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Axes

Diablo 2 axes

Diablo 2 axes are 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 have decent damage, but less than spears or polearms, and have less range than these, a big consideration for Barbs using Whirlwind.

For Diablo 2 classic players: Nagas (1 handed axe) and Ancient Axes (2 handed axe) have no dexterity requirement. Also, Nagas have a range 3 (range 3 is much nicer than, for example, the Battle Hammer’s range 1), and Ancient Axes have a range of 4 (only one less range than max range of 5, like some spears and polearms), so these axes could see some use.

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 2, 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 2, though polearms and spears both do more damage at the higher levels. They also have more range, 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 2. 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.

Diablo 2 Axes Notes

  • Axes can be either one-handed or two-handed.
  • Item Level: Monsters must be of this level to drop a particular item. Ilvl is used in gambling, sales and other calculations as well.
  • Clvl Req: A character or mercenary must be this level to equip the item.
  • Range: Goes from 1 (least) to 5 (most), and is identical for all melee weapon types. I.E. a 3 sword = a 3 spear = a 3 hammer.
  • Dmg Bonus: This determines how you multiply the item damage by your stats to reach the actual damage. Each point in this statistic multiplies your damage by bonus/100 %. For example a damage bonus of 70 is 70/100 or and additional .7% weapon damage per point. Most weapons have 100 str, which gives 100/100 or an additional 1% weapon damage per point in str.
  • Weapon Speed (WSM): A relative comparison to other weapons of the same type. 0 is the base -10, -20, etc is faster, 10, 20, etc is slower.
  • Swing Speed: The speed shown in-game for each character using this melee weapon. This speed is mostly meaningless and is included for completeness only. Characters are abbreviated to their first letters, with Amazon = Am and Assassin = As.

Normal

Normal axes can be found anywhere in the game.

One-handed Axes

ImageNamePropertiesMisc StatsAttack Rate
Diablo 2 Hand Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P
Normal: S
Diablo 2 Axe

Axe

4-11 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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: As/P
Normal: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 Double Axe

Double Axe

5-13 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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: As/P
Normal: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 Military Pick Axe

Military Pick

7-11 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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: As/P
Fast: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 War Axe

War Axe

10-18 Damage
26 Durability
Str Req: 67
Dex Req: None
Item Level: 25
Clvl Req: None
D2 Sockets: 3
D2X Sockets: 1-6
Range: 3
Dmg Bonus: 100 Str
Inv Size: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P
Normal: S

Two-Handed Axes

ImageNamePropertiesMisc StatsAttack Rate
Diablo 2 Large Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: D
Fast: N/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B
Diablo 2 Broad Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: D/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B/N
Diablo 2 Battle Axe

Battle Axe

12-32 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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: D
Normal: N/S
Slow: Am/As/B/P
Diablo 2 Great Axe

Great Axe

9-30 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: 2×4
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: D
Fast: N/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B
Diablo 2 Giant Axe

Giant Axe

22-45 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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: D
Normal: N/S
Slow: Am/As/B/P

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 Axes

ImageNamePropertiesMisc StatsAttack Rate
Diablo 2 Hand Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P
Normal: S
Diablo 2 Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: As/P
Normal: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 Double Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: As/P
Normal: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 Military Pick Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: As/P
Fast: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 War Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P
Normal: S

* All Exceptional items are Clvl 25 in Diablo II. Some lower-quality ones are slightly lower in D2X.

Two-handed Axes

ImageNamePropertiesMisc StatsAttack Rate
Diablo 2 Large Axe

Military Axe

14-34 Damage
30 Durability
Str Req: 73
Dex Req: None
Item Level: 34
Clvl Req: 22*
D2 Sockets: 3
D2X Sockets: 1-4
Range: 2
Dmg Bonus: 100 Str
Inv Size: 2×3
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: D
Fast: N/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B
Diablo 2 Broad Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: D/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B/N
Diablo 2 Battle Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: D
Normal: N/S
Slow: Am/As/B/P
Diablo 2 Great Axe

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: 2×4
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: D
Fast: N/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B
Diablo 2 Giant Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: D
Normal: N/S
Slow: Am/As/B/P

* All Exceptional items are Clvl 25 in Diablo II. Some lower-quality ones are slightly lower in D2X.

Elite

Elite items are only in the Expansion. You can find Elite Axes in Acts 4-5 Nightmare, and then all through Hell difficulty.

One-Handed Axes

ImageNamePropertiesMisc StatsAttack Rate
Diablo 2 Hand Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P
Normal: S
Diablo 2 Axe

Small Crescent

38-60 Dmg
24 Durability
Str Req: 115
Dex Req: 83
Item Level: 61
Clvl Req: 45
D2 Sockets: 3
D2X Sockets: 1-4
Range: 2
Dmg Bonus: 100 Str
Inv Size: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: As/P
Normal: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 Double Axe

Ettin Axe

33-66 Dmg
24 Durability
Str Req: 145
Dex Req: 45
Item Level: 64
Clvl Req: 52
D2 Sockets: 3
D2X Sockets: 1-5
Range: 2
Dmg Bonus: 100 Str
Inv Size: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: As/P
Normal: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 Military Pick Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: As/P
Fast: Am/B/D/N/S
Diablo 2 War Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: Am/As/B/D/N/P
Normal: S

Two-handed Axes

ImageNamePropertiesMisc StatsAttack Rate
Diablo 2 Large Axe

Feral Axe

25-123 Dmg
30 Durability
Str Req: 196
Dex Req: None
Item Level: 61
Clvl Req: 42
D2 Sockets: 3
D2X Sockets: 1-4
Range: 3
Dmg Bonus: 100 Str
Inv Size: 2×3
Weapon Speed: -15
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: D
Fast: N/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B
Diablo 2 Broad Axe

Silver-edged Axe

62-110 Dmg
35 Durability
Str Req: 166
Dex Req: 65
Item Level: 64
Clvl Req: 48
D2 Sockets: 3
D2X Sockets: 1-5
Range: 3
Dmg Bonus: 100 Str
Inv Size: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 0
Swing Speed:
Fast: D/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B/N
Diablo 2 Battle Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: D
Normal: N/S
Slow: Am/As/B/P
Diablo 2 Great Axe

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: 2×4
Weapon Speed: -10
Swing Speed:
Very Fast: D
Fast: N/P/S
Normal: Am/As/B
Diablo 2 Giant Axe

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: 2×3
Weapon Speed: 10
Swing Speed:
Fast: D
Normal: N/S
Slow: Am/As/B/P

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