These are in no particular order. These mighty Great Axes are the ones I would recommend to anyone who has a love of playing with large weapons. My choices for these Great Axes are more in favor of a Tank build due to the fact that my tank plays with a Great Axe. Although, I also included a few Damager picks. Hope you enjoy these choices.

1. The Hard Way

(Through great struggle, come greatness)

If it’s easy it’s no fun, right? Note that there might be easier and quicker ways to triumph over a Gorgon. But you, my friend, I know, you surely didn't take the easy way, no you love the fight too much.

Weapon Stats

All weapon stats are sourced from the New World website for accuracy.

Gear Score 650-700.

• 82Base Damage.
• 7.0% Critical Hit Chance.
• 1.30 Critical Damage Multiplier.
• 60.0 Block Stamina Damage.
• 62.0 Stagger Damage.
• 27% Block Stability.
• 269 Slash Damage.
• Bind On Pickup.
• Named Item.
• Tier V.
• Scales With: STR 100%.
• 8.0 Weight.
• 3000 Durability.

Weapon Perks

• +38 Strength.
• Mending Execute: Heals you for 60% of the damage dealt by Execute (Max 1 trigger per ability use).
• Empty Socket: Add a gem to get its effect.
• Hated: Generate 159% more threat.
• Random Perk if gear score is [600-625] or [675-700].

Why is The Hard Way, a great weapon?

As I walk into battle, all my enemies turn their focus upon me. My allies now I say to you, now is your chance to strike our foes as I will protect you.

In my opinion, this Greataxe can be one of the best weapons out there if paired with the right equipment. It can be used for both PvP and PvE but it is most certainly better at PvE. My analysis is that The Hard Way is best in a Tank build or similar build’s half due to its hated Perk.

What The Hard Way Excels at?

• Aggro.
  • Thanks to the perk Hated, you generate a threat that attracts the enemy. Now if you add a carnelian in the gem slot, you have just made this even better.
• Health Back.
  • You gain a bit of health back due to the Mending Execute, but only by damage caused by Execute ability.

How To Obtain The Hard Way?

Obtaining this masterpiece of a weapon is surely not going to be an easy task. But it can be done as long as you have patience and commitment.

Artemis Boon Drop

Remember, you will have to have the boons active. To get the boons activated, you are required to consume one of the following potions:

• Weak Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier I
• Common Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier I
• Common Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier II
• Strong Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier II
• Strong Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier III
• Powerful Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier III
• Powerful Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier IV
• Infused Boon of Artemis Potion - Tier V

I would recommend that you choose the Execute ability due to the fact that this weapon pairs with it well. Some advice, select the abilities you choose with this weapon with great care. 

2. Innocence

(Innocence or not to live you must fight)

Let your pure heart lead you to this legendary weapon you seek. I must warn you you must confess your sins before you wield this weapon.

Weapon Stats

All weapon stats are sourced from the New World website for accuracy.

Gear Score 625.

• 82 Base Damage.
• 7.0% Critical Hit Chance.
• 1.30 Critical Damage Multiplier.
• 60.0 Block Stamina Damage.
• 62.0 Stagger Damage.
• 27% Block Stability.
• 240 Slash Damage.
• Bind On Pickup.
• Named Item.
• Tier V.
• Scales With: STR 100%.
• 8.0 Weight.
• 3000 Durability.

Weapon Perks

• +15 Strength.
• +15 Dexterity.
• Empty Socket: Add a gem to add its effect.
• Crippling Reap: Targets hit by Reap are slowed, reducing movement speed by 47% for  4s.
• Hated: Generate 159% more threat.
• Sturdy: Receive 9.8% less Stamina damage while blocking.

Why is Innocence, a great weapon?

You walk onto a battlefield and you assert the threat. All foes turn their focus to you, this gives your companions enough time to slay them.

In my opinion, the Innocence is one of the best great axes I have discovered in the game. Paired with all the right equipment you could be powerful. This is best for PvE but can be used for PvP as well. My analysis is that this great axe would be best suited for a Tank build.

What Innocence Excels at?

• Cripple.
  • Thanks to the perk Crippling Reap, your targets are slowed if hit with the ability Reap.
• Aggro.
  • Thanks to the perk Hated, you generate threat that attracts the enemy, add a carnelian in the gem slot and this will be even better.
• Better Blocking.
  • The perk Sturdy makes blocking drain less stamina for you. 

How To Obtain Innocence?

To gain this masterpiece of a weapon you might have to do a bit of grinding. This Great axe can be Contained in these Chests:

• Cache of Garden of Genesis Armaments - Epic - III.
• Cache of Lazarus Instrumentlity Armaments - Epic - III.
• Cache of Tempests Heart Armements - Epic - III.
• Major Breach Cache - Level 60 - Common.
• Cache of Mutated Armaments - Legendary - III.
• Legion Armaments - Uncommon - V.
• Season Welcome Gift - Rare.
• Minor Spriggan’s Spoils - Uncommon.
• Minor Siege of Sulfur Spoils - Common.
• Moderate Siege of Sulfur Spoils - Uncommon.
• Major Siege of Sulfur Spoils - Rare.

