In this God of War Leviathan Axe Guide, we will guide you on Leviathan Axe in detail. The Leviathan Axe is Kratos’s primary weapon in God of War and he starts with it. Hence, you must know everything about this weapon such as how to upgrade it, which skills it comes with it, and how to access advanced skills.
Below we have detailed everything you need to know about the Leviathan Axe. That includes pommels, skills, runic attacks, and upgrades. We have also detailed how to upgrade the Leviathan Axe to increase its level using the rare resource Frozen Flames. With the help of this guide, you will be able to make your Leviathan Axe better in every aspect.
Leviathan Axe Guide – God of War
Leviathan Axe has ice as its element and with it, you can freeze some low-level enemies very easily. It is very effective against enemies who have fire as their main element. Although being immensely powerful, you can make it even more powerful by equipping pommels, enchantments, and buying skills from its skill tree.
Let us start with the basic upgrades of Leviathan Axe.
Upgrading Leviathan Axe in God of War
Leviathan Axe has five upgrade levels. Each level increases its strength and unlocks more skills for you to purchase from the skill tree. To upgrade the Leviathan Axe, you will need to find Frozen Flames, which is one of the rarest resources in the game. There are only specific places in the game where you can obtain it and most of them involve defeating powerful enemies.
- Upgrade I – This is the Leviathan Axe in its default state. It comes with 10 strength by default.
- Upgrade II – Once you have escaped the ruins and have met Brok, you can perform the first upgrade to the Leviathan Axe. This will increase its strength to 25.
- Upgrade III – While on the journey, you will come to Foothills where you will come face to face with a vicious Ogre. Defeat it and it will drop a Frozen Flame. This will increase the strength to 40.
- Upgrade IV – When you reach the chapter In the Heart of the Mountain, you will come across a huge troll by the name of Jarn Fotr. Defeat the troll and he will drop a Frozen Flame. This upgrade increases the strength to 55.
- Upgrade V – When you defeat Magni and Modi at Thamur’s Corpse, you will get another Frozen Flame. This will increase the Axe’s strength to 70.
- Upgrade VI – The last Frozen Flame is safely tucked inside a chest in Niflheim Realm. When you have access to Niflheim and reach the Center Chamber, purchase the chest with 5000 Mist Echoes and you will be able to upgrade your Leviathan Axe to its full strength of 85.
Runic Attacks for Leviathan Axe
Runic Attacks are special attacks, which are equipped with Leviathan Axe. They allow you to unleash deadly attacks while in battle. After an attack has been performed, you will be required to wait until it cools down before using it again. These Runic attacks can also be upgraded to increase their combat effectiveness. We have detailed all Runic Attacks below with their upgrades.
The Runic attacks are divided into two categories. We have Light Runic Attacks and Heavy Runic Attacks. You can equip a single Light Runic Attack and a single Heavy Runic Attack at any given time. We have detailed them below.
Light Runic Attacks
Below we have detailed all Light Runic Attacks for the Leviathan Axe along with their locations.
Njörd’s Tempest
A rapidly spinning melee attack that clears out surrounding enemies and deals significant damage. It is located in the Alfheim Legendary Chest. Level 2 upgrade increases the number of rotations by holding down R1 and adds a small whirlwind effect. Level 3 upgrade further increases the number of rotations by holding down R1. Also increases the size and strength of the whirlwind effect around Kratos.
Fury of the Ice Troll
It is located in Völunder Mines Legendary Chest. A quick radial shockwave attack slows enemies and sends them flying back. Level 2 upgrade enables holding R1 to charge up the attack, increasing its range. Level 3 upgrade greatly increases Frost damage and decreases charge time.
Týr’s Revenge
It is located in the Mountain Legendary Chest. A powerful spinning attack against a single target, with a follow-up attack that slams the enemy to the ground. Level 2 upgrade greatly increases the duration of the lingering spin attack. Level 3 upgrade further increases the duration of the lingering spin attack and causes a massive explosion on the follow-up slam.
