Leviathan Axe

What is the Leviathan Axe?

Brok and Sindri forged the axe for Laufey, who passed it to Kratos. Its ice magic supports melee and ranged combat, and it can be recalled after being thrown. The axe also has a customizable pommel and one light and one heavy Runic Attack slot.

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Controls, throws and recall

On default PlayStation controls, tap R1 for a quick axe strike and R2 for a heavier one. Hold L2 to aim, then press R2 to throw. A thrown axe can pin a smaller enemy briefly. While it is away, fight bare-handed or turn to another threat; press △ to recall it, damaging enemies along its return path. Square calls Atreus to fire at a targeted enemy.

A practical rhythm is to throw at a distant or dangerous foe, use fists and shield while the axe is away, then recall when its path can catch enemies. R1 and R2 attacks can be chained, including against an enemy launched into the air.

• Spartan Rage: press L3 and R3 together.
• Bare-handed attacks can stagger foes while the axe is away.

Sources: [10]

Weapon upgrades and Strength by level

Axe level tracks weapon upgrades and the listed Strength value. Levels 2 through 6 each require one Frozen Flame. Level also gates access to more skills; these material costs are separate from skill XP costs.

Sources: [1]

How to get the final Frozen Flame

The final upgrade route exchanges a Chilling Mist of Niflheim for a Frozen Flame at a shop. First unlock Niflheim by finding four Niflheim Language Ciphers in purple chests. Speak with Sindri there to receive the “Ivaldi’s Workshop” favor, then complete it to open the central chamber.

Gather 5,000 Mist Echoes in the labyrinth from chests or by selling resources to Sindri. Return alive to the shop to keep the Echoes. Open the 5,000-Echo chest on the left side of the central chamber to get the Chilling Mist. At a shop, choose Buy, then Resources, then Frozen Flame to exchange it; use the material to upgrade the axe.

Sources: [8]

Skills available at each axe level

Weapon level unlocks access to these named axe skills; skill purchases themselves use XP, and no purchase costs are listed here. For a ranged approach, Freezing Throw is available at level 1, followed by the charged burst and precision follow-up at level 2. For close combat, early options include a heavy cleave, a multi-hit lock-down attack, and a light-combo finisher. Practical priorities depend on what you need: control at range, combo damage, or mobility.

Sources: [4]

Freezing Burst: cost, effect and bonus

At axe level 2, Freezing Burst costs 1,000 XP. While aiming, hold R2 to charge the axe; its impact creates an explosion that deals Frost damage. The 100 Cooldown bonus shortens the charge time.

Its burst can catch enemies packed near the impact. As practical advice, charge it when foes cluster and you have time to aim; against one target, consider a move with a more disruptive effect.

Sources: [2]

Precision Throw Combo: cost and timing

At axe level 2, Precision Throw Combo costs 1,000 XP. Land a precision throw on a weak point or head, then press △ during the flash to recall the axe. The next throw or melee hit explodes on contact and deals Frost damage. At 125 Cooldown, its bonus unlocks a throw finisher after two consecutive precision throws.

This creates a ranged-to-melee setup. As practical advice, watch for the flash after a precise hit and spend the empowered follow-up on an enemy whose attack you want to interrupt.

Sources: [3]

Runic attack reference

These are maximum-upgrade Damage, Frost, and Stun ratings out of five. Compare the attack’s shape and effect profile alongside its ratings: an area attack fills a different role from an aimed attack. The numbers are rating bars, not raw damage or a measured DPS ranking.

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Hel’s Touch: upgrades and use

Hel’s Touch is a light Runic Attack. It releases a fast area burst that interrupts and knocks back nearby enemies. At level 1 its ratings are Damage 1, Frost 0, Stun 0. Level 2 costs 1,000 XP, raises Stun to 2, and increases attack severity. Level 3 costs 4,000 XP; ratings become Damage 2, Frost 0, Stun 3, with further Stun and the ability to cancel the attack quickly.

Use it when nearby enemies are closing in and you need space to respond. Its interruption can help when an opponent’s pressure makes it difficult to begin an attack.

Sources: [5]

Charge of the White Bear: upgrades and use

Charge of the White Bear is a light Runic Attack: Kratos dashes forward into a follow-up strike and is protected during the dash. Level 1 ratings are Damage 1, Frost 1, Stun 1. Level 2 costs 1,000 XP and raises the ratings to 1, 2, 2; pressing R1 or R2 performs a shield slam. Level 3 costs 4,000 XP, with ratings of 2, 2, 2 and a stronger shield slam.

Use the dash when closing distance helps. As practical advice, ensure the target is within reach for the follow-up; the attack is described as a dash and strike, not continuing damage over time.

Sources: [6]

Skill XP, runic upgrades and pommels

Spend XP to learn combat skills or upgrade equipped Runic Attacks. These are separate purchases using the same currency. Weapon upgrades use materials to raise the axe’s level, opening more of its skill tree. Decide whether your next XP purchase should add a move you will use or improve a Runic Attack already in your loadout.

Only one axe pommel can be equipped at a time. Pommels add stats and can grant perks that trigger randomly or after a combat action. For example, Deadly Grip of Fury grants a Rage Burst after a successful axe kill. As practical advice, choose a perk whose trigger fits how you fight, then compare its stat bonuses.

Sources: [11]

Practical combat decisions

Keep the camera on as many enemies as possible because melee attacks direct foes toward the camera’s facing. Sidestepping between attacks can preserve the light-combo sequence; rolling resets it. If it is safe, maintain the sequence to reach its final hit.

The heavy throw provides crowd control. Leave the axe lodged while repositioning or fighting bare-handed instead of recalling immediately. Precise throws can trip foes, and knocking enemies into walls leaves them vulnerable to increased Stun. Bare-handed attacks build more Rage and Stun; strikes from behind increase Stun further.

• On Give Me God of War, use Atreus’s arrows or an axe throw to interrupt an enemy trying to turn Elite. Frost-afflicted enemies cannot turn Elite.
• Against a crowd, practical advice is to keep foes in view and create space with throws before committing to a longer combo.
• FAQ: Does rolling preserve a light combo? No. Use a sidestep when you want to continue the sequence.

Sources: [9]