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What Happened to the Leviathan Axe? The Full Story & FAQs

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The Leviathan Axe, a crucial weapon in the hands of Kratos in the God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök games, is eventually overshadowed by another iconic weapon from Kratos’ past: the Blades of Chaos. While the Leviathan Axe remains a powerful and versatile tool throughout God of War Ragnarök, its narrative importance diminishes as Kratos confronts his past and reclaims his Spartan heritage, symbolized by the Blades. It isn’t lost or destroyed, but rather, its place shifts within Kratos’ arsenal and personal narrative.

The Leviathan Axe: A History and Purpose

Before delving into its eventual shift in prominence, understanding the axe’s significance is crucial. Huldra brothers, Brok and Sindri, forged the Leviathan Axe for Faye, Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother. It was specifically created to be the opposite of Thor’s Mjolnir, capable of countering its immense power and acting as a tool for protection and balance. The axe possesses the unique ability to be thrown and recalled, imbued with powerful ice magic, and upgradeable with various runes and enchantments to enhance its capabilities. It represents Faye’s (and subsequently, Kratos’) shift away from violence and destruction toward a life of relative peace and protection of their family.

The Narrative Significance

In the 2018 God of War, the Leviathan Axe is more than just a weapon; it’s a symbol of Kratos’ attempt at redemption. He uses it to hunt, survive, and protect Atreus. The connection between Kratos and the axe grows throughout the game, mirroring his gradual connection with his son. He relied on it almost exclusively, signifying his departure from his past as a god of war.

The Power of Ice

The Leviathan Axe’s frost powers are essential to both combat and puzzle-solving. Freezing enemies in place allows Kratos to control the battlefield, while freezing mechanisms unlocks new paths and secrets within the realms. The axe’s ability to be upgraded with powerful runic attacks further expands its utility, providing diverse combat options tailored to the player’s preferred style.

The Return of the Blades of Chaos

The pivotal moment in God of War Ragnarök involves Kratos being forced to embrace his past to overcome present challenges. Despite his desire to bury the rage and violence of his Spartan upbringing, the threat posed by Odin and Ragnarök necessitates a shift in strategy. He needs more power. This need compels him to retrieve the Blades of Chaos, the weapons that symbolize his bloody past.

Why the Blades Return

The decision to reintroduce the Blades of Chaos wasn’t arbitrary. Several factors contributed to this narrative choice:

Power and Necessity: The Blades offer raw, unbridled power, a contrast to the more controlled and precise nature of the Leviathan Axe. As the threats escalate, Kratos requires this additional power to stand a chance against gods and monsters.
Confronting the Past: The return of the Blades forces Kratos to confront the darkness within himself, the rage that defined him for so long. It’s a crucial step in his character development, as he learns to control his anger rather than be consumed by it.
Strategic Advantage: The Blades offer unique combat options, particularly fire-based attacks, which complement the ice-based abilities of the Leviathan Axe. This provides players with a more diverse and adaptable combat experience.

The Axe’s Diminished Role?

While the Blades of Chaos regain prominence, the Leviathan Axe doesn’t become obsolete. It remains a crucial weapon throughout God of War Ragnarök, offering unique advantages that the Blades can’t replicate.

Versatility: The axe’s throwing and recall ability, along with its frost powers, remain incredibly useful for ranged attacks, puzzle-solving, and controlling the battlefield.
Specific Encounters: Certain enemies and environments are more susceptible to ice damage, making the Leviathan Axe the preferred weapon in those situations.
Upgrade Paths: Players can continue to upgrade the Leviathan Axe throughout Ragnarök, further enhancing its power and utility.

Essentially, the Leviathan Axe becomes part of a broader arsenal, offering tactical flexibility rather than being the sole focus. Kratos adapts his fighting style, switching between the axe and the Blades depending on the situation.

