Who is the God Killer in God of War?
The God Killer in the God of War franchise is none other than Kratos, the Spartan warrior turned god, known for his unparalleled rage and brutal combat prowess. Throughout the series, Kratos embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance, leaving a trail of fallen gods, Titans, and monsters in his wake. He is driven by a complex mix of trauma, betrayal, and the desire to break free from the cycle of violence that plagues his existence. His journey is marked by the blood of countless deities, solidifying his reputation as the most infamous god killer in gaming history. Kratos’s actions are rarely heroic, instead fueled by a primal urge for revenge, making him a deeply flawed yet compelling protagonist.
Kratos’s Path of Destruction
Kratos’s journey as a god killer is not a simple one. It’s rooted in a tragic past and is further complicated by his relationships and shifting motivations. Here’s a breakdown of his path:
The Beginning of the Cycle
Initially a formidable Spartan general, Kratos is tricked by the god of war, Ares, into murdering his own family. This devastating act plunges Kratos into a spiral of despair and rage. To escape the nightmares and guilt, he becomes Ares’ champion, but his service to the god ultimately leads to more betrayal.
Vengeance Against Olympus
Driven by a thirst for revenge, Kratos turns against Ares, slaying him and ascending to godhood himself. However, his torment doesn’t end there. He continues to be manipulated and betrayed by the gods, particularly Zeus, his own father, the king of Olympus. This betrayal ignites a full-scale war against the Olympians, a conflict where Kratos systematically dismantles the pantheon, killing gods like Poseidon, Hades, and many others. His actions are fueled by the belief that destroying Olympus will bring him peace.
A Journey of Change in Norse Lands
Following the Greek saga, Kratos finds himself in the Norse realm, where he tries to start a new life with his son, Atreus. He attempts to suppress his violent nature, but is quickly drawn into the conflicts of the Norse gods. Despite his efforts at restraint, he confronts and battles various Norse deities, demonstrating that his past as a god killer continues to define him. While the Norse saga allows Kratos to engage with more complex emotions, he remains a force capable of decimating entire pantheons.
Why Is Kratos Called the God Killer?
The title of “God Killer” is not just a fan-given nickname; it’s an apt descriptor for Kratos’s defining trait throughout the series. Here’s why:
- He kills gods and Titans: Kratos’s rampage is not limited to minor deities. He has brought down major figures from Greek and Norse mythologies, making him a unique threat to established cosmic order.
- His motives are complex: Unlike a traditional hero, Kratos is driven by trauma, vengeance, and a burning desire to escape the cycle of manipulation. He kills gods out of anger, a desperate need for control, and a twisted form of justice.
- He’s a force of destruction: Kratos possesses immense physical strength, godly powers, and an arsenal of weapons that make him capable of decimating entire pantheons. His combat prowess and relentless determination have allowed him to overcome opponents that would have been considered unbeatable.
- His actions reshape the world: Kratos’s actions have significant ramifications, often causing chaos and disrupting the natural order of both the Greek and Norse mythologies. He is not just a warrior; he is a catalyst for widespread change, often violent and destructive change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Kratos a God or a Mortal?
Kratos is a demigod, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. This lineage gives him superhuman strength, durability, and abilities beyond mortal comprehension.
2. How Many Gods Has Kratos Killed?
The exact number is hard to pinpoint, but Kratos has killed dozens of gods, Titans, and powerful creatures throughout the God of War series, including many major figures like Ares, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus from the Greek pantheon, as well as Baldur and other powerful beings in the Norse saga.
3. Is Kratos stronger than Zeus?
In the God of War universe, Kratos ultimately defeats Zeus, though not without great difficulty. Kratos had to overcome immense obstacles and godlike powers to finally kill the king of Olympus, suggesting that while they might not be equal in raw power, Kratos’s determination and skills allowed him to prevail. In terms of mythology, the answer would be different.
4. Why does Kratos hate Zeus?
Zeus betrayed Kratos multiple times, ultimately attempting to kill him. Kratos learns that Zeus is his father, but this knowledge doesn’t lessen his desire for vengeance because Zeus’ actions were the source of so much pain and suffering in Kratos’s life.
5. Who was Kratos’s wife?
Kratos’s wife in the Norse saga is Faye, a giant (Jötunn) and a formidable warrior in her own right. His first wife, who is never named, and daughter were killed in Greece.
6. Who is Atreus to Kratos?
Atreus is Kratos’s son and a major character in the Norse saga. He is half-god, half-giant, and has the alias of Loki.
7. Did Kratos lose his god powers?
In God of War II, Kratos does lose his godly powers temporarily, but through his own actions and rage he eventually regains them, and even absorbs powers throughout his many adventures.
8. Who is the main villain in God of War (2018)?
The primary antagonist of the 2018 God of War game is Baldur, the Norse god of light.
9. Does Kratos regret killing Zeus?
While Kratos is driven by rage and vengeance, he is also haunted by his actions. He does seem to carry some remorse for the violent choices he made, including killing Zeus, although it is mixed with his need to escape the cycle he’s trapped in.
10. Is Kratos based on a Greek Mythological Figure?
The Kratos of God of War is a character created specifically for the game series and is not directly based on a figure from Greek mythology. There is a minor character named Kratos in the Greek mythology, but he is not a warrior or the center of a tragic storyline.
11. Can Kratos be defeated?
Within the God of War universe, Kratos has shown the ability to overcome most enemies. Outside of that world, there are fictional characters that possess abilities that would allow them to defeat Kratos, depending on their power sets, as well as the conditions of the confrontation.
12. What kind of God is Kratos?
Kratos is the Greek God of Strength. Although this was not known at the beginning of the game, it is revealed that his lineage as the son of Zeus makes him a god, and through his actions he makes it clearer.
13. Is Kratos a good or bad character?
Kratos is a morally complex character, and he is not a straightforward hero or villain. His actions are often violent and driven by rage, but he also displays a capacity for compassion and growth, especially in the Norse saga.
14. How Old is Kratos?
Based on educated guesses and in-game lore, it’s speculated that Kratos is over 1000 years old in God of War Ragnarok.
15. What is Kratos’s ultimate goal?
Throughout the series, Kratos’s goals change and evolve. Initially driven by a desire for vengeance, his objectives become more nuanced in the Norse saga, where he seeks to find peace and protect his son, while ultimately trying to break the cycle of violence that surrounds him.