Elden Ring Hand Axe Builds | Location, Stats

Weapons List

Hand Axe

Weapon Type:

Axe

Damage Type:

Standard

Weight: 3.5


Stat	Str	Dex	Int	Fai	Arc
Requires	9	8
Scaling	D	D

Elden Ring Hand Axe is a Axe Weapon that inflicts Physical Damage in the form of Standard Attacks with the ability to use the Normal Skill (Quickstep). Hand Axe will require Strength 9, Dexterity 8, and scales based on Strength D, Dexterity D, Stats.

Description: Commonly known as a hatchet, this smaller variety of axe is an everyday work tool. Despite its short reach, it is easy to handle, exceling in successive attacks.


Tier	Passive	Wgt	Phy	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy
F	N/A	3.5	113	0	0	0	0


Skill	Type	FP Cost	Description
Quickstep	Normal	3	Perform a quickstep maneuver that allows for circling around lock-on targets.

Can Be Buffed?

YES

Custom Ash of War?

YES

Attack Type:

Standard

What Hand Axe lacks in a flashy unique skill, it makes up for in pure versatility. Swap Ashes of War freely, pick your affinity, and adapt to any challenge. It's bottom-tier and works for Quality builds. You can also buff it with greases and weapon spells for extra damage.

Navigate this Hand Axe Guide using the links below.

Hand Axe Stats

Hand Axe is the weakest in its category as an axe dealing pure physical damage. One defense check per hit keeps output consistent against most enemies. Strength scaling at D is where you'll see the biggest returns.

Hand Axe Attack Stats
Rank	Stat	Base	Max
B	Physical Attack	113	TBD
F	Magical Attack	0	TBD
F	Fire Attack	0	TBD
F	Lightning Attack	0	TBD
F	Holy Attack	0	TBD
F	Attack Crit	100	TBD

Hand Axe Guard Stats
Rank	Stat	Base	Max
E	Physical Guard	42	TBD
F	Magical Guard	28	TBD
F	Fire Guard	28	TBD
F	Lightning Guard	28	TBD
F	Holy Guard	28	TBD
F	Guard Boost	28	TBD

Hand Axe Affinity Comparison

Compare how different affinities change the Hand Axe damage, scaling, and guard stats. Apply affinities using Ashes of War at a Site of Grace.

Hand Axe Damage by Affinity
Damage	Heavy	Keen	Quality	Fire	Flame Art	Lightning	Sacred	Magic	Cold	Poison	Blood	Occult
Physical	112	112	112	112	112	112	112	112	112	112	112	112
Magic	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	112	90	-	-	-
Fire	-	-	-	112	112	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Lightning	-	-	-	-	-	112	-	-	-	-	-	-
Holy	-	-	-	-	-	-	112	-	-	-	-	-

Hand Axe Scaling by Affinity
Scaling	Heavy	Keen	Quality	Fire	Flame Art	Lightning	Sacred	Magic	Cold	Poison	Blood	Occult
Str	D	E	D	D	E	E	E	E	D	D	D	E
Dex	-	D	D	E	E	D	E	E	D	D	D	E
Int	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	D	D	-	-	-
Fai	-	-	-	-	D	-	D	-	-	-	-	-
Arc	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	D	D	C

Where To Find Hand Axe Location in Elden Ring

Purchased from the Nomadic Merchant located in East Limgrave. Bring enough runes and it's yours without any combat. Check the map below for the fastest route.

Obtained From

Nomadic Merchant

Purchased from the Nomadic Merchant located in East Limgrave

Best Builds for Hand Axe in Elden Ring

The builds below use Hand Axe as an axe centerpiece for Quality builds. Strength (9 minimum) is the priority, with Dexterity as backup. Each setup includes stat targets, gear, and talisman picks. You can change the affinity to shift the scaling.

