The Leviathan Axe stands as one of Fortnite’s most coveted harvesting tools, bringing the iconic weapon from God of War into the battle royale universe. But just how rare is this legendary pickaxe? Whether you’re a collector hunting for the rarest cosmetics or simply a God of War fan wondering if you’ve missed your chance, this comprehensive guide will explore everything about the Leviathan Axe’s rarity, history, and potential future availability in Fortnite.
The Leviathan Axe: Origin and Introduction to Fortnite
The Leviathan Axe first appeared in Fortnite as part of the Gaming Legends Series during Chapter 2, Season 5. This collaboration between Epic Games and Sony brought Kratos, the protagonist of God of War, into the Fortnite universe along with his signature weapon.
The God of War Connection
The Leviathan Axe isn’t just any cosmetic item—it’s a faithful recreation of Kratos’ weapon from the 2018 God of War reboot. In its original game, this frost-imbued axe was crafted by the dwarven brothers Brok and Sindri, which is referenced in its Fortnite description: “Forged by Brok and Sindri.”
Release Timeline and Initial Availability
First released on December 4, 2020, the Leviathan Axe was originally purchasable either individually for 1,000 V-Bucks or as part of the Kratos Bundle for 2,200 V-Bucks. This bundle included:
- Kratos (Outfit)
- Leviathan Axe (Harvesting Tool)
- Guardian Shield (Glider)
- Mimir (Back Bling)
- Freezing Burst (Emote)
During its initial release period, the Leviathan Axe appeared in the Item Shop multiple times, making it relatively accessible to players who were active during that timeframe.
Current Rarity Status: The Numbers Don’t Lie
To truly understand how rare the Leviathan Axe is in Fortnite, we need to look at its appearance history and availability metrics.
Days Since Last Appearance
As of May 2025, the Leviathan Axe has not been available in the Fortnite Item Shop for over 1,500 days. Its last appearance was on March 19, 2021, meaning it’s been absent from the shop for over four years.
Appearance Frequency
During its active period in the shop rotation, the Leviathan Axe appeared a total of 33 times across 32 different days. This makes it one of the most limited Gaming Legends Series items in terms of shop availability.
Comparative Rarity Table
To put the Leviathan Axe’s rarity in perspective, here’s how it compares to other notable rare pickaxes in Fortnite:
| Pickaxe | Days Since Last Appearance | Total Appearances | Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leviathan Axe | 1,500+ | 33 | Gaming Legends |
| Raiders Revenge | 2,000+ | 1 | Regular Shop Item |
| Stellar Axe | 900+ | 8 | Icon Series |
| Gravity Hammer | 400+ | 12 | Gaming Legends |
| Mjolnir | 900+ | 14 | Marvel Series |
As the table shows, the Leviathan Axe’s extended absence places it among the rarest pickaxes currently in Fortnite, especially within the Gaming Legends Series category.
What Makes the Leviathan Axe Special?
Beyond its rarity, the Leviathan Axe stands out for several unique features that have contributed to its legendary status among Fortnite players.
Unique Reactive Features
The Leviathan Axe isn’t just visually impressive—it’s also reactive, meaning it changes during gameplay. When striking opponents or objects, the axe builds up a frost effect, gradually accumulating ice on the blade. This effect resets when switching weapons.
First of Its Kind
As the first Gaming Legends Series pickaxe to be introduced in Fortnite, the Leviathan Axe holds historical significance. It also pioneered the trend of Gaming Legends Series pickaxes featuring built-in emotes, setting a precedent for crossover items that would follow.
Visual and Audio Design
The pickaxe features impressive visual design with Norse-inspired runes and a frost-imbued blade that accurately reflects its appearance in God of War. Its harvesting sound effects also mimic the satisfying “thunk” from the original game, enhancing the nostalgic experience for God of War fans.
Why Hasn’t the Leviathan Axe Returned?
One of the most perplexing aspects of the Leviathan Axe’s rarity is its absence from the Item Shop despite multiple opportunities for a comeback. Several factors may explain this unusual situation:
Licensing Agreements
Collaborative items like the Leviathan Axe are subject to licensing agreements between Epic Games and the IP holder (in this case, Sony). These agreements may have restrictions on when and how often items can return to the shop.
Missed Opportunities
Surprisingly, the Leviathan Axe did not return to the Fortnite Item Shop during the release of God of War: Ragnarök in November 2022, which would have been an ideal marketing opportunity. This missed chance suggests that licensing constraints might be influencing its availability.
Deliberate Rarity Strategy
It’s possible that Epic Games is deliberately maintaining the Leviathan Axe’s rarity to preserve its status as a coveted cosmetic. Limited availability creates exclusivity, potentially increasing demand when (and if) the item eventually returns.
Player Demand and Community Value
The extended absence of the Leviathan Axe has significantly impacted its perceived value within the Fortnite community.
Secondary Market Value
On account-selling platforms (though this practice violates Fortnite’s terms of service), accounts featuring the Leviathan Axe often command premium prices. The presence of this pickaxe is frequently highlighted as a selling point in listings, demonstrating its status as a coveted collector’s item.
Social Media Presence
Players regularly request the return of the Leviathan Axe on Epic Games’ social media posts, with many specifically mentioning this item when asked which cosmetics they hope to see return to the Item Shop.
