The Berserker's Axe perk tree has 52 perks: 19 active skills, 26 passives and 7 stat bonuses. 11 are open from the start; the rest cost Trait Points (86 for the whole tree, our count).
A fierce fighter clad in axe and shield, charging headlong into the fray. Through steady defense and powerful war cries, this warrior shields allies while counterattacking foes.
Traits: Bolsters ally survival, or adopts a more aggressive style with follow-up strikes.
Point at a perk or tap it for its card. Each number is its cost in Trait Points; perks without one are open from the start. Swipe the tree sideways to see all of it.
The game's own previews from the perk window. Point at one, or tap it, to play.
Each perk with the game's own words: how to use it (its keys), what it does, what it needs and what it costs.
Open from the start
Shattering Blow → Light AttackA 3-hit light attack combo. Inflicts Stagger on hit. The final attack inflicts Knockback.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
1 Trait Point · needs Axe Proficiency
→ Heavy Attack → BlockGrants Immortal and Stagger Immunity for 15 seconds. (300 second cooldown)
Immortal: While Immortal is active, HP cannot fall below 1.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
1 Trait Point · needs Axe Proficiency
Light Attack → Light Attack → Light Attack → Light Attack → Light Attack → Light AttackPerforms a 3-hit combo after Axe Smash. Inflicts Knockback and increases the enemy's Poison gauge. Grants Stagger Immunity during the attack.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
Poison: A physical debuff triggered at max stacks. Deals damage based on the target's Max HP and continuously drains HP. SP cannot be restored while active. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are reset.
1 Trait Point · needs Reckless Destroyer
Tremor Strike → (At 12 Overpower stacks) Heavy AttackReckless Destroyer grants Overpower for 30 seconds on hit. At 12 stacks, Tremor Strike consumes all Overpower to deal heavy damage over a wide area and inflict Knockdown without costing any SP. Grants Stagger Immunity during the attack. Tempest also grants Overpower stacks.
Knockdown: Triggers when affected by Stagger, Fatal Strike, or Ambush. Special attacks can be used against downed targets.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
Open from the start
Heavy Attack → Heavy Attack → Heavy AttackA 3-hit heavy attack combo. Hit 1: Swift Fatal Attack. Hit 2: Heavy damage. Hit 3: Slow, massive damage and Knockdown.
Guard Break: Bypasses enemy blocks and parries, dealing damage and breaking their guard. Skills with this effect cause your character to glow red.
Knockdown: Triggers when affected by Stagger, Fatal Strike, or Ambush. Special attacks can be used against downed targets.
Open from the start · needs Axe Smash or Barbaric Strike
→ Light Attack or Heavy AttackCrashes down from the air to deal area damage.
Open from the start · needs Barbaric Strike
→ Heavy AttackLeaps and slams down for area damage and Knockback. Immune to Stagger during the leap.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
Open from the start · needs Barbaric Strike
(On Knockback) Heavy AttackDeals area damage and inflicts Stagger. Increases the enemy's Stun gauge.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
Stun: A physical debuff triggered at max stacks. Disables control. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are removed from the target.
Open from the start · needs Barbaric Strike
(On a downed target) Heavy AttackLeaps and stomps for area damage and Knockback. Grants Stagger Immunity during the leap.
Knockdown: Triggers when affected by Stagger, Fatal Strike, or Ambush. Special attacks can be used against downed targets.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
Open from the start
BlockBlocks frontal attacks. Usable while moving. Cannot block Fatal Attacks.
Guard Break: Bypasses enemy blocks and parries, dealing damage and breaking their guard. Skills with this effect cause your character to glow red.
Open from the start · needs Shield Up
(After ) Heavy AttackLets out a powerful war cry that heals, deals minor damage, and inflicts Knockback. Grants Stagger Immunity and takes reduced damage during the shout.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
2 Trait Points · needs Twin Pulse
(While holding ) Hold Heavy AttackHurls a chain that hooks into the target and pulls them in, inflicting Root for 4 seconds. Only works on human-type enemies. Does not affect bosses. (15 second cooldown)
Root: While active, Move Speed is locked at its minimum value, and movement from skills is disabled.