Some of the chests above can be contained by killing these monsters and others may simply drop the weapon itself.

• Black Alligator - Level 51-59 - Family Beast - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Tricorne Gator - Level 59 - Family Beast - Requirements: Content level. 60.
• Soulmend Regent - Level 59 - Family Ancient - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Winterwalk Reaver - Level 45 - Family Ancient - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Soulmend Reaver - Level 59 - Family Ancient - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Sharptooth Black Bear - Level 59 - Family Beast - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Lambent Ursus - Level 59 - Family Angry Earth - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Marooned Porter - Level 59 - Family Lost - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Thunder Cradle Swine - Level 59 - Family Beast - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Oro - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Joven - Level 55 - Family corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Corruption Impaler - Level 9-60 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Corruption Swarmer - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Trailstall Patroller - Level 49 -  Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Highpass Archer - Level 59 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Trailstall Vicar - Level 50 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Shipyard Hound - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Figgy - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Gravespoil Gunner - Level 49 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Thunder Cradle Worker - Level 59 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Shipyard Worker - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• War-torn Gourmand - Level 59 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Mistywater Swabbie - Level 59 - Family Lost- Requirements: Content level 60.
• Thunder Harbor Sailor - Level 59 - Family Lost - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Thunder Harbor Quartermaster - Level 59 - Family Lost - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Thunder Harbor Deckhand - Level 59 - Family Lost - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Dryad Deadeye Level 51-59 - Family Angry Earth - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Dryad Prowler - Level 51-59 - Family Angry Earth - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Dryad Fighter - Level 56-59 - Family Angry Earth - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Zhou Taiying - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Commander Chen - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Maiden Jingfei - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Maiden Lanfen - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Maiden Daiyu - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Cedral - Level 59 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Visti - Level 59 - Family Corrupted -Requirements: Content level 60.
• Evoker Yau - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Captain Kaiwei - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Lieutenant Bolin - Level 55 - Family Corrupted - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Glimmerfen Stag - Level 59 - Family Angry Earth - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Misty Hound - Level 45-63 - Family Human - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Forge Raider Battlemaster - Level 54-63 - Family Human - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Isabella - Level 55 - Family Corrupted -Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Timeless Lion - Level 59 - Family Beast - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Verdant Defender - Level 18-24 - Family Ancient - Requirements: Monster level 60.
• Edgeflow Impaler - Level 59 - Family Lost - Requirements: Content level 60.
• Black Wolf - Level 59 - Family Beast - Requirements: Content level 60.

I am sure there are many more out there, but these are the ones I know of. Hope you find it.

I suggest that you choose Reap as one of your abilities so that you don't waste the perk. Here is a little advice, choose the weapon you pair it with carefully. 

3. The Abyss

(Only the brave face the abyss)

Be careful my friend don't let its hunger for chaos and devastation consume you. With every swing, you can feel its vast weight slash through your foes as if descending into the void of darkness.

Weapon Stats

All weapon stats are sourced from the New World website for accuracy.

Gear Score 700.

• 82Base Damage.
• 7.0% Critical Hit Chance.
• 1.30 Critical Damage Multiplier.
• 60.0 Block Stamina Damage.
• 62.0 Stagger Damage.
• 27% Block Stability.
• 2 Slash Damage.
• 266 Void Damage.
• Bind On Pickup.
• Tier V.
• Scales With: STR 100%.
• 8.0 Weight.
• 3000 Durability.

Weapon Perks

• +38 Magnify (to highest attribute).
• Dark Blade: 99% of damage is converted to void, and if INT is higher, Replace base weapon scaling with Intelligence.
• Abyss: Deal 15% more damage when mana is below 100%.
• Abyssal Attunement: Attacks deal +14% weapon damage as Void (1.5s cooldown. Does not trigger off persistent damage or DoT effects).
• Refreshing Move: Light and Heavy attacks Reduce your active cooldowns by 2.5% (0.2s cooldown).
• Random Perk.

Why is The Abyss, a great weapon?

Enter every battle feeling mighty and powerful. Know that as you and your teammate enter a fight, you will fight as one. With the confidence that you’ll all have one another's backs, nothing can go wrong.

I think The Abyss is a unique great axe not only in appearance but also in the way you can use it. This is one of the best I could find. My analysis is that it can be used in a wide variety of builds and is perfect for both PvP and PvE.

What The Abyss Excels at?

• Tiny More Damage.
  • The perk Abyss adds a bit more damage if mana is low.
• Convert Weapon Damage
  • Some of the damage you deal will, be converted to void damage.
• Slight Cooldown Reduction.
  • Light & heavy attacks slightly reduce cooldowns by a fraction, thanks to the Refreshing Move perk.

How To Obtain The Abyss?

This Weapon is no easy task to retrieve and it might take you a little while but is well worth the hunt. You will need to look and grind all the corrupted. Whether it's breaches, portals, or monoliths. These are the chests that might hold your prize.

• Greater Tribulation Monolith Cache - Common.
• Opulence Monolith Cache - Common.
• Upper Harrow Monolith Cache - Common.
• The Tangle Portal Cache - Common.
• Upper Harrow Portal Cache - Common.
• Major Breach Cache - Common.

