God of War Laufey is getting ready to make its next big step toward launch. Santa Monica Studio has confirmed that pre-orders for the upcoming PlayStation 5 game will open on September 29 at 10:00 am local time, ahead of its February 16, 2027 release. Alongside the pre-order details, the studio has revealed new information about Faye’s combat system and her serpent-shaped bow.

The new details offer a better idea of how Faye will play differently from Kratos. While God of War Laufey builds on the modern combat system established by the recent games, Santa Monica Studio is giving Faye a more mobile and ranged-focused style, with combat designed around quickly moving between melee attacks, aerial combat and bow attacks.

Players who pre-order the game will receive the Last Wish Armor Set, the Phranque Golden Leaves cosmetic appearance and an in-game resource pack. For physical Standard Edition copies, the pre-order items are provided through a download code, and an internet connection and PlayStation account are required.

There will also be a Digital Deluxe Edition with a larger collection of in-game and digital extras. It includes the Dark Alchemy Armor Set, Dark Alchemy Blade, Dark Alchemy Bow Scales, Dark Alchemy Catalyst, an in-game resource pack, a digital mini artbook and the official God of War Laufey digital soundtrack.

Faye’s Serpent Bow is built for fast combat

The biggest new gameplay reveal centers on Faye’s Serpent Bow, an enchanted weapon that can rapidly shift from a dormant state into a ready-to-fire bow. Santa Monica Studio says the weapon is designed to work in both close-quarters and ranged combat, letting Faye weave arrows into her melee attacks rather than treating the bow as a separate, slower combat option.

The bow has two distinct aiming behaviors. A full press of the aim trigger puts Faye into a precision mode, giving her more accurate aim and greater draw distance. She can target specific parts of an enemy’s body to interfere with its movement or attacks, creating openings for follow-up melee strikes.

Precision aiming also lets Faye charge the bow and stack up to five arrows for a powerful volley. That can become particularly useful when combined with Phranque’s ability to launch enemies into the air, giving Faye an opportunity to hit airborne targets with a concentrated attack.

A half press of the aim trigger works differently. Instead of locking Faye into a precise ranged stance, it puts her into a more mobile hip-fire mode. She can rapidly fire clusters of arrows at close range, allowing her to keep pressure on enemies while moving around the battlefield.

That quick-fire approach is also designed to help Faye juggle enemies in the air and extend combos as she switches between the Serpent Bow, her other weapons and her abilities.

The bow isn’t limited to a single type of ammunition, either. Faye will have access to different arrow types with different applications, including rapid-fire attacks, explosive shots and attacks capable of hitting multiple targets.

The Serpent Bow can also be customized through different Scales. These change the weapon’s appearance while also giving it a particular gameplay focus through unique perks. The Dark Alchemy Bow Scales included with the Digital Deluxe Edition are one example. Additional skills can be unlocked to expand the bow’s capabilities as Faye progresses through the game.

Faye’s gear can shape her playstyle

The customization extends beyond the bow. Faye’s armor can provide different gameplay perks and stats alongside alternative appearances, while other pieces of equipment can be configured to support different approaches to combat.

Her sword’s Blade can be customized with different elements, while Serpent Bow Scales change how the bow behaves. Faye can also equip Catalysts, powerful artifacts that channel the magic of the Everywhen and provide different effects.

That system gives God of War Laufey a more flexible approach to character and equipment customization. Rather than simply collecting stronger equipment, players will be able to adjust parts of Faye’s loadout around the type of combat they prefer.

Santa Monica Studio previously described Faye’s combat as being built around lethality, power and fluidity, with the ability to transition between ground and aerial combat without stopping the action. The studio has also said the game combines elements of the modern God of War combat system with some of the older Greek-era series DNA.

God of War Laufey is scheduled to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 on February 16, 2027. With pre-orders now opening and Santa Monica Studio beginning to show more of Faye’s combat, the studio is gradually revealing how this new chapter will distinguish itself from the Kratos-led games that came before it.