# Why was Kratos so weak in God of War (2018)?

> Kratos is not weaker; in God of War (2018) he deliberately holds back his rage and power to be a better father to Atreus and escape his past.

Kratos is not really weaker in God of War (2018) — he is holding back. After the Greek saga, he hid in the Norse lands, buried the Blades of Chaos and tried to control the rage that destroyed Olympus. Being a careful father to Atreus matters more to him than raw power, and the game's slower, more tactical combat reflects that choice.

## Why he seems weaker

- **Self-restraint.** He avoids using his full Spartan Rage and keeps his past hidden from his son.
- **New weapon.** The Leviathan Axe, once owned by his late wife Faye, replaces the Blades of Chaos for most of the game.
- **Gameplay reset.** Like many sequels, the game starts you at a low level and lets you grow through skills, runes and gear.
- **Older and wiser.** He is still a god, but he now thinks before he fights.

## When his old power returns

Midway through the game, Kratos digs up the Blades of Chaos to save Atreus. That moment shows he never lost his strength; he chose not to use it. In God of War Ragnarök (2022) he fights Thor and Odin as an equal.

## FAQ

**Why is Kratos so different in God of War (2018)?**
Years have passed, he has lost a second wife and has a son. The writers made him quieter and more reflective, focused on breaking the cycle of violence.

**Does Kratos regret killing innocents?**
Yes. His guilt over his past, including killing his first family, drives much of his arc in the Norse games.

**Why is Kratos's skin pale?**
In the Greek saga, the ashes of his wife and daughter were fused to his skin by a village oracle's curse, earning him the name "Ghost of Sparta."

**Why are Kratos's arms bandaged?**
The bandages cover the burn scars left by the chains of the Blades of Chaos, a reminder of his servitude to the gods.

**Does Kratos get weaker with age?**
No. As a god he ages very slowly; his change is in temperament, not strength.

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https://gamevoyages.com/why-was-kratos-so-weak-in-god-of-war/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-30