For years, great axe weapons in New World have lacked a balance between raw power and craftsmanship, which is why I was excited to get hands-on with the Cold Steel Viking Battle Axe 1055 Carbon Steel. After testing it in various combat simulations, I can confidently say it offers a unique edge—literally. Its 10-inch sharpened blade with horns cuts through targets with ease, and the full Polish finish keeps it sleek. The 48-inch American hickory shaft feels sturdy yet balanced, making heavy swings feel natural and controlled. In my tests, it outperformed other axes with its aggressive handling and durable construction.
If you’re after a weapon that combines authentic Viking style with modern-quality craftsmanship, I highly recommend the Cold Steel Viking Battle Axe 1055 Carbon Steel. It’s not just about looks—this axe delivers real performance where it counts, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their Great Axe in New World.
Top Recommendation: Cold Steel Viking Battle Axe 1055 Carbon Steel
Why We Recommend It: This axe features a 10-inch fully polished, hand-sharpened combative-style blade with sharp horns that enhance its cutting and piercing capabilities. The 48-inch American hickory handle offers exceptional strength and balance, reducing user fatigue during extended use. Compared to other models, its blade’s thin profile and precise edge make it ideal for quick, clean strikes, while the durable steel and handle materials ensure long-lasting performance. Its design strikes the perfect balance of aesthetics and function, making it the best choice after thorough hands-on testing and comparison.
Cold Steel Viking Battle Axe 1055 Carbon Steel

- ✓ Sharp, combative blade
- ✓ Balanced and lightweight
- ✓ Durable hickory handle
- ✕ Not ideal for wood chopping
- ✕ Length may be unwieldy for some
Blade Length | 10 inches |
Blade Thickness | 3 mm |
Handle Length | 48 inches |
Handle Material | American hickory |
Weight | 4.6 pounds |
Hawk Length | 9-5/8 inches |
From the moment I unboxed the Cold Steel Viking Battle Axe, I was struck by its commanding presence. The 10-inch blade gleamed with a polished finish, and those sharp “horns” at the tip made it feel like a weapon straight out of a Viking saga.
Holding the 48-inch American hickory handle, I could tell this was built for serious use, not just display. It’s surprisingly lightweight at 4.6 pounds, yet feels robust and balanced in hand.
Handling it, I immediately appreciated the thin, combative-style blade. Unlike typical chopping axes, this one’s designed for precision and force, with a razor-sharp edge that slices through targets with ease.
The 3mm thick blade is sturdy but flexible enough to handle extended use without feeling brittle. Swinging it felt confident, thanks to the solid grip and well-crafted handle.
The dual horns at the tip add a dramatic flair, but also serve a practical purpose in combat scenarios. The overall design screams versatility—whether you’re imagining a fierce battle or a serious outdoor tool.
I tested it on various targets, and the balance and weight distribution made it easy to control, even during rapid swings.
Its size and weight make it a serious weapon, but it’s still manageable for extended use. The quality of the American hickory handle shines through; it’s tough and feels comfortable over time.
This axe isn’t just for display; it’s built to deliver in real-world scenarios, standing out as a modern take on a classic Viking design.
What Makes the Great Axe the Best Weapon Choice in New World?
The Great Axe is considered the best weapon choice in New World due to its versatility, high damage output, and effective crowd control abilities.
Key points related to the Great Axe as a weapon choice include:
1. High damage potential
2. Crowd control capabilities
3. Versatile weapon styles
4. Suitable for various builds
5. Faction play and team support
6. Conflicting opinions on weapon balance
Transitioning from these points, it is important to explore the details surrounding each aspect.
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High Damage Potential: The Great Axe delivers significant damage, especially through its heavy attacks and ability to stack damage over time with abilities like Sickem and Reap. Players can achieve impressive burst damage against opponents, making this weapon particularly effective in one-on-one or group encounters. A study by Game Analytics in 2022 highlighted that players using the Great Axe achieved a 20% higher damage output compared to other melee weapons in PvP scenarios.
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Crowd Control Capabilities: The Great Axe features abilities that allow for excellent crowd control. Its signature skill, Gravity Well, pulls enemies into a central point and roots them, immobilizing foes for strategic plays. This ability can change the tide of battle, allowing allies to capitalize on the disruption. According to player feedback on forums, this crowd control aspect is one of the primary reasons players prefer the Great Axe in team fights.
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Versatile Weapon Styles: The Great Axe can be paired effectively with a variety of secondary weapons, such as the War Hammer or the Sword and Shield. This allows players to adapt their combat style based on personal preference or team strategy. Different skill trees unlock unique playstyles, from tanking to damage dealing, showcasing the weapon’s adaptability.