Professional Player Usage
Before its disappearance from the shop, several prominent professional Fortnite players and content creators, including Bugha and Benjyfishy, frequently used the Leviathan Axe in competitions and streams. Some players even speculated that it might offer a slight competitive advantage due to its clear visual feedback and potentially faster swing animation, though Epic Games typically ensures all harvesting tools function identically.
Future Prospects: Will the Leviathan Axe Return?
While nothing is certain in Fortnite’s ever-evolving item shop, several signs point to a potential return for the Leviathan Axe:
Recent Datamined Information
In March 2024, prominent Fortnite dataminers reported that the Kratos Bundle had been added back to the Fortnite Shop API. This suggests Epic Games may be preparing for the bundle’s return, which would include the Leviathan Axe.
Seasonal Theme Alignment
Fortnite Chapter 5, Season 2 featured a Greek mythology theme, making it a logical time for Kratos (albeit from the Norse era of God of War) to make his return. The mythological connection could serve as a narrative justification for bringing back the God of War items.
Anniversary Timing
The fifth anniversary of the 2018 God of War release was April 20, 2023, which has already passed. However, future God of War milestones or announcements could potentially trigger the return of Kratos and his iconic weapon to Fortnite.
Alternatives to the Leviathan Axe
For players unable to obtain the Leviathan Axe due to its rarity, several alternatives exist that offer similar aesthetics or thematic connections:
Frost-Themed Harvesting Tools
- Frozen Axe (Frozen Series)
- Ice Breaker (Uncommon)
- Flawless (Frostbite Gear)
Other Gaming Legends Series Pickaxes
- Gravity Hammer (Halo)
- Skullsplitter (Doom)
- Leaping Llama (Rocket League)
Norse-Inspired Alternatives
- Magnus’ Axe (Magnus Set)
- Dread (Viking Set)
- Raider’s Revenge (Classic)
While these alternatives may visually resemble the Leviathan Axe in certain aspects, none fully replicate its unique reactive properties and God of War authenticity.
The Impact of Rarity System Changes on the Leviathan Axe
In April 2024, Epic Games made a significant change to Fortnite’s cosmetic system by removing the traditional rarity indicators (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary) from the Item Shop and Locker. This change has implications for how we assess the rarity of items like the Leviathan Axe.
Gaming Legends Series Preserved
Despite the removal of traditional rarity tiers, special series designations like the Gaming Legends Series (which includes the Leviathan Axe) were preserved. This means that when (and if) the Leviathan Axe returns, it will still be identifiable as a Gaming Legends Series item.
Shift in Rarity Perception
With standard rarity tiers removed, the concept of an item being “Legendary” or “Epic” has diminished in importance. Instead, availability history and cultural significance have become more important factors in determining an item’s perceived rarity and value.
Pricing Implications
The removal of rarity tiers has potentially untethered cosmetic pricing from rarity designations. If the Leviathan Axe returns, its price might not necessarily reflect its original 1,000 V-Bucks cost, as Epic Games now has more flexibility in pricing without the constraints of rarity-based expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last time the Leviathan Axe appeared in the Fortnite Item Shop?
The Leviathan Axe last appeared in the Fortnite Item Shop on March 19, 2021. Since then, it has been absent for over 1,500 days, making it one of the rarest pickaxes in the game based on availability.
How much does the Leviathan Axe cost when it’s available?
When it was last available, the Leviathan Axe could be purchased individually for 1,000 V-Bucks or as part of the Kratos Bundle for 2,200 V-Bucks. If it returns, pricing could potentially change due to Fortnite’s removal of the traditional rarity system.
Does the Leviathan Axe have any special features compared to other pickaxes?
Yes, the Leviathan Axe is reactive, building up a frost effect when striking opponents or objects. This frost accumulates on the blade and resets when switching weapons. It was also the first Gaming Legends Series pickaxe to feature a built-in emote.
Is there any confirmed date for the Leviathan Axe’s return to Fortnite?
As of May 2025, there is no officially confirmed date for the Leviathan Axe’s return. However, dataminers have found evidence that the Kratos Bundle was added back to the Fortnite Shop API in March 2024, suggesting a potential return could be imminent.
Can the Leviathan Axe be used in all Fortnite game modes?
The Leviathan Axe can be used in traditional Fortnite modes (Battle Royale, Zero Build, etc.), but cannot be used in LEGO Fortnite. This restriction applies to many specialized harvesting tools that don’t fit the LEGO aesthetic or gameplay.
Conclusion: A Truly Rare Trophy
Based on all available metrics, the Leviathan Axe stands as one of the rarest and most sought-after harvesting tools in Fortnite’s history. Its combination of an iconic gaming franchise connection, unique reactive features, and extraordinary shop absence of over 1,500 days places it in an elite category of Fortnite cosmetics.
For the lucky players who acquired it during its brief availability window in late 2020 and early 2021, the Leviathan Axe represents not just a functional harvesting tool but a symbol of their Fortnite longevity and a rare trophy in their locker. For those who missed it, hope remains that Epic Games and Sony will eventually bring Kratos and his legendary weapon back to the Item Shop.
In the ever-changing landscape of Fortnite collaborations, nothing is permanent—whether items stay vaulted forever or make triumphant returns is always subject to change. What’s certain is that the Leviathan Axe’s extended absence has only enhanced its legendary status in the game’s cosmetic hierarchy, making it one of the most genuinely rare items in Fortnite’s vast catalog.
