The Leviathan Axe stands as one of the most iconic weapons in modern gaming, serving as Kratos’ primary weapon throughout the Norse era of God of War. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to fully upgrade leviathan axe, including all Frozen Flame locations, upgrade requirements, and strategies for both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök.
Understanding the Leviathan Axe and Its Upgrade System
The Leviathan Axe was forged by the Huldra Brothers, Brok and Sindri, as a counter to Thor’s mighty hammer Mjölnir. This frost-imbued weapon can be thrown at enemies and recalled with devastating effect, making it essential for both combat and puzzle-solving throughout your journey.
Why Upgrading Your Leviathan Axe Matters
Upgrading your Leviathan Axe provides several crucial benefits:
- Increased Base Damage: Each upgrade level significantly boosts the axe’s attack power
- New Combat Skills: Higher levels unlock new moves and combinations
- Enhanced Statistics: Your overall power level increases with each upgrade
- Runic Attack Compatibility: Higher-level axes can equip more powerful runic attacks
- Trophy/Achievement Progress: Full upgrades are required for certain achievements
How to Fully Upgrade Leviathan Axe in God of War (2018)
Frozen Flame Requirements and Locations
To fully upgrade your Leviathan Axe to Level 6 in the original God of War, you’ll need to collect five Frozen Flames throughout your journey. Here’s where to find each one:
| Upgrade Level | Frozen Flame Source | Location/Requirement | Strength Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Free Upgrade | Meet Brok on River Pass Bridge | 25 |
| Level 3 | Ogre Boss | Foothills area after meeting Sindri | 40 |
| Level 4 | Jarn Fotr (Troll) | Heart of the Mountain | 55 |
| Level 5 | Magni & Modi | Thamur’s Corpse during “The Magic Chisel” | 70 |
| Level 6 | Niflheim Exchange | Trade Chilling Mist of Niflheim post-game | 85 |
Step-by-Step Upgrade Process
Level 2 Upgrade: Meeting Brok
Your first upgrade happens automatically when you encounter Brok, one of the dwarven blacksmiths, on the River Pass Bridge. After helping him cross with his steed, he’ll offer a free upgrade to show his craftsmanship. This upgrade is unmissable and serves as an introduction to the upgrade system.
Level 3 Upgrade: Defeating the Foothills Ogre
During your first visit to the Foothills, you’ll encounter an Ogre mini-boss accompanied by several Reavers. This battle serves as a significant difficulty spike, teaching you to manage multiple enemies while focusing on a primary target. Push Square’s guide provides excellent strategies for this encounter.
Combat Tips for the Ogre Fight:
- Use Atreus’s arrows to stun the smaller enemies
- Focus on dodging the Ogre’s ground-pound attacks
- Utilize your axe’s throw-and-recall combo for consistent damage
- Don’t neglect your bare-handed combat options
Level 4 Upgrade: Conquering Jarn Fotr
Deep within the Heart of the Mountain, you’ll face Jarn Fotr, an ice-wielding troll that presents a formidable challenge. This boss fight tests your mastery of the game’s combat mechanics and introduces environmental hazards.
Jarn Fotr Strategy:
- Watch for ice projectile attacks and dodge accordingly
- Use the arena’s pillars for cover when needed
- Target the troll’s weak points when they’re exposed
- Manage stamina carefully during extended combo sequences
Level 5 Upgrade: The Magic Chisel Bosses
Perhaps the most challenging encounter for the fourth Frozen Flame involves facing Magni and Modi simultaneously at Thamur’s Corpse. These sons of Thor present a unique two-on-one boss battle that requires careful positioning and timing.
Magni and Modi Battle Tactics:
- Separate the bosses when possible to avoid being overwhelmed
- Prioritize one target while using Atreus to distract the other
- Watch for their coordinated lightning attacks
- Utilize environmental objects for additional damage
Level 6 Upgrade: The Niflheim Challenge
The final upgrade requires post-game content and is significantly more complex than previous upgrades. As detailed in GameRant’s comprehensive guide, you’ll need to venture into the realm of Niflheim to obtain the Chilling Mist required for the final Frozen Flame.
