When you are looking for a decent DPS weapon for your character, look no further than the humble axe. These single-handed weapons deliver powerful blows with each swing and often have cool animations. Some characters use the axes as throwing weapons like the Ranger and its elite specializations and look awesome doing so. With that in mind, let us take a look at some of the best axes and see how you can get them in-game.
10. Expurgation
With its simplistic, elegant, and sleek design, Expurgation is the ascended weapon fit for Firebrands. It features the Guardian’s symbol on the side of its axe head which has a faint blue glow. Don this mighty axe and purge your enemies from the land.
What Expurgation is good for
- Expurgation is an ascended weapon that can be shared with your other characters because it is an account-bound item.
- This weapon has three condition damage-specific stat prefixes you can choose from, making it a must-have weapon for condi-based roles. The stat prefixes are Viper’s (power + condition damage + precision + expertise), Marshal’s (pwer + healing power + condition damage + precision), and Trailblazer’s (toughness + condition damage + vitality + expertise)
- You can change the stat of Expurgation by placing it in the Mystic Forge with an exotic inscription you want, 5 Globs of Ectoplasm, and 1 Anthology of Heroes.
How to get Expurgation…
In order to get Expurgation, you need to finish the associated collection achievement for it. The items you need for it are:
- Firebrand’s Axe - You receive it by training Firebrand for the first time.
- Tarnished Memory Crystal - It is randomly dropped by harpies in the Crystal Desert and needs to be defeated by a Guardian.
- Lost Ring of the Order - Purchased from the Renowned Heart NPC Priest Hakim in Elona Reach at Crystal Oasis for 5,390 Karma.
- Wish for Truth - As a Guardian, make a wish on the wishing well in the Garden of Seborhin in the Domain of Vabii map.
- Petrified Forgotten Eye - Defeat the Legendary Bounty for Uush Visshta in Crystal Oasis.
- Threat Report: Missing Sacred Text - Purchased from the Renowned Heart NPC Keeper Pamir in The Ruination at The Desolation for 6,860 Karma.
- Trophy of the Champion Firebrand - Finisht any race in the Crystal Desert as a Guardian.
- Abasi’s Envenomed Cleaver - You can either get if from various chest loot in the desert or purchase it from the Trading Post.
- Recipe: Superior Rune of the Firebrand - You first need the Canyon Jumping mastery for your Raptor. Help out Explorer Jeppa in the Desert Highlands in the dynamic event.
- Riddle of the Firebrand - Find the Runeforger’s Chest in a cave under Godslost Sandfalls in the Skyward Reach area of Elon Riverlands.
- Engraved Pectoral - Defeat a Caffeinated Skritt Burglar as a Guardian in any of the Crystal Desert maps.
- Firebrand’s War Miter - You receive it as a reward for completing your Firebrand training for the first time.
- Firebrand’s Cache - It is a reward item for completing any of the Path of Fire maps as a Guardian.
- Mordant Sickle (skin) - You need to unlock this skin either by crafting it in a lengthy process, as a random reward for finishing the Junundu Rising meta event (rewards the Harsab The DIvider of Severance axe), or purchasing the same axe in the Trading Post.
Expurgation details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 900-1100
Prefix (attribute combination) - Selectable
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Ascended
9. Mistcleaver
Way back during the beta testing phase of the Heart of Thorns expansion, it introduced players to the Revenant, its mechanics, and the weapons it would be using. Among these weapons was the Mistcleaver, a strange dark axe seemingly born from The Mists to cleave its enemies asunder. They wouldn’t make it originally to the game until a few patches later and have a unique method of getting the weapon.
What Mistcleaver is good for
- Mistcleaver is an ascended weapon similar to Expurgation that can be shared with your other characters because it is an account-bound item.
- This weapon has three stat prefixes although it may be more sought after for the Celestial prefix since it increases all stats.
- You can change the stat of Mistcleaver by placing it in the Mystic Forge with an exotic inscription you want, 5 Globs of Ectoplasm, and 1 Anthology of Heroes.
- There used to be a beta version of the weapon that was used only by Revenants during the Heart of Thorns beta tests, but the skin was not transferable. Later on, this version of the Mistcleaver would make its way into the game.