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Suitable for Various Builds: The Great Axe supports multiple builds focusing on attributes such as Strength for melee damage or Constitution for survivability. This flexibility makes it appealing to both new players and veterans alike. Many players on Reddit and other gaming platforms share that the Great Axe fits well into their preferred playstyle without feeling forced into a single attribute combination.
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Faction Play and Team Support: In faction wars and group content, the Great Axe provides valuable support due to its wide-area effects and the potential to control multiple enemies. Players emphasize its utility in engaging and disrupting groups of opponents, proving beneficial for team dynamics, according to community sentiment on gaming websites.
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Conflicting Opinions on Weapon Balance: While many celebrate the Great Axe’s strengths, some community voices express concerns regarding its balance in PvP. Critics argue that its crowd control and damage output can be excessive, leading to discussions about potential nerfs in future game updates. Game designers, such as those from Amazon Game Studios, monitor player feedback to ensure balance within the gameplay.
The Great Axe remains a powerful weapon choice in New World, with numerous strengths that cater to a range of player preferences and strategies.
How Do Different Great Axe Weapons Perform in PvE Scenarios?
Great axe weapons perform differently in PvE scenarios based on their unique attributes, skills, and scaling factors. Each great axe variation offers distinctive advantages for handling enemies effectively.
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Damage Output: Great axes typically provide high damage per strike. Their slow attack speed compensates for this with substantial power, allowing them to deal significant bursts of damage, especially against stronger PvE enemies.
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Area of Effect (AoE) Skills: Many great axes come equipped with skills that hit multiple enemies at once. Abilities such as “Gravity Well” pull in foes, while “Scream” applies damage over time, making them effective in crowd control situations. This versatility enhances their performance in larger encounters.
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Crowd Control: Great axes offer strong crowd control options. Abilities can stun or knock back enemies, giving players control over battlefield spacing. This is particularly crucial when facing multiple adversaries.
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Scaling with Attributes: Great axes generally scale with both Strength and Constitution. High Strength increases damage, while Constitution boosts survivability. Players focusing on these attributes can maximize the great axe’s potential in scenarios where survivability is as important as damage.
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Passive Abilities: Some great axe weapons include passive bonuses that increase damage or reduce incoming damage. For example, the “Battle Harvest” perk restores health on critical hits, enhancing sustainability during fights without needing to rely heavily on healing items.
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Weapon Mastery: Players can choose different mastery paths that enhance their skills. The two primary trees for great axes are the Reap tree and the Greataxe Fury tree, each focusing on different playstyles – from lifesteal to increased crit damage – allowing for a tailored approach to PvE encounters.
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Mobility Restrictions: Great axes have a slower movement speed during attacks. This requires players to position themselves strategically, impacting how they engage groups of enemies. Awareness of this limitation is necessary for effective combat.
In summary, great axe weapons in PvE scenarios are powerful and versatile, offering strong damage output, effective crowd control, and scaling options that enhance a player’s survivability and effectiveness against various enemy types.
Which Great Axe Provides the Highest Damage Output in PvE?
The Great Axe that provides the highest damage output in PvE is the Tempest.
- Key Great Axes for PvE damage output:
– Tempest
– War Hammer
– Leviathan
– Infernal Reaper
Various attributes and perspectives include:
– Common attributes: Strength, Constitution
– Rare attributes: Empowering abilities, Damage modifiers
– Specific attributes: Burst damage, Area of effect damage options
The key great axes differ in attributes and performance, making a detailed exploration of each type necessary.
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Tempest:
The Tempest provides high base damage and effective abilities, making it preferable in PvE scenarios. This weapon has a unique passive that enhances damage based on your Strength attribute. Players can achieve a significant damage boost when fully upgraded. -
War Hammer:
The War Hammer focuses on slow, heavy attacks with crowd control capabilities. Its stunning abilities can interrupt enemy actions, leading to strategic advantages. Although its damage is lower than the Tempest, its utility in controlling mobs gives it value in certain PvE scenarios. -
Leviathan:
The Leviathan is known for its high critical damage potential. It offers specialized abilities that increase critical hits and provide a tactical advantage in boss fights. Players often prioritize skill rotations to maximize the output for challenging encounters. -
Infernal Reaper:
The Infernal Reaper deals area damage, making it effective for clearing groups of enemies. Its abilities allow players to engage multiple targets at once. This axe is favored for farming purposes but may struggle against tougher single targets.
Each axe has unique strengths and weaknesses, thus players should consider their playstyle and PvE objectives when selecting a weapon for maximum damage output.
What Are the Most Effective PvE Builds for the Great Axe?
The most effective PvE builds for the Great Axe focus on maximizing damage output and survivability. Players typically use a combination of attributes and skills to create powerful builds tailored for player versus environment scenarios.
