God of War (2018) reinvented Kratos as a father navigating Norse mythology with his son Atreus. The one-take camera (no cuts from start to finish) creates unprecedented cinematic immersion. Combat revolves around the Leviathan Axe — a frost weapon that can be thrown and recalled, freezing enemies in place. Mid-game, the Blades of Chaos return, adding fire damage and grappling range. The relationship between Kratos and Atreus drives a surprisingly emotional story about grief, identity, and breaking cycles of violence. The optional Valkyrie bosses are among the hardest encounters in modern gaming.
Your choice of weapons defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leviathan Axe | S | Melee Berserker | Kratos' primary weapon dealing frost damage. |
| Blades of Chaos | A | Runic Burst | Unlocked mid-game, the Blades add fire damage and grappling range. |
| Talon Bow | A | Atreus Support | Atreus' bow that fires Light Arrows (stun), Shock Arrows (damage), and later summon arrows. |
| Shattered Gauntlet | B | Runic Burst | An optional talisman that allows customizable Runic-style attacks using Enchantment stones. |
| Guardian Shield | B | Rage Tank | Kratos' shield blocks most attacks and parries with precise timing. |
S-Tier: Leviathan Axe
Kratos' primary weapon dealing frost damage. Throwing it freezes enemies, creating crowd control opportunities. Recall the axe mid-combo for a satisfying boomerang hit. The axe excels against fire-based enemies (Muspelheim).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Melee Berserker |
| Key Mechanic | Leviathan Axe |
| Recommended Role | Melee Berserker |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Leviathan Axe: Pairs naturally with Melee Berserker thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Blades of Chaos
Unlocked mid-game, the Blades add fire damage and grappling range. Chain attacks have wide AoE sweeps. The Blades excel against frost-based enemies (Helheim). Using both weapons in a fight (switching for elemental advantage) is optimal.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Runic Burst |
| Key Mechanic | runic attacks |
| Recommended Role | Runic Burst |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Blades of Chaos: Pairs naturally with Runic Burst thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Talon Bow
Atreus' bow that fires Light Arrows (stun), Shock Arrows (damage), and later summon arrows. Commanding Atreus to shoot interrupts enemy attacks and provides supplemental damage. The bow upgrades significantly increase Atreus' combat contribution.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Atreus Support |
| Key Mechanic | Spartan Rage |
| Recommended Role | Atreus Support |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Talon Bow: Pairs naturally with Atreus Support thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Shattered Gauntlet
An optional talisman that allows customizable Runic-style attacks using Enchantment stones. The Gauntlet provides additional burst damage options. Found through specific side quests.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Runic Burst |
| Key Mechanic | upgrade system |
| Recommended Role | Balanced Build |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Shattered Gauntlet: Pairs naturally with Balanced Build thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Guardian Shield
Kratos' shield blocks most attacks and parries with precise timing. Parrying (block just before impact) staggers enemies and opens them for counter-attacks. The shield is essential on higher difficulties where enemies deal massive unblockable damage.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Rage Tank |
| Key Mechanic | exploration puzzles |
| Recommended Role | Rage Tank |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Guardian Shield: Pairs naturally with Rage Tank thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Midgard
- Blades of Chaos → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Talon Bow → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Leviathan Axe → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Weapons Tips
- Always upgrade your primary weapon before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your weapons to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Throw the Leviathan Axe at an enemy to freeze them, then switch to bare fists for stun damage. When the stun bar fills, press R3 for a devastating finisher that drops health. This is the most efficient combat loop.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More God of War Guides
- God of War God of War Overview
- God of War Best Builds
- God of War Tier List
- God of War Walkthrough
- God of War Beginner's Guide
- God of War Tips & Tricks
- God of War Combat Guide
- God of War Boss Guide
- God of War Maps & Locations
- God of War Crafting Guide
- God of War Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy God of War, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
