Is the Draupnir Spear Stronger Than the Leviathan Axe in God of War Ragnarok?
The short answer is: no, the Draupnir Spear isn’t definitively stronger than the Leviathan Axe, but the nuances of that answer are what make the weapon selection in God of War Ragnarok so compelling. While the Leviathan Axe generally reigns supreme as the best overall weapon due to its raw power and effectiveness against a wider range of enemies and bosses, the Draupnir Spear holds its own and even surpasses the Axe in specific scenarios, especially when dealing with opponents like Heimdall. The “strongest” weapon truly depends on your playstyle, the enemy you’re facing, and how you’ve upgraded and customized each weapon.
A Tale of Two Weapons: Axe vs. Spear
The God of War franchise has always been about brutal, visceral combat, and Ragnarok builds upon that foundation by offering players a diverse arsenal. While the Blades of Chaos provide unmatched crowd control and agility, the debate often boils down to the Leviathan Axe and the Draupnir Spear.
The Leviathan Axe: The Icy Juggernaut
The Leviathan Axe is more than just a weapon; it’s a symbol of Kratos’ new life and his attempt at restraint. Forged by Brok and Sindri, the Axe boasts immense power, capable of cleaving through enemies with ease and unleashing devastating ice-based attacks. Its range is excellent, allowing Kratos to strike from a distance and recall the Axe to his hand with a satisfying thunk. Its ability to freeze enemies is invaluable, providing crucial opportunities for follow-up attacks. Many find the Leviathan Axe to be more versatile in general combat.
The Draupnir Spear: Precision and Versatility
The Draupnir Spear, on the other hand, is a weapon of strategy and precision. Crafted specifically to counter the foresight of Heimdall, the Spear’s unique ability to multiply provides a tactical edge. Kratos can embed multiple spears into an enemy and detonate them simultaneously, causing massive damage. While its initial attack power might seem slightly lower than the Axe, its potential for strategic play and exploiting weaknesses is unmatched. The spear’s ability to be effective at both close and long range makes it a good choice.
Strengths and Weaknesses: A Detailed Comparison
To truly understand which weapon might be “stronger” for you, let’s break down their strengths and weaknesses:
- Leviathan Axe:
- Strengths: High raw damage, excellent range, freezing capabilities, versatile runic attacks, ideal for most boss fights, can break through enemy defenses.
- Weaknesses: Can be slower than other weapons, less effective against enemies resistant to ice, requires precise aiming for recall attacks.
- Draupnir Spear:
- Strengths: High burst damage with detonations, excellent for exploiting enemy weaknesses, effective against enemies resistant to ice or fire, unique runic attacks, good for crowd control in certain situations.
- Weaknesses: Requires strategic placement of spears, lower initial attack power compared to the Axe, can be less effective against single, heavily armored enemies.
The Heimdall Factor: When the Spear Shines
The fight against Heimdall is a prime example of the Draupnir Spear’s unique advantage. Heimdall’s precognitive abilities make him nearly untouchable with conventional attacks. The Spear’s unpredictable detonation allowed Kratos to overwhelm Heimdall’s senses and land critical blows. This illustrates that the “best” weapon isn’t always about raw power, but about tactical application.
Upgrading and Customization: Making the Weapons Your Own
Both the Leviathan Axe and the Draupnir Spear can be upgraded to level 9, significantly enhancing their stats and unlocking new abilities. The resources required for these upgrades are scattered throughout the realms, encouraging exploration and rewarding dedicated players.
- Leviathan Axe Upgrades: Primarily use Frozen Flames, found in chests and earned through defeating certain bosses.
- Draupnir Spear Upgrades: Require Gale Flames, also found in chests and earned through specific challenges.
Furthermore, both weapons can be customized with pommel and hilt attachments, which provide stat boosts and unique perks. Experimenting with different combinations is crucial to finding a build that suits your playstyle. Some attachments focus on increasing damage, while others enhance runic attack power or improve status effect application.
