7 Best Axes In Elden Ring [700+ Hours Played]

These are the 7 unrivaled axes to conquer all enemies in Elden Ring

Most Played Games

2500+ Hours in Valorant.
1500+ Hours in Elden Ring.
800+ Hours in DOOM Eternal.
700+ Hours in Dragon Ball FighterZ.
500+ Hours in Forza Horizon 5.

December 24, 2023

In the Lands Between, players will encounter various weapons to help them overcome obstacles and defeat formidable foes. Among these deadly tools are the best axes in Elden Ring, which offer immense power and versatility for various character builds.

Key Takeaways

Elden Ring offers 14 unique axes for ruthless enemy disposal.
Best Axes in Elden Ring Ranked:
1. Icerind Hachet: High damage and inflicts frostbite with Hoarfrost Stomp.
2. Gargoyle’s Black Axe: High physical and holy damage with the War Cry skill.
3. Rosus Axe: Summons skeletons with Rosus’s Summons skill.
4. Celebrant’s Cleaver: Grants runes with every hit and offers Wild Strikes skill.
5. Sacrificial Axe: Restores FP upon foe slaying.
6. Jawbone Axe: Infuse with Ashes of War and has Wild Strikes skill.
7. Stormhawk: Has the Thunderstorm weapon skill that imbues the weapon with lightning.

Why Trust Us: With 700+ hours in the game, Daniyal is a trusted source for Elden Ring guides!

Quiz Time

Ready to test your knowledge of Elden Ring’s vast and dangerous world? Take our quiz and see if you can emerge victorious from the Lands Between!

Let’s have a look at the comparison between some of the best axes in Elden Ring:

Rank	Axe Name	Physical	Magic	Holy	Crit Boost
1	Icerind Hatchet	115.0	0.0	0.0	100.0
2	Gargoyles Black Axe	100.0	0.0	120.0	100.0
3	Rosus Axe	112.0	68.0	0.0	100.0
4	Celebrants Cleaver	125.0	0.0	0.0	100.0
5	Sacrificial Axe	133.0	0.0	0.0	100.0
6	Jawbone Axe	130.0	0.0	0.0	100.0
7	Stormhawk Axe	136.0	0.0	0.0	100.0

1. Icerind Hatchet

Best Axe in Elden Ring.

icerind hachet elden ring — The coolest way to chop down enemies – Icerind hatchet [image by us]

Stat	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit	Boost
Attack	115	0	0	0	0	100	0
Guard	40	27	27	27	27	0	27

The Icerind Hatchet is a unique weapon with a special Ashes of War ability called Hoarfrost Stomp, which deals significant damage while consuming minimal FP.

Show Full Text

Stats	Scaling	Requirements
Strength	E	11
Dexterity	D	16

To find the Icerind Hatchet:

Players should head to the Temple Quarter Site of Grace, located just below the Raya Lucaria Academy.
From there, they must travel southeast to a ruined tower.
Inside the ruins, players will find a chest containing the Icerind Hatchet.
The area is relatively safe, with only a few Alburniac wandering from the Village of the Albinaurics.

The Icerind Hatchet’s stats and the Hoarfrost Stomp ability make it a viable weapon for frost builds. It also inflicts frostbite (65) on enemies, lowering their damage absorption by 20% and reducing stamina recovery.

Icerind Hatchet, an early-game weapon in Elden Ring, is both accessible and powerful. Its Hoarfrost Stomp ability delivers significant damage, making it favored by speedrunners and frost-build enthusiasts. Recognized for its effectiveness in cheesing numerous boss fights, it holds the top spot among the best axes in Elden Ring.

Can be obtained fairly early in Elden Ring.
Offers brutalizing damage while not being too demanding on stats or FP.

Is only viable to use with a Frost build.
Some players may consider its damage scaling a bit disappointing.

2. Gargoyles Black Axe

Best Mid-Game Axe.

gargoyles black axe elden ring — Crush your enemies with Gargoyles black Axe [image credits: eXputer]

Stat	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit	Boost
Attack	100	–	–	–	120	100	–
Guard	49	27	27	27	54	–	37

The Gargoyle’s Black Axe is a unique and formidable weapon that players can acquire to enhance their combat capabilities with the War Cry skill.