I would recommend that if you're aiming for this weapon you spend some points into intelligence since this weapon scales with it. A little more advice, pair it with a couple of other weapons to see what works best for you.

4. Oversized Hedge Trimmer

(Through experience of life we grow)

Don’t let its appearance fool you, it is still a creation of destruction. Effectiveness is a sure thing with this masterpiece.

Weapon Stats

All weapon stats are sourced from the New World website for accuracy.

Gear Score 635.

• 82Base Damage.
• 7.0% Critical Hit Chance.
• 1.30 Critical Damage Multiplier.
• 60.0 Block Stamina Damage.
• 62.0 Stagger Damage.
• 27% Block Stability.
• 244 Slash Damage.
• Bind On Pickup.
• Named Item.
• Tier V.
• Scales With: STR 100%.
• 8.0 Weight.
• 3000 Durability.

Weapon Perks

• +32 Strength.
• Empty Socket: Attach a gem to add its effect.
• Mending Execute: Heal for 58% of the damage dealt by Execute (Max 1 trigger per ability use).
• Refreshing Move: Light and Heavy attacks Reduce your active cooldowns by 2.5% (0.2s cooldown).
• Keen: +6.1% critical chance.

Why is Oversized Hedge Trimmer, a great weapon?

I know I might not be the most appealing great axe but I promise if you wield me, I shall not fail you. Swing me and watch as your foes split before you and fall lifeless at your feet.

In my opinion, This Great Axe is an all-rounder, it can be good in multiple builds and is perfect in PvP and PvE. Making this a great weapon altogether. My analysis is that this is one of the most versatile great axes.

What Oversized Hedge Trimmer Excels at?

• Health Back.
  • You gain a bit of health back thanks to the Mending Execute, but only by damage caused by Execute ability.
• Slight Cooldown Reduction.
  • Light & heavy attacks slightly reduce cooldowns by a smudge, thanks to the Refreshing Move perk.
• A Bit More Damage.
  • Thanks to the perk Keen you stand a higher chance to do critical damage.

How To Obtain Oversized Hedge Trimmer?

There is only one way I know of obtaining this marvelous weapon and that is through this quest:

• Escaping The Ruins - Main Story - Level 65.

The Quest Giver is Jihoon Kim. You might face a few challenges but know that in the end, it's all worth it.

Here is a little advice, I suggest you pick Execute as one of your abilities so as not to waste a perk. And another thing have fun.

5. Verglas Great Axe of the Soldier

(Swift and cold never changing)

Forged from the ice and steel of the ancients, this is a mighty Axe. Once you enter the devastating Glacial Tarn, be careful not to lose your footing. Discover all that is mighty within.

Weapon Stats

All weapon stats are sourced from the New World website for accuracy.

Gear Score 700.

• 82Base Damage.
• 7.0% Critical Hit Chance.
• 1.30 Critical Damage Multiplier.
• 60.0 Block Stamina Damage.
• 62.0 Stagger Damage.
• 27% Block Stability.
• 269 Slash Damage.
• Bind On Pickup.
• Named Item.
• Tier V.
• Scales With: STR 100%.
• 8.0 Weight.
• 3000 Durability.

Weapon Perks

• +38 Strength.
• Vicious: +7% critical damage.
• Empty Socket: Add a gem to get its effect.
• Enfeebling Maelstorm: Targets hit by Maelstorm’s No Reprieve are Weakened, reducing their attack damage by 27% for 8s.
• Random Perk if gear score is [600-625] or [675-700].

Why is Verglas Great Axe of the Soldier, a great weapon?

Feel how cold and heavy Verglas is in your hands. Allow this to comfort you as you slay your foes with the precision that is admired and feared.

Just love the look of this great axe. I think this great axe is good for both PvP and PvE if paired with the right equipment. My analysis is that this weapon is good in almost all builds.

What Verglas Great Axe of the Soldier Excels at?

• Critical Chance.
  • Thanks to the perk Visious you stand a higher chance to cause critical damage.
• Reduce Enemy Damage.
  • You stand a chance to weaken the enemy's attacks, thanks to the perk Enfeebling Maelstrom.

How To Obtain Verglas Great Axe of the Soldier?

To Obtain this beautiful piece of craftsmanship, you will need to dive into the Glacial Tarn Expedition. Know you will face lots of enemies but the weapon will only be dropped by these foes:

• Winterwalk Reaver - Level 45 - Family Ancient - Requirements: Mutation Lv.3 and Monster Lv.1-65.
• Trap - Level 1 - Requirements: Mutation Lv.3 and Monster Lv.1-65.
• Windblast Defender - Level 43 - Family Ancient - Requirements: Mutation Lv.3 and Monster Lv.1-65.

I would recommend, that you think carefully when choosing your abilities. Here is a little advice, be careful in the Expedition.

You may also be interested in:

• [Top 10] New World Best PvP Builds That Are Powerful
• [Top 10] New World Best Perks For DPS
• [Top 10] New World Best Perks For Bows