The Leviathan Axe’s Future

The ending of God of War Ragnarök leaves the future of the Leviathan Axe uncertain. With the Aesir threat seemingly neutralized, the need for such a powerful weapon specifically designed to counter Mjolnir may diminish. However, the axe remains a powerful symbol of Faye, Kratos’ connection to his family, and his initial desire for a peaceful life. It’s highly likely the axe will continue to feature in future God of War titles, although its specific role and importance may evolve depending on the direction of the narrative.

The Axe may have to appear in future games because of the fanbase that had fallen in love with this weapon. The Leviathan axe is the most popular weapon when the God of War was first released. It is now a major part of God of War history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the Leviathan Axe’s fate and significance:

Is the Leviathan Axe permanently replaced by the Blades of Chaos? No. While the Blades of Chaos regain prominence, the Leviathan Axe remains a powerful and useful weapon throughout God of War Ragnarök. Kratos often switches between them strategically.
Can you still upgrade the Leviathan Axe in God of War Ragnarök after getting the Blades of Chaos? Yes, you can continue to upgrade the Leviathan Axe with pommels and runic attacks throughout the game.
Is the Leviathan Axe weaker than the Blades of Chaos? Not necessarily. Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses. The Leviathan Axe excels at ranged attacks and ice-based combat, while the Blades offer raw power and fire-based abilities.
Why did Faye want the Leviathan Axe to be made? Faye wanted the Leviathan Axe to be a weapon of protection and balance, capable of countering the destructive power of Mjolnir. It also represented her desire for a different path than the one she had previously walked.
Who forged the Leviathan Axe? The Huldra brothers, Brok and Sindri, forged the Leviathan Axe for Faye.
What are the unique abilities of the Leviathan Axe? The Leviathan Axe can be thrown and recalled, imbued with ice magic, and upgraded with runes and enchantments. Its frost powers can freeze enemies and interact with the environment.
Does the Leviathan Axe have a backstory beyond its creation for Faye? The full extent of the axe’s backstory is not explicitly revealed. However, its design and capabilities suggest it may have been created with a specific purpose related to countering Asgardian power.
Can Atreus wield the Leviathan Axe? No, Atreus is never shown wielding the Leviathan Axe in either God of War (2018) or God of War Ragnarök. His primary weapon is his bow.
Will the Leviathan Axe return in future God of War games? It is highly likely, given its symbolic importance and the fanbase’s affection for the weapon. However, its specific role in future narratives remains to be seen.
Is there a way to play using ONLY the Leviathan Axe in God of War Ragnarök? While it’s possible to focus primarily on the Leviathan Axe, the game design encourages strategic use of both the axe and the Blades of Chaos. Certain enemies and challenges are simply easier to overcome with one weapon over the other. There isn’t a true “only” mode.
What are the best runic attacks for the Leviathan Axe in God of War Ragnarök? The “Wrath of the Frost Ancient” and “Leviathan’s Roar” are often considered among the best runic attacks for the Leviathan Axe, offering powerful offensive options. However, the best choices depend on your playstyle.
Does the Leviathan Axe affect the story ending? The Leviathan Axe itself doesn’t directly affect the story ending. The ending is determined by Kratos’ choices and actions, regardless of which weapon he favors.
Are there any lore connections between the Leviathan Axe and Norse mythology? While the axe itself is not directly based on a specific weapon from Norse mythology, its creation by Brok and Sindri and its purpose of countering Mjolnir align with the broader themes of balance and conflict within Norse lore.
Can you lose the Leviathan Axe? Kratos never permanently loses the Leviathan Axe in either of the God of War games. It is always retrievable after being thrown, even if temporarily taken from him in a cutscene.
How does the Leviathan Axe compare to other weapons in the God of War series, like the Blades of Olympus? The Leviathan Axe, while powerful, is designed with more control and precision than weapons like the Blades of Olympus, which represented raw, untamed power. The axe symbolizes Kratos’ attempt at control and restraint, a contrast to his past as a god of war.