Let me tell you, as a seasoned Tarnished who's faced down every demigod and DLC boss, the thrill of finding that perfect weapon never gets old. Elden Ring, even years after its release and with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC fully integrated into the Lands Between, continues to offer an insane amount of build variety. While everyone talks about katanas and colossal swords, the humble (and not-so-humble) axe remains a cornerstone of many powerful builds. The beauty of it? You don't need to be a pure Strength junkie to get in on the action. From inflicting nasty status effects to unleashing spectacular Weapon Arts, axes offer a toolkit that can handle any situation. Grab your Wondrous Physick and let's break down the best axes you can swing in 2026.

12. Forked-Tongue Hatchet

This little guy is a sleeper hit from the DLC. Don't let its modest stat requirements (10 STR, 13 DEX) fool you. Where it lacks in top-tier scaling, it makes up for with sheer versatility and style. Every swing builds up Bleed, making it a fantastic choice for aggressive play. If you're feeling fancy, its unique Dragonform Flame Weapon Art lets you breathe fire in a wide arc—perfect for clearing mobs or applying pressure. It's the perfect sidearm for a Dexterity build looking for some status-infliction oomph.

11. Rotten Greataxe

Talk about a toxic relationship! This beast requires 30 Strength to wield, but the payoff is Scarlet Rot buildup on every hit. Yes, you read that right. While its base scaling favors Dexterity, its true power lies in its customizability with Ashes of War. Infuse it with Cold or Poison to stack a second status effect, or go all-in on Bleed for massive hemorrhage damage. It's a slow but devastating tool for making bosses' health bars melt away.

10. Rusted Anchor

Ahoy, matey! This is the go-to axe for the Strength purist. Requiring 26 Strength, it's surprisingly manageable and rewards heavy investment like nobody's business. Slap a Heavy affinity on it during upgrades, and you'll watch its scaling shoot up to a glorious A in Strength. Its unique heavy attack has a different timing, so practice makes perfect. When you land that charged R2, though? It's pure, unadulterated satisfaction. A classic for a reason.

9. Winged Greathorn

This unique Greataxe (30 STR, 20 DEX) is a trophy from the Regal Ancestor Spirit. It upgrades with Somber Smithing Stones and comes locked with the Soul Stifler skill. This art creates a debuffing cloud that reduces enemy defenses—an absolute game-changer against tanky bosses. The debuff lingers, allowing you to bait enemies into it. It's a strategic weapon that rewards smart positioning over brute force.

8. Gargoyle's Black Axe

A fantastic pick for hybrid Faith/Strength builds (24 STR, 8 DEX, 22 FAI). It deals mixed Physical and Holy damage and comes with the powerful War Cry skill for buffing your attacks. While Holy damage falls off late-game, this axe remains a solid workhorse, especially in New Game Plus cycles. You'll have to wrestle it from the Black Blade Kindred guardian, but the payoff is worth the fight.

7. Rosus' Axe

Calling all sorcerers who like to get their hands dirty! Rosus' Axe (18 STR, 18 INT, 10 DEX) is a brilliant Intelligence/Strength hybrid. Its claim to fame is Rosus's Summons, a Weapon Art that conjures three spectral skeletons to swing alongside you for massive area damage. It scales equally with Strength and Intelligence (C/C), offering fantastic flexibility and a moveset that's as cool as it is effective.

6. Death Knight's Twin Axes

Straight out of the DLC, these twin axes (14 STR, 12 DEX, 16 FAI) are an S-tier choice for Faith builds. Their Weapon Art, Blinkbolt: Twinaxe, is utterly spectacular—you transform into a human lightning bolt and dash through enemies, slashing them on impact. The mobility, the damage, the style... it's a complete package that makes a Strength/Faith build feel incredibly dynamic and powerful.

5. Duelist's Greataxe

Don't sleep on this farmable classic. With 30 Strength required, the Duelist's Greataxe is the definition of a reliable powerhouse. It boasts excellent base physical damage that can easily soar past 400 with upgrades. Its true strength is its versatility; you can infuse it with any Ash of War to add Bleed, Frost, or simply boost its raw power with a Heavy affinity. A trusted companion for any journey.

4. Axe of Godfrey

Wielding this (42 STR, 14 DEX) is a statement. It's the weapon of the First Elden Lord, and it demands the strength to match. Its raw damage output is monstrous, easily eclipsing 400, making it one of the hardest-hitting weapons in the game. The scaling maxes at C for Strength, but the base damage is so high it almost doesn't matter. It's a mid-game powerhouse you get in the late-game, but it's worth it for the sheer oomph of each swing.

3. Executioner's Greataxe

This is, hands down, one of the best pure Strength axes in the game. At 34 Strength, it's accessible, and when given a Heavy affinity, it achieves a beautiful A-scaling in Strength. It's also fully customizable with Ashes of War and comes with the useful War Cry skill by default. Whether you want to buff it with magic, add Frost, or just maximize raw damage, the Executioner's Greataxe is a flexible, high-damage tool that will carry you through multiple New Game Plus cycles. It's the workhorse of champions.

Quick Comparison Table

Axe Name	Primary Stat	Key Feature	Best For
Forked-Tongue Hatchet	DEX	Bleed & Fire Weapon Art	Agile Status Builds
Rusted Anchor	STR	S-Tier Heavy Scaling	Pure Strength Purists
Rosus' Axe	INT/STR	Skeleton Summon Art	Intelligence Hybrids
Death Knight's Twin Axes	FAI	Lightning Dash Art	Dynamic Faith Warriors
Executioner's Greataxe	STR	Customizable & High Scaling	Versatile Strength Builds

So there you have it, fellow Tarnished. Whether you're a spellblade, a holy warrior, or just someone who loves seeing big numbers pop up, there's an axe with your name on it in the Lands Between. The meta may shift, but a well-chosen axe will always be a reliable path to victory. Now get out there and start swinging!