Unveiling the Leviathan Axe: A Deep Dive into Kratos’ Signature Weapon
Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta, is known for his brutal strength and iconic weaponry. While the Blades of Chaos cemented his legacy in the Greek pantheon, the Leviathan Axe redefined him in the Norse realm. The Leviathan Axe is a two-handed war axe that serves as Kratos’ main offensive weapon throughout the Norse Era in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök.
The Forging of a Legend
The Leviathan Axe isn’t just some off-the-shelf weapon; it’s a masterpiece of dwarven craftsmanship. Forged by the legendary blacksmiths Brok and Sindri, the same pair responsible for Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer, the axe was created as a direct counter to the devastating power of the thunder god’s weapon. Filled with remorse after witnessing the carnage wrought by Mjolnir, Brok and Sindri poured their guilt and skill into crafting a weapon that could stand against it.
The Axe’s History
Initially, the Leviathan Axe was gifted to Laufey, Atreus’ mother, a fierce warrior and skilled fighter. After her death, it was passed down to her husband, Kratos. The axe is more than just a weapon; it represents a link to Kratos’ past, his growth, and his dedication to protecting his son.
Design and Functionality
The Leviathan Axe’s design is a blend of practicality and mythology. Its imposing size and weight make it a formidable weapon in close combat. However, its most unique feature is its ability to be thrown and recalled to Kratos’ hand, mirroring the functionality of Mjölnir. This ability adds a strategic depth to combat, allowing Kratos to engage enemies from a distance and control the battlefield. In God of War Ragnarok, it is revealed that the axe is coated in the venom of the World Serpent, giving it an ice-based affinity. The axe can be imbued with ice, allowing the user to freeze their enemies.
The Leviathan Axe in Gameplay
In God of War and God of War Ragnarök, the Leviathan Axe is more than just a weapon; it’s an extension of Kratos himself. Players can upgrade the axe’s stats, unlock new combat moves, and imbue it with powerful enchantments. The axe’s versatility allows players to adapt their combat style to different enemies and situations.
Comparing the Leviathan Axe to Other Weapons
The Leviathan Axe is often compared to the Blades of Chaos and Mjölnir. While the Blades of Chaos are devastatingly powerful and provide a faster, more aggressive combat style, the Leviathan Axe offers a balance of power, range, and control. Compared to Mjolnir, the Leviathan Axe is arguably more versatile due to its recall ability and the variety of combat options it provides. The axe was designed to counter Mjolnir.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the origin of the Leviathan Axe’s name?
The Leviathan Axe’s name is inspired by the Norse mythological sea creature, the World Serpent, Jörmungandr. The name reflects the axe’s immense power and its connection to the Norse world.
2. Is the Leviathan Axe based on a specific mythological weapon?
No, the Leviathan Axe is not based on any particular mythological weapon. However, its creation by the same dwarves who forged Mjölnir ties it closely to Norse mythology.
3. Can the Leviathan Axe be upgraded?
Yes, the Leviathan Axe can be significantly upgraded throughout God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. Players can enhance its stats, unlock new combat abilities, and add enchantments to customize its performance. In Ragnarok, the Leviathan Axe can be upgraded to Level 9.
4. Who can wield the Leviathan Axe?
While the Leviathan Axe was initially wielded by Laufey, Kratos becomes its primary user after her death. It’s implied that the axe responds to individuals with strength, skill, and a connection to the Norse world.
5. Is the Leviathan Axe stronger than the Blades of Chaos?
While both weapons are incredibly powerful, the Blades of Chaos are often considered to be more powerful overall. However, the Leviathan Axe offers a different combat style and strategic advantages.
6. What are the unique abilities of the Leviathan Axe?
The Leviathan Axe’s most unique ability is its recall function, allowing Kratos to throw the axe and have it return to his hand. It also possesses ice-based abilities, allowing Kratos to freeze enemies and create powerful area-of-effect attacks.
7. What role did Brok and Sindri play in creating the Leviathan Axe?
Brok and Sindri were the dwarven blacksmiths who forged the Leviathan Axe. They created it out of guilt and regret after crafting Mjölnir, hoping to create a weapon that could counter its destructive power.
8. How does the Leviathan Axe compare to Mjölnir?
The Leviathan Axe and Mjölnir are both incredibly powerful weapons, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The axe was built specifically as a counter of sorts to Mjölnir, implying that it is at least equal to, and possibly more powerful than Thor’s hammer.
9. Why can Kratos recall the Leviathan Axe to his hand?
The Leviathan Axe’s recall ability is similar to Mjölnir’s, suggesting that the dwarves imbued it with a similar enchantment or magical property. This ability allows Kratos to control the battlefield and engage enemies from a distance.
10. What is the weight of Leviathan Axe?
The Leviathan Axe weighs approximately 8.04 pounds.
11. Why didn’t Thor heal from the Leviathan Axe?
The reason behind Thor’s incurable wound is due to the Eitr imbued in the Leviathan Axe. In God of War, Kratos throws the weapon into the Lake of Nine and awakens the World Serpent, who rises out of the water. Jormungandr returns the Axe to Kratos by spitting it out and, in the process, covering it with his venom.
12. How strong is Kratos level?
Kratos’ strength level is astronomically high. He’s been able to take on an impact force of literally 1.6 trillion Newtons.
13. What is Kratos most powerful weapon?
Blade of Olympus is Kratos most powerful weapon.
14. How tall is Kratos?
Kratos is exactly six feet and four inches tall (or about 1.93 meters).
15. Why does Kratos hate his blades?
Widely feared throughout Greece, the Blades of Chaos personified what Kratos had become during the darkest period of his life: a monster who killed his own family out of bloodlust, turning him into the infamous Ghost of Sparta.
Conclusion
The Leviathan Axe is more than just a weapon; it’s a symbol of Kratos’ transformation, his connection to his family, and his adaptation to the Norse world. Its unique design, powerful abilities, and rich lore make it one of the most iconic weapons in video game history. Its creation and usage offer fertile ground for exploring themes of remorse, redemption, and the burden of power, enriching the narrative depth of the God of War series. Further exploration of these themes through a Games Learning Society approach could uncover valuable insights into how games can effectively convey complex human emotions and moral dilemmas. GamesLearningSociety.org can provide resources and frameworks for educators and researchers interested in leveraging the educational potential of games like God of War.