Will Atreus Be Immortal? Highly Likely in the Long Run
As both an avid God of War fan and gaming blogger, my assessment based on Atreus‘ heritage and burgeoning power development is that he will most likely achieve true immortality eventually, despite his vulnerabilities for now. Here‘s a deeper dive into the evidence:
Divine Heritage Supports Potential Immortality
As the son of the Greek God of War Kratos and Giantess Laufey, Atreus has exceptionally strong divine bloodlines from two hardy races, both with members capable of living for thousands of years.
- God Lifespans: Greek Gods like Kratos are capable of living indefinitely by feeding on ambrosia and the prayers of mortals to sustain their divine life force
- Giant Toughness: Giants like Atreus‘ mother Laufey regularly live for millenia. Some frost giants have even survived decapitation or burning suicide attempts
Additionally, Atreus inherits the magical protective runes and blessings cast on him by his mother Faye before she passed, perhaps the strongest giantess Atreus knows.
Precedents Among Demigods
Looking at precedents from Greek myths and Kratos‘ own childhood, demigods who grow into their full power can shed their mortal weaknesses and ascend to full godhood:
- Hercules: The most famous example – born mortal but became a full Olympian god upon death
- Kratos‘ Brother: Kratos‘ brother Deimos unlocked more of his divine Spartan Rage over time
- Tyr: Tyr is considered the Norse God of War yet also the son of Odin, hinting at the elevated status demigods can attain
Vulnerabilities Suggest Mortality For Now
However, Atreus does still show vulnerability and moral failings that pose a threat to his longevity. As Mimir notes, Atreus still remains "mortal after all", subject to making poor decisions if emotions cloud his judgement or he gets overconfident.
Key weaknesses that could cut his life tragically short include:
- Recklessness: Charging enemies alone in emotive fury
- Arrogance: Believing himself undefeatable early on
- Uncontrolled Power: Allowing his shapeshifting or Spartan Rage to take over
Atreus must keep these flaws in check as he develops to reach the vast lifespans his bloodline suggests he can inherit.
Average Lifespans
| Race | Average Lifespan | Longest Lived |
| ———– | ———– | ———– |
| Greek God | 3,000+ years | 14,000+ years |
| Giant | 5,000+ years | 8,000 years |
| Giant-God Hybrid | ? | ? |
The Prophecy of Kratos‘ Death
A key related factor is the prophecy revealed in the original God of War (2018) that Atreus will somehow contribute to Kratos‘ permanent death.
This potentially hints that Atreus may lose any demigod immortality he gains if such an event comes to pass where his father is killed.
Yet the future is always in motion and if Atreus reaches his full maturation, not even the loss of Kratos may be able to threaten his eternal life force.
Atreus‘ Rapid Power Progression Suggests Eventual Immortality
As displayed thoroughly in God of War Ragnarök (2022), Atreus‘ powers are growing swiftly:
- Unlocking Spartan Rage fueled by his grief and rage
- Gaining shapeshifting abilities, first into a snake then a bear form
- Mastering advanced runic attacks like Soul Drain to siphon life force from enemies
Atreus is quickly gaining new powers and control over innate abilities most demigods or young giants take centuries to leverage.
Power Growth Comparison
| Ability | Kratos Age Unlocked | Atreus Age Unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| Super Strength | Early Childhood | Early Childhood |
| Weapon Mastery | Adolescence | Early Childhood |
| Spartan Rage | 18 years old | 12 years old |
| Shapeshifting | N/A | 12 years old |
| Advanced Magic | 20s-30s | 12 years old |
Moreover, Atreus is kindhearted at his core and avoids much of the toxicity and anger that previously held his father Kratos back from embracing the full extent of his godhood. This suggests Atreus may have an easier time controlling his abilities over centuries of life.
Speculation: Factors That Could Allow Atreus to Become Immortal
Given Atreus‘ origins and rapidly accelerating conflicts with Norse gods seeking to manipulate or contain him for the prophecy, several key events could occur that elevate Atreus to true immortality:
- Unlocking His Full Giant Potential: Atreus embraces his giant‘s heritages more wholly to bolster his life force and magic to divine levels.
- Asgardian Apple of Iðunn: Atreus could acquire one of Iðunn‘s Golden Apples that are said to make Norse gods immortal to supplement his own power sources.
- Fully Mastering Shapeshifting & Magic: If Atreus masters his ability to transform and harness the runic power his parents passed on, he could transcend mortality.
- Death and Revival: As some Greek myths showcase, dying and returning to life or achieving godhood upon a selfless sacrifice could solidify transcendent status.
Of course Atreus‘ long-term future remains clouded. Yet based the evidence and if Atreus continues advancing his skills rapidly, my view is that immortality and full divine power are highly likely eventual outcomes for the young, but rapidly maturing demigod.