Leviathan’s Wake
It is located in the Veithurgard Legendary Chest. A powerful axe throw that plows through any enemies in its path. Level 2 upgrade inflicts Frost damage to all enemies caught in the Leviathan’s path. Level 3 upgrade increases the Frost damage inflicted on enemies and increases the size of the explosion on impact with an enemy or surface.
Charge of the White Bear
It is located in the Foothills Legendary Chest. A quick, propulsive dash attack with a follow-up strike. Kratos is protected during the dash. Level 2 upgrade adds another attack. Press R2 or R1 to perform a shield slam follow-up Level 3 upgrade greatly increases the effects of the shield slam.
Wrath of the Frost Ancient
It is located in the Fafnir’s Storeroom Legendary Chest. A powerful ice beam that slows all enemies on contact. Level 2 upgrade increases the amount of Frost damage, as well as the length of the beam. Level 3 upgrade greatly increases the amount of Frost damage, as well as the duration of the beam.
Strike of the Utgard
It is located in the Alfheim Legendary Chest. A wide-arcing attack that inflicts a moderate amount of Frost damage. Level 2 upgrade allows holding R1 to charge up to 3 Frost damage waves. Level 3 upgrade greatly increases the amount of Frost damage per wave.
Hel’s Touch
It is located in the River Pass Legendary Chest. An extremely quick burst of energy that interrupts and knocks back all nearby enemies. Level 2 upgrade increases attack severity and inflicts Stun damage. Level 3 upgrade further increases Stun damage inflicted and grants the ability to quickly cancel the attack.
Heavy Runic Attacks
Below we have detailed all Heavy Runic Attacks for the Leviathan Axe along with their locations.
Thiazi’s Talon
It is located in the Alfheim Legendary Chest. A propulsive slice attack that launches a small, vertical wave that inflicts medium Frost damage. Level 2 upgrade allows holding R2 to charge up to 3 Frost damage waves. Level 3 upgrade greatly increases the Frost damage of all waves.
Ivaldi’s Anvil
It is located in the River Pass. Defeat Brenna Dauði to get it. A devastating area-of-effect attack that freezes all enemies caught in the blast radius. Level 2 upgrade unlocks an additional follow-up attack by Pressing R2 after the initial slam. Level 3 upgrade greatly increases the radius and Frost damage of the initial slam attack.
Mists of Helheim
It is located in the Iron Cove Legendary Chest. A lingering area-of-effect attack that creates a small hazard that inflicts Frost damage to all enemies inside. Level 2 upgrade increases the duration of the hazard. Level 3 upgrade further increases the duration and size of the hazard.
Frost Giant’s Frenzy
It is located in the Alfheim Light Elf Shore Legendary Chest. Consists of 3 powerful slam attacks that launch enemies and then send them flying. Level 2 upgrade increases the number of slam attacks by mashing R2. Level 3 upgrade greatly increases the number of slam attacks by mashing R2.
Breath of Thamur
Buy it in the Muspelheim Shop. A massive area-of-effect attack that deals damage to all enemies within an extremely large area. Level 2 upgrade increases damage inflicted by the area-of-effect attack. Level 3 upgrade adds a small amount of Frost damage on every hit.
Blessing of Frost
It is located in the Thamur’s Corpse Legendary Chest. Activate to temporarily power up the Leviathan Axe with small explosions of Frost damage on every hit and a slight bonus to Runic and normal attacks. Level 2 upgrade increases duration and bonus to Runic and normal attacks. Level 3 upgrade greatly increases duration and bonus to Runic and normal attacks.
The River of Knives
It is located in The Mountain Legendary Chest. A destructive attack sends out a line of ice shards that inflict Frost damage and launch enemies into the air upon contact. Level 2 upgrade greatly increases the range of the ice shards. Level 3 upgrade adds 2 additional lines of ice shards, greatly increasing the width of the attack.