Beyond Stats: The Importance of Playstyle
Ultimately, the choice between the Leviathan Axe and the Draupnir Spear comes down to personal preference. Some players prefer the Axe’s raw power and reliability, while others favor the Spear’s strategic depth and burst damage potential. It also depends on whether you prefer close quarters combat or ranged attacks.
Both weapons are viable throughout the entire game, and mastering both will make you a far more formidable warrior. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of weapons, runic attacks, and armor sets to find a playstyle that resonates with you.
Conclusion: A Matter of Preference and Circumstance
While the Leviathan Axe boasts incredible raw power, the Draupnir Spear provides superior strategic advantages and crowd control options, particularly in situations where precision and unpredictability are key. The “strongest” weapon is subjective. Both are powerful and viable choices throughout the game, and their effectiveness often depends on the specific encounter and your preferred playstyle. Embracing both weapons and learning their nuances will ultimately make you a more versatile and deadly warrior in the Norse realms.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding the Draupnir Spear and Leviathan Axe in God of War Ragnarok:
1. Can the Leviathan Axe break Mjolnir?
The Leviathan Axe is shown to be a worthy match for Mjolnir, clashing with the hammer without shattering and even freezing a massive bolt of lightning solid during their encounter. So, it is able to handle the attacks of Mjolnir.
2. Is the Draupnir Spear stronger than the Blades of Chaos?
The Blades of Chaos offer wider attack range and more mobility, while the Draupnir Spear offers strategic burst damage. Overall, it’s a matter of preference and situation.
3. Why was the Draupnir Spear created?
The Draupnir Spear was created specifically to counter Heimdall’s precognitive abilities. Brok suggested it as the perfect base for a weapon that could overwhelm Heimdall’s senses.
4. How do I fully upgrade the Draupnir Spear?
To fully upgrade the Draupnir Spear, you need items called Gale Flames. One Gale Flame equals one level.
5. Can the Leviathan Axe beat Mjolnir in a direct fight?
The game suggests that the Leviathan Axe is capable of matching Mjolnir’s power. The Leviathan Axe is Canonically More Powerful than Mjolnir.
6. Why could the Draupnir Spear hurt Heimdall when other weapons couldn’t?
The Draupnir Spear’s unpredictability and ability to be detonated overwhelmed Heimdall’s precognitive senses, allowing Kratos to land hits.
7. Is the Leviathan Axe Kratos’ best weapon in Ragnarok?
The Leviathan Axe is a strong contender for Kratos’ best weapon in Ragnarok due to its raw power and versatility.
8. What makes the Draupnir Spear special?
The Draupnir Spear’s ability to multiply and be detonated provides a unique tactical advantage in combat.
9. What are the weaknesses of the Draupnir Spear?
The Draupnir Spear can be less effective against single, heavily armored enemies and requires strategic spear placement.
10. Are the Blades of Chaos better than the Axe in Ragnarok?
The Blades of Chaos offer enhanced mobility and a wide range of fiery skills, making them a strong contender, especially for crowd control.
11. How did Draupnir hurt Heimdall in their confrontation?
By pinning him to a wall and stabbing him in the arm with the Draupnir Spear, Kratos showed Heimdall the true power he possessed.
12. Why did Kratos make the Draupnir Spear?
Specifically created to fight off the Aesir threat Heimdall, the Spear is blessed by Brok on Kratos’ personal request.
13. What is the strongest blade of Kratos?
The Blade of Olympus, the weapon that won the Great War. The blade is gifted to Kratos after ascending to the new God of War by Zeus.
14. What was the strongest version of Kratos?
Old Kratos from the Norse God of War games takes the trophy for the strongest Kratos.
15. Is the spear Kratos strongest weapon?
All of Kratos’ weapons need to be usable for melee, and the Draupnir Spear is no different. You can do light and heavy attacks with it, but it generally isn’t as powerful as the Leviathan Axe or as wide-ranging as the Blades of Chaos.
These answers should offer a deeper understanding of the two weapons.