Introduction
Surprisingly underpowered, axes are not the best choice for big damage. One-handed Axes have decent damage and attack rate, but can't match the top swords (for Barbarians) or hammers. Two-handed axes are decent damage, but less than spears or polearms, and have much less range, a big consideration for Barbs using Whirlwind.
One-Handed Axes
Less damaging than the larger, two-handed axes, these small weapons have a faster swing speed and lower strength requirements. Also the character has an option of using a shield with them, though this is less of a benefit in the Expansion, due to the nerfing of blocking percentage.
Axes are generally pretty poor weapons in Diablo II, with slower swing speed, less range, and often less damage than swords or blunt weapons.
Two-Handed Axes
Large axes were the most damaging and mighty weapons in Diablo, and they are still quite massive in Diablo II, though polearms and spears both do more damage at the higher levels. They have more range also, a major consideration for Barbarians who are going to be using Whirlwind for their main attack.
Axes are very heavy items requiring high strength to wield them effectively, and they are slow to attack with, though a bit faster than the longer Polearms. They do not have very much reach in Diablo II. Their greatest advantage over Polearms is their much higher minimum damage. So you don't get the huge one-swing kills with axes, but you are sure to get at least pretty good damage with every successful hit.
Normal
One-handed Axes List
- Damage Bonus: This determines how you multiply the item damage by your stats to reach the actual damage. Each 100 points in that stat doubles your weapon's total physical damage. All Axes are 100 Str, which means every 100 points in Str doubles the weapon damage.
- Item Level: Used in many in-game calculations. Monsters must be of this level to drop the item, and it factors in when you get to gamble for this item type as well.
- Weapon Speed: A relative comparison to other weapons of the same type. 0 is the base -10, -20, etc is faster, 10, 20, etc is slower, always in increments of 10. Each 10 is equivalent to an SIAS item. Characters are abbreviated to their first letter, with Am = Amazon and As = Assassin.
- Range: Goes from 1 (least) to 5 (most), and is identical for all weapon types. I.E. a 3 sword = a 3 spear = a 3 hammer.
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hand Axe | 3-6 Damage 28 Durability Str Req: None Dex Req: None Item Level: 3 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
 | Axe | 3-11 Damage 24 Durability Str Req: 32 Dex Req: None Item Level: 7 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Double Axe | 5-12 Damage 24 Durability Str Req: 43 Dex Req: None Item Level: 13 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Military Pick | 6-10 Damage 26 Durability Str Req: 49 Dex Req: 33 Item Level: 19 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | War Axe | 8-14 Damage 26 Durability Str Req: 76 Dex Req: None Item Level: 25 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
* 150% damage to Demons is Expansion only.
Two-Handed Axes List
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Large Axe | 6-13 Damage 30 Durability Str Req: 35 Dex Req: None Item Level: 6 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: D Fast: N/P/S Normal: Am/As/B |
 | Broad Axe | 10-18 Damage 35 Durability Str Req: 48 Dex Req: None Item Level: 12 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: D/P/S Normal: Am/As/B/N |
 | Battle Axe | 12-28 Damage 40 Durability Str Req: 54 Dex Req: None Item Level: 17 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: D Normal: N/S Slow: Am/As/B/P |
 | Great Axe | 8-26 Damage 50 Durability Str Req: 63 Dex Req: 39 Item Level: 23 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: D Fast: N/P/S Normal: Am/As/B |
 | Giant Axe | 26-38 Damage 50 Durability Str Req: 70 Dex Req: None Item Level: 27 Clvl Req: None | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 4 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: D Normal: N/S Slow: Am/As/B/P |
* 150% damage to Demons is Expansion only.
Throwing Axes List
Throwing axes are affected by the Barbarian's Axe Mastery when used for melee, and by his Throwing Mastery when thrown.
- Damage Bonus: This determines how you multiply the item damage by your stats to reach the actual damage. All throwing weapons in D2 are 100 Str, while in D2X they are 50Str/50Dex.
- Item Level: Used in many in-game calculations. Monsters must be of this level to drop the item, and it factors in when you get to gamble for this item type as well.
- Weapon Speed: A relative comparison to other weapons of the same type. 0 is the base -10, -20, etc is faster, 10, 20, etc is slower by one frame per 10.
- Stack Size: Applies only to throwing weapons. Min = the smallest stack a monster can drop. Max = the largest a stack can possibly be. Throwing weapons stack only on others of their exact same type and mods, if magical.
- Range: Melee only. From 1 (least) to 5 (most) in D2X. Numbers are fixed across item classes: a 3 javelin = a 3 sword = a 3 hammer, etc.
- All characters throw at the same rate, and this speed is not affected by increased attack speed modifiers. Those only effect melee attack rates.
- No Throwing weapons are socketable in D2 or D2X.
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Throwing Axe | 4-7 Melee 8-12 Thrown Durability: 6* Str Req: None Dex Req: 40 Item Level: 7 Clvl Req: None | Stack Size: 16-32 Melee Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: D2: 100 Str D2X: 50/50 Str/Dex Inv Size: 1x2 | Weapon Speed: 10 Melee Attack Rate: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
 | Balance Axe | 5-10 Melee 12-15 Throw Durability: 10* Str Req: None Dex Req: 57 Item Level: 16 Clvl Req: None | Stack Size: 16-24 Melee Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: D2: 100 Str D2X: 50/50 Str/Dex Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Melee Attack Rate: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
* Durability on throwing weapons is only in the Expansion. See the note at the top of this page for the full explanation.
Exceptional
Exceptional axes can be found in Nightmare and Hell only in Diablo II. In the Expansion they can be found in Acts 4-5 Normal, and then all through Nightmare and Hell.
