How to Get the Jade Hatchet in Path of Exile
In the vast and brutal world of Path of Exile, weapon choice can often be the deciding factor between life and death. Whether you're just starting out or crafting your early build for maximum efficiency, securing the right gear is essential. One of the more accessible yet effective, early-game weapons is the Jade Hatchet. This one-handed axe may not be legendary by endgame standards, but for players navigating the early stages of Wraeclast, it's a reliable and efficient choice.
Let’s explore what makes the Jade Hatchet worth picking up, how you can get it, and how it fits into your build strategy.
What is the Jade Hatchet?
The Jade Hatchet is a one-handed axe designed primarily for characters focusing on Strength-based melee builds early in the game. Like many low-level weapons in Path of Exile, it’s not meant to carry you into maps or dominate endgame bosses, but it’s a strong option for players building around physical damage.
Here's a breakdown of the Jade Hatchet’s core stats:
Type: One-Handed Axe
Physical Damage: 10–15
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.45
Weapon Range: 1.1 metres
Required Level: 6
Required Strength: 21
Drop Level: 6
Understanding the DPS
While the Jade Hatchet may look modest on paper, its base DPS of 18.1 (for Physical, Phys+Chaos, and Total categories) places it in a strong position among early-game options. Thanks to its solid attack speed and decent crit chance, it can perform well in the first few acts of the game, particularly when paired with a synergistic support gem or an attack skill like Cleave, Sunder, or Molten Strike.
For melee characters using skills that scale with physical damage or those planning to dual-wield, this axe can be a helpful stepping stone in your leveling process.
Where to Find the Jade Hatchet
1.Natural Drop
The Jade Hatchet is a common drop starting at level 6, which means you’ll begin to see it in Act 1, specifically in zones like:
The Submerged Passage
The Flooded Depths
The Ledge
Keep an eye on weapon drops from standard monsters, chests, and strongboxes. Since it’s not a unique or rare PoE item, you won’t need to farm bosses or complete special encounters to obtain it. It's part of the normal loot pool early on, and you can expect to find one naturally during a typical playthrough.
2.Vendor Recipe System
While not part of a special vendor recipe, you can sometimes find the Jade Hatchet in vendors' inventories around the time you reach level 6. Simply checking with Nessa in Lioneye’s Watch or subsequent vendors in early acts may allow you to purchase one directly with a few POE currency, which are Transmutation or Alteration.
Optimizing the Jade Hatchet
Once you get your hands on a Jade Hatchet, consider enhancing it to give yourself a strong edge during the first couple of acts.
Useful Crafting Options:
Increased Physical Damage: Craft using an Essence or the crafting bench once unlocked.
Added Fire or Cold Damage: Especially useful in the early game to give your physical attacks some elemental punch.
Attack Speed: Faster hits translate into more damage and smoother gameplay.
Chance to Poison or Bleed on Hit: Great for builds that utilize Damage over Time (DoT) effects.
If you're dual-wielding, try finding a second Jade Hatchet or pairing it with another axe or one-handed weapon that complements your desired stats.
Who Should Use the Jade Hatchet?
The Jade Hatchet is an ideal weapon for Marauders, Duelists, or Templars who focus on physical melee combat. Its relatively low stat requirement (just 21 Strength) means it's widely usable and accessible by most classes early on.
It pairs particularly well with:
Ground Slam
Sunder
Cleave
Molten Strike
Double Strike
If you're experimenting with a melee build in Hardcore, SSF (Solo Self-Found), or a fresh league start, the Jade Hatchet can easily serve as your reliable first weapon before you progress to better rares or unique weapons.
How Long Should You Use It?
As you move into Act 2 and beyond, you'll quickly outgrow the Jade Hatchet in terms of raw power. Once your character reaches level 12–18, you’ll have access to stronger base types like the Cleaver or Tomahawk, which have better scaling and damage ranges.
Still, while the Jade Hatchet won’t last forever, it provides an efficient and effective foundation. Use it as a stepping stone while you're hunting for upgrades or saving POE currency for crafting better gear.
Final Thoughts
In the harsh, loot-filled world of Path of Exile, even the smallest advantages can make a big difference. The Jade Hatchet is one of those reliable early-game tools that can smooth out the leveling process for melee characters. It's easy to obtain, solid in terms of stats, and versatile enough to carry you through the early acts of Wraeclast.
If you're just starting out or want a strong early-game melee option, keep an eye out for the Jade Hatchet. It won’t win you any endgame races, but for the first few acts, it might just be the best axe in your arsenal.
MMOexp POE Team