What is the Best Greataxe in D&D?
Determining the absolute “best” greataxe in D&D 5e isn’t as simple as pointing to a single item. It largely depends on the context of the game, your character’s build, and the specific challenges you face. However, when considering pure damage output, one greataxe stands head and shoulders above the rest, albeit with a significant caveat: the Gurt’s Greataxe. This weapon, while not an official item in the standard 5e books, exemplifies the peak potential of a greataxe in terms of raw damage.
The Power of Gurt’s Greataxe
Gurt’s Greataxe is described as an enormous weapon once wielded by a frost giant lord. This legendary axe boasts a staggering weight of 325 pounds and delivers immense damage on a successful hit. Its damage is 3d12 slashing damage, which already surpasses the 1d12 of a standard greataxe. However, where it truly shines is in its additional damage against humans. If the target of Gurt’s Greataxe is human, it adds another 2d12 slashing damage, bringing the total to a possible 5d12.
This potential damage far outstrips any other standard greataxe or, for that matter, most other weapons in the game, rendering it unparalleled in terms of raw power. However, as mentioned earlier, this weapon is not an official D&D item, typically found only in homebrew campaigns or modified games.
Understanding the Standard Greataxe
Core Stats
Let’s look at the stats of a standard greataxe within 5th Edition:
- Damage: 1d12 slashing damage.
- Properties: Heavy, Two-Handed.
- Weight: 7 pounds.
The greataxe is designed for characters specializing in strength, allowing for potent single target damage. Its heavy property restricts its use to larger or strong characters, but it’s the high 1d12 damage die that makes it attractive for melee damage dealers.
The +1 Greataxe
A magical +1 Greataxe amplifies this further:
- Damage: 1d12 slashing damage.
- Modifiers: +1 bonus to attack rolls and +1 bonus to damage rolls.
- Properties: Heavy, Two-Handed.
- Weight: 7 pounds.
This adds consistent, reliable damage output making this version better for standard games. The +1 bonus makes hits and damage rolls more likely to succeed, increasing overall effectiveness compared to the base greataxe.
Critical Hits with a Greataxe
An additional benefit of the greataxe is that they deal extra damage on critical hits. With a normal critical hit, you roll double the normal damage dice. The greataxe does an additional 1d12 on a critical hit at levels 1-10, 2d12 at levels 11-20, and 3d12 at level 21-30, making them ideal weapons for high-level games.
Why the Greataxe Isn’t Always the “Best”
Despite its high damage die, the greataxe is not always the ultimate weapon. The greatsword, while dealing 2d6, benefits from a more predictable damage range. With 2d6, you’re more likely to roll the mid-range numbers. This makes it more consistent than the greataxe’s 1d12, which can result in lower damage hits more frequently.
Additionally, the greataxe lacks the versatile property that some other two-handed weapons possess (like the battleaxe which can be used one-handed) which might be more flexible for certain character builds. Certain other weapons can have special additional properties or damage types that greataxes do not, making those weapons better for certain situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about greataxes and their use in D&D 5e:
1. How does the damage of a greataxe compare to a greatsword?
A greataxe deals 1d12 damage, while a greatsword deals 2d6. The greataxe has the potential for higher maximum damage, but the greatsword is more consistent, as its damage will more often fall within the middle of its range. The average damage output is very similar.
2. Can I dual-wield greataxes?
No. Greataxes are heavy and two-handed weapons, making them unsuitable for dual-wielding. D&D rules require light weapons for dual-wielding.
3. What happens if I throw a greataxe?
Greataxes do not have the “thrown” property. If you attempt to throw one, it would be treated as an improvised weapon, dealing only 1d4 damage.
4. Can a smaller race, like a halfling, use a greataxe effectively?
Smaller races typically have disadvantage when using heavy weapons, and cannot effectively wield them if they are small. However, there are a few class features that negate these issues. This makes it less likely they would use them.
5. What are the best classes to use a greataxe?
Classes that rely on strength and martial prowess, such as the Barbarian, Fighter, and Paladin, are the most suitable. The Barbarian especially benefits, with their Rage abilities further boosting the weapon’s raw power.
6. Is the Gurt’s Greataxe an official item?
No, Gurt’s Greataxe is not an official D&D 5e item and is typically found in homebrew games. It is often used as a custom legendary weapon with specific stats.
7. How does a +1 greataxe change the game?
A +1 greataxe adds a +1 bonus to your attack rolls and damage rolls. This increases accuracy and consistent damage output.
8. What are the properties of a standard greataxe?
A standard greataxe has the heavy and two-handed properties. The heavy property is a major restriction to many characters.
9. How do critical hits with a greataxe work?
On a critical hit, you roll double the dice of the greataxe, with additional damage die being added with levels. The extra die is 1d12 at levels 1-10, 2d12 at levels 11-20, and 3d12 at levels 21-30.
10. What is the weight of a greataxe?
A standard greataxe weighs 7 pounds.
11. Does a greataxe deal more damage than a battleaxe?
In normal attacks, yes, as a standard battleaxe deals only 1d8. However, the battleaxe has the versatile property, which can make it better for certain situations.
12. What’s the best non-magical weapon in D&D 5e?
For martial characters, the glaive, halberd, or greatsword are often seen as the best non-magical weapons, often depending on build requirements. The greataxe is still a powerful choice, but doesn’t give many options for character builds.
13. How does the greataxe compare to other two-handed weapons?
Compared to the greatsword, the greataxe has a higher potential damage ceiling, but the greatsword is more consistent. Other two-handed weapons like the glaive and halberd have the reach property, making them more tactical options for builds that use polearms.
14. What are the benefits of using a two-handed weapon in D&D?
Two-handed weapons generally provide greater damage dice than one-handed weapons. They allow characters who focus on strength to deal more damage per hit, at the cost of sacrificing a shield.
15. Is the greataxe always the best choice for a high damage character?
No, it isn’t always the best. While it can deal high damage, weapons with additional abilities or more consistent damage options may be better for some character builds or scenarios.
In conclusion, while Gurt’s Greataxe represents the theoretical peak for a greataxe’s damage potential, it isn’t standard. The standard greataxe and the +1 version are still potent choices for any strength-based character looking for a powerful two-handed weapon. However, always consider your character’s build and the specific circumstances of your adventure. The “best” weapon is always the one that best fits your needs.