Under the 2024 D&D Basic Rules, a greataxe is a martial melee weapon that deals 1d12 slashing damage. It has the Heavy and Two-Handed properties, the Cleave mastery, weighs 7 lb., and costs 30 GP. The rules edition matters: the 2014 entry has the same damage, weight, and cost, but does not list Cleave.
What does a greataxe do in the 2024 D&D rules?
The official 2024 D&D Basic Rules weapon table gives the greataxe these statistics:
- Damage: 1d12 slashing
- Properties: Heavy and Two-Handed
- Mastery: Cleave
- Weight: 7 lb.
- Cost: 30 GP
The damage entry is the weapon’s damage die; a character’s other applicable rules can affect the total. Heavy and Two-Handed are weapon properties, while Cleave is a mastery property that requires a character feature granting access to weapon mastery.
How does the greataxe’s Cleave mastery work?
In the 2024 rules, Cleave can give you an extra melee attack after you hit a creature with the weapon. You make a separate attack roll against a different creature that is within 5 feet of the first target and within your reach. The extra attack is not an automatic hit, and you can make it only once per turn.
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If that second attack hits, the target takes the weapon’s damage. You do not add your ability modifier to that damage unless the modifier is negative. The greataxe entry also requires a feature that lets you use a weapon mastery property; owning or wielding the weapon by itself does not grant Cleave.
Greataxe vs. greatsword, glaive, halberd, and maul
The 2024 D&D System Reference Document 5.2 lists several two-handed alternatives. Their damage types, mastery properties, reach, weight, and cost differ:
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| Weapon | Damage | Properties | Mastery | Weight | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greataxe | 1d12 slashing | Heavy, Two-Handed | Cleave | 7 lb. | 30 GP |
| Greatsword | 2d6 slashing | Heavy, Two-Handed | Graze | 6 lb. | 50 GP |
| Glaive | 1d10 slashing | Heavy, Reach, Two-Handed | Graze | 6 lb. | 20 GP |
| Halberd | 1d10 slashing | Heavy, Reach, Two-Handed | Cleave | 6 lb. | 20 GP |
| Maul | 2d6 bludgeoning | Heavy, Two-Handed | Topple | 10 lb. | 10 GP |
A 1d12 weapon has a wider single-die range than a 2d6 weapon, while 2d6 has a different damage distribution. That distinction alone does not establish which weapon is better for a character. Compare the mastery your character can use, whether Reach matters for your tactics, damage type, property interactions, and practical campaign considerations such as weight and cost. Ability modifiers, critical-hit rules, class features, feats, and target defenses can also affect a full comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changes under the 2014 rules?
The 2014 D&D Basic Rules list a greataxe as dealing 1d12 slashing damage, weighing 7 lb., and costing 30 gp, with Heavy and two-handed properties. That equipment table does not list a Cleave mastery property. Use the rules for your character’s edition rather than applying the 2024 mastery entry to a 2014 game.
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