Mastering the Air Juggle: How to Beat Laufey in God of War

Alright, if you’ve made it this far in the 2022 God of War sequel, you’ve probably already felt the sting of Laufey’s relentless onslaught. The Valkyrie’s moveset is brutal, her reach is insane, and—let’s be honest—she can turn even the most seasoned Kratos fan into a sweaty mess.

That’s where the “air juggle” comes in. It’s not a brand‑new mechanic that the devs just dropped out of the blue; it’s a clever repurposing of the existing Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos combos, paired with a bit of timing wizardry. In short, you yank Laufey into the air, keep her suspended with a series of attacks, and unload a devastating damage burst while she’s too busy trying not to hit the ground.

Here’s the rough outline, broken down into bite‑size steps so you don’t have to keep rewinding the cutscene. First, you need to get a clean opening. The best moment is right after she finishes her sweeping ground slam—she’ll be vulnerable for a split second, and that’s your window. Throw the Leviathan Axe straight at her head. If you time it right, the hit will launch her upward.

Now, the juggling part. While Laufey is airborne, immediately press the melee button (R1) to follow up with a light combo. The key is to keep the rhythm: a light attack, then a quick Heavy (R2) to add a little extra lift, then swing the Blades of Chaos (L1) for a fiery hit that also adds a brief stun. If you’re feeling confident, toss in a Shield Bash (L2) at the end of the sequence—this will briefly freeze her mid‑air, buying you precious milliseconds.

Don’t forget to watch the stamina meter. It’s easy to get carried away and spam everything, but running out of stamina mid‑juggle leaves you exposed to a vicious counter‑attack. A good rule of thumb is to reserve at least one full bar for a quick dodge or a counter‑strike if Laufey manages to pull herself back down.

Once the juggle combo ends, you should see a noticeable health dip—often enough to turn the tide of the battle. If she lands, repeat the opening move and keep the pressure on. It might feel a little clunky at first, but after a couple of practice runs, the rhythm becomes almost second nature, like a dance you’re finally getting the steps to.

And a final tip: experiment with the “Return to the Forge” ability. If you’re low on health or simply want a breather, use it to reset the fight and approach the juggle from a fresh angle. It’s a tiny safety net that can save you from a nasty death, especially when you’re still learning the timing.

Bottom line? The air juggle isn’t a cheat—it’s a skillful exploitation of Laufey’s animation windows. Master it, and you’ll find yourself tearing through the Valkyrie’s defenses with a confidence you didn’t think you’d ever have against such a fearsome foe.