Unlock the Axe by finishing 2,000 kills with the default Sword, then buy it for 1 Silver. Expect a painful first few minutes—without upgrades the Axe sends only a couple of blades slowly around you. Once projectiles, duration, and attack speed stack up, you stop seeing scenery through the storm.
- Projectile count directly translates into more axes on screen, massively increasing damage.
- Duration upgrades keep axes spinning longer, letting each projectile hit enemies multiple times.
- Synergises with other projectile weapons like Bow for exponential scaling.
Unlock 2,000 Sword kills + 1 Silver Grind Forest Tier 1 with Sir Oofie to finish quickly.
Core scaling Projectile → Attack Speed → Duration
Survivability need High Early waves get inside the spin easily—add defense.
Best pilots Ogre, Sir Oofie, Calcium
Axe Rank Milestones
| Rank | Projectiles | Duration | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 2 axes | 1.8 s | Basic spin |
| 6-10 | 4 axes | 2.2 s | +10% size per rank |
| 11-15 | 6 axes | 2.6 s | +1 ricochet against elites |
| 16+ | 8 axes | 3.1 s | Adds bleed on repeated hits |
- Projectile count tomes add on top of rank bonuses—hit double digits quickly.
- Duration matters because each axe can strike the same target multiple times per rotation.
Core mechanic breakdown
Orbit coverage
Axes expand outward, forming a wall. Position so enemies walk into the rotating blades repeatedly.
Stacked hits
Overlap axes via high attack speed so multiple projectiles trail the same path.
AoE synergy
Combining with other projectile weapons multiplies projectile count buffs for the whole kit.
Mod priority and alternatives
Must-have mods
- Projectile Tome rank 10—the weapon is useless without it.
- Attack Speed Tome rank 9 to keep axes spawning constantly.
- Duration Tome rank 7 so axes linger and stack hits.
Flexible picks
- Size Tome to widen axe coverage once you control the map.
- Damage Tome for elite melting after projectiles exceed 10.
Situational tech
- Armor or Health Tomes during Sword kill grind or Endless pushes.
- Luck Tome to hunt for Anvil and Moldy Cheese relics.
Recommended build patterns
Spinning Death Machine
Meta build that embraces projectile count and duration
Core mods
- Projectile Tome 10
- Attack Speed Tome 9
- Duration Tome 7
Priority relics
- Anvil
- Moldy Cheese
- Credit Card (Red)
- Gym Sauce
Gameplay notes
- Grab every projectile upgrade the moment it appears.
- Use shrines that boost attack speed or duration.
- Once axes fill the screen, switch focus to damage shrines for elite cleanup.
Axe + Bow Synergy
Dual projectile build that snipes and shreds simultaneously.
Core mods
- Projectile Tome 9
- Attack Speed Tome 8
- Range Tome 7
Priority relics
- Multi-Quiver
- Piercing Quill
- Anvil
- Speed Boots
Gameplay notes
- Let Bow handle long lanes while axes guard your flanks.
- Alternate shrine priorities between range and duration to keep both weapons scaling.
- Stay mobile—Bow handles bosses, Axe clears mobs.
Tank Axe
Sir Oofie-friendly variant for new players learning the curve.
Core mods
- Health Tome 7
- Armor Tome 7
- Projectile Tome 6
Priority relics
- Chonkplate
- Lifesteal Tome
- Spikey Shield
- Aegis Core
Gameplay notes
- Face tank early waves while axes ramp up.
- Rotate axes around objectives to protect them without moving.
- Layer regenerative relics so chip damage never knocks you out.
Synergy quick reference
Partner Synergy Usage tips Ogre Passive damage per level multiplies each axe hit. Default pairing for aggressive late-game clears. Sir Oofie Armor scaling sustains the fragile early phases. Great when you are still grinding Sword kills and need safety. Calcium Movement speed quickly outruns enemies so axes do damage safely. Pair with Bone for a projectile swarm experience. CL4NK Crit passive adds burst potential once the axe wall forms. Useful when you want a crit secondary without relying on Revolver alone.
Weapon matchup comparisons
Sword
- Edge: Axe scales much harder and covers the whole screen.
- Watch for: Sword is steadier early and better for unlock farming.
- Best when: You already have defensive habits and can wait for scaling.
Bananarang
- Edge: Axe eventually out-damages Bananarang once projectiles spike.
- Watch for: Bananarang has safer early control and double hits without ramp time.
- Best when: You prefer attrition builds that dominate minute 15 onward.
Bone
- Edge: Axe deals more consistent damage in place; Bone needs enemy density for bounces.
- Watch for: Bone is unlocked by default and easier to pilot while learning.
- Best when: You want afk-friendly coverage while defending objectives.
Playstyle rhythm and details
Protect the early game
- Pick up defensive items before offense; a dead Axe user deals no damage.
- Use secondary weapons to patch gaps until axes stack.
Stack rotations
- Position near enemy spawns so axes hit targets multiple times per spin.
- Circle strafe to keep enemies inside the rotating storm.
Harvest the late game
- Once projectiles hit double digits, push damage shrines for elite melting.
- Stand near objectives and let axes do the work while you reposition rarely.
Operational checklist
- Farm 2,000 Sword kills and purchase the Axe.
- Rush Projectile Tome to 10 within the first 15 minutes.
- Secure Duration Tome 7 so axes linger long enough to stack.
- Carry a defensive relic loadout until projectiles exceed eight.
- Transition into damage shrines once axes cover the map.
FAQ quick answers
Why does the Axe feel useless early on?
It depends on projectile count. Until you have at least six axes spinning, treat the weapon as setup mode and prioritise defense.
Should I stack damage or duration first?
Duration before damage. Longer spins multiply hits, effectively turning into damage anyway.
Can I run Axe solo without secondaries?
You can, but pairing with Bow or Lightning Staff covers early weaknesses and speeds up late waves.