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Discover everything you need to know about all Greataxes Listed in Baldur’s Gate 3 and the best one to use in combat.
Greataxes are two-handed weapons in BG3 that deal devastating slashing damage in melee combat. They can inflict damage against hostile characters such as enemies and bosses. Sethan is the best Greataxes to use in combat due to its unique benefits and properties. Selecting the best one is crucial because your gameplay mostly depends on it if you’re a melee player. In this guide, we’ll discuss all Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate 3, their properties, and the unique bonuses they provide to players in combat.
Greataxes Overview in BG3
Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a two-handed martial melee weapon that has a damage roll of 1d12 plus a Strength Modifier and deals Slashing damage. They have a range of 1.5m and can dominate enemies in close-range combat. Many Greataxes have unique properties, so equipping the best one is crucial for melee combat. Greataxes are favored for their high potential damage, making them a solid choice for critical-focused builds or characters who to deal decent damage in a single blow.
These weapons types complement the Barbarian’s natural combat prowess. Reckless Attack and Rage Damage Bonus amplify their offensive capabilities. Several magical Greataxes in BG3 add unique abilities and bonuses to increase their utility. You can equip it to your character’s main hand weapon slot in the inventory, providing additional bonuses and buffs. The user needs Martial weapon proficiency or suffers penalties while wearing the weapon.
What is the purpose of Greataxes in BG3?
Greataxes serve as high-damage, melee-focused weapons for characters, prioritizing raw power and critical hit potential. They aim to maximize the potential for heavy hits, especially in builds designed for critical strikes. Greataxes offer different playstyles and requirements than Battleaxes and Handaxes, with different damage outputs. The best Axes offer unique effects that helps you to deal more damage or grant other useful bonuses.
- Cleave- This weapon action allows you to swing your weapon in a large arc to attack up to 3 enemies at once. They each take half the damage your weapon usually deals.
- Lacerate- This weapon action allows you to slash at your target’s vital points to make it Bleed.
- Prepare- This weapon action allows you to spend 6 m / 20 ft of your movement to deal an additional (Strength modifier) physical damage (minimum 1) on each successful weapon attack for the rest of the turn.
Greataxes prioritize raw power over complexity unlike finesse weapons or dual-wielding setups. These weapon types are also perfect for Tanks and Bruisers as they complement heavy-armored or high-health builds. Greataxes shine against high-health enemies. However, Greataxes has some limitations as Two-handed nature doesn’t allow you to equip shield.
List of All Greataxes in BG3
Here are all the Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate 3 including their damage, damage types, and special.
| Weapon | Rarity | Damage | Damage Type | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greataxe | Common | 1d12 | Slashing | |
| Exterminator’s Axe | Uncommon | 1d12 | Slashing | Scourge of Pests Deals an additional 1d6 Fire damage to Plants, Myconids, and Small creatures. |
| Doom Axe | Uncommon | 1d12 | Slashing | |
| Bloodsoaked Greataxe | Uncommon | 1d12 +1 | Slashing | |
| Greataxe +1 | Uncommon | 1d12 + 1 | Slashing | |
| The Undead Bane | Uncommon | 1d12 + 1 | Slashing | Slay the Wicked This weapon deals an additional 1d6 Slashing damage against Fiends and Undead. Profane Scourge Strike with subjugating fury, adding your proficiency bonus to the damage roll. If you hit a Fiend or Undead creature, deal an additional 2d6 Slashing damage and possibly Bane it. |
| Very Heavy Greataxe | Uncommon | 1d12 + 1 | Slashing | Gargantuan Cleave Swing your weapon with all your might. You can attack multiple targets, dealing bonus 1d6 Slashing damage, but become Off Balanced for Duration: 1 turn. |
| Blooded Greataxe | Rare | 1d12 + 1 | Slashing | Relentless Revenge When the wielder has 50% hit points or less, they deal an additional 1d4 Slashing damage. |
| Defender Greataxe | Rare | 1d12 + 2 | Slashing | Defensive Attack When making your first attack of the round, you can reduce this weapon’s enchantment by 1 to increase your Armour Class and Saving throw bonus by 1. |
| Greataxe +2 | Rare | 1d12 + 2 | Slashing | |
| Hellfire Greataxe | Very Rare | 1d12 + 2 1d6 | Slashing Fire | Thermodynamo Whenever you deal damage with this weapon, you gain 2 turns of Heat. Hellflame Cleave Spew hellish flames and strike your foes. |
| Sethan | Very Rare | 1d12 + 2 | Slashing | Sethan: Spiritual Greataxe Cast as a level 6 spell Recharge: Long rest. Sethan: Reduce Cast as a level 2 spell Recharge: Long rest. |
Tips and Tricks for using Greataxes in BG3
Here are all the tips and tricks for using Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate.