Show Full Text

Stats	Scaling	Requirements
Strength	D	24
Dexterity	E	8
Faith	D	22

To find the Gargoyles black axe:

Players need to defeat the Black Blade Kindred found at the mountaintops of the giants.
Along with the black axe, the Gargoyles Black Blade can also be acquired from feeling the same enemy.

Due to the weapon requirements and the difficulty in acquiring the weapon, it can be considered a more mid-game weapon.

Offers heavy damage.
Further enhances combat capabilities with the War Cry skill.

Is only obtainable very late in Elden Ring.
Has demanding stats requirements.

3. Rosus Axe

Best Axe for Intelligence Build.

rosus axe elden ring — Rousin’ up some trouble with Rosus Axe +10 [Image by eXputer]

Stat	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit	Boost
Attack	112	72	0	0	0	100	0
Guard	44	44	30	30	30	0	33

The Rosus’ Axe primarily scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, making it an excellent choice for melee-focused characters looking to deliver substantial damage with every swing and dominate the battlefield.

Show Full Text

Stats	Scaling	Requirements
Strength	D	18
Dexterity	E	10
Intelligence	D	18

To find Rosus’ Axe in the game:

Players need to explore the Black Knife Catacombs in liurnia.
The weapon is located behind a Stonesword Key door.

One of the most notable features of Rosus’ Axe is its Weapon Skill, Rosus’s Summons. By raising the axe, players can summon three skeletons that appear at a distance, attacking in tandem before vanishing. However, it’s important to note that Rosus’ Axe cannot be infused with Ashes of War.

Obtainable in the early game.
Very useful weapon skill that summons three skeletons.
Offers heavy damage.

Can not be infused with different Ashes of War.
Demanding stats requirement.

4. Celebrants Cleaver

Ideal Axe for some extra Runes.

Celevrant's Clever Elden Ring — One of the rare axe – the Celebrant’s Clever [image by us]

Stat	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit	Boost
Attack	128	0	0	0	0	100	0
Guard	47	31	31	31	31	0	33

The Celebrant’s Cleaver is a versatile and powerful Axe in Elden Ring, making it one of the best choices for players who prioritize Strength and Dexterity in their build.

Show Full Text

With each successful hit, the Celebrant’s Cleaver grants ten runes to the player, providing a valuable resource for upgrading and leveling.

Stats	Scaling	Requirements
Strength	D	12
Dexterity	D	8

The Celebrant’s Cleaver can be found in the Altus Plateau’s Windmill Village.
It is dropped by enemies in the area.
As players explore the village and defeat celebrating foes wielding the weapon, they have a chance to obtain this unique axe for their arsenal.

One of the key aspects of the Celebrant’s Cleaver is its Default Weapon Skill, Wild Strikes. This skill allows players to swing the weapon with reckless abandon, and by holding the attack button, they can continue swinging. The skill can be followed up with a normal or strong attack, offering dynamic combat options.

This weapon can also be infused with Ashes of War, allowing players to customize and enhance their abilities further.

Grants ten runes to the player with every successful hit.
Can be infused with different Ashes of War.

Nothing that comes to mind.

5. Sacrificial Axe

Powerful Early Game Axe.

Sacrificial Axe Elden ring — Sacrifice the enemies without any guilt with Sacrificial Axe [image by us]

Stat	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit	Boost
Attack	133	0	0	0	0	100	0
Guard	49	33	33	33	33	0	33

The Sacrificial Axe is a unique and powerful weapon in Elden Ring, scaling primarily with Strength and Dexterity, thus making its place among the best axes. Ideal for aggressive players who like to confront their enemies head-on, this axe is particularly suitable for those who appreciate its skill, Wild Strikes.

Show Full Text

Stats	Scaling	Requirements
Strength	D	16
Dexterity	D	10

The Sacrificial Axe can be obtained by venturing to the Weeping Peninsula during nighttime and defeating the formidable Deathbird enemy.

