Kratos Costume
Channel the Ghost of Sparta with battle-worn armor and iconic red tattoos.
Kratos, the legendary protagonist of the God of War series, is a favorite choice for gamers who want to embody strength, vengeance, and mythic power. This look is defined by his ash-white skin, striking red body tattoo, leather armor pieces, and his signature dual Blades of Chaos. Whether you choose his classic Greek-era Spartan look or his bearded Norse-era style, this costume makes a powerful statement.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $80–250
Try it on
See yourself as Kratos
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Kratos costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Kratos costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Ashen body paint
Full-body white or pale grey water-activated makeup to mimic the ashes of his family bonded to his skin.
DIY: Mix white face paint with a tiny drop of black and blue to get a cold, pale ash tone.
Red body paint or temporary tattoo
Bright red paint to draw the thick, curved tattoo that wraps over his left eye, shoulder, torso, and back.
DIY: Use a red cosmetic lip liner to outline the tattoo shape before filling it in with red cream paint.
Leather pauldron and chest harness
A dark brown faux-leather single shoulder guard worn on the right shoulder, secured by crisscrossing chest straps.
DIY: Cut and rivet brown craft foam sheets to look like layered leather plates, then attach them to brown belts.
Greek kilt or leather loincloth
A dark red or brown pleated battle kilt with a wide, decorated leather belt and hanging loincloth panels.
DIY: Drape dark red fabric around a wide brown leather belt, adding vertical strips of brown vinyl or felt.
Leather wrist bracers
Matching brown faux-leather gauntlets wrapped around both forearms, optionally wrapped with prop chains.
DIY: Wrap brown fabric strips or craft foam around your forearms and secure them with cord.
Blades of Chaos props
Two curved, ancient-looking short swords with chain links attached to the hilts.
DIY: Cut the blade shapes out of thick cardboard, paint them metallic silver and gold, and attach plastic toy chains.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Kratos costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Apply the pale ash-white body paint to your face, neck, torso, arms, and any other exposed skin, letting it dry completely.
- 2
Carefully paint the iconic red tattoo starting from above your left eyebrow, arching over your head, down your left shoulder, and across your chest.
- 3
Put on the dark red battle kilt or loincloth, securing the wide leather belt tightly around your waist.
- 4
Strap the leather pauldron onto your right shoulder, adjusting the chest harness straps so they sit securely across your torso.
- 5
Fasten the leather bracers onto your forearms, wrapping plastic prop chains around them if you are going for the classic Greek look.
- 6
If opting for the Norse-era Kratos, apply a full, thick brown beard and mustache using spirit gum or a realistic strap-on beard.
- 7
Equip your prop Blades of Chaos or the Leviathan Axe to complete the warrior ensemble.
Makeup & hair
Shave your head or wear a bald cap blended with ash-white makeup. Paint a thick, dark scar over your right eye, and add a matching scar on your abdomen. For the Norse version, wear a full, rugged brown beard.
Kratos for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Kratos with Atreus (his son) or Freya for a powerful Norse mythology duo.
- group
- Form a God of War group with Kratos, Atreus, Mimir, and Thor.
- kids
- A mini-Kratos with a soft foam Leviathan Axe and drawn-on red tattoos.
- Plus size
- The wide leather belt and adjustable harness drape comfortably over any build; use a larger Greek-style tunic or kilt for a comfortable fit.
Tips
- Use a high-quality makeup setting spray over the white and red body paint to prevent smudging on your costume pieces.
- Wear neutral-colored compression shorts or briefs under the kilt for comfort and coverage.
- If you are wearing this to a convention, ensure your prop blades or axe are made of foam or lightweight plastic to pass weapon checks.
Kratos costume FAQ
- How do you do the Kratos red tattoo?
- Use a reference image to trace the path from the left eye, over the head, and down the torso. Use a red makeup pencil to sketch the outline, then fill it in with high-pigment red body paint or liquid makeup.
- What is the difference between Greek and Norse Kratos costumes?
- Greek Kratos is clean-shaven, wears a simple red Spartan kilt, and wields the Blades of Chaos. Norse Kratos has a full beard, wears heavier leather and fur armor, and wields the Leviathan Axe.
- How do I make my skin look ash-white like Kratos?
- Apply a water-activated or cream-based white body paint. Mix in a tiny speck of grey or blue to avoid looking like a clown, aiming instead for a cold, stony, ash-like complexion.
Did you know? Kratos' pale skin is canonically the result of a village oracle cursing him by binding the ashes of his dead wife and daughter to his skin, earning him the title 'Ghost of Sparta.'