Kratos isn’t Kratos without a weapon in every hand and rage in his heart. God of War Ragnarok gives players three core weapons to wield throughout the story, and while they all have their place in combat, not all of them hit with the same impact or utility.
This guide is the outcome of long hours spent in boss fights, enemy mob grinds, and precision parries. It’s what you learn when you stop button-mashing and start thinking like the Ghost of Sparta himself. So, if you’re preparing for a New Game+ run or trying to figure out what to invest your upgrade resources into, here are the best weapons in God of War Ragnarok to wield in Kratos’ hands.
1. Leviathan Axe
- Best for: Single-target damage, boss fights, raw power
The Leviathan Axe is Kratos’ signature weapon and an absolute beast to control, power, and versatility. From the satisfying thunk when it lands in a Draugr’s skull to the recall thunk as it smashes through enemies on its way back, the axe is pure gaming joy with sharp edges.
What makes the axe great is its adaptability. The slow, heavy swings are deliberate, giving you room to think and react. But it’s the elemental frost buildup, runic attacks, and skill upgrades like Glacial Rake and Frost Awaken that allow to blend brutal combos with crowd control. Although it lacks the immediate area-clearing flair of the Blades of Chaos, that’s easily fixed with the right skills. In short, the longer you play, the better it gets.
Verdict: If you’re only upgrading one weapon for boss fights or balance, make it the axe. It’s the most reliable and scales amazingly.
2. Blades of Chaos
- Best for: AoE crowd control, mobility, fire synergy
These are Kratos’ cursed babies forged in torment, bound by memory, and burning with rage. The Blades of Chaos slice wide, chain-pull enemies, and let you combo into lava-fueled finishers on a battlefield. Once you unlock Hyperion Grapple, Chaotic Rampage, and Vaporized Frost, these weapons are the best for fighting frost enemies or massive enemy waves.
That said, they do come with caveats. While fast and appealing, the Blades usually lack the weight you need in single-target duels, especially at higher difficulties. They are strong, but require accurate timing and more precise use to compete with the axe in one-on-one battles.
Verdict: For AoE, nothing beats the Blades. But if you’re stuck in a duel with a tough mini-boss, you’ll feel their damage ceiling.
3. Draupnir Spear
- Best for: Mid-range crowd control, status siphoning, creative play
Introduced late in the story, the Draupnir Spear was made for Kratos and arrived in the game to outthink; it’s a personalized weapon that rewards precision, explosiveness, and mobility.
The real deal is its ability to multiply and detonate. The Elemental Siphon skill is great which lets you steal elements from one enemy and weaponize them on another. And there’s a special place in Valhalla for the moment you use it to shatter Heimdall’s arrogance. But its late-game arrival makes it hard to fully upgrade before the credits roll. The learning curve is also steep; you have to build synergy manually instead of leaning on pure strength.
Verdict: It’s a sleeper pick for advanced players, but it’s not newbie-friendly or as immediately rewarding as the Axe or Blades.
4. Shield & Bare Fists
- Best for: Stagger, Spartan Rage synergy, high-stun builds
Sometimes, Kratos doesn’t need weapons to get his point across but his fists and a shield are enough to deal with bad baddies. Your bare-handed attacks deal high stun damage, which can be game-changing when paired with shield parries and the occasional Rage burst.
With specific gear like the Dauntless Shield and Rond of Affliction, you can turn defense into offense and knock mobs into oblivion with perfect parries. It is a slow, risky playstyle, but very satisfying when it works.
Verdict: Not for everyone, but if you have a high-stun build, it’s an unspoken fourth weapon worth mastering.
Honorable Mentions
While Kratos carries the main firepower, Atreus and Freya’s weapons and combat styles bring good strategic value and can completely change how fights turn out.
Atreus’ Bow (and Sonic/Sigil Arrows)
Atreus’ bow early on works as a basic support, but after unlocking Sonic Arrows (to shatter enemy armor and cause AoE stun) and Sigil Arrows (to amplify elemental damage), he becomes a combo enabler. Paired with Kratos’ attacks, Atreus can set up devastating follow-ups, especially for frost/fire synergy. In boss fights, his distraction and stun contributions can make or break a phase.
Freya’s Sword & Magic
Freya joins later, but she arrives with finesse. Her Valkyrie-style sword, entangling vines, and area denial skills give her a unique element. She focuses on control and utility than damage, but smart use of her runic summons and cooldown skills can dictate the tempo of difficult fights. She’s also more customizable than Atreus thanks to her armor and spell options. While not swappable “weapons,” companions bring build-defining support, especially on higher difficulties. Treat them as part of your arsenal, not as passive allies.
