In case you are interested in a build which deal big damage and also let you heal during battle, then this axe configuration could really be the one that suits best. It is mostly built around the Empyrean Greataxe and the idea here is to knock enemies down quickly, before they manage to do much, and keep pushing them with constant pressure after that.
Once you commit and invest into it properly, mostly in Rage, Strength, and Stamina, plus with some leech-related traits, the build manages to keep up all through the game. There really isn’t much of a point in switching to another weapon later, since this axe continues performing better as you develop it more. It just fits very well into the long-term flow.
Early Game
Weapon: Empyrean Greataxe
The Empyrean Greataxe can be picked up early from near a place called Shu Sanctum. The weapon already comes with Empyrean Crash, this is a diving attack that bursts hard and is good at breaking enemy stance. It’s quite effective if you use it at the beginning of a fight or when you’re punishing a staggered enemy.
Skyborn Might works very nicely with this weapon, boosting its damage in a meaningful way especially when you’re clashing with enemies straight on or initiating.
Core Nodes
These core nodes help in both doing more damage and also healing during battle. Rampage increases damage of your swings and gives some healing with each hit. That one is honestly very helpful, making most of the fights more manageable. Health Siphon adds a life-leech effect that means you gain back HP when you land your attacks. Energetic helps with stamina regeneration, which helps you stay active and not fall behind during longer battles.
Benedictions
The axe becomes stronger and a bit more forgiving to use when you pair it with the right benedictions. Vitality Force from Empyrean Memory increases your Obliterate damage and helps fill Might quicker, which means more time spent in your stronger state. Skyborn Ward from Empyrean Oath lets you take less damage while Skyborn Might is up, making it safer to go all in. Skyborn Discipline under Empyrean Wisdom supports the Discipline skills based on what you select, so it’s flexible to your build.
Pendants
You’ll want pendants that give stamina benefits and help with staying alive longer in fights. Twin Infant makes stamina regenerate faster, which is great for maintaining your offense. Coiled Dragon boosts damage from physical attacks, making it a strong choice with this weapon. Gourd reduces the damage you take when your HP is low, so it’s useful when fights don’t go your way.
Mid to End Game
Weapon Strategy
You really don’t need to stop using the Empyrean Greataxe even in the late game. When you decide to go full into this weapon from the start, the scaling keeps up well with upgrades. You’ll see your burst damage getting better and it helps with groups of enemies, especially once you’ve unlocked things like Temperance and Impetus-type passives.
Build Tips
Later on, it’s good to focus on Rage, Strength, and stamina traits, especially ones that give you regeneration or healing through leech. Since you heal through attacking, staying offensive keeps you alive. You can also pick armor or pendants that help avoid being knocked around too much. That way, you can stay in the fight and not lose control mid-battle.
Core Skill Tree Focus
There are some specific skills that work best with this kind of axe build. Skyborn Call and Thunderous Cleave help with your burst potential and make hitting multiple enemies easier. Axe & Hook lets you open up new combo paths and build longer attack chains. The upgraded Rampage is worth it, it gives more healing and damage together. Colossal Smash is great for bosses when you need to stagger or break them. Under Temperance, skills like Leech Bone and others that give health back after fights or when certain triggers happen can keep your health topped off.
Spell Choices
You could also make use of some spells to go with this setup. Divine Blessing creates an area that heals and it fits well if you’re going for the Vitality route or when you’re stuck in a hard battle. Thunder Ward is good against elemental or magic damage, helping with survivability in those parts. Divine Might boosts the next heavy attack you make, so it’s great when trying to finish off or interrupt large enemies.
Tips for Playing This Build
This axe playstyle is built around staying near your enemy and going for smart, hard hits. You want to be close, look for your moment, and swing to both hurt and heal. You shouldn’t just attack randomly though, too many wasted swings can leave you open. If your stamina is up and you’re managing rage properly, then you’ll often win fights just by trading better.
Bosses take more patience. Wait to see their moves, and only then go in strong. When you stagger them, use that time well. The axe lets you get multiple hits in when the window’s open. Positioning is really important during those moments.
As long as you play smart and don’t hold back too much, the build will serve you well. The harder bosses go down once you get your timing. As you keep following the axe path, it grows into something really powerful and handles all kinds of situations.
