Poleaxes are among the most versatile and powerful two-handed weapons in Salt and Sanctuary, offering a balance of range, damage, and stagger potential. For players who prefer slow but impactful hits, poleaxes deliver devastating power, especially when fully upgraded and paired with the right build. Understanding which poleaxe to choose can significantly improve combat performance, especially during boss fights and high-stakes encounters. This guide explores the best poleaxes in Salt and Sanctuary, evaluating their stats, scaling, and utility to help players make the best choice for their playstyle.
Understanding Poleaxes in Salt and Sanctuary
Poleaxes are classified as two-handed weapons with sweeping attacks and excellent reach. They offer both vertical and horizontal swings, making them ideal for crowd control and interrupting enemy actions. These weapons typically scale with Strength, though some also have secondary scaling with Dexterity or even elemental stats depending on their upgrade path or origin.
The best poleaxe in Salt and Sanctuary depends on your build, the type of enemies you face, and how far you are into the game. While some poleaxes shine early on, others become superior in the mid-to-late game after sufficient upgrades.
Top Poleaxes to Consider
The Trident
The Trident is a powerful polearm that becomes available fairly early in the game. It offers balanced base damage and excellent scaling with Strength. It also has a fast move set for a weapon of its size, making it easier to use in tight spaces. This weapon is ideal for players running a Strength-heavy build who want reliable melee damage without sacrificing too much speed.
- Base Damage: High physical
- Scaling: Primarily Strength
- Speed: Moderate
- Availability: Mid-game
The Trident remains useful throughout most of the game and can be enhanced with elemental damage to make it even more effective against certain enemies.
Redmourne’s Tooth
Arguably one of the best poleaxes in Salt and Sanctuary, Redmourne’s Tooth is crafted from the remains of the Red Dragon boss. It boasts tremendous raw damage, excellent scaling, and a brutal move set that can stagger most enemies with ease. Its visual design is also one of the most intimidating in the game, adding aesthetic value for players who enjoy thematic builds.
- Base Damage: Very high physical
- Scaling: Strength and minor Dexterity
- Elemental Damage: Fire (in upgraded versions)
- Availability: Mid-to-late game
Redmourne’s Tooth becomes a fan-favorite for melee-heavy characters. It’s best used with a heavy armor set and stamina management gear due to its weight and stamina consumption per swing.
The Dragon Slayer’s Spear
This poleaxe is another late-game option that combines reach with piercing and elemental damage. While technically more of a spear than an axe, its classification and combat style fit within the poleaxe family. It has excellent synergy with elemental builds due to its Lightning damage scaling.
- Base Damage: Physical and Lightning
- Scaling: Strength and Willpower
- Special Trait: Deals high damage to heavily armored enemies
- Availability: Late game
It’s especially effective in PvE against larger foes and enemies resistant to pure physical attacks. Players using cleric or lightning-based characters will benefit most from this weapon.
Factors That Determine the Best Poleaxe
Scaling and Build Compatibility
Always consider your character’s stat allocation when choosing a poleaxe. A weapon that scales primarily with Strength will not perform well for a Dexterity-focused character. On the other hand, hybrid weapons that scale with multiple stats give more flexibility, especially for quality builds that distribute points across various attributes.
Attack Patterns and Move Set
Poleaxes vary in how they swing. Some are slower but deal massive stagger and damage, while others swing more fluidly but offer slightly lower base numbers. Understanding the move set of a poleaxe is key to integrating it effectively into your playstyle.
- Horizontal swings are better for crowd control.
- Vertical swings can strike downward from ledges or hit small enemies more reliably.
- Charged attacks often break enemy guards or stagger bosses.
Upgrade Potential
Many poleaxes shine after multiple upgrades, particularly those that allow infusion with elemental properties or status effects. For example, infusing Redmourne’s Tooth with Fire or adding Poison to The Trident can drastically change how effective they are in different areas or against different enemies.
Best Poleaxe for PvP
In player versus player combat, speed, reach, and stagger potential become critical. Redmourne’s Tooth may deal massive damage, but its slower swing speed can be a disadvantage against fast-rolling opponents. The Trident, being more balanced, is often preferred for PvP due to its reliable move set and easier stamina management.
Recommended PvP Poleaxes:
- The Trident: For balance between speed and power
- Dragon Slayer’s Spear: For elemental advantage and reach
- Redmourne’s Tooth: For punishing mistakes with high burst damage
Best Poleaxe for PvE and Boss Fights
In PvE, especially against large bosses, raw damage and stagger potential are more important than attack speed. Redmourne’s Tooth dominates in this category due to its sheer output. It’s especially effective when paired with gear that reduces stamina costs or boosts poise, allowing you to swing without getting interrupted.
Ideal Poleaxes for PvE:
- Redmourne’s Tooth: Superior boss damage and stagger potential
- The Trident: Great all-rounder, especially when infused
- Dragon Slayer’s Spear: Excellent for elemental weaknesses
Tips for Using Poleaxes Effectively
Mastering poleaxes takes time, but several tips can help you make the most of these weapons:
- Time your attacks carefully poleaxes have slower windups that leave you open if mistimed.
- Manage your stamina never swing blindly, especially in boss fights.
- Use your range advantage stay just out of reach of enemies while hitting them with wide sweeps.
- Pair with armor that offers poise to avoid getting interrupted mid-swing.
The best poleaxe in Salt and Sanctuary ultimately depends on your build, playstyle, and the type of challenges you face. While Redmourne’s Tooth stands out as the most powerful option for raw damage, The Trident and Dragon Slayer’s Spear offer balance and flexibility for different scenarios. By understanding weapon scaling, attack patterns, and how to optimize upgrades, you can make your poleaxe one of the most devastating weapons in your arsenal. Whether you’re tackling PvP battles or exploring the game’s darkest dungeons, the right poleaxe will make every strike count.