Valheim’s world is a brutal one, and a good axe is absolutely essential for survival. From felling trees for building materials to smashing the skulls of hostile creatures, these versatile tools are your lifeline. This guide breaks down every axe in the game, detailing their uses, crafting requirements, and relative effectiveness. Let’s get started and get you equipped for success!

Early Game Axes: Birch and Pine

Your journey begins with the humble Birch and Pine axes. These are the first axes you’ll craft, and they’re important for establishing your initial foothold in the world.

• Birch Axe: Crafted from 12 Birch Planks, 4 Hide Scraps, and 4 String. This axe is perfect for early-game resource gathering. It’s surprisingly effective against smaller creatures like wolves and boars, dealing a decent amount of damage for its level. However, its biggest limitation is its low chopping speed. Birch trees are notoriously difficult to fell with a standard axe, often requiring multiple swings and a lot of patience. Don’t expect to quickly build a small shelter with this one; you’ll need to focus on other, less demanding tasks.
• Pine Axe: A slight upgrade over the Birch axe, the Pine axe is crafted using 12 Pine Planks, 4 Hide Scraps, and 4 String. It offers a small boost in both damage and chopping speed. Pine is a bit easier to manage than Birch, but still presents a challenge for early-game construction. Keep an eye out for Pine trees near the coast – they’re a reliable early source of lumber.

Mid-Game Axes: Oak and Bentwood

As you progress and explore further into the world, you’ll need axes capable of tackling tougher materials and tougher enemies. Oak and Bentwood axes represent a significant step up.

• Oak Axe: Crafted from 12 Oak Planks, 4 Hide Scraps, and 4 String. The Oak axe is your go-to for most mid-game tasks. It provides a good balance of damage, chopping speed, and durability. You’ll find Oak trees in the Black Forest, a challenging but rewarding area to explore. Be prepared for Draugr and other tougher enemies – the Black Forest is a hotbed of activity. The Oak axe’s damage output is noticeably higher than the earlier options, making it more effective against larger creatures.
• Bentwood Axe: Crafted from 8 Bentwood Boards, 4 Hide Scraps, and 4 String. Bentwood is a rare material obtained by crafting a Bentwood Saw from a Pine Saw. The Bentwood Axe is incredibly durable and surprisingly fast for its damage output. It’s a fantastic choice for prolonged chopping sessions and for taking a beating in combat. Finding the materials for a Bentwood Saw can be a bit of a grind, but the axe itself is well worth the effort.

Late-Game Axes: Blackmetal and Stone

Once you’ve ventured into the Swamp and the Mountains, you’ll be facing even more formidable challenges. Blackmetal and Stone axes are designed for these situations.

• Blackmetal Axe: Crafted from 8 Blackmetal Ingots, 4 Hide Scraps, and 4 String. Blackmetal is found in the Mountain biome, requiring a high level of mining skill and access to a pickaxe. The Blackmetal Axe is the most powerful axe in the game, boasting exceptional damage and durability. It’s also incredibly fast, making it a deadly weapon in close combat. However, obtaining Blackmetal is a significant undertaking, so only equip this axe when you absolutely need its power.
• Stone Axe: Crafted from 8 Stone Axes, 4 Hide Scraps, and 4 String. Crafted using a Stone Axe (found in the Swamp), the Stone Axe provides a solid mid-range option for late-game combat and resource gathering. While not as devastating as the Blackmetal Axe, it’s a reliable choice and requires less effort to acquire.

Axe Settings and Upgrades

Beyond just crafting, understanding axe settings can dramatically improve your performance. Axes gain damage and durability as they’re used, but you can also improve them through runes and crafting.

• Runes: Applying runes to your axe grants permanent stat boosts. The “Berserk” rune, for example, significantly increases damage, while the “Vitality” rune improves durability. Experiment with different rune combinations to find what works best for your playstyle.
• Charms: Charms provide temporary bonuses, such as increased attack speed or damage resistance. Equipping the right charm before a challenging encounter can be the difference between victory and defeat.
• Weapon Skill Level: Increasing your axe weapon skill level unlocks access to powerful attack combos and increases your overall damage output. Practice your combos regularly to master the art of axe combat.

Multiplayer Considerations

If you’re playing with friends, coordinating axe usage can be a huge advantage. Having multiple players felling trees simultaneously significantly speeds up construction projects. Plus, a well-timed axe swing can turn the tide of battle against a particularly tough enemy. Consider organizing your group’s tasks – one player focuses on chopping wood, while others deal with enemies. Perhaps you’ll want to host a server to ensure everyone has access to the best resources and a smooth multiplayer experience!

Do you think you’ve mastered the art of the axe in Valheim? What’s your favorite axe to use, and why?