How to get Mistcleaver…
- To get Mistcleaver, you must first find the mysterious NPC, Zeghai of the Lost, who can only be found in certain areas of core Tyria and teleports every hour. He is the only one that sells the item Recipe: Mistcleaver. Here are the items you need to craft the weapon:
- Required Weaponsmith rating: 500
- Revenant’s Inscription
- Deldrimor Steel Axe Blade
- Small Spiritwood Haft
- Vision Crystal
Mistcleaver details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 900-1100
Prefix (attribute combination) - Selectable
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Ascended
8. Harsab The Divider of Severance
Harsab The Divider of Severance is a beautiful axe that will be useful for characters that lean more towards the support role. As it is a named Mordant weapon that shares the same stat prefix, it may be limited in terms of usage. Despite this, it is a beautifully designed weapon with bronze-gold coloration and intricate design.
What Harsab The Divider of Severance is good for
- Harsab The Divider of Severance is part of a collection achievement for Mordant skins and shares the same skin as the Mordant Axe.
- It has Harrier’s stat prefix (power + healing power + concentration) which is usually decent for support and healer builds.
- It is a possible reward for a decently challenging meta-event.
How to get Harsab The Divider of Severance…
There are three ways to receive this exotic axe.
- Looted from a Palawan Phylactery chest.
- Possible reward from finishing the Junundu Rising meta event.
- Purchasing the item from the Trading Post.
Harsab The Divider of Severance details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 857-1,048
Prefix (attribute combination) - Harrier’s
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Exotic
7. Violet Antique Reaver
The Violete Antique Reaver is a beautifully crafted ascended weapon for Weaponsmiths that have reached a rating of 500 or as fun reward for participating in raids. They may not have any particle effects, but their elegant design makes up for any flash and flair. They combine aesthetics with functionality as they are usually crafted with certain stat prefixes in mind.
What Violet Antique Weapons are good for
- The Violet Antique Reaver is basically part of the Violet Antique Weapons. They are practically the same as any crafted ascended weapon but have a different color scheme due to the stat prefix associated with it.
- The unique coloration of the weapon is a great fit for certain characters and themes. Mirage characters are a great fit because of their usual color scheme.
- These weapons are account-bound and can be shared with your other characters that use axe weapons.
How to get Violet Antique Weapons in general…
There are two ways to get these weapons.
- Craft an ascended axe with the Wupwup inscription.
- Purchase a Chest of Raider’s One-Handed Weapons from either the Basic Magnetite Exchange Operative in the Lion’s Arch Aerodrome, Scholar Glenna at the Spirit Vale raid, or by using the Portable Magnetite Shard Exchange. These chests cost 250 Magnetite Shards and 15 Gold.
Violet Antique Reaver details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 900-1100
Prefix (attribute combination) - Depends on which weapon you choose.
- Assaulter’s Reaver - select an ascended prefix that focuses on power stat
- Defender’s Reaver - select an ascended prefix that focuses on toughness stat
- Healer’s Reaver - select an ascended prefix that focuses on healing power stat
- Malicious Reaver - select an ascended prefix that focuses on condition damage stat
- Wupwup Reaver - crafted from Masterwork 500 with a Wupwup Celestial Inscription.
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Ascended
6. Reaver of the Mists
The Reaver of the Mists is a cool-looking ethereal weapon that will surely turn heads. Its misty appearance makes this weapon a sight to behold as it is enveloped by a violet aura. For Mesmer players, this is one axe that can be added to their collection and may even give them a reason to commit to being Mirage-mains.
What Reaver of the Mists is good for
- The Reaver of the Mists is part of the Phantasm Weapons set, or a group of named exotic weapons that share a violet ethereal aura. It is a great look for certain classes like the Revenant or Mesmer.
- The model of the skin resembles that of the weapon Royal Axcalonian Axe but with blue flames instead, and only activates its effect at night.
- It has the Carrion stat prefix making it a great condition damage dealer, and luckily enough, there are many builds that can use this weapon.
How to get Reaver of the Mists…
There are only two ways to get the Reaver of the Mists and an additional one if you are a Mesmer.
- Craft this powerful weapon in the Mystic Forge with an Eldritch Scroll, 50 Mystic Coins, 20 Crystal Lodestones, and 250 Globs of Ectoplasm
- Purchase it from the Trading Post.
Curiously enough, play as a Mesmer, equip a focus, and use your Phantasmal Warden skill. The phantasm is technically using the weapon during the attack.
Reaver of the Mists details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 857 - 1048
Prefix (attribute combination) - Carrion (condition damage + power + vitality)
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Exotic
5. Veilrender
Just when you thought Mesmers weren’t getting spoiled enough with all these beautiful axe skins, the Veilrender adds itself to the list. This gorgeous weapon is the perfect weapon for the Mesmer that has trained in the hot desert sands of Elona, the Mirage. With their weapon of choice in hand, they befuddle and confuse their opponents, leaving them open to deadly strikes.
