Axeplay - are you a fan?

[Commodore_Axephante]

1h, 2h, pole, throwing - all four have axes. Do you use them? If so, which are your favorites?

I want to hear from archers/xbow/throwers/hybrids/shielders, you name it. I'm curious about axe builds in general - which is the best axe for any particular build?

Go!

EDIT: Here's a list of the weapons I would consider an axe, in case anyone is somehow confused:

(click to show/hide)

1h:
Hatchet
Hand Axe
One Handed Axe
One Handed War Axe
Fighting Axe
Light One Handed Battle Axe
Iron Battle Axe
Iron War Axe
One Handed Battle Axe
Broad One Handed Battle Axe

2h:
Axe
Two Handed Axe
Battle Axe
Shortened Voulge
Two Handed War Axe
War Axe
Persian War Axe
Bardiche
Persian Battle Axe
Great Axe
Great Bardiche

Polearms:
Voulge
Long Voulge
Long Axe
Long Bardiche
Swiss Halberd
Long War Axe
Great Long Axe
Great Long Bardiche
Poleaxe
German Poleaxe
Elegant Poleaxe

Throwing:
Francisca
Throwing Axe
Heavy Throwing Axe

[Miwiw]

Pole Axes feel best, my fav weapons when playing pole... however I only made one generation as polearmer, prefer any other weapon class.

Throwing axes. Loved them in native, but always prefered and still prefer Javelins and Jarids over any other throwing stuff. I'm just used to them.
I like Axes style but usually I'm more into a weapon that is able to stab as well.

[SirCymro_Crusader]

As an archer i would have to say the hatchet, its actually surprisingly good!

As a shielder, it has to be the Broad One Handed Axe, i absolutely love playing with that weapon, its a bit short but it makes up for it in damage and speed

As for 2H, the battle axe, its heavy, slow but deals tons of damage, i remember using it in strat and everyone was getting a high K/D with it, because it was such a strong weapon and was tearing the enemy apart!

[donib]

Used the Iron battle axe (1h) a lot with a shield,

stats say it is slow but if you know how to feint well (1h axes are balanced) then that should not be a problem, also never had a problem with agility people.
Very good, deals great damage for a 1h weapon and capable of making short work of shields. It is also quiet heavy for a 1h weapon, dont know if weapon weight gives a bonus in combat, but in case you wondered, it has a weight value of 3.0.

Now i am back on maces again, just love knockdown

[Digglez]

The damage buff on axes went a long way to help make them competitive with swords, but the buff to small/quick 2h swords was not needed whatsoever.  Just compare the numbers you'll see small 2h swords outnumber axes probably 10:1.

Dont know any fulltime axe user that doesnt heavily abuse hiltslashing and even fewer polearm axe users.

Makes zero sense that the 2h axes are unbalanced but the long axes & poleaxes that weight more and are longer ARENT?  Clearly not big fans of physics.

[Commodore_Axephante]

The damage buff on axes went a long way to help make them competitive with swords, but the buff to small/quick 2h swords was not needed whatsoever.  Just compare the numbers you'll see small 2h swords outnumber axes probably 10:1.

Dont know any fulltime axe user that doesnt heavily abuse hiltslashing and even fewer polearm axe users.

Makes zero sense that the 2h axes are unbalanced but the long axes & poleaxes that weight more and are longer ARENT?  Clearly not big fans of physics.

Well, the polearm animations go a long way toward making them look like they're being more reasonably handled than 2h axes... but I see what you mean.

Noob Q though - what is hitslashing? And, I'm a fulltime axe user... how do I abuse it too, please?

[Horst_Kurmoottaja]

Axe is a proper man's weapon! Always loved animation of 2-h axes. My favorite and in heavy use is Persian battle axe.

[Digglez]

Noob Q though - what is hitslashing? And, I'm a fulltime axe user... how do I abuse it too, please?

Hitting someone with the first 1/3 of the length of a 2h/polearm weapon, the area around the hilt.  Good amount of the time you can be hit without an animation even being rendered.  You can also be hit thru blocks due to sloppy collision detection.  You'll have to ask someone better at 2h/dueling than me how to do it on command, usually happens when the person is on your side instead of in front.
Works for 2h & polearm, but try it with 1h and you will bounce unless its left swing.

CMP actually had some code for WSE to adjust sweet spots for longer weapons to STOP this and instead do light blunt damage (with a wooden shaft weapon) but thats prob been over a year ago and its vaporware now.

[Jarlek]

I love all axes equally. Be they throwing axes, poleaxe, hallberds, longaxes, bardiches, woodcutting axes, war axes, battle axes, hatchets, whatever. I love them. They all have a use in this game. Axes are badass.

[Penitent]

I'm glad you axed this question.

I'm most familiar with 1h axes and I like the One handed battle axe, broad one handed battle axe, and hatchet.  Hatchet > hammer for a 0 slot weapon!

[BlueKnight]

I'm glad you axed this question.

I'm most familiar with 1h axes and I like the One handed battle axe, broad one handed battle axe, and hatchet.  Hatchet > hammer for a 0 slot weapon!

Hand Axe is 3 cut better and 6 speed faster than hatchet and still 0 slot. Axes are epic though I don't really like unbalanced weapons (2h axes).

[Malaclypse]

I prefer spears of all types, weapons of the common people. I do sometimes use axes, all the one handers, my favorite being Hand Axe which I had +3 for awhile, are pretty good (esp the high damage/weight, slower and shorter Arabian/Sarranid ones), and am a fan of Long Axe, Long Voulge, Poleaxe for polearms. Heavy Throwing Axes are ridiculously OP for the investment required to use them (44 cut base for 4 PT investment, get the fuck out of here).

[Penitent]

Hand Axe is 3 cut better and 6 speed faster than hatchet and still 0 slot. Axes are epic though I don't really like unbalanced weapons (2h axes).

Oh...I think I meant the hand axe then 

[Lt_Anders]

I like Crossbows and blunt weapons. I do have a +3 broad 1h battle axe cause it's awesome.

But because I'm often mounted axes and blunt weapons don't work(often) on HB, so I use swords a lot.

[Casimir]

Used two handed axe a ot during strat v3, they are decent weapons, great for the price and very efficient for 2h cav.