The Auto Axe is one of Fallout 76’s most devastating melee weapons, capable of shredding through enemies with remarkable efficiency. First introduced with the Expeditions: The Pitt update, this automatic melee weapon has quickly become a favorite among players looking for powerful close-combat options. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining, modifying, and maximizing the Auto Axe in Fallout 76.
Understanding the Auto Axe
What is the Auto Axe?
The Auto Axe is an automatic melee weapon that functions similarly to other spinning weapons like the Chainsaw and Ripper. Originally featured in Fallout 3’s The Pitt DLC, this industrial tool-turned-weapon made its Fallout 76 debut in September 2022. Unlike traditional melee weapons that require individual button presses for each attack, the Auto Axe continuously deals damage while the attack button is held down.
The weapon features three rotating blades that can be modified with various elemental effects. It’s classified as a two-handed melee weapon, meaning it benefits from perks that enhance this weapon category.
Base Stats and Characteristics
The Auto Axe’s stats depend on your character’s level and any modifications applied. Here are the base damage values at different levels:
| Level | Base Damage |
|---|---|
| 20 | 12 |
| 25 | 13 |
| 30 | 14 |
| 35 | 16 |
| 40 | 21 |
| 45 | 26 |
| 50 | 31 |
Key characteristics of the Auto Axe include:
- Classification: Two-handed melee weapon
- Attack Method: Automatic (continuous damage while button is held)
- Crafting: Requires corresponding plan
- Tradability: Non-tradable (cannot be sold to other players)
- Legendary Status: Can be crafted as legendary with appropriate modules
How to Obtain the Auto Axe in Fallout 76
Current Acquisition Methods
As of May 2025, there are several ways to obtain the Auto Axe in Fallout 76:
- Purchasing with Stamps: The most reliable method is to purchase the Auto Axe plan from Giuseppe Della Ripa at the Whitespring Refuge for 500 Stamps. The plan was previously priced at 1000 Stamps, but was reduced with the “Once in a Blue Moon” update.
- Atomic Shop: Occasionally, the Auto Axe plan appears in the Atomic Shop for 700 Atoms. This unlocks the crafting ability across all your characters.
- Previous Season Reward: The plan was originally available as a reward at Rank 15 of “The City of Steel” Scoreboard (Season 10). If you claimed this reward during that season, you already have access to the Auto Axe.
Earning Stamps for the Auto Axe
Since the most consistent way to obtain the Auto Axe is through Giuseppe’s stamp shop, here’s a detailed breakdown of how to earn the necessary stamps:
What are Stamps?
Stamps are a special currency introduced with The Pitt update, primarily earned by completing Expeditions. They can be exchanged with Giuseppe Della Ripa at the Whitespring Refuge for various plans, including the Auto Axe and its modifications.
Best Methods to Farm Stamps
- Expeditions: The primary source of stamps is completing Expeditions. Each Expedition can award 1-20 stamps depending on completion and optional objectives.
- The Most Sensational Game: This Atlantic City Expedition is widely considered the most efficient for stamp farming. It can be completed in 6-7 minutes with practice and yields up to 20 stamps when all objectives are completed.
- Team Up: Join Expedition teams through the Social menu to earn stamps without needing to organize your own Expedition.
- Complete Optional Objectives: Always attempt to complete all optional objectives during Expeditions as they significantly increase stamp rewards.
- Weekly Rewards: Complete all optional objectives in at least one Expedition each week for a guaranteed rare plan drop. This resets every Tuesday at 12 PM ET.
- Scoreboard: Occasionally, stamps appear as rewards on the seasonal Scoreboard.
The following table compares the efficiency of different Expeditions for stamp farming:
| Expedition Name | Average Completion Time | Maximum Stamps | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Most Sensational Game | 6-7 minutes | 20 | Low-Medium |
| Tax Evasion | 10-12 minutes | 15 | Medium |
| Union Dues | 12-15 minutes | 15 | Medium |
| The Human Condition | 15-20 minutes | 15 | Medium-High |
| From Ashes To Fire | 20-25 minutes | 15 | High |
Crafting and Modifying Your Auto Axe
Basic Crafting Requirements
Once you’ve learned the Auto Axe plan, you can craft it at any weapons workbench. The crafting requirements for a standard level 50 Auto Axe are:
- 10 Aluminum
- 18 Gear
- 14 Oil
- 14 Screw
- 14 Spring
- 16 Steel
You can craft the Auto Axe at levels 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50, with higher levels requiring more materials but offering increased damage.
