Axe

Strength•Melee•Initiator, Durable, Disabler, Carry

Skill Build

A level 1-25 plan based on this hero's current ability list. Adjust talents and extra spells for the match.

Levels 1-25

1
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
2
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
3
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
4
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
5
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
6
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
7
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
8
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
9
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
10Talent
+speed durations Culling Blade Kill Buff Bonus Duration
11
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
12
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
13
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
14
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
15Talent
+damage per second Battle Hunger Damage Per Second
16
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
17
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
18Stats
Stats
19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+15 Strength
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius Berserker's Call AoE

1
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
2
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
3
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
4
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
5
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
6
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
7
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
8
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
9
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
10Talent
+speed durations Culling Blade Kill Buff Bonus Duration
11
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
12
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
13
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s

14
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
15Talent
+damage per second Battle Hunger Damage Per Second
16
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
17
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
18Stats
Stats
19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+15 Strength
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius Berserker's Call AoE

1
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
2
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
3
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
4
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
5
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
6
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
7
Berserker's Call
Q
Berserker's Call
Axe taunts nearby enemy units, forcing them to attack him while he gains bonus armor during the duration.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 18 / 16 / 14 / 12sMana: 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
8
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
9
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80

10Talent
+speed durations Culling Blade Kill Buff Bonus Duration
11
Battle Hunger
W
Battle Hunger
Enrages an enemy unit, causing it to take damage over time until it kills another unit or the duration ends. The enemy is slowed as long as they are facing away from Axe.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 20 / 15 / 10 / 5sMana: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80
12
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
13
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
14
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
15Talent
+damage per second Battle Hunger Damage Per Second
16
Counter Helix
E
Counter Helix
After a set number of attacks, Axe will perform a helix counter attack, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 0.3s
17
Culling Blade
R
Culling Blade
Axe spots a weakness and strikes, dealing pure damage. When an enemy hero is killed with Culling Blade, its cooldown is reset, and all nearby allied units gain bonus movement speed and armor. Axe permanently drenches his blade every time he kills an enemy Hero with Culling Blade, gaining bonus armor for each stack.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 80 / 75 / 70sMana: 100 / 125 / 150
18Stats
Stats

19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+15 Strength
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius Berserker's Call AoE

Talent tree

+damage Culling Blade Damage

Lv25Pick one

+radius Berserker's Call AoE

+damage Counter Helix Damage

Lv20Pick one

+15 Strength

+bonus armor Berserker's Call Armor

Lv15Pick one

+damage per second Battle Hunger Damage Per Second

+speed bonus% Movement Speed per active Battle Hunger

Lv10Pick one

+speed durations Culling Blade Kill Buff Bonus Duration

Item Builds

Based on real match data from OpenDota. Sorted by popularity.

Starting Items

8 items

Iron Branch

55g

Targets the ground to plant a happy little tree that lasts for 20 seconds.

Gauntlets of Strength

140g

Tango

90g

Consumes a target tree to gain 7 health regeneration for 16 seconds. Consuming an Ironwood Tree doubles the heal duration. Comes with 3 charges. Can be used on an allied hero to give them one Tango. Tree Range: 165

Ring of Protection

175g

Quelling Blade

100g

Destroy a target tree.

Circlet

155g

Magic Stick

200g

Instantly restores 15 health and mana per charge stored. Max 10 charges. Gains a charge whenever a visible enemy within 1200 range uses an ability.

Faerie Fire

65g

Instantly restores 85 health.

Early Game

6 items

Phase Boots

1,450g

Gives 20% increased movement speed on melee heroes, and 10% on ranged heroes, and lets you move through units and turn more quickly for 3 seconds.

Bracer

505g

Vanguard

1,700g

Grants a 60% chance to block 50 damage from incoming attacks on melee heroes, and 25 damage on ranged.

Blade Mail

2,400g

For 5.5 seconds, return all incoming damage, increasing the percentage by 85%.

Soul Ring

805g

Consume %abilityhealthcost% health to temporarily gain 170 mana. Lasts 10 seconds. If the mana gained cannot fit in your mana pool, it creates a buffer of mana that will be used before your mana pool.

Urn of Shadows

825g

Provides 30 health regeneration when cast on allies, and deals 25 damage per second when cast on enemies. Lasts 8 seconds. Gains charges every time an enemy hero dies within 1500 units.

Mid Game

8 items

Blink Dagger

2,250g

Teleport to a target point up to 1200 units away. Blink Dagger cannot be used for 3 seconds after taking damage from an enemy hero or Roshan.

Blade Mail

2,400g

For 5.5 seconds, return all incoming damage, increasing the percentage by 85%.

Black King Bar

4,050g

Applies a basic dispel. Grants 60% magic resistance and immunity to reflected and pure damage. For the duration of the effect, any negative effect from enemy spells has no effect. Duration: 9s Dispel Type: Basic Dispel

Perseverance

1,400g

Phase Boots

1,450g

Gives 20% increased movement speed on melee heroes, and 10% on ranged heroes, and lets you move through units and turn more quickly for 3 seconds.

Kaya

2,100g

Lotus Orb

3,850g

Applies a shield to the target unit for 5 seconds which re-casts most targeted spells back to their caster. The shielded unit will still take damage from the spell. Dispel Type: Basic Dispel

Sange

2,100g

Late Game

8 items

Black King Bar

4,050g

Shiva's Guard

4,500g

Emits a freezing wave that deals 260 magical damage to enemies and slows their movement by -40% for 4 seconds. Radius: 825

Lotus Orb

3,850g

Applies a shield to the target unit for 5 seconds which re-casts most targeted spells back to their caster. The shielded unit will still take damage from the spell. Dispel Type: Basic Dispel

Kaya and Sange

4,200g

Aghanim's Scepter

4,200g

Upgrades the ultimate, and some abilities, of all heroes.

Refresher Orb

5,000g

Resets the cooldowns of all your abilities. Shares a cooldown with Refresher Shard. This item's cooldown only progresses in your hero's main inventory.

Heart of Tarrasque

5,100g

Your health regeneration is increased by 1.5% of your missing health.

Octarine Core

4,900g