- Spells like Haste or Reduce can boost your Greataxe’s damage output.
- Greataxes synergize well with abilities that boost your critical hit range.
- To avoid attack penalties, ensure your character is proficient with martial weapons.
- You achieve additional damage that stacks with the Greataxe’s high base damage while ranging.
- Use Action Surge to attack multiple times in a single round.
- Combine Greataxes with Divine Smite on a critical hit to deals maximize the damage.
- Equip Greataxes with special properties like an expanded critical range or bonus damage.
- Position yourself to maximize damage to groups as these weapons can hit multiple enemies in a cone.
- Ensure a healer in your party can support your aggressive playstyle.
Best Greataxes in BG3
Here are the best Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate 3 to use in tough combat.
- Sethan- Sethan deals great damage by itself and the strength lies in the Evocation Spell Sethan: Spiritual Greataxe. Summon a twin of Sethan to deal additional damage to enemies.
- Hellfire Greataxe- It deals incredible damage and using its ability, Cleave, can let you swing your weapon to attack up to 3 enemies at once, dealing half of the weapon’s normal damage.
- Defender Greataxe- This weapon offers high defensive capabilities in combat and deals amazing base damage while fighting in narrow corridors.
1) Sethan
| Damage | Enchantment | Weapon Skill | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1d12 + 2 Slashing | +2 | Sethan: Spiritual Greataxe Sethan: Reduce | Sold by Ferg Drogher near the Requisitioned Barn |
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Sethan is a Greataxe that can be bought from Ferg Drogher in Rivington. It’s a two-handed weapon for any build but will perfectly fit a Fighter Eldritch Knight subclass, thanks to its two unique bonuses.
With Spiritual Greataxe ability, you can summon a spiritual double of Sethan at a location within your line of sight. When this spiritual double makes an attack, it inflicts Force damage upon a successful hit. This ability can provide an additional source of damage per turn and, when used strategically in combat, can be extremely powerful.
The second bonus, the Sethan Reduce, allows you to reduce the size and effectiveness of a creature. When applied, the affected creature’s weapons deal less damage. Additionally, the targeted creature gains a disadvantage in strength-based ability checks and saving throws. The bonus provides a good tactic while weakening opponents and making them less effective in combat. In Baldur’s Gate 3, The Sethan can be purchased from Ferg Drogher (X:45; Y:-102) in Rivington during Act 3, costing 1632 gold.
2) Hellfire Greataxe
| Damage | Enchantment | Weapon Skill | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1d12 + 2 Slashing | +2 | Thermodynamo Hellflame Cleave | In a gilded chest in the “Illusion” section |
Hellfire Greataxe is a very rare Greataxe that deals additional Fire damage, afflicts its wielder with Heat on each successful hit, and grants the Hellflame Cleave weapon action. Fire damage, Heat, and Hellflame Cleave are the properties of this weapon. This two-handed martial melee weapon deals slashing and it also applies Heat to the enemy. You can find this Greataxe in the Sorcerous Vault, Act 3.
Cleave action deals half of its damage on Saves and neglects immunity and Fire resistance. It also deals normal weapon damage with a chance to inflict Bleed. Use the Thermodynamo weapon action of this Greataxe to deal damage with this weapon and gain 2 turns of Heat. The slashing damage has a range of 1.5m, allowing you to dominate enemies in close-range combat.
3) Defender Greataxe
| Damage | Enchantment | Weapon Skill | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1d12 + 2 | +2 | Defensive Attack | Sold by Quartermaster Talli near the Last Light Inn waypoint |
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Defender Greataxe is a two-handed weapon that you can use to boost your armour and defense. The Defensive Attack bonus allows to you choose if you would like to reduce the weapon’s enchantment by 1. In exchange, your Armour Class and Saving Throw bonus will increase by 1. The Defender Greataxe already has a Weapon Enchantment of +2. Therefore, it will still have some additional enchantment if you choose to make this sacrifice.
While the Defender Greataxe isn’t the best weapon you can pick up during Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3, it can make a good defensive weapon for a build that’s struggling with survivability. To get the Defender Greataxe in Baldur’s Gate 3 you need to find the Last Light Inn within the Shadow-Cursed Lands during Act 2 and purchase the weapon from Quartermaster Talli. Lae’zel, Minthara, Karlach, and Minsc are the companions who can use this weapon. When making your first attack of the round, you can reduce this weapon’s enchantment by 1 to increase your Armour Class and Saving throw bonus by 1.
FAQs about All Greataxes in BG3
Are there Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Yes, there are Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate 3 that deal piercing damage and can dominate enemies when equipped with the best one.
How many Greataxes are there in BG3?
There are 12 Greataxes in Baldur’s Gate, and each one is unique and has its own benefits in the game.
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