Open from the start
EvadeDodges swiftly in the chosen direction.
Open from the start · needs Evade
→ Light AttackStrikes upward after dodging, inflicting Knockback.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
2 Trait Points · needs Physical Crit
Shield Slam → Light AttackAfter Shield Slam, charges forward, dealing damage and inflicting Knockback. Reduces damage taken and grants Stagger Immunity during the charge. Can combo into Tremor Strike. (10 second cooldown)
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
2 Trait Points · needs Unbound Might
When fully charged,Heavy Hitter's third attack can be repeated. Each additional attack triggers Overpower. Press [Light Attack] to repeat the attack.
3 Trait Points · needs Resounding Roar
(While holding ) Light AttackBashes with the shield and inflicts Knockback. Consumes a large amount of SP, but restores some on hit.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
3 Trait Points · needs Clash
The third attack of Barbaric Strike can now be charged. Fully charging increases the damage dealt and breaks guard. Grants Stagger Immunity while charging.
Guard Break: Bypasses enemy blocks and parries, dealing damage and breaking their guard. Skills with this effect cause your character to glow red.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
3 Trait Points · needs Battleborn
Battle Cry → (Twin Pulse) Heavy AttackConsumes Twin Pulse to deal area damage and inflict Knockdown. Reduces damage taken and gains Stagger Immunity during the attack.
Stagger Immunity: Grants immunity to Stagger when casting skills. Does not prevent status effects.
Knockdown: Triggers when affected by Stagger, Fatal Strike, or Ambush. Special attacks can be used against downed targets.
Open from the start
Allows you to equip this weapon type.
1 Trait Point · needs Axe Proficiency
Battle Cry reduces damage taken and increases Physical Amplification for 8 seconds.
1 Trait Point · needs Giant's Bellow
Heavy Attack → Heavy Attack → Heavy Attack → Heavy AttackBattle Cry can be used with [Heavy Attack] after the third attack of Barbaric Strike hits.
2 Trait Points · needs Triumphant Cry · pick one with Brutality
Battle Cry increases damage dealt for 12 seconds. Applies to self and nearby party members.
2 Trait Points · needs Triumphant Cry · pick one with Rally
Increases Battle Cry's damage. Hits 2 times instead of once.
2 Trait Points · needs Tempest or Perseverance
A critical hit with Axe Smash changes the next [Light Attack] to Reckless Destroyer.
1 Trait Point · needs Shield Slam · pick one with Shield Crash
If Shield Slam hits shortly after a successful block, it deals additional damage and increases the enemy's Stun gauge.
Stun: A physical debuff triggered at max stacks. Disables control. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are removed from the target.
1 Trait Point · needs Shield Slam · pick one with Shield Slam - Stun
If Shield Slam hits shortly after a successful block, it deals additional damage and inflicts Knockdown.
Knockdown: Triggers when affected by Stagger, Fatal Strike, or Ambush. Special attacks can be used against downed targets.
1 Trait Point · needs Heavy Hitter
Battle Cry increases the enemy's Poison gauge.
Poison: A physical debuff triggered at max stacks. Deals damage based on the target's Max HP and continuously drains HP. SP cannot be restored while active. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are reset.
2 Trait Points · needs Battle Cry - Poison
While HP is 50% or lower, increases Reckless Destroyer's damage and restores HP based on damage dealt.
2 Trait Points · needs Fog ATK
Inflicting Knockback with Axe skills restores SP.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
2 Trait Points · needs Relentless Drive · pick one with Fervent Step
Stomp deals increased damage, with an even greater increase against non-boss enemies. Stomp restores SP on kill.
2 Trait Points · needs Relentless Drive · pick one with Dominance
Increases Stagger power for 8 seconds upon using Forceful Lunge. During this time, Stagger and Knockback effects can be inflicted more frequently.
