Leviathan Axe

Leviathan in its original form

The Leviathan Axe is a two-handed war axe that is Kratos' main offensive weapon in God of War.

About

Brok and Sindri's brand before being split in half

The axe with upgrades

It was forged by the Huldra Brothers, Sindri, and Brok, who also forged Thor's hammer, Mjölnir, after feeling responsible for the destruction brought about by Thor. As a weapon made to oppose the power of Mjölnir and inspired by the epic size of Jörmungandr, Brok suggests the axe be named Leviathan. According to Sindri when first meeting him, the blade was made for and given to Laufey who passed it on to her husband Kratos, before her death.

The axe has several runes inscribed on the blade that grants it different powers, among them the use of ice, and the ability to recall the weapon from any distance. It also has two slots for Runic Attacks to be placed in, a heavy and light attack for each slot. The Axe Pommel is customizable with pommels found throughout the Realms or bought to Brok and Sindri.

During Kratos' journey to spread Faye's ashes, he encounters Brok and Sindri, who each upgrade the axe, improving its magic and attack strength. Upon bringing one of the brothers a Frozen Flame, the axe can be further upgraded, increasing the size of the blade and adding ornate gold to the blade and handle.

Move List

Unlocked from start

Light Attack:

• Description: A standard attack that deals some damage and allows a quick parry if needed. (R1)
• Cost- N/A
• Bonuses- N/A

Heavy Attack:

• Description: A stronger attack that deals a lot more damage but leaves you exposed for longer after performing. (R2)
• Cost- N/A
• Bonuses- N/A

Light Throw:

• Description- A throwing attack which causes the axe to bounce off the target. (L2 Hold, Right Stick to Aim, R1)
• Cost- N/A
• Bonuses- N/A

Heavy Throw:

• Description- A throwing attack which causes the axe to stick into the target and freeze the target. (L2 Hold, Right Stick to Aim, R2)
• Cost- N/A
• Bonuses- N/A

Note: Throw Attacks disarm Kratos.

Level 1 Skills

Executioner's Cleave:

• Description- A brutal cleaving axe attack that deals massive damage. (R2 Hold)
• Cost- 500 XP
• Bonuses- Shortens Charge Time - Requires 100 Cooldown

Grinding Storm:

• Description- An axe attack that hits enemies multiple times and locks them down. (R1 Hold)
• Cost- 500 XP
• Bonuses- Inflicts additional Frost Damage during the attack - Requires 125 Runic

Pride of the Frost:

• Description- A Heavy Attack finisher at the end of the Light Attack Combo. (R1, R1, R1, R2)
• Cost- 500 XP
• Bonuses- Adds an explosion of Frost Damage on impact - Requires 200 Runic

Level 2 Skills

Freezing Burst:

• Description- A charged up variant of the heavy throw that causes an explosion on impact that inflicts Frost Damage. (L2 Hold, Right Stick to Aim, R2 Hold)
• Cost- 1,000 XP
• Bonuses- Shortens Charge Time - Requires 100 Cooldown

Precision Throw Combo:

• Description: After landing a precision axe throw (weak points and headshots), press triangle during the flash to recall the Leviathan Axe and cause the next throw or melee attack to explode on contact, inflicting Frost Damage.
• Cost: 1,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Unlocks an axe throw finisher after 2 consecutive precision throws - Requires 125 Cooldown

Frost Rush:

• Description: While sprinting, Press R1 to perform a leaping attack.
• Cost: 1,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 125 Vitality

Permafrost:

• Description: Performs attacks in quick succession without sustaining damage to power up the Leviathan Axe and inflict Frost damage on every hit.
• Cost: 1,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: N/A

Whirling Storm:

• Description: While evading, hold Left Stick forward and press R1 to perform a quick axe attack.
• Cost: 1,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 75 Vitality

Level 3 Skills

Hunter-Killer I:

• Description: Aim and Hold R1 to select 3 targets on a single enemy or across 3 separate enemies
• Cost: 1,500 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Precision Frost Burst:

• Description: Precision Throw Combo now creates a massive explosion on impact.
• Cost: 2,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: N/A

Leviathan’s Fury:

• Description: While sprinting, press R2 to perform a massive leaping attack.
• Cost: 2,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Adds an explosion of Frost Damage on impact - Requires 175 Runic

Glacial Permafrost:

• Description: Increases the amount of Permafrost gained on every successful axe hit.
• Cost: 2,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: N/A

Evasive Storm:

• Description: While evading, hold Left Stick forward and press R1 to perform a quick boomerang throw.
• Cost: 2,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Inflicts additional Frost Damage during the attack - Requires 125 Runic

Level 4 Skills

Hunter Killer II:

• Description: Increases the maximum number of targets to 5.
• Cost: 2,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Returning Whirlwind:

