How to get an Auto Ax (and why you should use it)

There are a lot of great weapons Fallout 76. From small bladed weapons to huge two-handed rocket launchers, there's something to suit every playstyle. One of the most popular types of melee weapons is the automatic axe. This fast-swinging power tool deals a lot of damage to anyone or anything unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of its motorized blade.

​​​​​​​​While developing an Auto Ax crafting plan is quite a challenge, it is more than worth it. With the right bonuses, armor pieces, and legendary effects, the Auto Ax becomes one of the best melee weapons in Fallout 76.

How to get an automatic ax

For those who did not reach rank 15 during the City Of Steel season, they will need to accumulate stamps and purchase the auto-axe blueprint from Giuseppe at Whitespring Asylum. Previously unlockable for free, this item now costs a staggering 500 Marks. However, when the weapon first entered Giuseppe's inventory, it cost a whopping 1,000 marks to purchase. Getting 500 stamps does take some time, but it is possible to get 500 stamps in one or two play sessions.

There are also some mods that players can purchase from Giuseppe that give the Auto Ax various boosts. Fortunately, this is much cheaper than the plan for Auto Ax itself. Each mod for Auto Ax costs only 40 stamps. The full list of mods for this weapon can be seen below:

• Plan: Auto Ax Burning Mod
• Plan: Auto Ax Electrified Mod
• Plan: Auto Ax Poisoned Mod
• Plan: Auto Ax Turbo Mod

Although things may change in the future, at the time of writing Auto Ax Electrified Mod is the most efficient mod to use. Just be sure to equip the Science perks to increase the damage output of this mod.

Fast completion of expeditions

Players will need to complete quite a few expeditions to collect enough stamps to purchase the Auto Ax plan from Giuseppe. Fortunately, there is one expedition that can be completed in just 6-7 minutes: The most sensational game. This Atlantic City expedition is the most rewarding for grinding. Although it may take a little practice, after a few passes you'll quickly pick up the pace. Not only that, if you find a good team, you can complete these missions in no time.

To maximize the number of marks you receive, it is important that you complete the optional objectives as well as the main ones. ​​​​​​While the objectives are different, as long as you don't get an escort objective, you can complete this expedition very quickly.

Why Auto Ax should be used

Auto Ax chops up just about anything in its path. Even without any special bonuses or effects, the Auto Ax is a weapon at the limit of power. Even if you're not interested in melee builds, you should at least give Auto Ax a try. This weapon can destroy everything from miner moles to the burning beast queen.

Since it is a melee weapon, it requires no ammo to use. Just press a button and unleash hell on all enemies that get in its way. This weapon doesn't have a lot of recoil and is relatively durable. The only real downside is its initial cost. Still, it's logically expensive to buy because of its ability to tear enemies apart.

Best legendary effects for Auto Ax

When it comes to the main legendary effect, most players will want to have either one Anti-armor, bloodied or vampiric. While some of the other basic legendary effects can be great, these are definitely the most useful. Of the three effects mentioned, vampiric is usually the most sought after. Since the auto ax has a very fast swing and the vampire effect heals the player every time an enemy is hit, players become pretty much immortal by hitting enemies. However, if you're looking for a boss killer, Anti-Armor is the best effect.

As far as secondary effects go, there is one that stands head and shoulders above all others: +40% power attack damage. Because of the way this weapon works, every hit counts as a power attack. When using this perk, you will deal 40% more damage to enemies with each hit.

As for the final effect, there are three that suit this weapon best. However, the final effect is not as important as the effects of the first and second stars. Best third star effects for Auto Ax:

• 90% weight reduction.
• Durability increased by 50%
• +3 Strength

Each of the effects listed above has a use. If you want to do more damage, go for a power up. If you want to spend less resources repairing it, then increasing durability is the effect you want. If you want to maximize the carrying capacity, then choose the weight reduction effect.

The best bonuses for Auto Ax

The main auto ax bonus cards are the Slugger cards. They directly increase the damage done by two-handed melee weapons. There are also quite a few other bonus cards that work incredibly well on Auto Ax. See the table below for details:

If you are using the Auto Ax Electrified Mod, consider using the Science buffs as they will help increase Auto Ax damage even more. The effects of the Science bonuses can be seen below:

• Science: Energy weapon damage increased (5%|10%)
• Science Expert: Energy Weapon damage increased (5%|10%)
• Scientist: Energy weapon damage increased (5%|10%)

There are other perks that work well with Auto Ax, like Lifegiver and Class Freak, but they depend on things like what mutations the player is using.

Something else to keep in mind with Auto Ax strength directly affects weapon damage. If you decide to build an Auto Ax, you'll naturally put a lot of perks into the Strength category. But you can go further by picking up consumables like Power-boosting Pups, as well as armor pieces with a power-boosting effect. There are also several food items that increase the damage output of the Auto Axe. When you put a little bit of everything together, you have an unstoppable weapon that can destroy almost any enemy in the game.