[Top 10] Dark Souls 3 Best Axes (And How to Get Them)

Updated:

16 Dec 2021

Unleash your inner lumberjack! Axes are great weapons that are versatile in many situations, have great damage output and stamina damage. Most of them have the same Weapon Art: Warcry, which boosts damage for 30 seconds, while others have more interesting effects. Generally, Axes best fit Strength or Quality builds, due to their scaling, and are very fun weapons for players that appreciate them.

10. Dragonslayer’s Axe

How to get the Dragonslayer’s Axe

This weapon is acquired in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley after getting invaded by an evil spirit. Defeating the spirit will net you the axe. Functionally speaking, this axe has some decent strength scaling, and a solid moveset, but there isn’t anything special to mention about it other than it cannot be acquired if Pontiff Sulyvahn has been defeated.

What makes the Dragonslayer’s Axe great:

Good moveset
Decent scaling
Solid damage

Dragonslayer’s Axe stats:

Regular: 105 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +3: 136 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +6: 168 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +10: 210 physical attack | Strength scaling: D

9. Butcher Knife

How to get the Butcher Knife

Now we come to a weapon that is peculiar in the regard that it is classified as an Axe but resembles an oversized knife… game logic. Despitethis it has incredible Strength scaling and a great Weapon Art that increases the HP stolen per hit. The HP you steal scales directly with max HP, making it great for builds that focus on Vigor and Strength.

What makes the Butcher Knife great:

Insanely high Strength scaling
Attacks restore HP
Weapon Art increases HP stolen
Unique R2 attacks
Longest range tied with the Man Serpent Hatchet

Butcher Knife stats:

Regular: 95 physical attack | Strength scaling: A
Regular +3: 123 physical attack | Strength scaling: A
Regular +6: 152 physical attack | Strength scaling: A
Regular +10: 190 physical attack | Strength scaling: S

8. Brigand Axe

How to get the Brigand Axe

The Brigand Axe is a classic example of a standard weapon that doesn’t have many bells and whistles on it but is reliable in most situations. It has a decent weight to it, and the standard Axe Weapon Art: Warcry, which is great in most situations requiring some extra damage. Consider this weapon for a well-balanced experience.

What makes the Brigand Axe great:

Decent Strength scaling
Good moveset
Solid damage

Brigand Axe stats:

Regular: 124 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +3: 161 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +6: 198 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +10: 248 physical attack | Strength scaling: C

7. Man Serpent Hatchet

How to get the Man Serpent Hatchet (5:50)

This weapon is tied to the enemies of Archdragon Peak and is a great Axe that has excellent range, and a generally good moveset. It is tied with the Butcher Knife for the longest range of all the Axes, further increasing its usefulness in many situations that are thrown at you. Consider this weapon for a fun playthrough!

What makes the Man Serpent Hatchet great:

Excellent range
Decent scaling
Good damage
Solid moveset
Innate shield penetration

Man Serpent Hatchet stats:

Regular: 125 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +3: 162 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +6: 200 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +10: 250 physical attack | Strength scaling: C

6. Millwood Battle Axe

How to get the Millwood Battle Axe

The notorious Millwood Knights are difficult opponents to face, and their weapons are a direct reflection of their strength. When using this weapon, you feel like a Millwood Knight, since the benefits of the weapon are vast, and it is extremely reliable in most situations. Consider it for a playthrough that focuses on Strength, and the general intent of slaughtering enemies.

What makes the Millwood Axe great:

Great Strength scaling
Good weapon art lunge for overburdened characters
Good moveset
Ideal for Strength builds
Amazing with a Heavy Gem

Millwood Battle Axe stats:

Regular: 135 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +3: 175 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +6: 216 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +10: 270 physical attack | Strength scaling: C

5. Thrall Axe

How to get the Thrall Axe

Some of the most annoying enemies you’re going to face are the Thralls, small fellows that attack in packs and can overwhelm a player easily. Usually, you can just dispatch them with weapons that have wide swing arcs, rendering them obsolete. Nevertheless, the weapons they drop can be great when utilized properly and should be considered when choosing a good Axe. The Weapon Art is excellent as well, allowing you to quickstep around enemies for an extremely fun experience.

What makes the Thrall Axe great:

Better for builds that want more mobility
Great Weapon Art
Decent scaling
Good damage

Thrall Axe stats:

Regular: 104 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +3: 135 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +6: 166 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +10: 208 physical attack | Strength scaling: C

4. Hand Axe

How to get the Hand Axe

The favored weapon among Pyromancers, the Hand Axe is a fairly quick weapon that is extremely good for most situations, as it can deal with groups of enemies due to its small swing arc, and good general damage. Should be considered for a playthrough that focuses on speed over damage, as the one-handed moveset is better than two-handing.

What makes the Hand Axe great:

Great scaling
Good damage
Good for groups of enemies
High attack speed
Great starting weapon with a Fire Gem

Hand Axe stats:

Regular: 110 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +3: 143 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +6: 176 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +10: 220 physical attack | Strength scaling: C

3. Battle Axe

How to get the Battle Axe

The Battle Axe is the starting weapon of the Warrior, and it is capable of carrying you through the entire game quite easily, which, let’s face it, is probably the way we all played through the game the first time. It has a strong damage output and with the proper infusions, it can be an absolute beast when it comes to destroying bosses. Overall an excellent weapon, you should consider it for a playthrough, or two.

What makes the Battle Axe great:

Strong damage output
Good moveset
Can be infused with Deep for an excellent weapon

Battle Axe stats:

Regular: 125 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +3: 162 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +6: 200 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +10: 250 physical attack | Strength scaling: C

2. Winged Knight Twinaxes

How to get the Winged Knight Twinaxes

One of the coolest weapons in the game, the Winged Knight Twinaxes are a beast of a weapon that will tear its way through almost anything. It is great with Strength builds that want to focus on overwhelming their enemies with constant spinning slashes and high damage. These paired Axes should be taken into consideration when you want a great experience.

What makes the Winged Knight Twinaxes great:

Good Strength scaling
Great Weapon Art
Very strong moveset

Winged Knight Twinaxes stats:

Regular: 122 physical attack | Strength scaling: D
Regular +3: 158 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +6: 195 physical attack | Strength scaling: C
Regular +10: 244 physical attack | Strength scaling: C

1. Eleonora

How to get Eleonora

Here we come to the end of the list and to another weapon that has a Weapon Art that steals HP. Eleonora is a great weapon that has an excellent damage output and is reliable in most situations, on top of being easily attained by killing a Monstrosity of Sin in the Profaned Capital. It is the best Axe in the game and should be used for a playthrough at least once.