There’s no specific vendor recipe in Path of Exile (POE) that directly creates an exceptional axe using just an axe and other basic materials. However, there are a couple of options you can utilize to potentially acquire useful axes through vendors:
1. Buying Identified Axes:
Look for vendors that sell identified axes. Identified items reveal their modifiers, allowing you to see if they possess desirable stats like physical damage, attack speed, or critical strike chance.
2. Vendor "Gambled" Axes:
You can sell a white axe (unidentified) along with a whetstone and a rustic sash to the vendor. This might result in acquiring a blue axe (identified) with a random set of modifiers.
Important to Note: This approach involves an element of gambling as the outcome is random. The resulting axe might not have the specific properties you desire.
Alternative Methods for Acquiring Axes:
Monster Drops: Killing monsters throughout the game world has a chance to drop axes with varying rarities (white, blue, yellow). Higher difficulty areas generally offer a higher chance of obtaining higher rarity and potentially powerful axes.
Currency Trading: You can use in-game currency like Orbs to purchase desired axes from other players through the official trade system.
Crafting Mechanics (Advanced):
Path of Exile offers advanced crafting mechanics using orbs and crafting benches. This allows experienced players to manipulate affixes (implicit modifiers) on existing items. However, this approach requires significant knowledge and resources, making it less recommended for beginners.
Here are some additional tips for acquiring good axes in POE:
Focus on Early Game Needs: Prioritize physical damage, attack speed, and life leech for early to mid-game stages.
Consider Ascendancy Class: Specific Ascendancy Classes within the Duelist archetype (e.g., Berserker, Gladiator) benefit from specific axe types and have access to ascendancy nodes that enhance axe wielding.
Consult Online Resources: Utilize Path of Exile forums, build guides, and websites for information on effective axe builds and acquiring suitable equipment.
Remember, acquiring a powerful endgame axe often involves a combination of methods like farming high-level areas, utilizing the trade system, or potentially engaging in advanced crafting mechanics.