Available Modifications
The Auto Axe can be enhanced with various modifications that add elemental damage and other effects. These mods must be learned separately through plans, also purchased from Giuseppe using stamps.
| Mod Name | Effect | Stamp Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrified | +20% attack damage, +15 Electrical Damage | 40 | General use, boss fights |
| Burning | +20% attack damage, +10 Fire Damage (+5 over 1 sec) | 40 | General enemies |
| Poisoned | +20% attack damage, +10 Poison (+50 over 5 sec) | 40 | Organic enemies |
| Turbo | Reduces damage, increases attack rate (+200% faster) | 40 | Vampire builds |
The Electrified mod is widely considered the best option for most builds. Unlike other energy weapons in the game, the electrical damage from this mod is not classified as energy damage, giving it an advantage against enemies with energy resistance. It’s particularly effective when paired with Science perks.
Creating a Legendary Auto Axe
To create a legendary version of the Auto Axe:
- Craft a standard Auto Axe at a weapons workbench
- Select the “Legendary Crafting” option
- Choose how many legendary effects you want (1-3 stars)
- Spend the required Legendary Modules and Cores
- Receive a randomly rolled legendary Auto Axe
Note that legendary effects cannot be specifically chosen; they are randomly applied. You may need multiple attempts to get your desired combination.
Best Legendary Effects for the Auto Axe
Primary (1-Star) Effects
The most sought-after primary legendary effects for the Auto Axe are:
- Vampire’s: Heals the player when hitting enemies. Given the Auto Axe’s rapid hit rate, this can make you nearly immortal during combat.
- Bloodied: Increases damage as your health decreases. Perfect for low-health builds, providing massive damage bonuses.
- Anti-Armor: Ignores 50% of target’s armor. Excellent for boss fights and enemies with high damage resistance.
Other viable options include Aristocrat’s (more damage with higher caps), Juggernaut’s (more damage at high health), and Furious (increased damage after each consecutive hit).
Secondary (2-Star) Effects
For the second star effect, one option stands far above the rest:
- 40% More Power Attack Damage: Since every hit from the Auto Axe counts as a power attack, this effect provides a constant 40% damage boost to every strike.
Note that the “40% Faster Swing Speed” effect does NOT work with the Auto Axe as it already operates at maximum speed.
Tertiary (3-Star) Effects
The third star effect is less critical but can provide quality-of-life improvements:
- 90% Reduced Weight: Makes the weapon much lighter, freeing up carry capacity.
- 15% Less Damage While Blocking: Provides additional damage reduction.
- +1 Strength: Slightly increases melee damage and carry weight.
- Take 40% Less Damage While Power Attacking: Offers damage reduction while attacking.
Building Around the Auto Axe
Essential Perk Cards
To maximize your Auto Axe’s effectiveness, consider these perk cards:
Strength Perks
- Slugger (3 ranks): +20% two-handed melee weapon damage
- Expert Slugger (3 ranks): +20% two-handed melee weapon damage
- Master Slugger (3 ranks): +20% two-handed melee weapon damage
- Martial Artist (3 ranks): Swing speed and reduced weight for melee weapons
- Incisor (3 ranks): Melee weapons ignore 75% armor
- Blocker (3 ranks): Take 45% less damage from melee attacks
Intelligence Perks (for Electrified Mod)
- Science (3 ranks): Improve energy weapons damage
- Expert Science (3 ranks): Further energy weapons damage improvement
- Master Science (3 ranks): Maximum energy weapons damage improvement
Agility Perks
- Born Survivor (3 ranks): Automatically use a Stimpak when health is low
- Dodgy (3 ranks): Spend AP to avoid damage
Luck Perks
- Serendipity (3 ranks): Chance to avoid damage at low health
- Bloody Mess (3 ranks): +15% damage to all attacks
Legendary Perk Cards
Consider these legendary perk cards for an Auto Axe build:
- Hack and Slash: Chance for melee attacks to deal area damage
- Taking One for the Team: Enemies that attack you receive +40% damage from your teammates
- Electric Absorption: Chance to recharge Power Armor and heal when hit by energy attacks
- What Rads?: Constant radiation removal and improved radiation resistance
Build Types
Full Health Vampire Build
This is one of the safest and most comfortable ways to play with the Auto Axe:
- Primary Legendary Effect: Vampire’s
- Secondary Effect: 40% More Power Attack Damage
- Tertiary Effect: 90% Reduced Weight or +1 Strength
- Armor: Overeater’s or Aristocrat’s
- Mod: Electrified
- Strategy: Focus on constant healing through attacks while maximizing damage resistance
Bloodied Build
For maximum damage output at the cost of survivability:
- Primary Legendary Effect: Bloodied
- Secondary Effect: 40% More Power Attack Damage
- Tertiary Effect: Take 40% Less Damage While Power Attacking
- Armor: Unyielding (for additional Strength)
- Mod: Electrified
- Mutations: Adrenal Reaction, Twisted Muscles
- Strategy: Maintain low health (below 20%) for maximum damage bonuses
Anti-Armor Boss Killer
Specifically designed for taking down tough enemies:
- Primary Legendary Effect: Anti-Armor
- Secondary Effect: 40% More Power Attack Damage
- Tertiary Effect: +1 Strength
- Armor: Mixed (focus on damage resistance)
- Mod: Electrified
- Strategy: Combine with Incisor perk for near-total armor penetration
Gameplay Tips and Strategies
General Usage Tips
- Hold, Don’t Tap: Remember that the Auto Axe is an automatic melee weapon. Hold down the attack button rather than repeatedly pressing it.
