a foe with incredible, brute strength.
In contrast to those weapons built for an offensive purpose, it's no match, but the variety on offer including the Guardian, Dauntless, Stone Wall, Shatter Star, and Onslaught is something to reckon with. The Shield Punch of the Shatter Star and Shield Rush of the Onslaught are skills that are well worth checking out, while the upgradable Ronds should also be investigated. The Rond of Affliction is a great attachment for the offensive use of the shield, allowing for the explosive Strike of Affliction.
4 Bow
Atreus might be a brilliant companion whose physical abilities are vast and that can boast great protective and defensive upgradable armors, but in war, it's his bow that should be taken into consideration the most. The character can fire at the command of the player.
It's such a vital part of God of War gameplay and returns in Ragnarök to great success. Bows like the Talon, Jotnar, and perhaps best, Aesir are all on offer, with the timber on each becoming upgradable to boost the effectiveness. Falling Sky is an especially brutal ability that sees fiery arrows fall from the heavens, while Stinging Barrage is especially useful for quickly pushing back the antagonists. On top of this, the bow's wide array of accessories and runes, including the Sonic Aftershock which boosts the stunning impact, elevate the weapon further.
3 Blades Of Chaos
The Blades of Chaos are an old favorite among the God of War community and God of War: Ragnarök brings back these fantastic weapons, complete with their fiery attack abilities. The swords are perfect when dealing with a larger group of enemies, acting as violent crowd control.
The handles and pommels are customizable, adding to the abilities of the weapon, with the likes of the standout Hardened War Handles creating extra damage or stun effects, while the Pommels of Agile Deceit ensure that the flame attacks are more effective. The Blades of Chaos can be costly to upgrade but are a vital component in Kratos' arsenal.
2 Draupnir Spear
The Darupnir Spear is a newcomer to God of War: Ragnarök and is more adaptable than the Swords of Chaos. The Spear can be utilized in two variations, as a close-quarters melee weapon, and as a long-range projectile. When comparing God of War games, this weapon helps to give Ragnarök the advantage.
The spear can be changed with the following attachments: Soldier's Sauroter, Hind of Attuned Elements, Mighty Olympic Sauroter, Charging Assault Sauroter, Lion's Roar Sauroter, Hind of Weightless Recovery, Battle-Scarred Sauroter, and Warrior's Echo Sauroter. But when looking for the most effective composition, the Olympic Sauroter with the Detonator's Might ability is especially explosive, while the Charging Assault iteration with the Fearless Sprinter ability adds further stun and can create Unstoppable Aura.
1 Leviathan Axe
The Leviathan Axe is the definitive weapon for Kratos. It's his most iconic device of destruction and thus the best weapon in God of War: Ragnarök because it has become a focal point. With its elemental ice abilities, it adds a unique dynamic to any skirmish.
There are so many attachments to mention for the weapon, but for those looking for combat-effective upgrades, the Stonecutter's Knob with Slicing Finish allows a concussive blast to be added to a combo attack, while the Haur's Lucky Knob utilizes Marksman's Stunt for a better impact when throwing the axe. That's what's so brilliant about the axe too; its range of abilities thanks to its diverse use, from close-quarters to long-range.