Help with Axe build?

[Fraktal]

I thought I would try Axe as a heavy armor alternative to my dragon sword build.

I’m only level 270 or so. Stat focus is STR and STA, CON third. Weapon is remodeled to reflect this. Dex and magic at 30 for the capacity.

Full Samurai from a Dark Land setup. Weapon imbued with lighting.

My biggest question is which Yokai abilities and GS are the best?

And which skills are winners and losers in the axe tree?

Is spin to win better than lumber hop in high stance?

[Virulent0o]

Best GS if you are using Shuten Doji club: Tengen (peacock birdy thing) amrita bonus on demand by clubbing someone with strong attacks.

Best GS if you not using Shuten Doji club: Atlas bear, it stacks with the mystic art of more damage without ki, with free faster winded recovery.

Depending your play style, you can stack strong attack or active skill.
1. Namahage (for opponent out of ki dmg boost - axe destroys ki)
2. One-eyed oni or Kiryroki (strong attack or active skill style)
3. (whatever else you can afford to complement 2)

Losers: all counters in mid-stance, all additional ki while wielding axe (goes against mystic art)

Spin-to-win doesn't work on human and those pesky enemies that back-steps a lot.
Once you hit DotN ditch Obsidian for Kintaro+Takeminakata's Grace combo for a ridiculous 40% increase in rumbling earth.

[Fraktal]

Originally posted by Virulent0o:

Best GS if you are using Shuten Doji club: Tengen (peacock birdy thing) amrita bonus on demand by clubbing someone with strong attacks.

Best GS if you not using Shuten Doji club: Atlas bear, it stacks with the mystic art of more damage without ki, with free faster winded recovery.

Depending your play style, you can stack strong attack or active skill.
1. Namahage (for opponent out of ki dmg boost - axe destroys ki)
2. One-eyed oni or Kiryroki (strong attack or active skill style)
3. (whatever else you can afford to complement 2)

Losers: all counters in mid-stance, all additional ki while wielding axe (goes against mystic art)

Spin-to-win doesn't work on human and those pesky enemies that back-steps a lot.
Once you hit DotN ditch Obsidian for Kintaro+Takeminakata's Grace combo for a ridiculous 40% increase in rumbling earth.

Thank you.

Should I avoid Barrier talisman?

Is running myself out of Ki all the time inherently dangerous?

[Virulent0o]

Originally posted by The Orange and Blue Ninja:

Thank you.

Should I avoid Barrier talisman?

Is running myself out of Ki all the time inherently dangerous?

If you didn't take mystic dyad for the axe and use the dmg boost in yokai realm, then barrier talisman is welcoming - you want to have fast ki recovery since every 2nd or 3rd attack depletes your ki.

Running out of ki can be dangerous. However, with faster winded recovery, you will recover in time to block/roll out of the next attack. Also remember to switch to mid stance when blocking or running away from stupidly long enemy combos.

If you are used to dps style play where you focus getting as many hits as possible - then you will have a bad time. If you like to pick your shots and want to see 50k dmg with one rumbling earth, then axe is for you.

Alternatively, you can run Tatenashi with Grace of Susano before DotN - use tonfa (remodel to courage and stamina) as secondary to build up the versatility stack + soften up the enemy before unleashing 60% increased rumbling earth/lumbar chop on your enemy.