• Description: While Bare-Handed, aim and press R1 to instantly recall the Leviathan Axe and perform a powerful spinning attack.
• Cost: 1,400 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Whirlwind Sweep:

• Description: Switch stances by pausing momentarily after any Leviathan Axe attack. Once in new stance, pres R1 to perform a sweeping attack.
• Cost: 3,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Double Whirlwind:

• Description: Unlock a second, follow-up R1 combo while in the switched stance.
• Cost: 1,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Whirlwind Throw:

• Description: Switch stances by pausing momentarily after any Leviathan Axe attack. Once in new stance, press R2 to perform a ranged attack.
• Cost: 1,500 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Level 5 Skills

Hunter Killer III:

• Description: Increases the maximum number of targets to 8.
• Cost: 3000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Returning Storm:

• Description: While Bare-Handed, aim and press R2 to instantly recall the Leviathan Axe and perform a powerful slam attack.
• Cost: 2000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Adds an explosion of Frost Damage on impact - Requires 250 Runic

Raging Whirlwind:

• Description: Unlock a third and final R1 attack while in the switched stance.
• Cost: 2,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

Whirlwind Fury:

• Description: Switch stances by pausing momentarily after any Leviathan Axe attack. Once in new stance, press R2, R2 to perform a heavy ranged combo.
• Cost: 3,000 XP
• Additional Bonus: Increases resistance to interruption during this attack - Requires 200 Vitality

List of Axe Pommels

Common

Name	Level	Description	Location
Wooden Grip	1	Family Heirloom: Crude wooden axe grip. It cannot be sold.	Players start with this pommel
Curved Recovery Handle	1-3	Marksman’s Cooldown: High Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Cooldown on any successful precision throw.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (costs 3000 Hacksilver)
Curved Grip of Fury	2-4	Marksman’s Rage Burst: Low Perk activation chance to grant a Rage Burst on any successful precision throw.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (costs 5000 Hacksilver)
Curved War Handle	2-4	Marksman’s Strength: High Perk activation chance to grant a Gift of Strength on any successful precision throw.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (costs 5000 Hacksilver)
Curved Runic Handle	1-3	Marksman’s Runic: Low Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Runic on any successful precision throw.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (costs 3000 Hacksilver)
Weighted Recovery Handle	1-3	Executioner’s Cooldown: High Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Cooldown on any successful Executioner’s Cleave.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (costs 3000 Hacksilver)
Weighted Runic Handle	2-4	Executioner’s Runic: High Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Runic on any successful Executioner’s Cleave.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (costs 5000 Hacksilver)
Weighted War Handle	1-3	Executioner’s Strength: High Perk activation chance to grant a Gift of Strength on any successful Executioner’s Cleave..	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (costs 3000 Hacksilver)
Versatile Warrior’s Handle	1-3	Adept Warrior: Increases Strength, Defense, and Luck. Upgrade to increase additional Stats.	Unlocked after completing favor ‘Unfinished Business’

Wooden Grip

Weighted War Handle

Weighted Runic Handle

Weighted Recovery Handle

Versatile Warrior’s Handle

Curved War Handle

Curved Runic Handle

Curved Recovery Handle

Curved Grip of Fury

Rare

Name	Level	Description	Location
Grip of Völunder	3-5	Warrior’s Protective Barrier: Very low Perk activation chance to grant Protective Barrier, preventing damage from enemy attacks, on any successful axe hit.	Unlocked after completing favor ‘Second Hand Soul’
Ymir’s Breath	3-5	Ymir’s Vengeance: Low Perk activation chance to create a Frost explosion on any successful axe hit.	Obtain it from Isle of Death Legendary Chest.
Curved Grip of Restoration	3-5	Marksman’s Health Burst: High Perk activation chance to grant a Health Burst on any successful precision throw.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (7500 Hacksilver)
Deadly Grip of Fury	3-5	Slayer’s Rage Burst: Successful axe kills grant a Rage Burst.	Obtain it from Stone Falls Legendary Chest.
Deadly Grip of Vitality	3-5	Slayer’s Health Burst: Successful axe kills grant a Health Burst.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (7500 Hacksilver)
Light Grip of Protection	3-5	Rising Protective Barrier: High Perk activation chance to grant Protective Barrier, preventing damage from enemy attacks, after launching an enemy into the air.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (7500 Hacksilver)
Light War Handle	3-5	Rising Strength: High Perk activation chance to grant a Gift of Strength after launching an enemy into the air.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (7500 Hacksilver)
Weighted Grip of Restoration	3-5	Executioner’s Health Burst: High Perk activation chance to grant a Health Burst on any successful Executioner’s Cleave.	Brok and Sindri’s Shops (7500 Hacksilver)

