What's The Most Powerful Axe In Elden Ring?

As some players are taking on the most impossible challenges in "Elden Ring" and creating legends in the process, they are also scrambling to find the best builds to take their characters through the Lands Between problem-free — especially when completing a New Game Plus or two. While many players may choose to take inspiration from some of the more notable and bizarre "Elden Ring" builds, others are looking for something a little more traditional and tough.

Those looking to become an archer using the game's most powerful Bow or a warrior utilizing the deadliest Curved Greatsword won't have as hard of a time as aspiring Vikings in "Elden Ring." Axes aren't exactly in a great place when compared to the game's other one-handed melee options, but there's still hope with the right choice and proper preparations. Here's everything players need to know about using the Icerind Hatchet, as well as where the axe can be found.

The Icerind Hatchet's strengths lie not in its capability for brute power, but in the versatility the weapon offers. Players can choose to wield the axe in a power-stance using both hands or alongside a shield, all while still receiving many of the weapon's benefits. Most notably, the Icerind Hatchet is beholden to a Weapon Skill called Hoarfrost Stomp — and it'll prove to be one of players' most used abilities while weilding the axe. 

Hoarfrost Stomp is a skill that sends forth a wave of icy crystals along the ground and towards enemies. The stomp initially deals a bit of frostbite damage, but then each exploding ice crystal does even more. Players will find the skill quickly allows them to use the frostbite effect to shave off chunks of enemy health and stun them dead in their tracks.

Players will be able to build as they see fit using the Icerind Hatchet, as the requirements to wield the axe are a meager 11 Strength and 16 Dexterity. That said, the weapon does benefit from a few select Talismans. The Shard of Alexander will raise Hoarfrost Stomp's damage and the Carian Filigreed Crest will decrease the amount of FP required to use the skill.

Thankfully, finding the Icerind Hatchet is as easy as it is to use, and players can get the weapon fairly early during their playthrough. The Icerind Hatchet is located in Liurnia of the Lakes, within the Temple Quarter. If players teleport to the Temple Quarter Site of Grace and head into the center of crumbling ruins that make up the small area, they can find a chest containing the axe in one of the half-destroyed towers.

Once in hand, players will want to be sure to upgrade the Icerind Hatchet with Somber Smithing Stones to make the most out of its Hoarfrost Stomp ability. Additionally, the weapon naturally scales with Strength and Dexterity, meaning the higher those stats are, the more damage the axe's attacks will yield. 

While the Icerind Hatchet is great on its own, what really makes this weapon shine is the ability to wield a shield, staff, catalyst or even another coveted melee weapon along with it. Players should play around to figure out what they want in their other hand — but be sure to leave the frosty axe in their right to use Hoarfrost Stomp.