Glaive Storm
It is located in Buri’s Storeroom Legendary Chest. Throw the Leviathan Axe towards any nearby targets, automatically seeking out, hitting, and inflicting Frost damage to any enemies caught in its path. Level 2 upgrade increases the number of enemies the axe will seek out. Level 3 upgrade further increases the number of enemies the axe will seek out while increasing the amount of Frost damage inflicted.
Skills
The Leviathan Axe comes with several different skills. They range from Ranged Combat Skills to Close Combat Skills. These skills are a vital part of combat and you must buy them to make combat easier for you. These skills will help you kill challenging enemies much easier and will allow you to perform certain actions during combat.
We have detailed both Ranged Combat Skills and Close Combat Skills below.
Close Combat Skills
In this section, we have detailed all the close combat skills that you can purchase from the Leviathan Axe skill tree.
Executioner’s Cleave
It costs 500 XP. Holding R2 unleashing a massive damage-dealing attack with splash damage. It takes time to charge it up and you may be hit while charging to plan it accordingly. You can also aim the attack while charging it up. It decreases charge time and has a cooldown time of 100.
Grinding Storm
It costs 500 XP. Holding R1 allows you to land a powerful attack on multiple enemies that locks them down as well. If you keep holding the button, the axe will come back and go in for another similar attack. Attacks stop when you release the button. Applies additional frost damage during this attack if your Runic is 125.
Pride of the Frost
It costs 500 XP. Once a light attack combo finishes, press R1, R1, R1, R2 to perform a heavy finisher attack. Adds an explosion of frost damage on impact if your Runic is 200.
Permafrost
It costs 1000 XP. Hit enemies in a chain to build up the frost meter to keep adding frost damage to your attacks. Being hit resets the progress and you must start building it up again.
Glacial Permafrost
It costs 2000 XP. Increases the amount of permafrost earned per hit.
Frost Rush
It costs 1000 XP. During a sprint, pressing R1 will allow you to perform a leaping attack. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if you have 125 Vitality.
Leviathan’s Fury
It costs 1500XP. During a spring, pressing R2 will allow you to perform a massive leaping attack. Adds an explosion of frost damage on impact if you have 175 Runic.
It costs 1000 XP. During an evade, you can press R1 and hold the left stick forward to land a quick axe attack. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 75.
Evasive Storm
It costs 2000 XP. During an evade, you can press R1 and hold the left stick backward to land a boomerang throw. Applies additional frost damage during this attack if your Runic is 125.
Whirlwind Sweep
It costs 3000 XP. This allows you to switch attack stances. In the new attack stance, pressing R1 will allow you to perform a sweeping attack. During the delay stance, pressing R1 will allow you to swing the axe around yourself dealing damage to anyone around you. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Double Whirlwind
It costs 1000 XP. This is an extension of the above skill and buying it adds another attack to the above-mentioned R1 attack in the switched stance. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Raging Whirlwind
It costs 2000 XP. Adds a third attack to the above-mentioned R1 attack in the switched stance. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Whirlwind Throw
It costs 1500 XP. Allows you to perform a ranged attack by pressing R2 during the switched stance. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Whirlwind Fury
It costs 3000 XP. In the switched stance, double-tap R2 to perform another ranged attack. This is the whirlwind Toss but twice now. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Ranged Combat Skills
In this section, we have detailed all the ranged combat skills that you can purchase from the Leviathan Axe skill tree.
Freezing Throw
It costs 0 XP as you start with this skill. Press R2 for a powerful attack that sometimes freezes smaller enemies and deals massive damage to anyone who comes in the range of this attack. Can be used to pin grunts to walls and earn extra XP. This counts towards the completion of a labor.
Freezing Burst
It costs 1000 XP. Hold R2 to charge up the Leviathan Axe and land an explosive attack that deals additional frost damage. Can be aimed at will even while charging. Grants a Shorter Charge Time and has a cooldown time of 100.
Precision Throw Combo
It costs 1000 XP. Once a headshot or weak spot hit is landed, pressing the triangle while the flash will cause the axe to come back and turn the next attack into an explosive one, which deals frost damage as well. It unlocks an axe throw finisher after 2 consecutive precision throws and has a cooldown time of 125 seconds.