Niflheim: The Path to Maximum Power
Accessing Niflheim
To reach Niflheim, you’ll need to collect four Niflheim cipher pieces scattered throughout the game world. Three of these are found in easily accessible chests during the main story, while the fourth requires more exploration.
Navigating the Mist Realm
Niflheim presents a unique challenge with its ever-changing maze structure and deadly mist that gradually drains your health. The realm resets each time you leave, creating a roguelike experience within the God of War framework.
Niflheim Survival Tips:
- Collect Mist Echoes efficiently to minimize time in the realm
- Use the workshop areas to reset your mist timer
- Prioritize chests that contain valuable crafting materials
- Plan your route to maximize echo collection per run
Obtaining the Chilling Mist of Niflheim
You’ll need to accumulate 5,000 Mist Echoes to purchase the Chilling Mist of Niflheim from the central workshop chest. Gameranx’s detailed walkthrough provides excellent strategies for efficient echo farming.
God of War Ragnarök: Advanced Upgrade System
Enhanced Upgrade Mechanics
God of War Ragnarök expands the upgrade system significantly, allowing the Leviathan Axe to reach Level 9. The game introduces eight Frozen Flames plus an additional mechanic involving Frozen Sparks.
| Upgrade Level | Frozen Flame Source | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Huntress | Midgard | Story boss |
| Level 3 | Alva | Alfheim Temple | Story boss |
| Level 4 | Nidhogg | Alfheim Village | Story boss |
| Level 5 | Hel-Traveler | Helheim | Story encounter |
| Level 6 | Flame Phantom | Muspelheim | Story boss |
| Level 7 | Crimson Dread | Vanaheim Crater | Optional favor |
| Level 8 | Berserker Bosses | Alfheim Barrens | Optional fight |
| Level 9 | Hel-Tears | Multiple Realms | Six Frozen Sparks |
The Hel-Tears Challenge
The final upgrade in Ragnarök requires collecting six Frozen Sparks by sealing Hel-Tears across the Nine Realms. This challenging side quest, unlocked through the “Hel to Pay” favor, tests your combat skills against waves of Hel-Walkers.
Advanced Combat Techniques with Upgraded Axes
Maximizing Damage Output
A fully upgraded Leviathan Axe transforms combat encounters significantly. ScreenRant’s analysis highlights how proper upgrade management affects overall gameplay flow.
Advanced Combat Strategies:
- Chain heavy attacks with precise timing for maximum damage
- Combine axe throws with runic attacks for devastating combos
- Use the enhanced frost effects to control battlefield positioning
- Master the upgraded recall mechanics for crowd control
Runic Attack Synergy
Higher-level axes can equip more powerful runic attacks, creating synergistic combinations that can eliminate even the toughest enemies. Understanding these synergies is crucial for tackling post-game content and higher difficulty levels.
Resource Management and Crafting
Essential Crafting Materials
Beyond Frozen Flames, upgrading your Leviathan Axe requires various crafting materials that become increasingly rare at higher levels.
Key Materials to Collect:
- Hardened Svartalfheim Steel
- Hacksilver for general upgrades
- Enchantments for stat bonuses
- Runic materials for attack upgrades
Efficient Resource Farming
TheGamer’s resource guide provides excellent strategies for efficiently gathering the materials needed for full axe upgrades.
Troubleshooting Common Upgrade Issues
Missing Frozen Flames
If you’ve defeated a boss but don’t see the Frozen Flame in your inventory, check the blue chest at any blacksmith shop. The game automatically places missed upgrade materials there to prevent progression blocking.
Niflheim Access Problems
Some players experience difficulties accessing Niflheim even after collecting all cipher pieces. Ensure you’ve progressed far enough in the main story and that the water levels have receded appropriately.
