There’s a lot of versatility in the combat ofGod of War: Ragnarok. Players will not only be able to create swift and destructive combos with the Blades of Chaos and Leviathan Axe, but they will have access to light and heavy runic attacks, which allow for a further variety of combat inGod of War: Ragnarok.
Light and heavy runic attacks each have a cooldown when used, and can be done by holdingL1 + R1/L1 + R2respectively. These attacks can deal massive amounts of physical damage or elemental damage to groups of enemies or single targets, and some best Leviathan Axe runic attacks inGod of War: Ragnarokhave the power tomake Kratos feel unstoppable.
This list ranks all Leviathan Axe Runic Attacks with Light Attacks first, then Heavy Attacks.
Updated on June 10, 2025,by Jake Fillery: Ragnarok has come to the Nine Realms, and as Kratos tries to defend himself and his son from the terrors of the Norse Gods, he must rely on his wit and his Leviathan Axe. The Leviathan Axe in God of War Ragnarok is an iconic weapon, but it can be further enhanced thanks to all Runic Attacks that provide devastating blows and frost to unsavory enemies. Listed below are the effects, stats, and where to find every Leviathan Axe Runic Attack in God of War Ragnarok.
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7,250 Kratos XP
Kratos will show just how good and true his throwing arm is with this light runic attack. Kratos unleashes the Leviathan Axe in a tracking throw, which will ricochet between targets that are marked by pressing R1 repeatedly. Feeling the axe connect on each swing isutterly satisfying, but not the most necessary attack move in Kratos' arsenal.
For 7,250 XP, players can fully upgrade Skadi’s Edge, with 4 points in Damage, 3 in Frost, and 1 in Stun. The ability is fairly decent, but the Leviathan Axe will be swinging at enemies withoutKratos to wield it for more damage.
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8,000 Kratos XP
Players that seek a heavy damage output will love Winter’s Bite, a light runic attack that forms a cluster of ice around the Leviathan Axe, forKratos to strikeupwards at his enemies with an incredible and unstoppable force. This throws enemies backward, with heavy damage and Frost.
Winter’s Bite ends out with 3 points in Damage and Frost for 7,250 XP, which is fairly decent until players account for the charge-up time for the attack that might have a rogue enemy swinging from the side at them.
Although Hel’s Touch does not do a lot of damage for a light runic attack, its power in Stun is incredibly useful. InGod of War: Ragnarok, players will notice a white meter bar that fills with every melee strike or arrow hit. This bar is a Stun meter, which allows Kratos to hold R3 for a devastating and brutal finishing move, or Stun grab.
Hel’s Touch can be upgraded for the maximum 5 points in Stun and consists of an extremely quick burst of energy that will interrupt and knock back all nearby enemies for 6,750 XP. It’s greatly efficient for the Stun build-up, as are some ofAtreus' bow abilities.
6,750 Kratos XP
This light runic attack can berather troublesome, as it creates a powerful ice beam that deals damage and frost elemental status effect to enemies that are hit with the beam. The duration of the beam can be extended by holding R1, but problems lie from within the Light Runic Attack, due to the fact that it only focuses on one target, leaving Kratos vulnerable to other attacks.
Despite a full damage bar in the stats, players can still be hit by enemies that are not caught in the beam or those that cannot be stunned by its powerful blast. However, using this effectively in a one-on-one situation, the opponent will have their health chipped away, and they will be unable to counter its effects.
Sometimes, there’s a cluster of enemies or just a boss that players want to chip away at. With Njord’s Tempest, that enemy will quickly become cut-up meat. This light runic attack consists of Kratos spinning the Leviathan Axe with a rapid pace and precision, as he clears out the surrounding enemies with a significant increase in damage.
During this attack, enemies are stun-locked, including bosses. It can be upgraded to level 3 for 4 points in Frost and 3 points in Damage, a great light runic attack for the fact it deals high Damage and Frost, while also keeping enemies stunned from attacking during the animation.
9,000 Kratos XP
Kratos unleashes a mighty wave of Frost that will ripple across the battlefield with Fog of Fimbulwinter. This heavy runic attack creates a massive ice wave, and anything caught in its path will be caught with Frost damage, and likely cause them to have the freeze elemental effect.
For 9,000 XP, this attack can be upgraded to have 5 points in Frost and 3 in Damage, making it an effective ability to freeze enemies that just won’t stop moving. It’s a whopping cooldown of 222 seconds, and the fact it only goes forward means it’s a vulnerable but powerful heavy runic attack. It’s certainly not the best runic attack in Kratos' weapons, due to its limited damage capabilities, and the limited effectiveness of Frost.
This staggering area-of-effect heavy runic attack has Kratos swing the Leviathan Axe and leap into the air to slam it into the ground. The Leviathan Axe creates a Frost status that will damage those within the vicinity of its blast. It’s fairly effective, as it will momentarily stun enemies in the path, and deal decent damage.
At level 3, Ivaldi’s Anvil deals 4 points in Damage, 3 in Frost, and 2 in Stun. It makes for a fairly average heavy runic attack, as the stats are decently spread out for 8,000 XP, but there’s also much more to be desired with this attack.
Helheim is ascary realm inGod of War: Ragnarokand the Mists of Helheim prove just that. Kratos will thrust his Leviathan Axe into the ground with a hurdling war cry, and leave a lingering area-of-effect that has a freezing mist swarm the battlefield, causing Frost status to those caught inside the cold.
For 9,000 XP, this attack can deal a maximum of 5 points in Frost, 2 in Damage, and 1 in Stun. The benefit of this attack is the Frost, as it will keep multiple enemies at bay so Kratos can target them one at a time.
10,500 Kratos XP
The Leviathan Axe truly comes into play with this powerful heavy runic attack. Leviathan’s Roar will see Kratos throw the Axe with all his might, and it returns to him with a devastating impact of Frost damage to the surrounding area. The damage is fairly consistent, and it can be useful to those who enjoy a bit of ranged combat from time to time.
During this attack, Kratos is fully protected while shielding. At its max level, players will have 3 points in Damage, and an entirely brilliant 5 points in Stun, meaning in no time, enemies will be executed by Kratos' Spartan fury.
12,500 Kratos XP
Kratos will hold the handle of his Leviathan Axe with a great power unleashed onto the battlefield. This massive area-of-effect attack has a storm surrounding Kratos, and everyone on the battlefield is caught within, causing Frost and Damage to all. Slowly but surely, chunks of health and Frost will take over enemies, all while Kratos remains invulnerable to every attack.
It’s a great move to let Kratos breathe, as no one can attack due to this move taking over the entire battlefield. It can be upgraded to level 3 with 5 points in Damage and 3 in Frost. The only downside is its intense 288-second cooldown, which means it can be used once per fight. What makes this the Breath of Thamur the best heavy runic attack comes from the fact that players have a window of invulnerability, as Kratos will stand there with a dangerous storm swarming the area, damaging everything and causing Frost to all. It can be used to wipe out swarms, and greatly damage boss fights, all whilst Kratos has time to catch his breath.
