Axes in Elden Ring offer a powerful blend of speed, damage, and stagger potential, making them an excellent choice for Strength-based builds. Unlike colossal weapons, axes allow for quicker attacks while still maintaining significant impact. They are divided into two categories:
- Standard Axes – Lighter and more versatile, often used with one hand.
- Greataxes – Heavier, with greater reach and damage but requiring higher Strength.
Every axe in Elden Ring scales primarily with Strength, except for unique options like the Ripple Blade, which scales with Arcane. Whether you’re looking for a fast-hitting battle axe or a devastating greataxe, this guide covers every axe available, including those from Shadow of the Erdtree.
Table of Contents
All Standard Axes in Elden Ring
Battle Axe
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (D)
- Weight: 4.5
- Weapon Skill: Wild Strikes
- Location: Starting weapon for the Warrior class or purchasable from the Nomadic Merchant in Weeping Peninsula.
A balanced weapon that’s easy to use and ideal for early-game Strength builds.
Highland Axe
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (D)
- Weight: 4.5
- Weapon Skill: War Cry
- Location: Found inside a chest in Stormveil Castle.
Boosts Roar-based attacks, making it perfect for aggressive melee builds.
Icerind Hatchet
- Scaling: STR (E), DEX (D)
- Weight: 3
- Weapon Skill: Hoarfrost Stomp
- Location: Found in Temple Quarter (Liurnia).
One of the best axes for Frost builds, offering AoE Hoarfrost Stomp, a powerful Ash of War.
Stormhawk Axe
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (D)
- Weight: 5.5
- Weapon Skill: Thunderstorm
- Location: Dropped by Nepheli Loux if you follow her questline incorrectly.
Has electric-based attacks, great for Faith/Strength hybrid builds.
Rosus’ Axe
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (E), INT (D)
- Weight: 5.5
- Weapon Skill: Rosus’s Summons
- Location: Found in a chest in Black Knife Catacombs.
A rare Intelligence-scaling axe, allowing players to summon skeleton warriors for added offense.
Ripple Blade
- Scaling: ARC (A)
- Weight: 4.5
- Weapon Skill: Wild Strikes
- Location: Purchased from Pidia, Carian Servant in Caria Manor.
One of the only Arcane-scaling axes, making it highly effective when paired with status effect buffs (e.g., Bleed or Poison).
Warped Axe
- Scaling: STR (C)
- Weight: 7.5
- Weapon Skill: War Cry
- Location: Dropped by Omen enemies in Leyndell and Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.
A heavily Strength-focused axe with excellent stagger potential.
All Greataxes in Elden Ring
Axe of Godrick
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (D)
- Weight: 11
- Weapon Skill: I Command Thee, Kneel!
- Location: Obtained by trading Remembrance of the Grafted with Enia.
Has a unique AoE attack that lets you slam enemies into the ground.
Butchering Knife
- Scaling: STR (E), DEX (C)
- Weight: 8.5
- Weapon Skill: Barbaric Roar
- Location: Dropped by Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater in Mt. Gelmir.
Best suited for Dexterity-heavy builds, making it unique among Greataxes.
Crescent Moon Axe
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (D)
- Weight: 12.5
- Weapon Skill: War Cry
- Location: Found in Castle Sol.
A solid all-around Greataxe with good reach and decent attack speed.
Executioner’s Greataxe
- Scaling: STR (C), DEX (E)
- Weight: 15
- Weapon Skill: War Cry
- Location: Dropped by Skeleton Executioners in Altus Plateau.
One of the strongest Greataxes for pure Strength builds.
Greataxe
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (D)
- Weight: 13
- Weapon Skill: Barbaric Roar
- Location: Found on a corpse in a carriage near Limgrave.
A classic Greataxe with great stagger potential and flexibility.
Putrescence Cleaver
- Scaling: STR (D), DEX (E), ARC (D)
- Weight: 13.5
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Guillotine
- Location: Dropped by Putrescent Omen enemies.
A Bleed-focused Greataxe with a spinning attack move.
Rusted Anchor
- Scaling: STR (C), DEX (E)
- Weight: 12.5
- Weapon Skill: Barbaric Roar
- Location: Found in Morne Tunnel.
A nautical-themed Greataxe with a unique aesthetic and high stagger potential.
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Final Thoughts: Which Axe Is Best for Your Build?
- Best for Strength Builds: Executioner’s Greataxe, Warped Axe, Giant-Crusher
- Best for Dexterity Builds: Butchering Knife, Stormhawk Axe
- Best for Status Effect Builds: Ripple Blade (Arcane), Putrescence Cleaver (Bleed), Icerind Hatchet (Frost)
- Best for Hybrid Builds: Rosus’ Axe (INT), Gargoyle’s Black Axe (FAITH), Stormhawk Axe (Lightning)
Choosing the right axe depends on your playstyle and build. Whether you want fast-hitting aggression or slow, devastating power, Elden Ring offers plenty of variety for axe-wielding warriors.
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