Additionally, the axe’s lingering power from the ancient sacrificial rite allows players to restore a small amount of FP upon slaying a foe.

Offers favorable damage.
Can be infused with different Ashes of War.
Restores a small amount of FP after defeating an enemy.

While can be obtained in the early game, players are required to first defeat a formidable boss.
Some players may consider its damage scaling a bit disappointing.

6. Jawbone Axe

Best Early Game Axe for Strength build.

jawbone axe elden ring — Break their jaws with the Jawbone axe +18 [image credits: eXputer]

Stat	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit	Boost
Attack	130	0	0	0	0	100	0
Guard	49	33	33	33	33	0	36

The Jawbone Axe is a distinctive and powerful weapon, primarily scaling with Strength and Dexterity, and offers the Wild Strike skill as well.

Show Full Text

Stats	Scaling	Requirements
Strength	D	14
Dexterity	E	8

Players can find the Jawbone Axe by:

Defeating the Ancestral Follower enemy.
These formidable enemies can be found in various locations, such as near the Mausoleum Compound site of grace and the ruined Labyrinth grace.

The Jawbone Axe can be infused with Ashes of War and buffed with magic and consumables, providing additional customization options for players.

Offers heavy damage, alongside the Wild Strike skill.
Can be infused with different Ashes of War.

Obtaining this axe can feel quite grindy.
Some players may consider its damage scaling a bit disappointing.

7. Stormhawk Axe

Best Weapon skill Axe.

stormhawk axe elden ring — Summon the storm by the Stormhawk axe [image by us[

Stat	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit	Boost
Attack	136	0	0	0	0	100	0
Guard	49	33	33	33	33	0	31

The Stormhawk Axe is an exceptional weapon in Elden Ring that primarily scales with Strength and Dexterity. This axe is perfect for aggressive players who enjoy a relentless and dynamic combat style.

Show Full Text

Stats	Scaling	Requirements
Strength	D	19
Dexterity	D	15

The weapon skill, Thunderstorm, sets it apart from other axes in the game, imbuing the wing-shaped blade with lightning to create a dazzling storm with each swing. The lightning stays on the blade for a brief period, enhancing the weapon’s potential in battle.

Players can find the Stormhawk Axe in various locations throughout the vast world of Elden Ring.

One way to obtain it is by looting Nepheli Loux’s corpse at the Village of the Albinaurics in Western Liurnia of the Lakes.
Alternatively, players can search for it on a dead body in the courtyard filled with Iron Maidens near the Fortified Manor, First Floor at Leyndell, Royal Capital.
The axe can also be found in Castle Sol, resting on a corpse on a wooden awning in the courtyard’s central building.

The Stormhawk Axe cannot be infused with Ashes of War; however, players can upgrade it using Somber Smithing Stones to further enhance its combat capabilities.

Offers heavy damage with a unique playstyle.
Has a weapon skill that infuses the weapon with lightning damage.
Is found throughout multiple locations in Elden Ring

Some players may consider its damage a bit underwhelming.
Can not be infused with different Ashes of War.

My Personal Opinion On The Best Axe

As seen from the list, my favorite and personal best axe in Elden Ring is undoubtedly the Icerind Hatchet. Despite the recent nerfs, the Frost debuff is extremely overpowered in this game, which is why Frost weapons always stand out in their respective weapon categories. From my experience, the Icerind Hatchet is no exception to the rule, and when you use it, you can see why.

hours waterjuice — My Elden Ring hours (Steam ID: WaterJuice)

In my opinion, the Icerind Hatchet’s Ash of War is unbelievably effective against hordes of enemies and bosses, slowing their attacks and movement significantly. This Ash of War alone blows every other in-game axe out of the water. And besides that, the Hatchet has respectable damage output figures for both regular and charged attacks, so it’s even great as a regular axe.

Whether you wield the arcane might of the Ripple Blade, overdose enemies with your mage build, and crush your enemies with the heavy force of the Iron Cleaver, the axes of Elden Ring provide endless opportunities for triumph and adventure.