Best great axe longterm

[Therigar]

When I played the paper and pencil version of D&D in the 70's and early 80's I had a character that fought with a great axe. I have used that as the basis for one of my DDO characters.

For a long time I did nothing with the character at all, playing a number of others instead. But, in the last few months I've been playing this D&D based character a lot more often and have him up to L7 on his 4th life at the present time.

My present plan is multiple past lives of fighter, monk and ranger. At present I have one life of each of these. I'm also considering multiple past lives of paladin and barbarian. By "multiple past lives" I mean that my intent is to build up 3 past lives in each class.

So, I have a long ways to go before I need to make a firm decision on what great axe to equip him with. And, I know the game will probably change some between now and then.

But, what great axe is presently best if I start to run epic content with this character? I have Carnifex to use at low levels. I also have the Antique Greataxe and Hellstroke. I have the materials to build a greensteel great axe.

Is one of these best (thinking epic versions for Antique or Hellstroke) or is there some new great axe that I should set my sights on?

I know that ESoS is probably better. But, bear with me as this is somewhat flavor and sentiment rather than a need to be absolutely best equipped (although I'm not opposed to that if it comes in a great axe flavor ).

Thanks in advance.

[Miow]

Use cannith holy bleed/carni/festi icy bursted flaming/acid/shock/holy of pg for low, greensteel lit2 for mid and antique for 20 plus(the GA from the cannith challenges looks nice too for 20).

[grayham]

Use carni for low, greensteel lit2 for mid and antique for 20 plus.

This.

The maths and spreadsheet wielders will tell you that the ESoS is better than the antique, and they are correct in terms of average damage since the ESoS crits more often. But if like me, you like to see HUGE NUMBERS then you can't beat the antique.

[djl]

For trash beaters, the best weapon by far is a tier two/three Alchemical with Earth/Air on it for Earthgrab, Stone Prison, Acid Burst, Lightning Strike, and Double Strike 6%. Make it out of flametouched iron so it can bypass Good DR.

For bosses and monsters with more than simple DR, the EAG is by far the best greataxe.

For monsters without any DR at all, the Cleaver (from the Web raid) is probably your best bet.

[Lord_WC]

This.

The maths and spreadsheet wielders will tell you that the ESoS is better than the antique, and they are correct in terms of average damage since the ESoS crits more often. But if like me, you like to see HUGE NUMBERS then you can't beat the antique.

Did they recalculate it with the EDs? I mean base average damage of esos is only 7 compared to the 10,5 of EAG. With all the +[W] stuff out there and headman's chop esos is still better?

[grayham]

Did they recalculate it with the EDs? I mean base average damage of esos is only 7 compared to the 10,5 of EAG. With all the +[W] stuff out there and headman's chop esos is still better?

You know what? I wouldn't even want to suggest it. Between you, me and anyone else reading there are some folks so attached to their old gear that they could find a way to say it's better than anything new or updated since the expansion. Personally I'm trying to get an ESoS and once I get one will make a call based on my own observations.

[djl]

Did they recalculate it with the EDs? I mean base average damage of esos is only 7 compared to the 10,5 of EAG. With all the +[W] stuff out there and headman's chop esos is still better?

For things with adamanatine/whatever you slot in the eSOS? The eSOS still wins, hands down because its crit range is much better than the EAG even though the EAG would have a higher multiplier. Otherwise, the EAG is better because it bypasses all forms of DR.

[Therigar]

Thanks all.

Before the thread derails into EAG v ESoS just wanted to get that in.

Looks like I'll focus some of my epic adventures in picking up the mats for EAG.

[Ap0k]

There is also a Drow Greataxe of the Weaponmaster

crits on a 17 with imp crit , is +6, adamantine, can have stunning 10 or other combat tactic mods on it.

I also have the epic elemental greataxe which is a nice weapon and relatively easy to aquire and upgrade to a +6 weapon.

[akiraproject24]

On my pure 20 barb I usually use the esos. Also have an eaga which can hit with the highest number as base damage is larger. But...the esos has a tighter range so the average seems to be higher than the eaga but once you figure in the sheer number of crits of the esos...the esos wins imo, Have been running these 2 weapons primarily for a very long time. I tend to swap to the eaga against golems sometimes and other monsters I wont be critting on. Would also like a drow greataxe, I feel it has serious DPS potential and would swap it in as well but havent pulled one yet. Fact is if you can make an esos then making an eaga shouldnt be a problem just make both. You will undoubtedly get use out of both and should cover most of your skull bashing needs. There are probably some cannith combos for more specific weapon vs. monster situations, that could be better with the new base damage on aml weapons as well.

[Therigar]

Fact is if you can make an esos then making an eaga shouldnt be a problem just make both.

Thanks for the information. Due to flavor reasons I am not considering ESoS at all for this particular character.

I am curious about the Drow great axe. Mostly I'm wondering if it has augmentation slots like EAG has. One of the appeals of EAG is that it bypasses most DR being metalline and righteous.

[Zorth]

The House C Epic Greataxe of Fire does more damage than the Antique but there are times when the Antique is a better choice for obvious reasons.

[Maxallu]

T3 House C challenge Epic Elemental Greataxe of Fire with good slotted is fantastic and easier by far to acquire.

[HalfORCastrator]

T3 House C challenge Epic Elemental Greataxe of Fire with good slotted is fantastic and easier by far to acquire.

Getting the shard took less than a ransack, same with the seal. Lot easier with no timer and ehard(casual).

[Bloodyfury]

The way you want to play your character (aka pen & paper style), you definitely want the EAGA, period. This will be your all around beater, without having to worry about switching for whatever; huge numbers, bypass everything.

Well imho, carrying such a badass epic weapon which is good versus everything, you should get the old D&D feeling you're looking for

[sephiroth1084]

Did they recalculate it with the EDs? I mean base average damage of esos is only 7 compared to the 10,5 of EAG. With all the +[W] stuff out there and headman's chop esos is still better?

I know I'm contributing to the derailment, but...


The ESoS is pretty far ahead of the EAG if you aren't worried about DR or Fortification. And it takes quite a bit of Fort to even things up. Even with a couple +[W] and Headman's.

[akiraproject24]

Thanks for the information. Due to flavor reasons I am not considering ESoS at all for this particular character.

I am curious about the Drow great axe. Mostly I'm wondering if it has augmentation slots like EAG has. One of the appeals of EAG is that it bypasses most DR being metalline and righteous.

The Drow greataxe doesnt have any augment slots...its a rare drop (quite rare compared to other weapon types imo or at least my luck) It comes complete with +6, maiming and an increased base damage and crit range. It will also have one of the following: vertigo 10, stunning 10, combat mastery +5 or tendonslice. It is a really nice weapon I had a no min lvl one which with update 15 made it min lvl 21 and added all of the above and vertigo 10 as my optional. It is jet black and looks absolutely bad arse. I want another!

[AidanRyuko]

epic tier 3 elemental greataxe of fire is pretty nice, if you are looking for flavor, a specified weapon like this might be within your interest, as it focusses on fire.

+6 Enhancement Bonus, Flaming Burst, Brilliance, Metalline, Greater Incineration, Magma Surge, Greater Fire Resistance, Empty Colorless Augment Slot, Empty Red Augment Slot

Potentially you could turn the weapon +7 enhancement/turn it good or evil and add an exceptional stat.

DPS-wise there is better, but this weapon will make you a fire beast with it's flaming burst and even the more hurtful Greater Incineration and Magma Surge, on top of that you even get light damage from Irian light (Brilliance).

Crititical hits will be nice.. =)