1 Trait Point · needs Brutal Crash · pick one with Rousing Call
Increases Stagger RES for 8 seconds upon using Battle Cry.
Stagger & Knockback: Interrupts skill casting on hit. Stagger and Knockback can stack, and their effects trigger based on the target's Stagger RES.
1 Trait Point · needs Brutal Crash · pick one with Steadfast
Battle Cry reduces the Burn, Freeze, and Shock gauge of self and party members.
Burn: A magic debuff triggered at max stacks. Disables control for 4 seconds and continuously drains HP. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are removed from the target.
Freeze: A magic debuff triggered at max stacks. Disables control for 6 seconds and continuously drains HP. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are removed from the target.
Shock: A magic debuff triggered at max stacks. Disables control for 3 seconds and continuously drains HP. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are removed from the target.
2 Trait Points · needs Steadfast or Rousing Call
Inflicting Poison with Axe skills or attacking Poisoned enemies with Poison-inflicting skills grants Twin Pulse.
Poison: A physical debuff triggered at max stacks. Deals damage based on the target's Max HP and continuously drains HP. SP cannot be restored while active. When triggered, all stacks of the same type are reset.
2 Trait Points · needs Assured Blow
Barbaric Strike's third attack deals increased damage against enemies with HP at 50% or below.
2 Trait Points · needs Fearsome Might
A critical hit with the first attack of Barbaric Strike makes the next Barbaric Strike start at the third attack.
2 Trait Points · needs Fierce Breakthrough
Critical hits with Reckless Destroyer grant Battle Cry for 3 seconds. While active, Battle Cry costs less SP and can be used repeatedly.
3 Trait Points · needs Overpower · pick one with Perseverance
Reckless Destroyer triggers an additional area attack.
3 Trait Points · needs Shield Slam - Stun or Shield Crash
Battle Cry grants a Pulse stack for 30 seconds. At 3 stacks, Pulse becomes Twin Pulse. Twin Pulse periodically restores HP and significantly increases Battle Cry's HP recovery.
3 Trait Points · needs Final Act · pick one with Fierce Breakthrough
No longer grants Overpower stacks, but Tremor Strike always grants Overpower.
3 Trait Points · needs Final Act · pick one with Unbound Might
Replaces Axe Smash with Reckless Destroyer. [Light Attack] now executes Reckless Destroyer, striking up to 5 times. Each attack triggers Tempest or Perseverance.
10 Trait Points
Damage ↑ at HP ≥70% +25
Increases damage dealt by 2.5% while HP is 70% or higher.
5 Trait Points · needs Damage ↑ at HP ≥70%
Weapon Physical ATK ↑ +100
Increases the Physical ATK of your equipped weapon by 10%.
5 Trait Points · needs Damage ↑ at HP ≥70%
Weapon Magic ATK ↑ +100
Increases the Magic ATK of your equipped weapon by 10%.
5 Trait Points · needs Damage ↑ at HP ≥70%
Damage ↑ to Enemies with HP ≥70% +50
Increases damage dealt to targets with 70% HP or higher by 5%.
5 Trait Points · needs Damage ↑ at HP ≥70%
Damage ↑ to Enemies with HP ≤40% +50
Increases damage dealt to targets with 40% HP or lower by 5%.
Every axe in the game files, highest grade first. Each links to its page: stats, how to get it, what it is used in.
52: 19 active skills, 26 passives and 7 stat bonuses. 11 are open from the start; the others cost 1 to 10 Trait Points each, and 6 rows make you pick one of two or three.
86 Trait Points to learn every perk, taking the dearer perk of each pick-one choice (our count from the tree's costs).
11 in Early Access: Wrathful Tyrant's Fang (Legendary, item level 80), Unyielding Resolve (Epic, item level 45), Ruthless Axe (Epic, item level 40), Centurion's Axe (Rare, item level 30), Bloodfed Beast (Rare, item level 15), Golden Anchor Axe (Rare, item level 14) and more.
From the game files: Early Access · build 26495283
