When diving into Path of Exile 2, the thrill of slaying monsters and collecting powerful loot is what keeps many players hooked. But let’s be real—some PoE 2 items look amazing on paper, yet feel absolutely awful in practice. One of the most misleading categories? Two-handed axes. At first glance, they seem like the ultimate weapon: high base damage, great reach, and the potential for devastating critical hits. But as many players quickly discover, these weapons often drag your entire build down if not chosen carefully. Here’s the truth: not all PoE 2 items are created equal, and this is especially true when it comes to melee weapons. Two-handed axes suffer from a few key problems—slow attack speed, clunky animations, and difficulty scaling well without expensive support gear. For new or mid-tier players trying to farm efficiently, this can be a trap that wastes your time and currency. Let’s break it down. The base attack speed on most two-handed axes is so slow that by the time you land a hit, faster enemies may have already dealt critical damage to you. Unless you’ve invested heavily into attack speed modifiers through gear or passives, you’re stuck swinging like you’re underwater. And if your main damage source depends on hitting fast—like with Rage or On Hit effects—then these axes are more of a liability than an asset. That’s why many experienced players advise focusing on other PoE 2 items like one-handed weapons with a strong off-hand shield or dual-wielding options. These not only allow faster clears but give you more flexibility with support gems and skill combos. So what should you do if you’ve already fallen into the axe trap? Here’s a recovery plan: Liquidate Your Losses: If you’ve already invested in a bad two-handed axe, consider using an Orb of Annulment to remove the worst modifiers, then resell it. Or just vendor it and move on. Sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and buy PoE 2 items that support your playstyle better. Rebuild Smarter: Shift your build toward faster weapons. Look for one-handed swords or claws with attack speed bonuses. Tools like the Crafting Bench or Harvest can help modify gear to fit your needs. Use Currency Wisely: Save your Chaos Orbs and Divine Orbs for gear that actually scales with your build. Don’t dump them into niche axes unless you're following a very specific build guide with proven success. If you’re in need of good gear fast, many players buy PoE 2 items from reliable sources instead of waiting for drops. Try Trade: Sometimes the fastest way to gear up is through trade. You can buy PoE 2 items that are well-rolled and ready to use from other players or marketplaces. Just make sure you're getting value for your currency and compare item stats carefully. Watch the Meta: As PoE 2 evolves, the weapon meta changes. Right now, axes are underperforming for most builds, but future patches or unique items could change that. Keep an eye on patch notes and community builds to stay updated. In short, while the allure of big, brutal axes is strong, they can be a major setback if you’re not ready to commit fully to supporting them. For most players, it’s better to focus on faster, more flexible options that maximize your efficiency and fun. Remember—smart choices with your PoE 2 items and currency go a long way in building a character that dominates the battlefield.