- Power Attack Mechanics: Every hit from the Auto Axe counts as a power attack, making the “40% More Power Attack Damage” legendary effect extremely valuable.
- Consumables: Boost your effectiveness with items like:
- Glowing Meat Steak (+10% melee damage)
- Fury (+25% melee damage)
- Whiskey (+2 Strength)
- Melee damage bobbleheads
- Movement Limitations: You cannot sprint while attacking with the Auto Axe. Plan your approaches accordingly.
- Repair and Maintain: The Auto Axe can break with extended use. Keep repair kits handy or use the Weapon Artisan perk to extend durability.
Boss Fight Strategies
When using the Auto Axe against major bosses:
- Target Weak Points: For the Scorchbeast Queen, aim for her head when she lands.
- Manage Aggro: Use stealth approaches when possible, as standing directly in front of bosses can lead to quick deaths.
- Time Your Attacks: Against mobile bosses like the Scorchbeast, wait for them to land before engaging.
- Team Coordination: In group fights, coordinate with ranged players to maximize the “Taking One for the Team” legendary perk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I trade my Auto Axe with other players?
The Auto Axe is coded as a non-tradable item in Fallout 76. This means once you craft it, it’s bound to your character and cannot be dropped, sold to other players, or transferred to your other characters. The only way to get the Auto Axe on multiple characters is to either purchase the plan with stamps on each character or buy it from the Atomic Shop, which unlocks it for all characters on your account.
Which Auto Axe mod is best for general gameplay?
The Electrified mod is widely considered the best overall choice for the Auto Axe. It provides +20% attack damage and +15 Electrical Damage, which is particularly effective because few enemies in the game have resistance to electrical damage (unlike energy damage). When combined with the Science perks, this mod offers the highest consistent damage output across various enemy types.
Does the “40% Faster Swing Speed” legendary effect work with the Auto Axe?
No, the “40% Faster Swing Speed” legendary effect does not provide any benefit to the Auto Axe. Since the Auto Axe is an automatic melee weapon that already operates at its maximum possible speed, this effect has no impact on its performance. Instead, you should look for the “40% More Power Attack Damage” effect, which provides a significant damage boost since all Auto Axe hits count as power attacks.
How long does it take to earn enough stamps for the Auto Axe plan?
Earning the 500 stamps required for the Auto Axe plan depends on your efficiency with Expeditions. If you focus on completing The Most Sensational Game Expedition (which can award up to 20 stamps per run and takes about 6-7 minutes with practice), you could potentially earn 500 stamps in approximately 25-30 successful runs with all objectives completed. This translates to roughly 3-4 hours of focused farming. Playing in a team can significantly speed up this process.
Can I use the Auto Axe effectively without a dedicated melee build?
Yes, the Auto Axe can be effective even without a fully optimized melee build, especially with the right legendary effects. A Vampire’s Auto Axe with the Electrified mod can perform reasonably well as a secondary weapon even with minimal perk investment. However, to get the most out of the weapon, at least some investment in Strength and melee-focused perks is recommended. Even a partial melee build with key perks like Incisor and the Slugger series can make the Auto Axe highly effective.
Conclusion
The Auto Axe represents one of the most powerful melee options in Fallout 76, capable of devastating damage output when properly built and modified. While obtaining it requires a significant investment of time to earn stamps through Expeditions, the payoff is well worth the effort.
Whether you prefer the nearly invincible sustain of a Vampire’s build, the raw power of a Bloodied configuration, or the boss-melting potential of Anti-Armor, the Auto Axe offers versatile options for melee enthusiasts. By following the guidelines in this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to obtain, optimize, and dominate with this formidable weapon in the wasteland of Appalachia.
Remember that the journey to acquiring and perfecting your Auto Axe is part of the Fallout 76 experience. Take your time, enjoy the process of Expeditions, and soon you’ll be cutting through even the toughest enemies with ease.
