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Handaxe

The handaxe is a versatile one-handed weapon with a short handle and a curved blade, designed for both melee combat and throwing. Unlike most simple weapons, the handaxe offers respectable damage (1d6) while maintaining the Light and Thrown properties. This makes it an excellent choice for barbarians, fighters, and rangers who want both melee and ranged options without investing in martial weapon proficiency or archery tactics.

At a Glance

Type
Weapon
Cost
5 gp
Weight
2 lbs
Simple Melee WeaponLightThrown (20/60)

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MechanicsCommon MistakesDM TipsFAQSources

Mechanics

Damage: 1d6 slashing. Melee weapon attack using Strength modifier. Range: 5 feet melee, or 20/60 feet thrown. Simple melee weapon with the Light and Thrown properties. The Light property allows two-weapon fighting as a bonus action. When thrown, it uses your Strength modifier for attack and damage rolls. After throwing, the weapon lands in the target's space and must be retrieved.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistake
Forgetting you need a free hand to draw another handaxe after throwing one
Common Mistake
Not realizing you need the Dual Wielder feat to draw two weapons in one turn
Common Mistake
Thinking you add your ability modifier to bonus action two-weapon fighting attacks (you don't, unless you have the Two-Weapon Fighting style)
Common Mistake
Assuming you can throw two handaxes in one turn without the proper setup
Common Mistake
Not tracking how many handaxes you're carrying for throwing purposes

DM Tips

DM Tip
Handaxes are excellent for Strength-based characters who want ranged options
DM Tip
The 5 gp cost makes it affordable to carry multiple for throwing
DM Tip
Perfect for barbarians who can't or won't use bows
DM Tip
Dwarven and barbarian NPCs often carry handaxes as signature weapons
DM Tip
The combination of Light and Thrown makes this uniquely versatile for simple weapons
DM Tip
Consider handaxe-throwing contests as tavern minigames or skill challenges
DM Tip
At higher levels, +1 handaxes become very valuable for thrown weapon builds

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Further Reading