Kratos wields both the Blades of Chaos and Leviathan Axe throughout most of God of War Ragnarok, but one of the mythological weapons is a better combat tool than the other. The latest entry in the epic action franchise pits the Ghost of Sparta, and his beloved son Atreus, against Norse gods like Odin and Thor in a battle of fate. Thankfully the immortal warrior is well-equipped to face these powerful foes, thanks to his trusty Leviathan Axe and iconic Blades of Chaos. These weapons have both received major upgrades in God of War Ragnarok, but one elemental tool of destruction is just more fun to wield.
While the recently released sequel delivers an amazing and emotional story, God of War Ragnarok combat steals the spotlight by building upon the pulse-pounding fighting system forged by its predecessor. Enemy variety has been massively improved in Ragnarok, with Kratos and Atreus facing off against a plethora of new foes like the acrobatic Light Elves and unstoppable Berserkers. To aid him in this fight Kratos has been given a suite of new combat moves, allowing him to quickly traverse and brutally decimate any battlefield in the Nine Realms. For example, Kratos can now grab environmental objects like trees or rocks and turn them into deadly improvised weapons. Vertical arenas also grant the Ghost of Sparta enhanced mobility, allowing him to quickly climb up to higher elevation and leap back down for a devastating slam attack. Most combat in God of War Ragnarok is conducted with the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos, and each have their own distinct strengths and abilities in battle in addition to unique lore.
God Of War Ragnarok Reforges The Blades of Chaos
Introduced in the original God of War back in 2005, the Blades of Chaos are considered some of the most iconic weapons in the entire gaming industry. Forged in the flames of the Underworld as a gift from Ares, the Greek God of War, these twin chained swords were accidentally used by Kratos to slay his wife and daughter. Since then the Blades have taken a number of different forms, including the golden Blades of Athena and the even deadlier Blades of Exile. The flaming weapons served as Kratos' tools of vengeance throughout the franchise's Greek saga, being used to kill various Olympic gods like Poseidon and Zeus. The franchise's 2018 entry reintroduces the Blades of Chaos to God of War in an iconic and emotional scene, and the Ghost of Sparta continues to wield them in God of War Ragnarok.
God of War Ragnarok gives the Blades of Chaos many new abilities, making them deadlier and more versatile than ever. Players can now use the chained blades to grapple around the environment, making Kratos far more nimble than he was in the series' 2018 installment. The world-shattering sequel also introduces the Flame Whiplash mechanic, which lets players charge the blades with fiery elemental energy before unleashing it with a variety of different burning attacks. Other new abilities, like the close-range Chaotic Rampage combo and the useful Hyperion Grapple, make the Blades of Chaos truly shine in God of War Ragnarok.
The Leviathan Axe Learns New Tricks In God Of War Ragnarok
While the Blades of Chaos were Kratos' main weapons throughout the Greek God of War story, the series' 2018 game introduced the Leviathan Axe to replace the old flaming swords. Once belonging to Faye, Kratos' wife and Atreus' mother, the magical axe is imbued with the power of Norse frost. The powerful melee weapon is also capable of returning to the Ghost of Sparta's hand on command, making it work well for both close-range combat and ranged attacks. The Leviathan Axe was specifically forged for Faye by the dwarven blacksmiths Brok and Sindri, in an attempt to atone for their sin of creating Thor's lightning-powered murder weapon Mjolnir. God of War Ragnarok finally sees Leviathan and Mjolnir square off, and the result is appropriately epic.
Like the Blades of Chaos, the Leviathan Axe has been given a major overhaul in the franchise's newest installment. In God of War Ragnarok the Leviathan Axe can be powered up with freezing energy using the Frost Awaken ability, which works similarly to the Flame Whiplash skill for the Blades of Chaos. Many of the axe's basic moves have been reworked for the sequel, too, with the Serpent's Snare ability improving upon the Executioner's Cleave by tactically tossing small enemies around the arena. The Vengeful Sickle skill can make throwing the axe even more deadly, and the Pride of the Frost combo finisher can be extended with additional frosty slams. While both the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos have become much more powerful and versatile in God of War Ragnarok, only one weapon can be Kratos' ultimate combat tool.
The Blades Of Chaos Are Kratos' Best Weapon In GoW Ragnarok
By granting players enhanced mobility and a wide range of fiery skills, the enhanced Blades of Chaos in God of War Ragnarok retain their title as Kratos' greatest weapons. 2018's God of War made the Underworld artifacts much less prominent, with the Ghost of Sparta exclusively using Leviathan until be retrieves the Blades more than halfway through the story. In the sequel the Blades are instead present from almost the very beginning of the journey, making them a more integrated and concrete part of the experience. Many puzzles require the use of the chained swords, and special skills allow the Blades and Axe to become stronger by combining their elements in battle.
God of War Ragnarok also makes the Blades a more essential part of Kratos' kit by making them a primary navigation tool. Players will constantly find themselves grappling around the environment in the epic sequel, whether it's to gain a new position in combat or find a puzzle solution. The Blades of Chaos in God of War Ragnarok are constantly put to use, which makes them overshadow Leviathan a bit. In 2018's God of War the axe was the more useful weapon against a single target at close range, but new skills in Ragnarok let the Blades fill almost any role in a battle.
While the Leviathan Axe is still a ton of fun to use thanks to its recall mechanic, God of War Ragnarok puts the Blades of Chaos back on the throne as Kratos' best weapons. The iconic swords let players nimbly traverse the Nine Realms, and brand-new skills help the Greek weapons serve almost any role on the battlefield. God of War Ragnarok adds mechanics that let the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos complement each other, but Kratos' signature swords are still the game's best weapons.
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God of War Ragnarok
- Released:
- 2022-11-09
- Developer:
- Santa Monica Studio
- Franchise:
- God of War
- Genre:
- Adventure, Action
- Platform:
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Publisher:
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- ESRB:
- M
- Summary:
- Ragnarok has arrived in God of War Ragnarok, the sequel to the 2018 game of the year released on PlayStation 4. Three years have passed since Kratos and his son, Atreus, completed their quest across the realms while facing a small handful of Norse gods. However, their actions come with consequences. The Allfather, Odin, is ready for vengeance, and his son, Thor, leads the charge. Atreus, looking to find more answers about his lineage on his mother's side, embarks on another quest with his father to discover the truth while contending with the wrath of Odin's realm in this conclusion to the Norse God of War Saga.
- Prequel:
- God of War
- How Long To Beat:
- 26 Hours
