Battle axe (base item)

Battle axe (()
Item Type	Melee weapon
Sprite
Weight	70s		56s		50s
Danger Level	1		3		6
Material	Iron		Mithril		Adamantium
Sprite
Weight				35s		14s
Danger Level				15		?
Material				Eternium		Truesilver

Battle axes are one of the basic types of one-handed melee weapon. They belong to the Axes weapon group, and benefit from and train the corresponding weapon skill.

Desirability

Battle axes are roughly comparable to other basic types of melee weaponry. Although there are no mundane powerful axe weapons (like swords of sharpness or maces of destruction), there are some desirable artifact axes; in particular, Rolf's Companion and its accompanying shield are a powerful set which can be obtained fairly early in the game.

Thanks to the existence of Thrown Axes missile weapon skill, battle axes can be (somewhat) effectively used for ranged combat.

Guaranteed/Common Sources

They can be obtained in the same manner as all generic loot. Gnolls and large gnolls are able to use a one-time ranged attack which will generate an iron battle axe.

Greater Identify information

------------------------- blessed battle axe (+0, 1d6+2)-----------------------


When used in melee combat it grants a +0 bonus to hit and causes 1d6+2 points
of damage. When used as a missile it grants a -4 bonus to hit and causes 1d4
points of damage.

-------------------- uncursed mithril battle axe (+0, 1d6+5)-------------------


When used in melee combat it grants a +0 bonus to hit and causes 1d6+5 points
of damage. When used as a missile it grants a -4 bonus to hit and causes 1d4+3
points of damage.

------------------- blessed adamantium battle axe (+0, 1d6+7)------------------


When used in melee combat it grants a +0 bonus to hit and causes 1d6+7 points
of damage. When used as a missile it grants a -4 bonus to hit and causes 1d4+5
points of damage.

-------------------- uncursed eternium battle axe (+0, 2d6+9)------------------


When used in melee combat it grants a +0 bonus to hit and causes 2d6+9 points
of damage. When used as a missile it grants a -3 bonus to hit and causes 2d4+7
points of damage.

------------------- uncursed truesilver battle axe (+3, 1d6+5)-----------------


When used in melee combat it grants a +3 bonus to hit and causes 1d6+5 points
of damage. When used as a missile it grants a -1 bonus to hit and causes 1d4+3
points of damage.

Stat Table

Material	Danger Level	Weight	Typical stats	Notes
Iron	1	70	(+0, 1d6+2)	Can be rusted
Mithril	3	56	(+0, 1d6+5)
Adamantium	6	50	(+0, 1d6+7)
Eternium	15	35	(+0, 2d6+9)	Immune to corrosion
Truesilver	?	14	(+3, 1d6+5)	Not smithable

Some item DLs and/or stat modifier distribution taken from Anilatx's research.