Precision Frost Burst
It costs 2000 XP. Precision Throw Combo gets a nice explosion on impact.
Returning Whirlwind
It costs 1000 XP. Press R1 to call back the axe and land an insanely powerful spinning attack. Axe will hit enemies on its way back if they come in its way. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Returning Storm
It costs 2000 XP. Pressing R2 will call back the axe and let it unleash a powerful slam attack. This attack knocks back enemies as well giving you some space. This will add an explosion of Frost damage on impact if your Runic is 250.
Hunter-Killer I
It costs 1500 XP. Holding R1 allows you to target three enemies or three spots on a single enemy to attack. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Hunter Killer II
It costs 1500 XP. This is the second stage upgrade of the previous skill. It increases the target numbers to 5. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Hunter Killer III
It costs 3000 XP. This is the second stage upgrade of the previous skill. It increases the target numbers to 8. This attack has increased resistance to interruption if your Vitality is 200.
Leviathan Axe Pommels
Axe Pommels are equipped on the Leviathan Axe for bonuses and stat boosts. They also play an important role in increasing the combat effectiveness of the Leviathan Axe. You will find different pommels on your journey and equip them according to your needs. We have detailed all Axe Pommels below categorized based on their rarity.
Common Axe Pommels
This section lists all the common axe pommels for the Leviathan Axe.
Wooden Grip
You start with this pommel so this is the default pommel for the Leviathan Axe. It cannot be sold.
Curved Recovery Handle
You can buy it from the shop. Comes with Marksman’s Cooldown, which has a High Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Cooldown on any successful precision throw.
Curved Grip of Fury
You can buy it from the shop. Comes with Marksman’s Rage Burst, which has a Low Perk activation chance to grant a Rage Burst on any successful precision throw.
Curved War Handle
You can buy it from the shop. Comes with Marksman’s Strength, which has a High Perk activation chance to grant a Gift of Strength on any successful precision throw.
Curved Runic Handle
You can buy it from the shop. Marksman’s Runic has a Low Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Runic on any successful precision throw.
Weighted Recovery Handle
You can buy it from the shop. Comes with Executioner’s Cooldown, which has a High Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Cooldown on any successful Executioner’s Cleave.
Weighted Runic Handle
You can buy it from the shop. Comes with Executioner’s Runic, which has a High Perk activation chance to grant a Blessing of Runic on any successful Executioner’s Cleave.
Weighted War Handle
You can buy it from the shop. Executioner’s Strength, which has a High Perk activation chance to grant a Gift of Strength on any successful Executioner’s Cleave.
Versatile Warrior’s Handle
This axe pommel is unlocked from completing favor ‘Unfinished Business’. Comes with Adept Warrior, which increases Strength, Defense, and Luck. Upgrade to increase additional Stats.
Rare Axe Pommels
This section lists all the rare axe pommels for the Leviathan Axe.
Grip of Völunder
Complete the “Second Hand Soul’ favor to unlock it. Comes with Warrior’s Protective Barrier, which has a very low Perk activation chance to grant Protective Barrier, preventing damage from enemy attacks, on any successful axe hit.
Ymir’s Breath
It is located in the Isle of Death Legendary Chest. Comes with Ymir’s Vengeance, which has a Low Perk activation chance to create a Frost explosion on any successful axe hit.
Deadly Grip of Fury
It is located in the Stone Falls Legendary Chest. Comes with Slayer’s Rage Burst due to which successful axe kills grant a Rage Burst.
Light Grip of Protection
You can buy this axe pommel from the shop. Comes with a Rising Protective Barrier, which has a High Perk activation chance to grant a Protective Barrier, preventing damage from enemy attacks, after launching an enemy into the air.
Light War Handle
You can buy it from the shop. Comes with Rising Strength, which has a High Perk activation chance to grant a Gift of Strength after launching an enemy into the air.
Legendary Axe Pommels
This section lists all the legendary axe pommels for the Leviathan Axe.
