Steel Axe

[eighmy_lupin]

I really wish they would change the Steel Axe model back to its "this is a normal tool" look and add a mod that could be put on the axe.

The mod would change the look into the current model and add a damage bonus for combat. Maybe a negative stat to chopping?

Because right now, we have a over the top battleaxe looking axe, that even with all the perks and such, is almost completely useless as a weapon, yet is the best tool (that doesn't use gas) to cut wood, even though it looks ridiculous as a wood cutting tool.

[jynx]

While they're changing the model back, maybe they could put it's earlier stats in. It used to have the longest reach before spears. Dismemberment should have a higher chance with it as well. As far as looks, it resembles one of those novelty blade spiders you see in gas stations sometimes.

[James]

I agree. I get why they categorize it under "axes" as a T3 tool, but the steel axe feels way out of place compared to the stone and iron axes.

Like, you know what the stone and iron axes are mainly used for chopping wood because they look the part. But the steel axe looks more like a melee weapon than just another tool to chop wood with. Besides, you can usually get a chainsaw by the time you progress that far enough in the game to even get a high enough level steel axe. Sure, the chainsaw uses gas and attracts screamers, but those are minor conveniences because by the time you progress you that far in the game you are loaded with gas and are damn near unstoppable.

The battleaxe should be it's own melee weapon with 3 separate tiers.

T1: A wooden handle with a single stone blade with the same animation and stats as a stone sledge--similar to how to the baton has the same damage and stamina rates as the club does.

T2: An iron handle with a double iron blade.

T3: A steel handle with a double steel blade.

[Tahnval]

The current steel axe doesn't look like a melee weapon. It looks like a fantasy nonsense pretend melee weapon for people who don't know any better.

Real battleaxes had a smaller and much thinner blade and only one of them. Double-sided heads were fitted to many polearms, but rarely an axe head on each side. What would be the purpose of that? If you're going to accept the downside of the extra weight and cost, you'd want some benefit from it. Usually giving you the option of different types of attack. Axe on one side and hammer on the other was a popular combination. That way you could effectively use either a cutting attack or a blunt force attack. That was a big upside, since different types of attack can be more effective or less effective depending on the armour an enemy has. Arguably worth the extra weight and cost, unlike having two axe heads. Axe and spike was another popular combination. All three together was another popular combination - axe blade on one side, hammer on the other side, spike on the end. All the basic attack types in one weapon.

Two axe heads makes some sense on a tool axe. The extra weight might be useful and it might be useful to have the option of reversing the axe when one blade was blunted on some hard wood and carrying on working while the light was good, resharpening both blades in the evening. Maybe.

Two axe heads had ceremonial symbolic purposes in some cultures. But those weren't battleaxes or tool axes.

You can see all the above clearly in period art depicting combat, as well as in archaeological finds and in consideration of functionality.

[Sylvaa]

Same as the clubs, baseball bat is better than the steel club in every way except for damage.