Upgrade Prerequisites
Certain upgrades may require specific story progression or side quest completion. Always check with Brok or Sindri if an upgrade seems unavailable despite having the necessary materials.
Maximizing Your Upgraded Axe
Skill Tree Optimization
A fully upgraded Leviathan Axe unlocks numerous skill tree options. Prioritize skills that complement your playstyle and the types of enemies you encounter most frequently.
Recommended Skill Priorities:
- Throwing Skills: Enhanced range and recall speed
- Heavy Attack Combos: Increased damage multipliers
- Frost Abilities: Area control and crowd management
- Runic Compatibility: Enhanced runic attack effectiveness
Combat Applications
The fully upgraded Leviathan Axe excels in both single-target and crowd control situations. Understanding when to use different attack patterns separates skilled players from beginners.
Comparison: God of War vs. Ragnarök Upgrades
Mechanical Differences
While both games use Frozen Flames as upgrade materials, Ragnarök introduces more complex upgrade paths and additional mechanics like Frozen Sparks.
Content Difficulty Scaling
Ragnarök’s post-game content, including Berserker fights and realm tears, requires maximum weapon upgrades to complete effectively. The original God of War’s optional content is more forgiving with partially upgraded equipment.
Trophy and Achievement Considerations
“Worthy” Trophy (God of War 2018)
Fully upgrading the Leviathan Axe unlocks the “Worthy” trophy, which requires reaching Level 6. This achievement often serves as a milestone for completion-focused players.
Ragnarök Achievements
The sequel includes multiple achievements tied to weapon upgrades, making full axe enhancement essential for completionist gameplay.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
How many Frozen Flames do I need to fully upgrade the Leviathan Axe?
In God of War (2018), you need 5 Frozen Flames to reach Level 6. In God of War Ragnarök, you need 8 Frozen Flames (with the final one constructed from 6 Frozen Sparks) to reach Level 9.
Can I miss any Frozen Flames during my playthrough?
No, most Frozen Flames are tied to mandatory story bosses and cannot be missed permanently. If you don’t collect one immediately, it will appear in the blue chest at any blacksmith shop. However, the final upgrades in both games require post-game or optional content.
Is it worth upgrading the axe to maximum level?
Absolutely. Maximum upgrades significantly increase damage output, unlock new combat abilities, and are essential for tackling the most challenging optional content in both games. The investment in time and resources pays off substantially in combat effectiveness.
What’s the difference between upgrading in God of War 2018 vs. Ragnarök?
God of War (2018) has a simpler upgrade system with 6 levels total, while Ragnarök expands to 9 levels with more complex requirements. Ragnarök also introduces Frozen Sparks as components for the final upgrade, adding an additional layer of collection and challenge.
Do I need to upgrade the axe to complete the main story?
While not strictly necessary for story completion, upgrading your axe makes combat encounters significantly easier and more enjoyable. The game is designed with the expectation that players will upgrade their equipment as they progress, and later enemies are balanced accordingly.
Conclusion
Learning how to fully upgrade leviathan axe represents one of the most rewarding progression systems in modern action-adventure games. Whether you’re tackling the original God of War’s six-level system or Ragnarök’s expanded nine-level progression, the journey to maximum power provides continuous gameplay rewards and unlocks the full potential of Kratos’ iconic weapon.
The path from a basic frost axe to a weapon worthy of the gods requires dedication, skill, and strategic resource management. By following this comprehensive guide and utilizing the strategies outlined above, you’ll transform the Leviathan Axe into an unstoppable force capable of conquering any challenge the Nine Realms can present.
Remember that upgrading your axe is just one part of character progression – combine your enhanced weapon with appropriate armor upgrades, runic attacks, and combat skills to truly master the art of Norse warfare. The fully upgraded Leviathan Axe awaits those brave enough to face the challenges ahead.