What Veilrender is good for
- Veilrenderis an ascended weapon that can be shared with your other characters because it is an account-bound item.
- This weapon has three condition damage-specific stat prefixes you can choose from, making it a must-have weapon for condi-based roles. The stat prefixes are Carrion (condition damage + power + vitality), Dire (condition damage + toughness + vitality), and Rabid (condition damage + precision + toughness)
- You can change the stat of Veilrender by placing it in the Mystic Forge with an exotic inscription you want, 5 Globs of Ectoplasm, and 1 Anthology of Heroes.
How to get Veilrender…
In order to get Veilrender, you need to finish the associated collection achievement for it. The items you need for it are:
- Mirage’s Axe - You receive it by training Mirage for the first time.
- Iboga Petals - It is randomly dropped by fanged ibogas in the Crystal Desert and needs to be defeated by a Mesmer.
- Delusion Loop - Purchased from the Renowned Heart NPC Amusement Adjunct Cagri in the Garden of Sebhorin at Domain of Vabii for 2,695 Karma.
- Wish for Freedom - As a Mesmer, make a wish on the wishing well in the Garden of Seborhin in the Domain of Vabii map.
- Vial of Enchanted Sands - Defeat the Champion Dunechaser in either Forum Highlands or Isha Corridor at Domain of Vabii.
- Threat Report: Lost Scouts - Purchased from the Renowned Heart NPC Keeper Pamir in The Ruination at The Desolation for 6,860 Karma.
- Trophy of the Champion Mirage - Finish any race in the Crystal Desert as a Mesmer.
- Abasi’s Envenomed Cleaver - You can either get if from various chest loot in the desert or purchase it from the Trading Post.
- Recipe: Superior Rune of the Mirage - Help out Priest Bashshar in the Crystal Oasis dynamic event.
- Riddle of the Mirage - Find the Runeforger’s Chest in the second chamber of the Jackal Portal located east of The Deadhouse.
- Mirror of Disenchantment - Defeat a Caffeinated Skritt Burglar as a Mesmer in any of the Crystal Desert maps.
- Mirage’s Veil - You receive it as a reward for completing your Mirage training for the first time.
- Mirage’s Cache - It is a reward item for completing any of the Path of Fire maps as a Mirage.
- Mordant Sickle (skin) - You need to unlock this skin either by crafting it in a lengthy process, as a random reward for finishing the Junundu Rising meta event (rewards the Harsab The DIvider of Severance axe), or purchasing the same axe in the Trading Post.
Veilrender details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 900-1100
Prefix (attribute combination) - Selectable
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Ascended
4. Peacemaker’s Axe
The Peacemaker’s Axe and other Peacemaker weapons are asura-related weapon skins that give your weapons a more sciencey feel to them. They crackle with faint violet electricity while being wielded and look good on characters that want a more sci-fi aesthetic. The Asura race should be proud of creating such a marvelous-looking axe and its other weapons.
What Peacemaker’s Axe is good for
- Although it is merely a Rare rarity weapon, the Peacemaker’s Axe is sought after for its aesthetics which fits in with the majority of the sci-fi-looking characters.
- You only need to purchase one axe and you gain the skin for your wardrobe. All you need to do now is to use Transmutation stones and put them on your own Exotic, Ascended, or even Legendary Axe (if for some reason you dislike how they look).
- The Peacemaker’s Axe and the other weapons are fairly easy to get as they can be purchased with Karma instead of Gold.
How to get Peacemaker’s Axe…
- You can purchase the Peacemaker’s Axe from the following sources:
- Tredd - A cultural weaponsmith Tier 3 NPC from Creator’s Commons at Rata Sum for 63,000 Karma.
- Skritt Weapons Collector - A skritt NPC that sells cultural weapons based on your race that can be found at Camp Resolve in the Silverwastes.
Peacemaker’s Axe details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 759 - 928
Prefix (attribute combination) - Magi (healing power + precision + vitality)
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Rare
3. Frostfang
Frostfang is the first legendary axe in Guild Wars 2 and has had its fair share of fans. The lore surrounding this legendary weapon continues to inspire awe in the Norn and its icy visage reminds them of their goal of one day reclaiming their homeland. May your tales continue to be sung by the skaalds and herald of a champion that wields this fearsome weapon.
What Frostfang is good for
- It is a legendary weapon that can have any attribute combination prefix that it wants, from Apothecary, all the way to Zealot’s.
