Dark and Darker: Mastering the Skeleton Axeman
Whether you're diving in for combat practice, loot farming, or looking to score some Dark and Darker Gold and high-tier Dark and Darker Items, learning how to properly deal with Skeleton Axemen is essential for survival and progression.
Where to Find the Skeleton Axeman
The Skeleton Axeman appears frequently in two dangerous areas: the Forgotten Castle and the Goblin Caves. These zones are filled with tight hallways, ambush spots, and other players, so encountering a Skeleton Axeman usually happens when you least expect, or want it.
These enemies are easily identified by their slow but heavy gait, wielding massive axes and wearing worn-down armor. Don't underestimate their reach or damage output, especially in higher-tier variants.
Normal Skeleton Axeman Mechanics
The base version of the Skeleton Axeman features two primary attacks:
Vertical Chop – A heavy overhead strike aimed straight down.
Horizontal Slash – A sweeping attack from the Axeman's left to right (from its point of view).
Dodging Tips:
For both attacks, the most consistent method is hugging the enemy close and circling left quickly. This movement often causes the attacks to miss entirely due to poor turning speed on the Axeman's part.
For the horizontal attack, an alternative dodge involves crouch-walking to the right, slipping underneath the arc of the swing.
This technique can be tricky for new players, but becomes more reliable with practice. Timing and spacing are key.
Elite Skeleton Axeman
The Elite Skeleton Axeman poses a more significant threat. While his attack pattern remains the same as the normal version, the danger increases with:
Higher Damage Output
Faster Swing Speed
Increased Health Pool
The Elite Axeman is often encountered in higher floors or deeper within the caves, usually guarding choke points or high-value loot rooms. While more dangerous, he also offers greater rewards, often dropping improved versions of melee-focused Dark and Darker Items such as axes, armor pieces, or crafting materials.
Some players even report a better yield of Dark and Darker Gold from elite versions, making them a prime target for experienced groups looking to gear up or trade.
Nightmare Skeleton Axeman
The Nightmare variant of the Skeleton Axeman is a different beast altogether. This version is not only visually more menacing, with glowing eyes and a frost-covered axe, but functionally more dangerous due to these changes:
Increased Damage
Faster Attack and Movement Speed
Higher Health
Ability to Chain Attacks
Attack Chain:
The Nightmare Axeman can chain a vertical chop into a horizontal slash, creating a deadly combo that punishes delayed reactions. However, the chain only works from vertical to horizontal, not the other way around.
How to Survive:
The safest method remains hugging close and circling left quickly, which can still cause both strikes to miss.
Alternatively, circle right to dodge the vertical chop, then continue to circle while crouch ducking to avoid the horizontal slash.
The horizontal attack is easily blocked with a shield, giving Fighter and Cleric classes a defensive edge.
This version of the Skeleton Axeman is often found near treasure vaults or rare item spawns. Killing one successfully may drop legendary-tier Dark and Darker Items, and they often hold a substantial amount of Dark and Darker Gold, making the encounter risky, but highly rewarding.
Why Farm Skeleton Axemen
Skeleton Axemen are valuable enemies to farm due to their relatively predictable mechanics and the loot they offer. Here's what makes them worth your time:
Loot Potential:
Weapons: Broad axes, two-handed war axes, and unique melee weapons, sometimes with enchantments.
Armor Drops: Plate and chain pieces often used by tanks and frontliners.
Crafting Materials: Bone shards, rusted armor fragments, and undead cores for crafting.
Dark and Darker Gold: Even the base version drops a decent amount, with elites and nightmares significantly more lucrative.
If you're aiming to upgrade your equipment or trade for gear on player markets, Axemen runs can be a reliable source of income and inventory.
Tips for Farming Skeleton Axemen Efficiently
Play a Melee Class: Fighters and Barbarians can easily outmaneuver and stagger Axemen with the right timing.
Bring a Shield: Great for blocking horizontal attacks, especially in nightmare encounters.
Lure Into Open Areas: Fighting in tighthalls can limit dodging, bait them into bigger rooms if possible.
Use Bleed or Poison: Over-time damage can wear them down safely, even while you reposition.
Stay Aware of Other Players: Farming Axemen in PvPvE zones means players may ambush you post-fight.
Final Thoughts
Skeleton Axemen are more than just another enemy, they're a rite of passage. They force players to learn positioning, timing, and movement, all while offering serious rewards. From valuable Dark and Darker Items to piles of Dark and Darker Gold, these undead juggernauts are a worthwhile target for players of all skill levels.
If you're brave enough to dance around their deadly swings, the loot they guard can propel your build forward or fill your coffers for future runs. Just don't get greedy, those axes don't miss twice.