Ymir’s Breath

Weighted Grip of Restoration

Light War Handle

Light Grip of Protection

Grip of Völunder

Deadly Grip of Vitality

Deadly Grip of Fury

Curved Grip of Restoration

Legendary

Name	Level	Description	Location
Surtr’s Grip of Flame	6-8	Wrath of Flame: Low Perk activation chance to grant Wrath of Flame on any successful hit. Wrath of Flame greatly increases Strength, restores a small amount of Health, and fires a wave of energy on normal attacks.	Obtain it from Brok and Sindri’s Shops once the Muspelheim language disk is complete.
Grip of Tanngiost	5-7	Fist of Thor: Low Perk activation chance to strike with an explosion of lightning that inflicts Shock damage to all nearby enemies on any successful axe hit.	Complete the Hammer Fall favor in Veithurgard
Hræzla Farmaðr’s Grip	3-5	Warrior’s Health Burst: Low Perk activation chance to grant a Health Burst on any successful axe hit.	Complete the Family Business favor.
Forbidden Grip of the Ages	3-5	Word of Ages: An ancient relic that increases all of Kratos’ Stats. Adds a concussive wave to the end of the R1 combo.	Obtain it by completing the Secret Caldera Realm Tear
Grip of the Maze	6-8	Cleansing Light: Very high Perk activation chance to restore some protection against the Cursed Mist of Niflheim on any successful kill. Passively grants resistance to the Cursed Mist.	Obtain it from Brok and Sindri’s Shops once the Niflheim language disk is complete.

Surtr’s Grip of Flame

Hraezla Farmadr’s Grip

Grip of the Maze

Grip of Tanngiost

Forbidden Grip of the Ages

Epic

Name	Level	Description	Location
Retribution	6-8	Queen’s Wrath: R1 axe throw and recall become incredibly powerful. Low Perk activation chance to strike with a massively damaging explosion on any successful hit.	Obtain it after defeating Sigrun.
Wing of the Fallen	6-8	Power of the Valkyrie: Moderate Perk activation chance on any successful kill to grant Power of the Valkyrie, increasing RUNIC and STRENGTH. (Stacks up to 3 times)	Obtain it after defeating Hildr.
Valkyrie's Might	6-8	Strike of the Valkyrie: Moderate Perk activation chance on any successful Executioner's Cleave to grant Strike of the Valkyrie, causing a massive explosion on the next attack. Low Perk activation chance to cause an explosion on any successful hit.	Obtain it after defeating Eir.
Blightbringer	6-8	Curse of the Mist: Low Perk activation chance to strike with an explosive curse that inflicts WEAKNESS to enemies on any successful hit.	Obtain it from Brok and Sindri’s Shops once the Niflheim language disk is complete.
Mistbourne	6-8	Healing Mist: Low Perk activation change to grant Healing Mist on any successful hit. Healing Mist regenerates Health and increases RUNIC.	Obtain it from Ivaldi's workshop in Niflheim.

Trivia

• The "Leviathan" is a sea monster mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and although it has nothing to do with Nordic Mythology, it is very similar to Jörmungandr, which ends up being the reason for the name lore-wise. According to Creative Director Cory Barlog, however, there's a reason why they (the writers) chose that name.
  • The name Leviathan is strictly tied to the Judeo-Christian religions, so its use to describe the World Serpent is unusual.
  • It is speculated that this is related to the original ending David Jaffe intended for God of War III, where monotheism is established. In Barlog's words, "it's a name that […] is carried through-out history, so it might have some intersections with later parts of history, perhaps". This implies that monotheistic religions are actually inspired by the different mythological worlds and the Leviathan survive Ragnarok.
  • According to The Lost Pages, Brok and Sindri suggest they name it after Jormundgandr, citing that it is "without equal" to anything else in the Nine Realms.
  • In Norse Mythology there is a weapon mentioned in the Prose Edda's called Lævateinn that is almost certainly connected in some way to the god Loki.

• Kratos can throw and call back the Leviathan Axe similar to Thor's hammer, Mjölnir. This is not surprising considering both weapons were forged by Brok and Sindri.
• The Leviathan Axe is very rarely, if not never, mentioned by its name in the 2018 game. It is mostly referred simply as " axe" or "frost axe" by characters in the game. A similar case happens to the Blades of Chaos.
• Cory Barlog said that he always wanted Kratos to wield an axe as his main weapon after the end of his Greek Era. He wanted him to be able to throw the axe, but during the alpha-stage, it became a hassle for testers to have to pick up the axe from wherever they threw it to, creating the need to be able to recall it from anywhere as Thor could.
• Brok and Sindri's brand bears resemblance to the Ingwaz rune (ᛝ).
• While resting on Kratos' back, the Leviathan Axe hangs from a hook that is shaped as the serpent-like Greek letter Omega, which has always been incorporated in the "God of War" titles' graphic.
• When fully upgraded, there is a stanza in Elder Futhark written on the axe's blade.

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