God of War Kratos is one of gaming’s most legendary warriors, but even he has limits. Here are five powerful video game characters who could actually defeat him.
–Robin Bhuyan
When we think of the most iconic and powerful protagonists in video games, God of War Kratos sits right at the top. Since his debut, he has carved a bloody path through mythologies, defeating gods, titans, and monsters with just sheer rage and strength. Thanks to Santa Monica, his story was reimagined in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, both of which became instant masterpieces, praised for their cinematic storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and brutal combat. From ripping apart Zeus in Greek mythology to bringing down Baldur, Thor, and Odin in the Norse saga, Kratos has proven himself as one of the most unstoppable forces in gaming.
But still he isn’t infallible, though most diehard fans of him would claim otherwise. Even with all his fury, magical weapons, and mountain-smashing strength, there are a few characters across gaming who could actually humble the Ghost of Sparta. Let’s take a look at five who would stand tall against him.
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5. Bayonetta (Bayonetta)
Facing Bayonetta would be like Kratos entering a fight he didn’t know was happening until it was already over. The Umbra Witch has Witch Time, which slows her enemies down to a crawl while she dances around them, stylishly unloading bullets and slicing with her blades. She also summons towering demons from Inferno that make even Kratos’ titan battles look small by comparison. While Kratos thrives in close combat, Bayonetta would control the pace of the fight with magic, time manipulation, and sheer versatility. Against her, the God of War would find himself struggling, though with strategy and critical thinking, he might stand a chance.
4. Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
If Kratos thought Zeus’ lightning was bad, wait until he meets Raiden. As the Thunder God of Mortal Kombat, Raiden brings teleportation, devastating lightning strikes, and the ability to fly, which instantly puts Kratos at a disadvantage. The Ghost of Sparta is a brutal melee brawler, but Raiden can hover above him, raining storms until Kratos is fried to a crisp. In Mortal Kombat 11, Raiden even taps into time manipulation, which means God of War Kratos’ trademark rage would be useless if he’s frozen mid-swing. This is one duel where Kratos would be playing catch-up the whole time and eventually lose.
3. Dante (Devil May Cry)
Dante, the half-demon protagonist of Devil May Cry, is like Kratos’ cockier, flashier cousin, except far stronger. Armed with regeneration, superhuman speed, and the ability to slice dimensions apart with Yamato, Dante’s toolkit makes him a nightmare opponent. Kratos’ god-slaying strength is impressive, but Dante’s sheer versatility and demonic transformations mean he can adapt to anything Kratos throws at him. To make matters worse, Dante often toys with enemies just to amuse himself. If Kratos is not careful, he’d probably juggle the Spartan in mid-air like one of his demonic minions, all while smirking.
2. The Outsider (Dishonored)
Unlike Dante or Raiden, The Outsider wouldn’t even need to fight Kratos directly. This mysterious figure from Dishonored is essentially a reality-bending god who grants powers to mortals and manipulates events from the shadows. He can bend space, time, and perception itself, turning battlefields into surreal nightmares. God of War Kratos is used to smashing enemies head-on, but The Outsider would simply warp the rules of reality, leaving Kratos swinging at illusions or trapped in impossible situations. You can’t decapitate someone who exists as an idea outside of normal existence.
1. Gaunter O’Dimm (The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone)
At the very top sits one of the most terrifying villains in gaming: Gaunter O’Dimm, also known as Master Mirror. This terrifying and enigmatic being from The Witcher 3 is not a warrior but something far more dangerous, a manipulator of fate, time, and souls. He freezes time casually, creates storms out of thin air, and bends reality with a smile. Kratos could swing his Blades of Chaos all he wants, but against O’Dimm’s powers, it would mean nothing. You don’t fight Gaunter O’Dimm. Unless you are careful, you fall into his trap, sign a contract, and lose your soul. Even the Ghost of Sparta will struggle to find a way out of that one.
Why God of War Kratos is not infallible
God of War Kratos remains one of the greatest video game protagonists ever created; a warrior who has defied death, slaughtered gods, and carried one of the most emotional father-son stories in modern gaming. His saga, especially in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, cements him as a cultural icon.
But even Kratos has limits. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what makes him so compelling, even gods like him have someone to fear.
