Hand Axe

Notes

• With Standard affinity, Dexterity contributes more physical scaling than Strength, even though the displayed starting letters are both D. Keen emphasizes Dexterity; Heavy shifts the weapon toward Strength.
• Requires only 9 Strength and 8 Dexterity. A character with 8 Strength can meet the Strength requirement by two-handing it. At 3.5 weight it is easy to fit beside a staff, seal or another weapon without adding much equipment weight.
• The light attack chain is quicker than the regular axe chain, both one-handed and two-handed. It shares that faster pattern with Forked Hatchet and Icerind Hatchet, but has short reach, so an enemy can still move out of range between swings.
• Comes with Quickstep, costing 3 FP. Hold a direction to dodge that way, or use a sideways step while locked on to circle a target. It helps you reposition around the short reach, but repeated uses have less protection and it works poorly without the required FP.
• Deals physical Standard damage, has a critical rating of 100 and has no innate bleed. Its advantage is low requirements and quick normal attacks, rather than unusually high damage per hit.
• Can use compatible Ashes of War and upgrades with Smithing Stones to +25. Grease or a weapon enchantment can be applied with Standard, Heavy, Keen or Quality affinity. Elemental and status affinities prevent ordinary weapon coatings.
• The Mistwood merchant sells one for 600 runes per journey. If his bearing has already been given to the Twin Maiden Husks, his remaining stock is available there; buying a second copy requires another journey or a player trade.