We know that the God of War is powered by war, but is it just that? Does it have to be county vs county or do other conflicts count? What about a gang war? Would that count? What about a war of drugs or a war on terror? Police shootouts? School wide fights? What is enough conflict to power the God of War?

I dont think it's 'powered by' and more 'embodiment/physical representation of' war.

I think War is simply just the grandest form of what she represents: struggle, of any kind. In a way it's kinda like Storm and Thor over at Marvel, they control all kinds of weather but take names after some of the more impressive features... so we haven't ended up with Drizzle and God of It's a bit Windy.

I would think so. I've always thought you could go balls to the wall with Ares powers and persona in a wonder woman movie. I would have him have mastery of weapons, technopathy over modern weapons of war, mastery of strategy, connection to psychic energies of war, and ability to raise the souls of dead warriors. I think that would be a unique power-set for a DC villain.

Raising souls of dead warriors is definitely outside of the domain of War and in the domain of death.

@outside_85: God of War is powered by the "psychic energy" generated by war. Besides I dont thinks Area can be the embodiment of war as he is not the only god of war. And wars on other planets doesn't power him. Wouldn't Destruction of the Endless truely embody war throughoutthe universe?

@midnightknight: That hasn't really be the case for nearly 30 years now. In the New 52 he may well be, we haven't been shown other war gods, and who is to say they aren't Ares when viewed by other eyes?

No, because Destruction embodies destruction itself; burning buildings, exploding shells, smashing of heads and so on. Ares embodies the struggle that leads to them. Hence why the Greeks called Destruction 'Olethros' and maintained him seperate from Ares and his chariot.

@outside_85: But war itself is a very destructive act. It destroys land, bodies, and lives.

But it isnt a given.

@outside_85: It actually kind of is.

A war of word?

Also there was a war in Europe some time where an army invaded one of its neighbors but left after a few hours with a friend they made while there.

But I think you are looking at this as war being a by-word for a battle?