Hand Axe Builds
Tier	Build	Equipment	Skills/Spells/Spirits	Items
A	Glass Cannon Melee Build Class Vagabond Warrior Hero Stats Primary: Vigor Primary: Endurance Secondary: Dexterity Secondary: Strength	Weapon Starscourge Greatsword Magma Wyrm's Scalesword Axe Colossal Sword Colossal Weapon Great Axe Armor Use any Heavy Armor or Medium Armor Hoslow's Set Bull-Goat Set Talisman Great-Jar's Arsenal	Skills Ash of War Quickstep
A	Slice and Dice Build Class Prisoner Astrologer Stats Primary: Strength Primary: Intelligence Secondary: Vigor Secondary: Mind	Weapon Bloodhound Claws Sacrificial Axe Academy Glintstone Staff Armor Raptor's Black Feathers Haima Glintstone Crown Talisman Lord of Blood's Exultation Claw Talisman Green Turtle Talisman Winged Sword Insignia	Spells Great Glintstone Shard Loretta's Greatbow Adula's Moonblade Bloodflame Blade Skills Royal Knight's Resolve Golden Vow	Items Greenburst Crystal Tear
B	Diablo Style Barbarian Class Vagabond Warrior Hero Stats Primary: Strength Primary: Endurance Secondary: Vigor Secondary: Dexterity	Weapon Colossal Sword Colossal Weapon Gargoyle's Blackblade Dragon Greatclaw Grafted Blade Greatsword Armor Use any Heavy Armor or Medium Armor Crucible Set Elden Lord Set Talisman Green Turtle Talisman Erdtree's Favor Crimson Seed Talisman	Skills Ash of War War Cry
B	Whirlwind Warrior Build Class Warrior Stats Primary: Vigor Primary: Endurance Secondary: Dexterity Secondary: Strength	Weapon Starscourge Greatsword Magma Wyrm's Scalesword Scimitar Armor Bull-Goat Set Hoslow's Set Talisman Great-Jar's Arsenal Erdtree's Favor Green Turtle Talisman	Skills Ash of War Quickstep Ash of War Storm Blade Ash of War Sword Dance Ash of War Spinning Slash
E	Starter Confessor Build Class Confessor Prophet Stats Primary: Vigor Primary: Faith Secondary: Endurance Secondary: Strength	Weapon Sacred Seal Axe Straight Sword Brass Shield Armor Use Heavy Armor or Use Medium Armor Talisman Faithful Canvas Talisman	Spells Urgent Heal Heal Skills Ash of War Barricade Shield Ash of War Golden Vow

Hand Axe Upgrade Costs in Elden Ring

Hand Axe uses standard Smithing Stones and maxes at +25. You get full customization: swap Ashes of War, pick any affinity, and stack greases or weapon buffs on top. Maximum flexibility.


Level	Material	Rune Cost
+1	Smithing Stone [1]	230 Runes
+2	Smithing Stone [1]	276 Runes
+3	Smithing Stone [1]	322 Runes
+4	Smithing Stone [2]	368 Runes
+5	Smithing Stone [2]	414 Runes
+6	Smithing Stone [2]	460 Runes
+7	Smithing Stone [3]	506 Runes
+8	Smithing Stone [3]	552 Runes
+9	Smithing Stone [3]	598 Runes
+10	Smithing Stone [4]	644 Runes
+11	Smithing Stone [4]	690 Runes
+12	Smithing Stone [4]	736 Runes
+13	Smithing Stone [5]	782 Runes
+14	Smithing Stone [5]	828 Runes
+15	Smithing Stone [5]	874 Runes
+16	Smithing Stone [6]	920 Runes
+17	Smithing Stone [6]	966 Runes
+18	Smithing Stone [6]	1,012 Runes
+19	Smithing Stone [7]	1,058 Runes
+20	Smithing Stone [7]	1,104 Runes
+21	Smithing Stone [7]	1,150 Runes
+22	Smithing Stone [8]	1,196 Runes
+23	Smithing Stone [8]	1,242 Runes
+24	Smithing Stone [8]	1,288 Runes
+25	Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone	1,334 Runes
Total	All Levels	19,550 Runes