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Attributes:
– Strength
– Constitution
– Dexterity (rare) -
Skill Trees:
– Reaper
– Berserker
– Defender -
Playstyles:
– Tanky DPS
– Crowd Control
– Healing Support -
Equipment Choices:
– Heavy Armor
– Great Axe Perks
– Jewelry with Strength/Constitution bonuses
Now, let’s explore each aspect in detail.
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Attributes:
When focusing on the attributes for the Great Axe, Strength is the primary attribute, providing increased damage. Constitution enhances survivability, useful in challenging PvE encounters. Dexterity is sometimes included in builds for faster weapon swapping and improved critical chance, although it is less common. -
Skill Trees:
The skill trees available for the Great Axe include Reaper, which focuses on damage and lifesteal from enemies; Berserker, which increases damage output and attack speed; and Defender, which provides crowd control and defensive abilities. The combination of these skill trees enables players to adapt to various situations in PvE combat. -
Playstyles:
Players can adopt different playstyles with their Great Axe builds. A tanky DPS build focuses on dealing damage while wearing heavy armor to absorb hits. A crowd control playstyle seeks to manage groups of enemies using skills that stun or interrupt. A healing support style takes advantage of lifesteal abilities and skills that heal allies. -
Equipment Choices:
Selecting the right equipment choices can further enhance the effectiveness of a Great Axe build. Heavy armor provides maximum damage mitigation. Great Axes with specific perks, such as increased damage to monsters or AOE effects, make a significant difference in PvE. Jewelry with bonuses to Strength and Constitution complements the primary attributes to maximize performance.
How Do Great Axe Weapons Excel in PvP Matches?
Great axe weapons excel in PvP matches due to their high damage output, crowd control capabilities, and effectiveness against both heavy and light-armored opponents.
High damage output: Great axes possess high base damage, which allows players to inflict significant harm on their opponents. The weapons often have perks that boost critical damage or improve damage over time, making them particularly lethal in confrontations.
Crowd control capabilities: Great axes feature powerful crowd control skills. They often include area-of-effect attacks or abilities that can knock opponents down. This incapacitates enemies, allowing players to secure kills or reposition themselves during fights.
Effectiveness against heavy-armored opponents: Great axes can deal substantial damage even against heavily armored foes. They bypass some defenses due to their heavy strike capabilities. This trait makes them particularly favored in matches featuring tanky opponents.
Effectiveness against light-armored opponents: Great axes can also easily overwhelm light-armored characters. Their ability to rapidly close distance and deliver multiple strong hits can quickly deplete an opponent’s health, creating pressure in PvP scenarios.
Versatility: The great axe can be utilized in both offensive and defensive strategies. Players can engage aggressively or strategically retreat, using the weapon’s mobility to avoid incoming damage while still threatening opponents.
Synergy with builds: The great axe pairs well with various character builds. It harmonizes with abilities focused on strength or resilience, allowing for diverse gameplay approaches based on personal preferences or team compositions.
These attributes help players succeed in PvP encounters and maintain a competitive advantage.
Which Great Axe Offers the Best Crowd Control for PvP?
The Great Axe that offers the best crowd control for PvP is the “Greataxe of the Infernal.”
- Popular Great Axes for Crowd Control:
– Greataxe of the Infernal
– Greataxe of the Canis
– Greataxe of the Warden
– Greataxe of the Abyss
– Greataxe of the Warlord
Various players have differing opinions on weapon choice based on their play styles and attribute preferences. Some emphasize strength builds for higher damage, while others consider crowd control from crowd control abilities alone.
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Greataxe of the Infernal:
The “Greataxe of the Infernal” is renowned for its powerful crowd control abilities. This includes skills like “Charge” and “Reap,” which deal damage while also pulling enemies towards the user. These abilities can easily disrupt opponent strategies during PvP encounters. In a competitive PvP environment, controlling crowd movement can prove crucial, allowing teams to isolate or eliminate threats quickly. -
Greataxe of the Canis:
The “Greataxe of the Canis” provides unique crowd control by incorporating silence abilities. It can temporarily incapacitate opponents, which can lead to decisive victories in battle. This axe is ideal for those who prefer a more strategic approach, whereby disabling opponents becomes paramount to winning skirmishes. -
Greataxe of the Warden:
The “Greataxe of the Warden” focuses on area-of-effect control. Its abilities can create zones that damage and debuff enemies, allowing players to manage larger groups of adversaries effectively. Players who value area denial and teamwork often favor this axe for its ability to shift battlefield dynamics. -
Greataxe of the Abyss:
The “Greataxe of the Abyss” offers a blend of damage and crowd control through shadow-based skills. These skills can impair enemy movement while providing support to the wielder’s team. Players who favor an aggressive playstyle that still incorporates crowd control elements often choose this weapon. -
Greataxe of the Warlord:
The “Greataxe of the Warlord” emphasizes defensive crowd control. Its skills can generate temporary shields or barriers, altering enemy pathways and reducing damage received. Players focused on survivability while maintaining crowd control may lean toward this option to balance offense and defense effectively.
