Here’s a detailed comparison of Maces and Axes in Path of Exile (POE), highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which weapon type suits your build better:
Damage:
Maces: Generally have a slightly lower base physical damage compared to Axes.
Axes: Boast a higher base physical damage, making them ideal for builds focused on raw physical damage output.
Implicit Modifiers:
Maces: Can have implicit modifiers that lean towards increased physical damage or increased chance to inflict Stun. The Stun chance can be beneficial for interrupting enemy attacks and controlling crowd situations.
Axes: May have implicit modifiers that grant increased critical strike chance or increased area of effect. These modifiers can be valuable for builds that prioritize critical hits or want to clear groups of enemies efficiently.
Skills:
Maces: Several skills inherently synergize well with maces due to their focus on physical damage and potential for inflicting Stun. Examples include Crush, Earthshatter, and Ground Slam.
Axes: Many skills naturally benefit from the high base physical damage and area of effect potential of Axes. These include Lacerate, Cleave, and Cyclone.
Other Considerations:
Attack Speed: Maces generally have a slightly faster attack speed compared to Axes. This can be advantageous for builds that rely on delivering frequent hits.
Ascendancy Classes: Specific Ascendancy Classes within the Duelist archetype have preferences for weapon types. For example, the Juggernaut Ascendancy favors high physical damage and survivability, which aligns well with both Maces and Axes.
Choosing Between Mace and Axe:
Physical Damage Builds: If focusing primarily on raw physical damage output, an Axe is generally the preferred choice due to its higher base physical damage.
Stun-focused Builds: Maces excel in inflicting Stun, making them suitable for builds that want to interrupt enemies and control the battlefield.
Critical Strike Builds: Axes can be a good starting point for critical strike builds due to inherent critical strike chance modifiers on some Axes.
Area of Effect Builds: Axes often have increased area of effect modifiers, making them ideal for clearing large packs of enemies.
Playstyle Preference: Consider your desired playstyle. Maces offer a balance of damage, attack speed, and Stun potential, while Axes prioritize raw physical damage and area of effect.
Here’s a table summarizing the key points:
Feature
Maces
Axes
Base Physical Damage
Lower
Higher
Implicit Modifiers
Physical Damage, Stun Chance
Physical Damage, Crit Chance, Area of Effect
Skills
Physical Damage, Stun-oriented
Physical Damage, Area of Effect
Attack Speed
Slightly Faster
Slightly Slower
Remember:
Crafting and Gear: Crafting options and available gear can influence the choice between Axe and Mace. A well-crafted Mace might outperform an Axe even for builds that could benefit from the Axe’s higher base damage.
Skills and Ascendancy: The skills you choose and your Ascendancy Class can influence weapon selection. Certain skills or Ascendancy passives might favor one weapon type over the other.
Overall:
While Axes generally have a slight edge in terms of raw physical damage potential, Maces offer a unique combination of Stun chance, decent attack speed, and balanced damage. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your desired build, playstyle, and the specific skills and gear you plan to use.
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