Magic swords and bows are fine, y’know. For casuals. But when you want to get serious, it’s time for a magic axe, and it doesn’t get better than these.
When it comes to weapons, there’s one clear winner for best. Swords are a weapon of the nobility – they speak of wealth and a life of luxury that leaves you ill-prepared to deal with hardships. They’re good for killing and looking pretty and that’s it. Stuck behind a door? You’ll ruin your fancy sword trying to hack it down.
And don’t even get me started on bows. Take a hunter’s tool and weaponize it? There’s no honor in that, no triumph in defeating a foe at long range. Where’s the risk, the danger? The true ruler of weaponry is a humble tool that can be used for all kinds of things. Opening doors. Opening windows. Unlocking crates. Unlocking treasure chests. Unsealing ancient evils. Hacking foes apart. Intimidation. Removing shields and other obstacles. That is to say the Axe is the mightiest of weapons and the Dungeon Master’s Guide (and a few of our favorite adventures) have the magical axes to prove it.
Executioner’s Axe
You don’t get more classic than an executioner’s axe. It’s simple. It’s straightforward, it sends a message. Andthat message is if you attack a humanoid target, you’re doing your level best to put ’em in the ground. This axe is a +1 magic axe that deals an extra 2d6 whenever it hits a humanid target, and it empowers you with temporary hit points equal to the extra damage dealt.
It’s probably one of the most damaging +1 weapons out there. Absolutely a delight to hew through foes with.
Azuredge, Slayer of the Netherborn
Azuredge was a magical axe first introduced in the Encyclopedia Magica – a collection of 2nd Edition magic items that ranged from the potent to the truly bazaar. And in 5th Editin, in Waterdeep Dragon Heist, this Legendary axe continues that legacy, with a description that sounds like it’s something out of a sharper image catalogue.
Forged of silver, electrum, and steel alloys, its handle cast from solid steel and wrapped at the haft in blue dragon skin, this axe’s edges constantly shimmer with a deep blue luminescence.
It’s a fairly powerful axe, starting at a +3 to attack and damage. On top of that, the Shield spell, in particular, has no effect on this axe. It cuts right through it. That alone would make it stand out. ut when you hit a fiend or an undead creature with this axe, blue flames erupt from the blade and deal an extra 2d6 radiant damage to the target.
On top of that, the axe has three charges, and each charge can be spent to let it be thrown with a range of 60/180 feet, and it flies back to yu so you can keep attacking with it.
Axe of the Dwarvish Lords
Powerful enough to have its own high-level adventure, the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords was forged when the world was new by a master Dwarven smith who loved to create so much that Moradin himself undertook to teach him the arts of crafting. This axe as been many things throughout the ages: symbol of Dwarven High Kings, cause of at least one civil war, prophesied tool of legendary heroes yet to be. Functioning as both deadly weapon and powerful tool, the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords is the capstone to any adventuring Dwarf’s career.
Berserker’s Axe
This axe is cursed, technically. It’s a +1 axe that increases your hit point maximum by 1 for each level you have attained. So it makes you tougher. It does have that curse, though. Which is if you are damaged you have to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or go berserk. While berserk, you attack the creature nearest to you, no ifs, ands, or buts. But you stop being berserk when there are no creatures within 60 feet of you that you can see or hear. Not a bad tradeoff because you can plan for it. And it will be very funny when this axe makes you kill the party wizard.
Adze of Annam
The Adze of Annam is technically not an axe. It’s an adze. But according to its mechanics, it functions as a greataxe. And it’s a weapon that was used by the all-father of the giants, so it’s even better for any adventuring dwarf who can take up this massive axe-like weapon for their own. Dwarves and giants have an old enmity.
And the adze is mighty indeed, with a +3 to hit and damage, and dealing an extra 3d12 force damage on a hit, it’s going to lay low all but the mightiest foes in a single blow.
Happy Adventuring!
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