Golden Fleece

895px-GOW 3 Kratos ( in game picture 3 ) — Kratos with the Golden Fleece in God of War III.

“	This Golden Fleece has the power to deflect approaching weapons and thrust them back to those who deliver them.	”
–Gaia

The Golden Fleece is a powerful golden armlet, which once belonged to the Argonaut Jason. Kratos defeats the Mole Cerberus that partially ate Jason and obtains the Golden Fleece.

Greek Mythology

In Greek myth, it is the literal fleece of a golden-haired, winged ram that was sired byPoseidon upon a nymph named Theophane. It was retrieved by Jason, of the Argonauts, as a show of proof to King Pelias that he is the rightful heir to the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly.

God of War Series

Despite being referred to as an "armlet" in most in-game descriptions, the Golden Fleece was actually three pieces of armor: a small, curved plate that rested on Kratos's upper shoulder, a larger plate that covered his bicep, and a third plate that covered part of his forearm. When its counterattack abilities were used, the Fleece briefly surrounded Kratos in a golden aura, which would imbue his weapons or coalesce into an energy ball for the counterattack.

God of War II

With the Golden Fleece, Kratos can block and counter enemy attacks, as well as absorb enemy projectiles and throw them back at his attackers. The Fleece is incredibly useful in situations involving large groups of enemies including Gorgons. If a Gorgon uses its stone stare and Kratos successfully deflects it, every enemy on screen will turn to stone, including the one who cast the attack.

Upon retrieving the Fleece from the Cerberus, Kratos must use it to solve various puzzles on the Island of Creation, which mainly consist of reflecting the beams of statues blocking his path. The Fleece can also be a very useful item in fights against bosses such as Euryale's beams, Perseus' slingshots, Lahkesis' magic and Zeus' bolts.

God of War III

In God of War III, Kratos still wears the Fleece, using it in the same way as the previous game. Kratos also no longer uses the Blades of Athena at the beginning of the game to block enemy attacks, favoring the Golden Fleece for protection. It is undamaged by his trip through the River Styx (unlike the Blades of Athena), although it does lose most of its abilities. The Fleece's growth is tied to the Blades of Exile, gaining new moves as the weapons are leveled up. Like most of Kratos' items and weapons, excluding the Blades of Exile, the Blade of Olympus and the Boots of Hermes, the Fleece was finally destroyed when Zeus' spirit launched a surprise attack on the Ghost of Sparta.

Abilities

God of War II

Argo's Return - Press L1 before being hit to reflect an attack, projectile, or beam. L1
Argo's Revenge - After a successful parry, press Square to do a powerful counterattack, damaging all nearby enemies. L1 + square.

God of War III

Argos Ram - Parry an enemy with the fleece and ram into them. L1 + square
Argo's Rise - Parry an enemy with the fleece and send them flying straight up. L1 + triangle

Trivia

The Fleece is powerful enough to deflect a blow from the Blade of Olympus itself.
During the God of War II demo, the Fleece had a different model, sporting small spikes and only covering part of Kratos' arm. The orginal symbol on the Fleece was the 3D impression of a ram's head, instead of the ram's horns. And instead of ripping it out from the cerberus, Kratos took it from a pedestal.
- This would insinuate that the Mole Cerberus' boss battle was added later and wasn't part of the original plot.
Interestingly, the Golden Fleece has a spot of blood on it in God of War III. The reasons for this are unknown, although this could be because the developers didn't have the necessary tools to make this spot appear in God of War II, and they had to abandon it. It is probably from Jason's arm, the Mole Cerberus' body, or any of the many bloody battles Kratos participated in.
In God of War III, Zeus wears a similarly designed armlet on his left arm, somewhat fitting since Kratos wears the Golden Fleece on his right arm. It is very likely that this is Zeus' Aegis.
Deimos wears an armlet similar to the Golden Fleece on his right shoulder.

In God of War III if you equip the Nemean Cestus and use Helios' Head the fleece's forearm part will be missing.

Kratos also wears the Golden Fleece during his appearance in Mortal Kombat. Much like in God of War II and God of War III, it is able to reflect almost all forms of projectiles and counter against physical attacks.
In God of War II, during the cutscene when Kratos had a vision of his wife, the fleece is on his arm, but in one instance, the fleece is gone.
In God of War III, the Golden Fleece still keeps its power even after Kratos swam through the River Styx, but in a much lesser degree. As Kratos' blades are level 1, it only can reflect projectiles and Gorgon beams. The power of the Fleece is now more connected with his blades than it was in God of War II.
The design seen in the two lower parts of the Golden Fleece resemble a pair of curved horns, representing the ram who bore the fleece in the original mythology.
The third section of the Golden Fleece disappears in certain cutscenes.
The Golden Fleece appears in the God of War de-make Bit of War.
In God of War: Ascension, the Armor of Morpheus features spaulders that resemble the Golden Fleece's demo design.