Surtr’s Grip of Flame
You can buy this axe pommel from the shop. Comes with Wrath of Flame, which has a Low Perk activation chance to grant Wrath of Flame on any successful hit. Wrath of Flame greatly increases Strength, restores a small amount of Health, and fires a wave of energy on normal attacks.
Grip of Tanngiost
Complete the ‘Hammer Fall’ favor in Veithurgard to unlock it. Comes with Fist of Thor, which has a Low Perk activation chance to strike with an explosion of lightning that inflicts Shock damage to all nearby enemies on any successful axe hit.
Hræzla Farmaðr’s Grip
Complete ‘Family Business’ favor to unlock it. Comes with Warrior’s Health Burst, which has a Low Perk activation chance to grant a Health Burst on any successful axe hit.
Forbidden Grip of the Ages
Close the ‘Secret Caldera’ Realm Tear to unlock it. Comes with Word of Ages, which is an ancient relic that increases all of Kratos’ Stats. Adds a concussive wave to the end of the R1 combo.
Grip of the Maze
You can buy this axe pommel from the shop. Comes with Cleansing Light, which has a very High Perk activation chance to restore some protection against the Cursed Mist of Niflheim on any successful kill. Passively grants resistance to the Cursed Mist.
Epic Axe Pommels
This section lists all the epic axe pommels for the Leviathan Axe.
Mistbourne
Close the Niflheim Realm Tear to get it. It requires 20,000 Mist Echoes and Soul Devourer. Comes with Healing Mist, which has a Low Perk activation chance to grant Healing Mist on any successful hit. Healing Mist regenerates health and increases Runic.
Blightbringer
Open the Niflheim Center Chamber Legendary Chest to find it. You will need 7,500 Mist Echoes. Comes with Curse of the Mist, which has a Low Perk activation chance to strike with an explosive curse that inflicts Weakness to enemies on any successful hit.
Valkyrie’s Might
Defeat the Valkyrie Eir to get it. Comes with Strike of the Valkyrie, which has a Moderate Perk activation chance on any successful Executioner’s Cleave to grant Strike of the Valkyrie, causing a massive explosion on the next attack. Low Perk activation chance to cause an explosion on any successful hit.
Wing of the Fallen
Defeat the Valkyrie Hildr to get it. Comes with the Power of the Valkyrie, which has a Moderate Perk activation chance on any successful kill to grant the Power of the Valkyrie, increasing the Runic and Strength. (Stacks up to 3 times max.)
Retribution
Defeat Sigrun, the Queen Valkyrie to get this epic pommel.
Additional God of War Guides are linked below:
- Guardian Shield Guide
- Muspelheim Guide
- Niflheim Guide
- Collectibles Guides
- Lookout Tower Collectible Locations Guide
- Wildwoods Collectible Locations Guide
- The Mountain Collectible Locations Guide
- Volunder Mines Collectible Locations Guide
- The River Pass Collectible Locations Guide
- Cliffs of the Raven Collectible Locations Guide
- Northri Stronghold Collectible Locations Guide
- Iron Cove Collectible Locations Guide
- Isle of Death Collectible Locations Guide
- Landsuther Mines Collectible Locations Guide
- Jotnar Shrines Guide
- Elf Outpost Collectible Locations Guide
- Forgotten Caverns Collectible Locations Guide
- Tyr’s Temple Collectible Locations Guide
- Helheim Collectible Locations Guide
- Konunsgard Collectible Locations Guide
- Veithurgard Collectible Locations Guide
- Council of Valkyries Collectible Locations Guide
- Stone Falls Collectible Locations Guide
- Buri’s Storeroom Collectible Locations Guide
- Shores of Nine Collectible Locations Guide
- Thamur’s Corpse Collectible Locations Guide
- Alfheim Collectible Locations Guide
- Fafnir’s Storeroom Collectible Locations Guide
- Foothills Collectible Locations Guide
This concludes our God of War Leviathan Axe Guide. If you want to add anything to this guide, feel free to use the comments section below.
