Axes are a weapon type in the Dark Souls games most well known for their high damage coupled with various flaws that keep them from being too overpowered, such as short reach, high stamina cost per attack, and more. This group is consists of two subgroups: Axes and Greataxes, the latter essentially being bigger and heavier. Dark Souls 2 has both classics from previous Souls games and new ones to the delight of players.
Many can deal out great damage for most melee-oriented builds; mostly for Strength inclined warriors, though there are a few axes that require some investment in Dexterity, Faith, or other stats and factors to truly become effective. Though, there are also those that exist purely for lore or context, such as those dropped by foes as well as inferior specimens that exist in spades due to their niches not being very viable or fun. The key to telling the difference is judging how it feels in combat and comparing its effectiveness to its kin.
10 Giant Stone Axe (Worst)
As a weapon created from the soul of the first boss, one would expect the Giant Stone Axe to be better than common variants of this weapon type. Sadly, this axe acquired from Straid of Olaphis in trade for the Soul of the Last Giant is an armament better suited to being a trophy instead of something used in actual combat.
It is the heaviest regular axe in the entire game, and that's not a good thing. This class is meant to be wielded in one hand alongside a shield or other offhand tool, but because it is so heavy it limits the kinds of tools and armor one can equip without fat-rolling. The base damage and minimal scaling do not compensate for this setback, being outperformed by any greataxe and many regular axes in this regard.
9 Butcher's Knife (Best)
Despite looking like a warped and worn greatsword, the Butcher's Knife is actually an axe. It is also one of the best, especially for Strength builds during the middle of the game. In addition to having decent base damage, it has excellent scaling with Strength that pushes its damage output beyond what most one-handed weapons can do, though this isn't even its best feature.
With each attack that connects with one's foe, it leeches HP, healing its wielder like some sort of handheld vampire. The returns are minimal, but they add up, often saving one from needing to use precious Estus Flasks or Lifegems.
8 Hand Axe (Worst)
Much like its counterpart in the first and third Dark Souls games, the Hand Axe appears as the most basic iteration of its weapon class. It doesn't do anything particularly wrong, however, it pales in comparison with almost every other axe in terms of base damage and scaling. It may be a weapon given to a starting class, but there are others in the same category that aren't borderline embarrassing to use after the tutorial area.
It's relatively quick for an axe, though its short range and low damage mean that one will have to hack at foes as if they were a tree before felling them. This is one implement better left in The Great Swamp, where pyromancers can use it to chop firewood.
7 Battle Axe (Best)
Arguably the best early game regular axe, the Battle Axe can help the Bearer of the Curse cleave through many enemies while still allowing them to move quickly. It can see many players through the entire game if upgraded and infused accordingly. It can be obtained from Lenigrast the blacksmith in Majula or as a rare drop from the disgusting goblins that plague parts of the Shaded Woods.
Fast swings and high base damage make this axe great on its own, but it can get even better scaling when fully upgraded. If paired with a shield or way to cast spells, it can be an integral component to a winning build.
6 Lion Greataxe (Worst)
Dropped by the fierce lion clan warriors that prowl the Shaded Woods, this is a weapon better left to the beasts. On the surface, its moderate scaling with both Strength and Dexterity makes it seem like it would be a decent Quality build weapon.
Instead of taking advantage of two stats, however, the Lion Greataxe squanders the potential of both, only getting a bump in the Strength direction after being upgraded a few times. The greatest failing of this greataxe is its low base damage that can be outdone even by regular axes on the more optimized builds.
5 Drakekeeper's Greataxe (Best)
This treasure can appropriately be found in a chest. One in the Dragon Shrine, to be specific. Be sure to pick this one up if there is a need for a greataxe that has a bit of extra reach with virtually no downsides. It also has high base damage coupled with great Strength scaling for reliable impacts on each swing.
It varies from its brethren in that its two-handed strong attack is that of a great hammer instead of a greataxe, which gives it a bit of versatility that stacks with its added reach. Since it can slightly out-space many lighter builds, it can land sneaky hits on PVP adversaries, especially if one utilizes Manual Aiming.
4 Infantry Axe (Worst)
It's never a good sign for a weapon when its own item description proclaims how worthless it is and almost nothing else. This aptly named axe, used by the Drangleric infantry is "a makeshift, crude weapon that deals an underwhelming amount of damage."
With very poor base damage as well as abysmally low scaling in both Strength and Dexterity, this is a weapon to only use if one seeks to make things harder for themselves in some sort of challenge run. If the player should find this upon the corpse of a recently slain hollow infantry, they should leave it behind.
3 Black Dragon Greataxe (Best)
As an incredibly rare drop from the dragon knight who dual-wields them in the Dragon Shrine, it would be understandable for players to go multiple playthroughs without even knowing this weapon existed. Because of its unique traits and fun playstyle, those who are lucky enough to acquire it tend to enjoy some of the benefits of wielding one of the best weapons in the game.
It deals hefty damage right off, though can be upgraded to further deepen its damage potency. Like the other Black Dragon weapons that reference Kalameet from the first Dark Souls, it has no scaling whatsoever, though that combined with its otherwise great stats makes it an excellent candidate for Raw infusion.
2 Bound Hand Axe (Worst)
Here's another weapon that most players never see, though for completely different reasons. The Bound Hand Axe, along with Bound Wooden Shield and a few other items, were only available through a special pre-order edition prior to Dark Souls 2's release.
Through this axe, it is possible to argue that FromSoftware doesn't quite understand the concept of 'pay to win' items, though this does not dissuade fans from loving their games. The Bound Hand Axe has the lowest base damage out of any axe in the game as well as one of the shortest ranges and awful scaling. It does apply the bleed status, though not nearly as effectively as alternative methods.
1 Black Knight Greataxe (Best)
Suitably found in a chest in the Iron Keep, this mass of blackened steel is not only the mightiest axe in the game but potentially one of the deadliest of all. It comes with monstrous base damage primarily favoring the physical kind, however, it also unleashes decent fire damage as well.
It starts off having moderate Strength and Intelligence scaling, along with a bit of Dexterity, though after being upgraded its Strength scaling can increase to near the maximum. If one can get used to its slower moveset and can deal with its hefty weight, this can be their best weapon.