- Frostfang can swap its attributes while out of combat, making it a must-have weapon to serve as your weapon of choice for almost every type of game mode.
- You can freely swap out Superior Sigils while out of combat without the need to use any extractor item.
- You can also freely transmute skins on it if you don’t like the look of Frostfang for whatever reason.
- A recent quality of life gave players the opportunity to freely equip legendaries that they own on their character without the need to share it via bank as long as it has been unlocked in the legendary armory.
How to get Frostfang…
There are two ways to receive this legendary weapon. You can either:
- Craft Frostfang in the Mystic Forge by combining a Gift of Frostfang, a Gift of Fortune, a Gift of Mastery, and crafting the precursor weapon Tooth of Frostfang.
- Purchase the legendary weapon from the Trading Post.
Frostfang details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 900 - 1100
Prefix (attribute combination) - Selectable
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Legendary
2. Aurene’s Rending
Aurene’s Rending is one of the latest legendary axes to be introduced at the End of Dragons expansion and depicts additional lore of the new Prismatic Dragon. This beautiful legendary axe glistens with radiant energy and each blow from the weapon unleashes particle effects. This is one of the flashiest axes in the game to date.
What Aurene’s Rending is good for
- Like Frostfang, it is a legendary weapon from the third generation (End of Dragons) that can have any attribute combination prefix that it wants, from Apothecary, all the way to Zealot’s.
- Similar to Frostfang, Aurene’s Rending can swap its attributes while out of combat, making it a must-have weapon to serve as your weapon of choice for almost every type of game mode.
- Just like Frostfang, you can also freely swap out Superior Sigils while out of combat without the need to use any extractor item.
- The Aurene-based legendary weapon has lore that about the new Prismatic Elder Dragon’s thoughts about her situation and the other Elder Dragons, fleshing out some hidden tidbits.
- These legendaries also have alternate skins which require specific finishing collectibles, each detailing the thoughts of the vanquished Elder Dragons.
- You can also freely transmute skins on it if you don’t like the look of Frostfang for whatever reason.
- A recent quality of life gave players the opportunity to freely equip legendaries that they own on their character without the need to share it via bank as long as it has been unlocked in the legendary armory.
How to get Aurene’s Rending…
There are two ways to receive this legendary weapon. You can either:
- Craft Aurene’s Rending in the Mystic Forge by combining a Gift of Jade Mastery, a Draconic Tribute, a Gift of Aurene’s Rending, and crafting the precursor weapon Dragon’s Rending.
- Purchase the legendary weapon from the Trading Post.
Aurene’s Rending details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 900 - 1100
Prefix (attribute combination) - Selectable
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Legendary
1. Astralaria
At the top of the legendary axes sits Astralaria at the very top with its intricate details and aesthetics, unique effects, its status as legendary, and how it cannot simply be purchased. The weapon must be earned and crafted every step of the way, and the results speak for themselves. This marvelous legendary axe will leave you in awe when you use it to destroy your enemies.
What Astralaria is good for
- Like Frostfang, it is a legendary weapon from the third generation (End of Dragons) that can have any attribute combination prefix that it wants, from Apothecary, all the way to Zealot’s.
- Similar to Frostfang, Aurene’s Rending can swap its attributes while out of combat, making it a must-have weapon to serve as your weapon of choice for almost every type of game mode.
- Just like Frostfang, you can also freely swap out Superior Sigils while out of combat without the need to use any extractor item.
- You can also freely transmute skins on it if you don’t like the look of Frostfang for whatever reason.
- A recent quality of life gave players the opportunity to freely equip legendaries that they own on their character without the need to share it via bank as long as it has been unlocked in the legendary armory.
How to get Astralaria…
You need to craft Astralaria from beginning to end.
- Craft Astralaria in the Mystic Forge by combining a Gift of Maguuma Mastery, a MysticTribute, a Gift of Astralaria, and crafting the precursor weapon The Mechanism.
- Purchase the legendary weapon from the Trading Post.
Astralaria details:
Type: Axe
Strength: 900 - 1100
Prefix (attribute combination) - Selectable
Required Level: 80
Rarity - Legendary
Closing Thoughts
These axes are just some among the sea of amazing axe skins available in the game, and these are only the ones that you can get by playing the game normally. They have been intricately designed and modeled with great care and attention to the lore surrounding them and can be a sight to behold. What do you think, dear reader, do any of these seem like worthy contenders for Fashion Wars 2? Let us know your thoughts and whether we could include your own picks in a future update.
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