Why Axe is a beginner friendly hero in Dota 2

Many players have struggled to grasp the concept of the offlane role in Dota 2. Like the game itself, this role has changed a lot over time.

In the past, tanky heroes who could soak up damage were the standard picks for this role. However, as the meta evolved, offlaners also included damage dealers.

Today, many different types of offlaners exist, but sometimes old is gold. Among those offlaners is Axe, a relatively easy hero for beginners looking to understand the fundamentals of the offlane.

Without further ado, let's get started.

Why Axe is a good offlaner for starters

Axe is one of the most beginner-friendly heroes in Dota 2, thanks to his straightforward abilities and tanky playstyle.

Unlike heroes requiring precise skill shots or intricate combos, Axe thrives by simply diving into the entire opponent team and taunting them to attack him.

His kit features abilities which encourage players to be aggressive and have high-impact gameplay. Axe is also a good hero because he helps new players focus on essential Dota 2 mechanics like positioning, initiation, and farming without overwhelming them.

Easy-to-understand abilities with high-impact gameplay

Axe may not have a stun in his arsenal, but his abilities are often more reliable than one. Like a true offlaner, all his abilities revolve around his opponents dealing damage to him.

Axe’s abilities include:

• Berserker’s Call
• Battle Hunger
• Counter Helix
• Culling Blade

Thanks to his facet, One Man Army, Axe gains additional armour when he is farther away from his team, allowing him to confidently engage against multiple enemies.

While Axe lacks a conventional stun for solid lockdown, his first ability, Berserker’s Call, is a taunt that, in many ways, is even better.

For starters, this taunt pierces spell immunity, preventing opponents from using Black King Bar (BKB) and teleporting out of fights. It forces enemies to attack him while granting him bonus armour, making it a strong defensive and disruptive tool.

One of the coolest Axe skins.

Berserker’s Call forces Axe’s opponents to attack him while granting him bonus armour. This ability also pairs well with his third ability, Counter Helix, a passive that triggers a spinning attack after a set number of hits, dealing pure damage to all nearby enemies.

His second ability, Battle Hunger, gives Axe a strong laning presence by applying damage over time and slowing opponents unless they kill a unit or the duration expires.

As the game progresses, Battle Hunger can be used to chase down fleeing enemies or to cancel Blink Dagger initiations from opponents in skirmishes.

Axe's ultimate, Culling Blade, instantly executes enemies below a certain health threshold. A successful execution grants bonus movement speed to Axe and nearby allies, allowing them to continue their momentum in fights.

For new players, Axe’s passive damage output and tanky nature make fights easier to navigate. His abilities don’t require perfect aim—just good positioning and timing.

Simple Itemisation

While many offlaners need multiple items to make an impact and tank damage in skirmishes, Axe only requires two core items—Blink Dagger and Blade Mail.

As a result, many players prioritise an early Blink Dagger timing on Axe, often purchasing only essential items during the laning stage, such as Boots of Speed and Bracers. However, in some matches, players may opt for Phase Boots before Blink Dagger, as they can be more impactful in certain situations.

An early Blink Dagger timing, typically around the 8-12 minute mark, can be game-changing. After acquiring Blink, players usually pick up Blade Mail, which synergises well with Counter Helix.

A situational itemisation for Axe.

By the 15-minute mark, after securing these core items, players often complete Axe's boots if they haven't already. If the boots are already finished, Axe's item build varies depending on the match.

In games where aura items are necessary, Axe is an excellent choice to build them. However, he can also function as a one-man army if needed. After Blade Mail, players frequently purchase Black King Bar, as it makes Axe nearly unstoppable in skirmishes.

Nowadays, Axe's item build often includes Aghanim's Scepter, Octarine Core, Shiva's Guard, and Refresher Orb. Situational items like Silver Edge, Assault Cuirass, Heart of Tarrasque, and Bloodstone can also be strong choices for Axe, depending on the matchup.

Easy gameplay

Axe shines in skirmishes by jumping into grouped opponents and taunting them with his first ability, enabling his team to follow up with damage. With Blink Dagger, he can instantly taunt multiple enemies, forcing them to attack him while his team deals the damage, and he finishes them off with Culling Blade.

This clear team fight role helps new players stay focused without getting lost in Dota 2’s complex mechanics and philosophies. Culling Blade’s instant execution also teaches players the importance of target prioritisation. His simple but effective team fight presence ensures that even beginners can make a big impact.

Axe is not just beginner-friendly—he also teaches fundamental Dota 2 skills that translate to other heroes:

• Aggression & Initiation – Learning when to engage in skirmishes and how to disrupt enemies.
• Positioning – Understanding where to stand in fights to maximise Counter Helix.
• Farming Efficiency – Learning how to clear waves and jungle camps quickly.
• Objective Control – Recognising the importance of timing Culling Blade for crucial kills.

These mechanics make Axe an excellent starting hero for players looking to develop a strong foundation in Dota 2.