Axe

The axe seen in Ultima VIII

Axes have been use as a tool of war for many ages on many worlds, appeared in Ultima I, Ultima II, Ultima III, Ultima IV, Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two, and Ultima IX, as well as in Ultima Underworld, Ultima Underworld II, Savage Empire and Martian Dreams.

Description

Since the dawn of civilization, the axe, as its counter-part on Earth has been used to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; and at time of war as a weapon. Although it exist out of different sizes, the base material are mostly the same; metal blades and a wood steel. With exception upon Eodon, were the blades are of stone.

Effectiveness of the Weapon

In Ultima I, axes do 3 points of damage in the original version and 24 points of damage in the remake.

In Ultima II, axes do +6 points of damage.

In Ultima III, axes do 4-16 points of damage.

In Ultima IV, axes do 48 points of damage.

In Savage Empire, axes inflict "good" damage.

In Martian Dreams, axes inflict "moderate" damage.

In Ultima Underworld II, axes do a minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 points of damage.

In Ultima VIII, axes do 6-19 points of damage.

Variants

Hand Axes and Hatchets

Although not designed for warfare, simple hand axes and hatchets may be used as weapons when no better options are available, although they are naturally not as well suited for combat as their weaponized counterparts.

Effectiveness of the Weapon

• In Ultima Underworld the hand axe has a base damage of 6 for slash, 4 for bash, and 2 for stab. See UW1 Melee Weapons for more stats.
• In Ultima Underworld II, the hand axes does minimum 3 points of damage and maximum 4 points of damage.
• In Ultima IX, a Hand Axe deals 4-10 points of damage.

Throwing Axes

Main article: Throwing axe

Designed to be thrown with one hand, these short hafted axes are designed for ranged combat. While not nearly as damaging as a war axe designed for melee, such weapons can nevertheless be quite effective in the hands of a competent fighter.

Axes

Effectiveness of the Weapon

• In Ultima Underworld the hand axe has a base damage of 10 for slash, 6 for bash, and 8 for stab. See UW1 Melee Weapons for more stats.

Battle Axes

In Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II the battle axes are some of the strongest weapons in the axe class.

Effectiveness of the Weapon

• In Ultima Underworld the hand axe has a base damage of 14 for slash, 7 for bash, and 2 for stab. See UW1 Melee Weapons for more stats.

Two-Handed Axes

Main article: Two-handed axe

Normally, axes can be used with a shield or a main gauche, however the use of both hands are required to wield these hefty weapons. The other drawback is the need for sufficient strength, otherwise it is not recommended to use them in battle.

Jeweled Axes

In Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II the jeweled axes are some of the strongest weapons in the axe class.

Effectiveness of the Weapon

• In Ultima Underworld the hand axe has a base damage of 13 for slash, 8 for bash, and 5 for stab. See UW1 Melee Weapons for more stats.

Magic Axes

Main article: Magic axe

A number of axes exist which have been magically enchanted to increase their range or hitting power. Among these number magical throwing axes, which are designed to return to the hands of the their wielder after striking; as well as unique weapons such as the Axe of Fire Doom, the axe of Erinon or the Deceiver.

Lore

“	With a double-sided two foot blade, a warrior wielding a battle axe can really wage war. The axe is a favorite among Tinkers, as many of them are workers of wood and metal. – from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar)

“

Among the natives the Nahuatla obsidian-edged sword is considered the 'chief' of weapons, with the widely-used atl-atl, or spear-thrower, as the well-respected 'shaman'. Beyond that, in descending order of worth, we have the large, two-handed club favored by the strongest natives; the hand-thrown spear; the stone axe used by most native warriors; the primitive short-bow used by nearly every tribe for both warfare and hunting; the solid wood club; the rock hammer, a single-handed club; the scalpel – sharp Nahuatla obsidian knife, more practical as a tool than a weapon; and, finally the relatively rare boomerang. – from Ultimate Adventures (Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire)

“	Axes do more damage than swords, but take longer to ready. They are slashing weapons — only the pole axe is effective when thrusting, and no axe can bash very well. The battle axe is the most damaging weapon (excluding enchanted or special weapons). – from Ultima Underworld II Player's Guide (Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds)

“	As a weapon, an axe in one hand is a good match for a sturdy shield in the other. In combat against multiple foes, an axe permits rapid attack without a sacrifice of defensive balance. Combat axes come in many shapes and qualities and are quite effective against weak and untrained opposition, such as barroom thugs and bandits of the highway. – from Journal (Ultima IX: Ascension)

Trivia

• In Ultima II, an Agility of 19 is required to wield an "ax."

See Also

• Weapons in Savage Empire
• Fire axe
• Weapon values

Reference

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Weapons

Melee Weapons
Basic Melee Weapons	Axe ☥ Bladed staff ☥ Club ☥ Custom sword ☥ Cutlass ☥ Dagger ☥ Decorative sword ☥ Dum‑dum ☥ Halberd ☥ Hammer ☥ Jeweled weapons ☥ Knife ☥ Mace ☥ Main gauche ☥ Morning star ☥ Poison dagger ☥ Saber ☥ Scimitar ☥ Serpentine dagger ☥ Serpentine sword ☥ Silver sword ☥ Spear ☥ Spiked helm ☥ Spiked shield ☥ Staff ☥ Sword ☥ Two‑handed axe ☥ Two‑handed hammer ☥ Two‑handed sword
Enhanced Melee Weapons	Blackrock sword ☥ Exotic Weapons ☥ Fire sword ☥ Glass sword ☥ Great dagger ☥ Lightning sword ☥ Lightning whip ☥ Magic sword ☥ Mystic Weapons ☥ Sword of defense

Ranged Weapons
Basic Ranged Weapons	Blowgun ☥ Boomerang ☥ Bow ☥ Crossbow ☥ Iolo’s bow ☥ Flaming oil ☥ Hawk ☥ Musket ☥ Siege bow ☥ Sling ☥ Throwing axe ☥ Triple crossbow
Enhanced Ranged Weapons	Anachronistic weapons ☥ Fire wand ☥ Infinity bow ☥ Lightning wand ☥ Lightning whip ☥ Magic axe ☥ Magic boomerang ☥ Magic bow ☥ Magician’s wand ☥ Starbursts

Ammunition
Basic Ammuntion	Ammunition ☥ Arrows ☥ Bolts ☥ Cannonballs ☥ Sling stones
Enhanced Ammuntion	Burst arrows ☥ Fire arrows ☥ Love arrows ☥ Lucky arrows ☥ Magic arrows ☥ Magic bolts ☥ Mana arrows ☥ Serpent arrows ☥ Sleep arrows

Non-traditional Weapons
Non-traditional Weapons	Cannon ☥ Cleaver ☥ Death scythe ☥ Fellowship staff ☥ Fishing rod ☥ Hammer ☥ Hoe ☥ Hoe of Destruction ☥ Pick ☥ Pitchfork ☥ Powder keg ☥ Rake ☥ Rock hammer ☥ Rolling pin ☥ Scythe ☥ Shears ☥ Shovel ☥ Tongs ☥ Torches ☥ Whip

Others
Other Weapons	Weapons in Savage Empire ☥ Weapons in Martian Dreams ☥ Gloves ☥ Rope & spikes