With God of War (2018), Santa Monica decided to drastically revamp the series. The fixed camera was ditched in favor of a first-person, over-the-shoulder perspective that gives players a front-row seat to all the action. Kratos, who is usually a gruff and solitary antihero, is joined by his son Atreus as they travel to the highest point of the Nine Realms to scatter the ashes of Atreus’ mother. Following the success of God of War (2018) many gamers are looking forward to the sequel, God of War Ragnarok, which is scheduled to release in 2022.
Santa Monica has been very secretive about the upcoming game, but it has been kind enough to drop a few details to keep the hype up. The main villains have been revealed, along with an explanation of the significance of Ragnarok. Little has been revealed about the weapons of God of War Ragnarok, but when discussing the Leviathan Ax of God of War (2018), developer Beau Anthony Jimenez tweeted that he cannot wait for players to react with similar excitement when they see what the studio has been cooking up with God of War Ragnarok. This has caused gamers to speculate about what new weapon Kratos could wield, and there are a few options in Norse mythology.
What Do God of War Ragnarok Fans Know So Far?
Information regarding the range of weapons in God of War Ragnarok is sparse. The trailer shown at 2021's PlayStation Showcase revealed that Kratos' Leviathan Ax will be making a comeback. This weapon was originally introduced in God of War (2018), and it caught the gaming world's attention through the unique way it is used. Kratos can fling the ax, then call it back, allowing it to damage multiple enemies when it is traveling to and fro. The trailer also revealed that Kratos' Blades of Chaos will also be returning. This weapon has been in the series since the first game - God of War (2005) - and it will be familiar to any God of War fan.
Jimenez's tweet is in response to a streamer on Twitter commenting on how good the Leviathan Ax feels and pointing out how hard the developers at Santa Monica must have worked to perfect it. His response suggests that God of War Ragnarok will also feature a new weapon that has a mechanic similar to the Leviathan Ax. Given the Nordic mythology themes in the game, it is useful to turn there to see what new weapon Kratos may gain.
Gungnir Is a Good Fit For Kratos
According to the Poetic Edda, Gungnir, also known as the Swaying One, is a special spear that is wielded by Odin. When Odin throws the spear over the heads of the assembly of the Vanir gods, he triggers the start of the Aesir-Vanir War, which ends with the unification of the Aesir and the Vanir into a single pantheon. The Prose Edda prophesies that during Ragnarok, which is a mythological apocalyptic event, Odin will march forth with Gungnir in hand, and he will use it to attack the wolf Fenrir.
Although Odin does not make an appearance in God of War (2018), he is mentioned a few times, and it is never in a good light. It is Odin who imprisoned and tortured Mimir, and Kratos destroys Odin's ravens wherever he finds them. God of War Ragnarok could see Odin finally making an appearance, and an epic battle between him and Kratos could result in Kratos acquiring Gungnir. A spear also matches Jimenez's tweet, as Kratos could throw the spear and recall it much like the Leviathan Ax.
Laevateinn Is a Daring But Appropriate Choice
One of the most unique weapons in Norse mythology is Laevateinn. It is forged by Loki, and it is needed to defeat the Vidopnir, a rooster that sits atop the World Tree, also known as Yggdrasil. Although it is debated by scholars, many agree that Laevateinn is a type of wand. Some have even argued that it is forged from the mistletoe that was used to kill Baldur.
Having Kratos wield a wand would be a novel experience, though it would fit in with his character development arc. In the past, Kratos was a man who relied on his muscles to solve all his problems, but experience has shown him that rage is not always the answer and that sometimes reason and even-headedness are better solutions. Equipping Kratos with a weapon that relies on the mind rather than on the body would demonstrate that Kratos is a man who has truly matured. The weapon could also tie in with Jimenez's tweet should it allow players to manipulate enemies from a distance.
Canonically, the inclusion of Laevateinn makes sense, as the Yggdrasil makes an appearance in God of War (2018). The sequel could have Kratos and Atreus discovering more about the tree and maybe even facing Vidopnir, which would require them to use the new weapon. Defeating Vidopnir could be a means of unlocking more regions of the Nine Realms.
Kratos Might Get a Nordic Sword
Norse mythology is teeming with swords, and each of them carries its own legend. Having Kratos wield a mighty sword would certainly make him look cooler than he already does, but only a handful of swords are truly a good fit for him. Perhaps the most obvious pick is Freyr's sword. In Norse mythology, Freyr is the god of fair weather and sunshine, and he is also the brother of the goddess Freya. To marry Geror, Freyr gives away his sword, but that leaves him defenseless against Surtr when Ragnarok comes.
Freyr's sword is fitting for Kratos, as Kratos already has a connection to Freyr's family. Kratos and Atreus meet Freya in God of War (2018), although they part on bad terms after Kratos kills Freya's son Baldur. Kratos acquiring Freyr's sword could represent further entanglement with her family, giving Freya even more reason to seek revenge.
Lastly, Kratos could acquire the Hofud, which is a sword that belongs to Heimdallr, a god who keeps a watch for Ragnarok. According to Norse mythology, he has excellent sight and hearing, as well as prescience. It is no secret that Ragnarok will play a big role in the next God of War game, so Kratos may cross paths with Heimdallr. If he is a friend, he might gift Kratos the sword, and if he is a foe, Kratos may acquire the sword after a heated battle.
After several delays, God of War Ragnarok is finally closing in on its release. There are many questions surrounding the game, and plenty of gamers are desperate to see how Atreus will cope with the knowledge that he is a god or how Kratos will deal with Freya seeking revenge. Should Kratos receive a new weapon, there are plenty of options in Norse mythology to ensure that gamers are as blown away as they were the first time they used the Leviathan Ax.
God of War Ragnarok is scheduled to release in 2022.
