Can Kratos Stop Mjolnir?
Yes, Kratos can stop Mjolnir. While he cannot wield the enchanted hammer in the same way as Thor, Kratos has demonstrated the strength and skill to block, deflect, redirect, and even halt Mjolnir’s flight dead in its tracks. This is a significant feat of strength and power, and it underscores Kratos’ formidable abilities within the God of War universe. Though he cannot lift it or harness its power, his ability to directly oppose Mjolnir highlights his status as a character capable of contending with some of the most powerful entities and artifacts in Norse mythology.
Kratos’ Interactions with Mjolnir
Deflecting and Redirecting
Throughout God of War Ragnarök, Kratos is frequently shown engaging with Mjolnir, Thor’s iconic weapon. He doesn’t just weakly block it; Kratos forcefully deflects and redirects the hammer’s trajectory. This requires immense strength and precise timing, showcasing Kratos’ combat prowess. These interactions prove that while he can’t wield it, he is far from powerless against it.
Stopping Mjolnir Dead
More impressively, Kratos is shown stopping Mjolnir in mid-flight. This feat is often displayed during intense combat sequences, where Kratos uses his raw strength and skills to essentially negate Mjolnir’s momentum. This action goes beyond merely blocking; it’s an active halt of a weapon imbued with magical power and significant force. This is particularly noteworthy given the hammer’s ability to return to Thor no matter where it is, yet Kratos can defy this magnetic pull momentarily.
Why Can’t Kratos Wield Mjolnir?
While Kratos can definitively stop Mjolnir, he cannot wield it. This is primarily due to the enchantment placed on the hammer by Odin. This enchantment dictates that only those deemed “worthy” by Odin can lift and wield Mjolnir. This “worthiness” isn’t necessarily about pure strength but rather about character traits and values that align with Odin’s will. Kratos, with his history as a god-killing anti-hero, does not meet Odin’s criteria for worthiness. This explains why neither Kratos nor Atreus can lift the hammer despite their immense physical capabilities.
Kratos’ Strength and the Nature of Mjolnir
Raw Strength vs. Enchantment
The fact that Kratos can stop Mjolnir highlights the difference between raw strength and the magic imbued within the hammer. Kratos possesses an almost unparalleled level of physical strength, capable of lifting immense objects and overpowering powerful foes. However, Mjolnir is not just a heavy hammer; it is a magical artifact with its own rules and properties. Odin’s enchantment makes it incredibly difficult, if not impossible, for someone deemed “unworthy” to wield it, irrespective of their physical power.
The Leviathan Axe Comparison
The game establishes that Kratos’ own weapon, the Leviathan Axe, is canonically more powerful than Mjolnir. This doesn’t necessarily mean Kratos could easily defeat Thor in every scenario, but it does show the level of power that Kratos wields, and which has also been crafted with unique magical properties. The Leviathan Axe, with its ice magic, is a suitable counter to Mjolnir’s power in the game universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why can’t Kratos lift Mjolnir?
Kratos cannot lift Mjolnir because of Odin’s enchantment. This enchantment requires the wielder to be “worthy,” a condition Kratos does not meet due to his past as a brutal god-slayer.
2. Is the Leviathan Axe stronger than Mjolnir?
Yes, the game canon states that the Leviathan Axe is more powerful than Mjolnir.
3. Does Kratos ever wield Mjolnir in God of War Ragnarök?
No, Kratos never wields Mjolnir in God of War Ragnarök. Players never get the option to use it.
4. What makes Mjolnir so heavy?
Mjolnir’s weight is not just physical; it is magically enhanced by Odin’s enchantment. The hammer’s weight and ability to be lifted are tied to the worthiness of the wielder, not just its physical mass.
5. How can Kratos stop Mjolnir if he can’t lift it?
Kratos can stop Mjolnir through a combination of immense physical strength, speed, and combat skills. While the hammer is enchanted, Kratos’ raw power allows him to counter its momentum.
6. Why is Kratos weaker against Thor than in his past?
Kratos is not necessarily weaker but has lost some of the external boosts he had, like the power from Pandora’s Box, and he is also older in the Norse saga. He relies more on his experience and strategic skills.
7. What is the difference between Mjolnir and Stormbreaker?
Stormbreaker is an axe, physically larger, and is considered by some to be more powerful than Mjolnir, mainly because it isn’t subject to the worthiness enchantment.
8. Could Atreus lift Mjolnir?
Like Kratos, Atreus cannot lift Mjolnir because he is also not considered “worthy” by Odin’s enchantment.
9. What is Kratos’ max lifting strength?
Kratos’ lifting strength is estimated to be around 30-24 quintillion tons, potentially reaching 1/3 the mass of the moon.
10. How does the game explain Kratos lifting the 9 realms?
The game explains that the nine realms exist in the same physical space as reflections of each other, so Kratos is not literally moving nine separate celestial bodies.
11. What is Kratos’ most powerful weapon in the lore?
The Blade of Olympus is considered one of Kratos’ most powerful weapons in the lore, capable of immense destruction and holding power in reserve.
12. Why does Kratos hate Odin?
Kratos hates Odin due to Odin’s untrustworthy nature, his threats towards Freya, and because he wants to avoid another manipulative deal with a god.
13. Can Zeus lift Mjolnir?
In the MCU, it is theorized that Zeus could potentially lift Mjolnir due to his power overriding Odin’s enchantment within his own domain, but this is not stated in the lore. He is not “worthy” in the traditional sense.
14. Who could potentially beat Kratos in a fight?
Several characters possess abilities that could potentially beat Kratos, including Alucard, Ōnoki, Anos Voldigoad, Lelouch, and Kaguya Otsutsuki, among others.
15. Is there a weapon stronger than Mjolnir?
Yes, in the context of the God of War universe, the Leviathan Axe is considered more powerful than Mjolnir. In other universes, weapons like Stormbreaker are generally considered more powerful than Mjolnir.
Conclusion
While Kratos cannot wield Mjolnir, his ability to stop it in its tracks is a remarkable display of his strength and power. The complex interplay between physical might and magical enchantment adds depth to the character and the world of God of War. Though fans may have wished to see Kratos wielding Thor’s hammer, the game emphasizes Kratos’ unique journey and the weapons that are fitting for his character arc. The narrative choice to not have Kratos wielding Mjolnir also serves to focus on his personal growth and strategic approach to combat, rather than simply brute-forcing through every challenge.