Summary

Greataxes are two-handed weapons inElden Ringthat typically require a high Strength stat to be wielded. They are capable of dealing incredible damage, although this is at the cost of attack speed, meaning players will be vulnerable when swinging. This also makes them less desirable for players who want to input as many actions as possible.

The best Greataxes inElden Ringnot only have high damage and fantastic scaling, but they also have unique Weapon Skills that offer players creative ways to play out fights. In addition, Greataxes should not be confused with standardone-handed axes inElden Ring. These are more versatile alternatives for axe lovers but come at the cost of a reduction in damage.

Elden Ring Crescent Moon Axe (Greataxe)

Updated June 02, 2025 by Joe Grantham:As players get excited to jump into a new adventure with Shadow of the Erdtree, many will be looking to brush off their dusty combat skills or perfect their build. Players looking to craft a build around thebest Greataxes in Elden Ringwill thus be glad of even more examples from the DLC, including all their stats, scaling, and special effects. It is also important that players know where to find Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree’s best Greataxes.

Unique Effect Or Weapon Skill

Elden Ring Axe of Godrick (Greataxe)

War Cry (Skill)

TheCrescent Moon Axeis one of the best Greataxes for the early stages of the game inElden Ringas it can be acquired easily at Stormveil Castle. The axe is dropped by certain Exile Soldiers who wield the weapon, with two of these enemies being found in a Stonesword Key room near the Rampart Tower Site of Grace, and another two near the Limgrave Tower Site of Grace.

The axe itself has good base damage but with a Strength scaling stat of D, it does get outshone by other weapons as the game progresses. The War Cry skill is nothing to boast about either, especially when compared with the unique skill of the Axe of Godrick, for example. It simply boosts attack power and also changes strong attacks to charging attacks.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Bonny Butchering Knife Greataxe

I Command Thee, Kneel (Skill)

One of theElden Ringbosses with the most tragic loreis Godrick the Grafted, who also happens to possess one of the game’s best Greataxes. After players defeat him fairly early on in the game at Stormveil Castle, they can head to the Roundtable Hold and give the Remembrance of the Grafted to Enia. In return, they can receive theAxe of Godrick.

This Greataxe has good base damage which can be improved with Somber Smithing Stones, and average scaling for both Strength and Dexterity. However, it makes up for this with one of the best weapon skills, I Command Thee Kneel! When Tarnished use this unique skill, they will smash the Axe of Godrick into the ground, sending out two colossal shockwaves that deal AOE damage and can potentially knock enemies off their feet.

Elden Ring Longhaft Axe (Greataxe)

Hone Blade (Skill)

Despite not having the best base damage, the Bonny Butchering Knife can still be a good option for two reasons. First of all, it has above averageStrength scaling, making it deadly in the hands of high-level Tarnished. Secondly, this Greataxe restores a small amount of HP on hit, and this can be increased with the weapon skill, Hone Blade.

To wield the Bonny Butchering Knife, players will need to find the Bonny Village near the Moorth Ruins. Here it can be found near a broken bridge.

Elden Ring Rusted Anchor (Greataxe)

Greataxe (Skill)

TheLong Shaft Axeis a good option for players who want to wield a traditional Greataxe in the early stages of the game, as one can be dropped by a Misbegotten in Castle Morne. However, as this is a rare drop, players will likely have to keep going back to the nearest Site of Grace to reload the enemy and hope that they will drop it next time.

The relatively low strength requirement of 24 means this Greataxe is accessible to lower-level players. For Strength builds, players should consider upgrading it with a Heavy AffinityAshes of Warto get the most out of its Strength scaling.

Elden Ring Executioner’s Greataxe

Barbaric Roar (Skill)

Aesthetically and due to its name, theRusted Anchoris arguably the weirdest Greataxe inElden Ring, but it is a fantastic source of damage. With a max Strength scaling rating of B, it is on par with the Executioner’s Greataxe in terms of potential for players with high Strength. However, it does have slightly less base damage.

TheRusted Anchorcan be found early on in the game, by heading south to the Weeping Peninsula region and locating the Morne Tunnel. It is dropped as a reward for defeating the Scaly Misbegotten boss inside this tunnel. This makes it one ofthe best early-game weapons inElden Ring.

Elden Ring Great Omenkiller Cleaver (Greataxe)

While theExecutioner’s Greataxeis a step down in raw damage from the Great Omenkiller Cleaver and the Gargoyle’s Black Axe, it does have great Strength scaling, making it one of the better options in the hands of strong Tarnished.

Found in the inventories of some Skeletons in the Church of Irith Graveyard, this is also one of the Greataxes that can be accessed earlier in the game, inthe Liurnia of the Lakes region. Players will want to ensure they use the weapon’s War Cry skill before they enter combat, to give them a buff to Attack Power and Strength scaling.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Death Knight’s Longhaft Axe Greataxe

Dropped by Omenkiller, Volcano Manor or Perfumer’s Grotto

Wild Strikes (Skill)

Thanks to its Hemorrhage-applying passive, theGreat Omenkiller Cleaverhas the second-highest max base damage out of all the Greataxes inElden Ring. Therefore, despite average scaling, players will be able to make even the biggest bosses bleed.

To get their hands on theGreat Omenkiller Cleaver, players either need to kill the Omenkiller atVolcano Manoror the one that is found at the Perfumer’s Grotto. As both of these locations are in the Atlus Plateau region, this is a mid to late-game weapon.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Putrescence Cleaver Greataxe

Blinkbolt: Long-hafted Axe (Skill)

Death Knight’s Longhaft Axeis one of the best new Greataxes fromShadow of the Erdtreeand among the best overall. It has excellent base damage, which is split between Physical and Lightning, and its Strength scaling of B makes it a great acquirement for builds focused on this stat.

The Blinkbolt skill is also extremely fun to use, as players will temporarily turn into a bolt of lightning before charging at rapid speed. Naturally, this can complement thebest lightning spells inElden Ring. The axe is a reward for players who can defeat the Death Knight in the Scorpion River Catacombs. This is a location within the Rauh Ruins.

Elden Ring Gargoyle’s Black Axe (Greataxe)

Remembrance dropped by the Putrescent Knight

Spinning Guillotine (Skill)

With colossal base damage and decent scaling for Strength and Arcane, thePutrescence Cleaveris easily one ofElden Ring’sbest Greataxes. This ghastly-looking weapon deals a mix of Physical and Magical damage, but it can also cause a build-up of Frostbite. Spinning Guillotine is an interesting skill, as the Tarnished grips both ends of the cleaver and performs a deadly flip toward the enemy.

To get both hands on this new Greataxe, players will need to defeat the Putrescent Knight in the Fissure Depths. They must then take the Remembrance he drops to Enia at the Roundtable Hold.

The best Greataxe inElden Ringis theGargoyle’s Black Axewhich combines Physical and Holy damage for some seriously heavy hits. However, unlike other Greataxes, players will need a relatively high Faith stat of 22 to wield it, and it can only be acquired later in the game when players manage to slay the Black Blade Kindred who guardsthe entrance to the Mountaintops of the Giants.

While the scaling on theGargoyle’s Black Axeisn’t great, the base damage is incredible once fully upgraded. Furthermore, players looking forgreat Faith weaponsfor a hybrid build between Faith and Strength will find few better options.