One-Handed Exceptional Axes List
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchet | 10-21 Damage 28 Durability Str Req: 25 Dex Req: 25 Item Level: 31 Clvl Req: 19** | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| Cleaver | 10-33 Damage 24 Durability Str Req: 68 Dex Req: None Item Level: 34 Clvl Req: 22** | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| Twin Axe | 13-38 Damage 24 Durability Str Req: 85 Dex Req: None Item Level: 39 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| Crowbill | 14-34 Damage 26 Durability Str Req: 94 Dex Req: 70 Item Level: 43 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
| Naga | 16-45 Damage 26 Durability Str Req: 121 Dex Req: None Item Level: 48 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
* 150% damage to Demons is Expansion only. ** All Exceptional items are Clvl 25 in Diablo II. Some lower-quality ones are slightly lower in D2X.
Two-handed Exceptional Axes List
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Axe | 14-24 Damage 30 Durability Str Req: 73 Dex Req: None Item Level: 34 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: D Fast: N/P/S Normal: Am/As/B |
| Bearded Axe | 21-42 Damage 35 Durability Str Req: 92 Dex Req: None Item Level: 38 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: D/P/S Normal: Am/As/B/N |
| Tabar | 24-58 Damage 40 Durability Str Req: 101 Dex Req: None Item Level: 42 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: D Normal: N/S Slow: Am/As/B/P |
| Gothic Axe | 18-54 Damage 50 Durability Str Req: 115 Dex Req: 79 Item Level: 46 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: D Fast: N/P/S Normal: Am/As/B |
| Ancient Axe | 46-74 Damage 50 Durability Str Req: 125 Dex Req: None Item Level: 51 Clvl Req: 25 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 4 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: D Normal: N/S Slow: Am/As/B/P |
* 150% damage to Demons is Expansion only.
Exceptional Throwing Axes List
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francisca | Melee Dmg: 11-22 Throwing Dmg: 18-33 Durability: 15* Str Req: 25 Dex Req: 80 Item Level: 34 Clvl Req: 25 ** | Stack Size: 16-32 Melee Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: D2: 100 Str D2X: 50/50 Str/Dex Inv Size: 1x2 | Weapon Speed: 10 Melee Attack Rate: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| Hurlbat | Melee Dmg: 13-27 Throwing Dmg: 24-34 Durability: 16* Str Req: 25 Dex Req: 106 Item Level: 41 Clvl Req: 25 | Stack Size: 16-24 Melee Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: D2: 100 Str D2X: 50/50 Str/Dex Inv Size: 2x3 | Weapon Speed: -10 Melee Attack Rate: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
* Durability on throwing weapons is only in the Expansion. Throwing weapons when used for melee combat lose durability, but at 1/3 the rate of normal weapons. When an item loses full durability it vanishes from the stack, just as if you'd thrown it. ** All Exceptional items are Clvl 25 in Diablo II. Some lower-quality ones are slightly lower in D2X.
Elite Axes
Elite items are only in the Expansion. You can find Elite Axes in Acts 4-5 Nightmare, and then all through Hell difficulty.
Elite One-Handed Axes List
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomahawk | 33-58 Dmg 28 Durability Str Req: 125 Dex Req: 67 Item Level: 58 Clvl Req: 50 | D2 Sockets: 2 D2X Sockets: 1-2 Range: 1 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
| Small Crescent | 38-60 Dmg 24 Durability Str Req: 115 Dex Req: 83 Item Level: 61 Clvl Req: 53 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| Ettin Axe | 33-66 Dmg 24 Durability Str Req: 145 Dex Req: 45 Item Level: 64 Clvl Req: 56 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: As/P Normal: Am/B/D/N/S |
| War Spike | 30-48 Dmg 26 Durability Str Req: 133 Dex Req: 54 Item Level: 67 Clvl Req: 59 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 2 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: As/P Fast: Am/B/D/N/S |
| Berserker Axe | 24-71 Dmg 26 Durability Str Req: 138 Dex Req: 59 Item Level: 71 Clvl Req: 63 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P Normal: S |
* 150% damage to Demons is Expansion only.
Two-handed Elite Axes List
| Item | Item Name | Properties | Misc Stats | Weapon Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feral Axe | 25-123 Dmg 30 Durability Str Req: 196 Dex Req: None Item Level: 61 Clvl Req: 53 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-4 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -15 Swing Speed: Very Fast: D Fast: N/P/S Normal: Am/As/B |
| Silver-edged Axe | 62-110 Dmg 35 Durability Str Req: 166 Dex Req: 65 Item Level: 64 Clvl Req: 56 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 0 Swing Speed: Fast: D/P/S Normal: Am/As/B/N |
| Decapitator | 49-137 Dmg 40 Durability Str Req: 189 Dex Req: 33 Item Level: 67 Clvl Req: 59 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-5 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: D Normal: N/S Slow: Am/As/B/P |
| Champion Axe | 59-94 Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 167 Dex Req: 59 Item Level: 70 Clvl Req: 62 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x4 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: -10 Swing Speed: Very Fast: D Fast: N/P/S Normal: Am/As/B |
| Glorious Axe | 60-124 Dmg 50 Durability Str Req: 164 Dex Req: 55 Item Level: 73 Clvl Req: 65 | D2 Sockets: 3 D2X Sockets: 1-6 Range: 3 Dmg Bonus: 100 Str Inv Size: 2x3 150% damage vs. Demons* | Weapon Speed: 10 Swing Speed: Fast: D Normal: N/S Slow: Am/As/B/P |
* 150% damage to Demons is Expansion only.