How to Get the Decorative Axe in Path of Exile

In Path of Exile, the sheer variety of weapons available allows players to tailor their builds for maximum efficiency and devastation. Among these options, the Decorative Axe stands out as a solid, early-mid-game one-handed axe that can complement various melee-focused builds. Whether you're playing a Slayer, Gladiator, or Berserker, the Decorative Axe provides a foundation of reliable physical damage and decent attack speed. In this guide, we'll break down how to acquire the Decorative Axe, its core stats, and how it fits into different character builds.

What Is the Decorative Axe?

The Decorative Axe is a base-type weapon in the one-handed axe category. This means it's not a unique item with fixed modifiers, but rather a standardized item base that can be modified through crafting, found with random affixes, or used as a base for crafting powerful gear.

Here's a breakdown of the Decorative Axe's base stats:

    Weapon Type: One-Handed Axe

    Physical Damage: 27-50

    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%

    Attacks per Second: 1.20

    Weapon Range: 1.1 metres

    Required Level: 29

    Stat Requirements: 80 Strength, 23 Dexterity

    Drop Level: 29

This weapon base is ideal for melee builds that deal physical damage and rely on consistent attack rates rather than high burst speeds. Its higher strength requirement and solid damage range make it a great fit for characters progressing through Act 3 and beyond.

Weapon DPS Analysis

DPS-or damage per second-is a vital metric when evaluating a weapon's potential. For the Decorative Axe, the relevant DPS values are:

    Physical DPS: 46.2

    Chaos DPS: 0 (unless modified)

    Total DPS: 46.2

This means that out of the box, the Decorative Axe has a respectable physical DPS for its level. With crafting and the addition of modifiers through orbs or influence systems, its damage potential can increase significantly. Players who rely on pure physical or bleed-based builds can make excellent use of this weapon base.

Where and How to Acquire the Decorative Axe

The Decorative Axe can be found as a drop starting at level 29, which generally places it within Act 3 of the main campaign. Players can encounter this weapon in the following ways:

1. Natural Drops

Once you reach level 29 areas, monsters may drop Decorative Axes with random modifiers. This is the most straightforward, though least reliable, method of acquisition.

2. Vendors

Though base types are sometimes available from weapon vendors, it's not guaranteed that a Decorative Axe will be in stock at any given time. Still, it's worth checking vendors in town once you're in the appropriate level bracket.

3. Crafting

You can also craft a Decorative Axe using a Weapon Base Type of that name and applying various POE currency orbs:

    Orb of Alchemy: Turns it into a rare item.

    Chaos Orb: Re-rolls modifiers on a rare item.

    Essences and Fossils: Offer more controlled crafting results.

If you're in a crafting-focused league, you can also use advanced methods such as Influence crafting, Harvest crafting, or bench crafting in your hideout.

4. Trade

Players can easily buy a Decorative Axe from other players using the in-game trade system. Look for one with desirable stats such as:

    Increased Physical Damage

    Added Physical or Elemental Damage

    Attack Speed

    Life or Leech on Hit

Sites like the official PoE Trade or third-party tools can help streamline this process.

Ideal Builds for the Decorative Axe

The Decorative Axe isn't just a placeholder - it can play a real role in powering up physical-damage-focused characters, especially those who rely on bleed, impale, or leech mechanics. Here are some classes and ascendancies that benefit most:

1. Slayer (Duelist)

With its heavy emphasis on two-handed weapons and melee damage, the Slayer also benefits from one-handed setups early in progression. The Decorative Axe fits well while you're climbing maps.

2. Gladiator (Duelist)

Gladiators who opt for a dual-wielding bleed build will find the Decorative Axe a viable offhand weapon, especially if crafted with bleed-specific mods.

3. Berserker (Marauder)

Known for brutal offense and rage stacking, the Berserker pairs well with high base damage weapons. The Decorative Axe's solid base damage makes it a good stepping stone for Berserkers building toward higher-tier gear.

Upgrading From the Decorative Axe

While the Decorative Axe is excellent for the level 29-50 range, it eventually gets outclassed by higher-tier bases like the Wraith Axe or Despot Axe. These weapons offer better scaling, more damage, and improved attack speeds. However, using the Decorative Axe with excellent modifiers can carry you much further than expected, especially in Solo Self-Found (SSF) or Hardcore modes.

Final Thoughts

In Path of Exile, early weapon choices can shape your leveling efficiency and progression through the acts. The Decorative Axe, with its respectable damage and balanced stat requirements, is a great mid-game option for physical melee builds. Whether you find it on the ground, buy it from a fellow exile, or craft it yourself, it's a valuable asset for many melee characters.

If you're just entering level 29 zones and need a reliable axe to push forward, the Decorative Axe is well worth considering, especially if you take the time to roll powerful affixes and pair it with the right passive tree nodes.

MMOexp POE Team