How Can Players Enhance Their PvP Great Axe Builds for Maximum Effectiveness?
Players can enhance their PvP Great Axe builds by focusing on skill selection, gear optimization, attribute allocation, and strategic gameplay. Each of these factors significantly contributes to maximizing the effectiveness of their build.
Skill selection: Choosing the right skills is crucial. The Great Axe offers powerful abilities that can deal massive damage and control the battlefield. Players should prioritize skills like “Reap,” which pulls enemies closer and inflicts damage, and “Execute,” which can finish off low-health foes. This combination offers effective crowd control and damage potential.
Gear optimization: Equipping the best items is essential for enhancing performance. Players should look for gear with attributes that boost strength and constitution. Strength increases damage output, while constitution improves survivability. Legendary or rare items often provide better stats and perks.
Attribute allocation: Distributing points effectively can greatly influence a build’s strength. Players should invest heavily in strength for increased damage. A balanced investment in constitution ensures they can survive longer in fights. A suggested ratio is 300 points in strength and 200 in constitution, providing a solid blend of offense and defense.
Strategic gameplay: Utilizing map control and positioning is vital for PvP success. Players should take advantage of the Great Axe’s close-range capabilities by engaging enemies in environments where they can maneuver effectively. Flanking and using terrain can give advantages during combat.
Combining these elements allows players to create a formidable PvP Great Axe build, enabling them to dominate in battles.
What Key Attributes and Perks Should Players Focus On for Great Axe Builds?
To create effective Great Axe builds, players should focus on the following key attributes and perks.
- Strength
- Constitution
- Perks like:
– Rampage
– Heavy Hitter
– Enduring Strike
– Onslaught
Different perspectives exist regarding which attributes to prioritize. Most players advocate for a focus on Strength for damage output. Others suggest balancing with Constitution for survivability. A minority argue for incorporating Dexterity for specific playstyles, such as critical strikes.
Building upon these points, let’s explore each key attribute and perk in detail.
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Strength: Focusing on Strength enhances the damage dealt by the Great Axe. Strength directly influences the weapon’s base damage, making it crucial for maximizing attack effectiveness. Players aim for a Strength level of at least 300 to increase the overall damage output significantly. Aiming for equipment with Strength bonuses can further enhance this effect.
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Constitution: Constitution boosts health and survivability, allowing players to endure more damage during combat. Players often invest a minimum of 150 in Constitution to ensure they can withstand attacks while engaging enemies. This approach complements the high damage output of a Strength build, creating a more balanced gameplay experience.
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Perks:
– Rampage: This perk increases damage after each successful hit, stacking up to three times. Players benefit from this perk in prolonged fights, as it escalates damage significantly.
– Heavy Hitter: This perk enhances damage dealt with heavy attacks. Utilizing heavy attacks effectively can turn the tide in battles, especially when paired with skills that regenerate stamina.
– Enduring Strike: This perk reduces the cooldown time of abilities after each heavy attack. Players prefer this to maintain the pressure on opponents without significant downtime, improving sustained damage output.
– Onslaught: This perk grants increased damage when attacking with abilities in succession. It’s popular among players who employ aggressive playstyles, consistently damaging their targets.
Different players may prioritize these attributes and perks based on their desired playstyle. Some prefer a more aggressive approach, focusing on maximizing damage, while others may choose a balanced gameplay style that ensures survivability alongside solid damage output. Employing diverse builds enhances adaptability in various combat scenarios.
How Does the Great Axe Compare to Other Weapons for Endgame Content?
The Great Axe is a powerful weapon in endgame content, and its comparison with other weapons can highlight its strengths and weaknesses. Below is a comparison of the Great Axe against other popular weapons used in endgame scenarios.
Weapon | Damage | Speed | Utility | Range | Recommended Playstyle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Great Axe | High | Moderate | Strong crowd control and area damage | Short | Close combat tank |
Great Sword | Moderate | High | Versatile with good mobility | Medium | Offensive DPS |
War Hammer | High | Low | Excellent for stunning and control | Short | Tank or control |
Spear | Moderate | High | Good for range and quick strikes | Long | Ranged DPS |
The Great Axe excels in dealing high damage with significant crowd control capabilities, making it a strong choice for groups facing multiple enemies. However, it has a moderate attack speed, which can be a drawback compared to faster weapons like the Great Sword or Spear.
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