God of War wouldn't work if it didn't have masterful combat woven in the fabric of the game. Thankfully, that's not a problem. The PS4 exclusive is filled to the brim with conflict, and Kratos moves between armed and unarmed combat with the surety of a born k♊iller. Fights are a fluid dance of attacking and defending.
And don't forget about Atreus. That adventurous boy 🐲is not going to get in your way. Rather, he'll follow commands and disrupt the flow of enemies' attacks. The combat is satisfying, and the powerful Kratos is a pleasure to control. Here are some of our favorites attacks in the game.
10 𓃲 Spartan Rage ﷺ
We had to 💎include this on our list. In th𝓡e departure from the Greek pantheon, Kratos now has a new arsenal of attacks with which to destroy any who stand in his path, but the nod to his past Spartan rampage is appreciated.
Not to mention it's fun as hell to charge at unprepared creatures, big and small, with a flur✃ry of fists and unstoppable anger. Hammering opponents and rending limbs from bodies are simple moves when that Rage meter fills up. When Kratos goes super𒈔nova, we advise you get out of his way.
9 Wrath of🅺 the Wolཧf
One of the Runic Summons that Atreus can command when using his Talon Bow, Wrath of the Wolf is a strong attack that sends spectral wolves pouncing on enemies around you. W💯hen the summon is fully upgraded, five wolves strike simultaneously, and the sudden attack is excellent for disrupting your attackers and letting you focus on your next move.
It works as crowd control, but the spectral wolves are als🎶o heavy hitters. Atreus is good with his bow, but considering when to use a Runic Summon is just as important for an effective strategꦅy.
8 🌊 Bitter Squirrel
Ratatöskr is a mouthful, but the little squirrel is immensely helpful. God of War does not provide much in the way of 🦄health during a fight. So, you must be very careful with your approach as reckless advances leave you weak and disadvantaged during combat.
The squirrel will dive down into the✅ earth and dig up consumables. Useful in a pinch. Depending o🔴n the type of arrows that Atreus has equipped, Ratatöskr will unearth either Healthstones or Ragestones. If you need to recover some HP or build your rage, Bitter Squirrel is handy.
7 ꧂ Countering Blast
Defensive maneuvers are not natural to Kratos in the early God of War g💙ames, but it is an essential part of well-rounded, methodical combat. The Guardian Shield can be a strong element in your strategy because it provides the chance to not only stop incoming attacks, but also to redirect that energy back toward your𓆉 enemies.
Countering Bl﷽ast does that by sending projectiles streaming toward the point of origin. Absorb the hit at the last second, and you can shoot it right back—a very good trick for dealing with r🐠anged attackers.
6 Countering Strike 🐭
One of the first skills that you can purchase will be one of the parries t🗹hat you'll use throughout the game. Countering Strike functions as Countering Blast does, but it's designed for melee attacks up close.
When a creaꦜture presses close and lunges at you, block it right before the blow lands. You'll sweep away the attack and use that momentum to deliver a crushing strike at your opponents. That fo𒈔rce will knock them back and allows Kratos to initiate offensive action. It's your bread and butter.
5 Charge ofꦏ the White Bear
✤At times, you will be overwhelmed by enemies. A swarm of creatures will descend upon you and all of the parries and dodges in the world will not save you from getting hit, so you should reposition. Kratos is not invincible, and you shouldn't hold your ground no matter the consequences.
Charge of the White Bear will give you the out you need. The dash and follow up strike takes you away from the oncoming horde. If you single out a target lurking in th🐷e background, the strike will also give you the chance to put pressure on the enem🏅ies. You're not running away. You're just moving around the ring.
4 🌠 Breath of Thamur 🌳
Every God ꦏof War should hav♏e a terrifying area-of-effect attack, and Breath of Thamur is one of the strongest frost attacks that Kratos can use. The animation is also a pleasure to watch, so that certainly helps.
The bearded Spartan raises his Leviathan Axe above his hand and swirling frost damage batters any creature unfortꦅunate enough to be standing in the affected zone. For the trials on Muspelheim or any other instance where you need to clear a large area, call upon the Breath of Thamur and you won't be disappointed.
3 Hyperion Slam 🌠 ꧑
It's a sight for sore eyes whenever the Blades of Chaos make a return in God of War. Make no mistake, the Leviathan Axe is one of the coolest weapons in rece𝔍nt video game memory, but the nostalgic appearance of the vaunted chain swords warms the heart.
One of the best Heavy Runic Attacks for the Blades of Chaos is the Hyperion Slam. The move features Kratos whipping down both blades onto an enemy while a geyser of molten lava burns them. It doesn't get old to ꦺwatch smaller creatures flung into the air as they incinerate.
2 Fire of A🌄r💟es
Frost damage and burn damage are important aspects of combat that should be considered in every fight. Different creatures are susceptible to eleme𒆙ntal effects, and burn damage can assist in finishing off enemies with lingering damage.
Fire of Ares is a wave-based Heavy Runic Attack for the Blades of Chaos, and the upgraded version of the move is a beast. Five shockwaves rippl♏e out and burn anything in its path. Switching between your Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos can allow you to chain runic attacks, and Fire of Ares will definitely surprise advancing foes.
1 Axe Throw
How could this not be the top of the list? If yo🐼u thought Mjolniꦚr was the only badass weapon of the gods that thrums with power and flies back to its owner's hand, then you're wrong!
God of War is not the same without the thrilling power of sending a destructive axe soaring through the air to penetrate the skull or sweep the legs of any threat around you. The feel of th🌌e metal grip slamming back into youඣr hands after a hefty toss is unforgettable. It's one of the best mechanics in a combat game. Period. If you mess with Kratos, you mess with the Leviathan.