Greataxe vs. Greatsword: Which Reigns Supreme?

The age-old debate amongst warriors, strategists, and fantasy enthusiasts alike centers around a simple yet crucial question: what’s better, the greataxe or the greatsword? The answer, as is often the case, isn’t a straightforward one. It depends heavily on context, from the specific rules of your game or setting to the type of combat you anticipate. However, we can explore the nuances of each weapon to help you make the best decision for your needs. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these titans of the melee world.

The Greatsword: Precision and Reliability

The greatsword is often considered the epitome of the two-handed martial weapon. Its defining characteristic is its versatility. Typically dealing 2d6 damage, it offers a more predictable damage output compared to the greataxe. This consistency makes it a favorite for those who prioritize reliability.

Advantages of the Greatsword:

• Consistent Damage: The 2d6 damage roll tends to provide a tighter range of results, making damage more predictable. This reliability is especially valuable when you need to reliably whittle down an enemy’s health.
• Synergy with Great Weapon Fighting: The Great Weapon Fighting style, which allows you to reroll 1s and 2s on damage dice, benefits the greatsword more significantly because it is more likely to get low rolls with two dice. This style amplifies the average damage of the greatsword.
• Tactical Flexibility: The greatsword’s balanced design lends itself to a variety of attack styles. It’s effective in both offensive and defensive maneuvers, allowing for adaptability on the battlefield.
• Range: Generally, greatswords have decent reach, giving them an advantage in keeping foes at a manageable distance.

The Greataxe: Raw Power and High Risk, High Reward

The greataxe, in contrast, is the weapon of those who embrace brute force and raw power. With its single, powerful 1d12 damage die, it offers the possibility of devastating blows, at the cost of higher variance in damage.

Advantages of the Greataxe:

• High Damage Potential: The d12 die provides the potential for massive hits. While it may result in more low rolls, it offers more chances for dealing maximum damage, which can be crucial for taking down tough opponents quickly.
• Synergy with Brutal Critical: In systems that feature critical hit bonuses based on damage dice, the greataxe’s d12 becomes even more potent. A critical hit with a greataxe can lead to significantly higher damage compared to a greatsword.
• Armor Piercing Capabilities: In some interpretations, the greataxe is depicted as being better at dealing with heavily armored foes. This is based on the concussive impact of an axe rather than the slicing action of a sword.
• Psychological Impact: The sheer size and visual impact of a greataxe can be intimidating to opponents.

Which One is Right for You?

Ultimately, the choice between a greatsword and a greataxe depends on several factors:

• Your Playstyle: Do you prefer consistency and reliability, or the thrill of high-risk, high-reward combat? The greatsword caters to the former, while the greataxe suits the latter.
• Your Character Build: Some classes and character features may synergize better with one weapon over the other. For example, a Barbarian with the Brutal Critical feature might prefer the greataxe, while a Paladin with the Great Weapon Fighting style might prefer the greatsword.
• Your Game System: Different tabletop role-playing games and video games handle weapon damage and critical hits differently. Some systems may make one weapon more powerful than the other based on their specific rules.
• Your Opponents: Against enemies with low armor class, the consistent damage of the greatsword might be preferable. Against heavily armored foes, the greataxe’s ability to deliver high-impact damage may make it a better choice.

There is no single best answer. The right weapon depends entirely on the context of your situation and what you need it to do.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions about the greatsword and greataxe, to provide further clarity:

1. Is 2d6 or 1d12 better for damage output?

2d6 offers more consistent damage, while 1d12 provides higher peak damage potential but also carries a higher risk of lower damage results. If you want reliability, the 2d6 of the greatsword is better. If you’re willing to risk the low roll for that maximum damage output, the d12 of the greataxe might be more your style.

2. Does Great Weapon Fighting favor the greatsword or greataxe?

Great Weapon Fighting style favors the greatsword. Because you roll 2 dice, you have double the chance of rolling a 1 or 2, which you can then reroll, increasing your overall average damage.

3. Is a greataxe better against heavily armored targets?

In some contexts, the greataxe is theoretically better against heavily armored targets due to its higher potential for raw impact damage. However, this depends entirely on the rules of the system you are using. The idea is based on the thought that a crushing blow could cause an injury despite armor.

4. Is a greatsword better against lightly armored targets?

The consistent damage of the greatsword often makes it better against lighter armored targets. Because the damage is more reliable, it can help consistently deal with lower health bars.

5. Which weapon is better for a Barbarian?

It depends on the Barbarian’s level and subclass. Early on, the consistent damage of the greatsword may be better. However, once a Barbarian gains the Brutal Critical feature, a greataxe is usually considered the better option. Half-Orc Barbarians can even switch to Greataxe before level 9 since they have their own Brutal Critical feature.

6. Can a Barbarian start with a greatsword?

Yes, a Barbarian can start with a greatsword. While their default equipment usually includes a greataxe, they can choose any martial melee weapon at the start of the game.

7. Is the greatsword or greataxe more versatile in combat?

The greatsword is generally considered to be more versatile, allowing for a wider range of attacks and defensive maneuvers.

8. Is a greatsword better than a longsword?

A greatsword deals more damage than a longsword, but at the cost of being slower and needing two hands to wield. In most cases, a greatsword will do more damage, but the longsword is more versatile.

9. Are axes stronger than swords in real life?

The idea of “stronger” is not easily defined. Axes are typically better at cutting through heavy materials such as armor, while swords are better at cutting through soft materials. Each weapon type has its own ideal niche.

10. Can greatswords cut through armor?

Yes, under the right circumstances, greatswords can cut through armor. Historical accounts do exist of this happening, however, it does depend on the quality of both the sword and the armor. It is much more likely for an axe to penetrate armor through sheer force.

11. Which weapon is more historical?

Both greatswords and greataxes have long and well-documented histories of use, both as tools and weapons, however greatswords are likely more often associated with formal warfare, while axes were common tools that could also be used in combat. Neither is more “historical” than the other.

12. Is the Zweihander the same as a greatsword?

The Zweihander is a specific type of greatsword from 16th century Germany. Its primary difference is its immense size which was designed to counter pike formations on the battlefield.

13. What is a claymore and is it a greatsword?

A claymore is a specific type of two-handed sword used in the Scottish Highlands. The word “claymore” translates to “greatsword”. So yes, a claymore is a greatsword.

14. Why are greatswords so popular in games?

Greatswords are popular in games because of their iconic status, impressive size, and powerful damage output. They provide a good balance of power and control.

15. Which weapon is better in Elden Ring?

In Elden Ring, both Greatswords and Greataxes are viable options. Greataxes generally do more damage, but Greatswords have a larger variety of movesets. Many players find greatswords like the Sacred Relic Sword to be incredibly powerful. Ultimately, the best weapon depends on player preference and build.

By considering the nuances of each weapon and your specific situation, you can confidently choose the perfect tool for your combat needs. Whether it’s the reliable greatsword or the high-risk, high-reward greataxe, both weapons have their place on the battlefield.