Are you looking to enhance your OSRS combat arsenal with one of the most powerful mid-game weapons? The Zombie Axe is a formidable battleaxe that outperforms many weapons in its tier and serves as an excellent bridge between the Dragon Scimitar and the Abyssal Whip. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining, repairing, and utilizing the Zombie Axe in Old School RuneScape.
What is the Zombie Axe in OSRS?
The Zombie Axe is a powerful one-handed battleaxe introduced to Old School RuneScape in February 2025. This weapon requires 65 Attack to wield and boasts impressive slash and crush attack bonuses, making it an exceptional choice for mid-level players.
What makes the Zombie Axe particularly special is its stats—it features higher strength bonus and slash attack stats than any other one-handed weapon in the game, only falling behind specialized weapons like the Dragon Warhammer and Inquisitor’s Mace in terms of crush bonuses.
Zombie Axe Stats and Requirements
| Requirement | Level |
|---|---|
| Attack level to wield | 65 |
| Smithing level to repair | 70 |
Combat Stats
| Stat Type | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Slash Attack | +105 |
| Crush Attack | +90 |
| Strength Bonus | +105 |
| Attack Speed | 5 ticks (3.0 seconds) |
Prerequisites for Obtaining the Zombie Axe
Before you can get your hands on the Zombie Axe, you’ll need to complete the Defender of Varrock quest, which provides access to the areas where Armoured Zombies can be found. These powerful undead creatures are the only source of the Broken Zombie Axe, which you’ll need to repair to create the completed weapon.
Defender of Varrock Quest Requirements
| Requirement Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Skills Required | 55 Smithing, 52 Hunter |
| Quests Required | Shield of Arrav, Temple of Ikov, Below Ice Mountain, Family Crest, Garden of Tranquillity, What Lies Below, Romeo and Juliet, Demon Slayer |
| Combat | Ability to defeat multiple Armoured Zombies (level 85) |
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining the Zombie Axe
Step 1: Complete the Defender of Varrock Quest
The first step in your journey to acquiring the Zombie Axe is completing the Defender of Varrock quest. This quest is part of the Mahjarrat questline and involves investigating a zombie army threatening the city of Varrock.
To start the quest, head to the Jolly Boar Inn in Varrock and speak with Elias White. Follow the quest through to completion, which will grant you access to Zemouregal’s Base, where you can farm Armoured Zombies for the Broken Zombie Axe drop.
Step 2: Farm Armoured Zombies for the Broken Zombie Axe
Once you’ve completed the Defender of Varrock quest, you can now farm Armoured Zombies for a chance to obtain the Broken Zombie Axe. There are two locations where you can find these zombies:
- Zemouregal’s Base – Accessible after completing Defender of Varrock
- Zemouregal’s Fort – Accessible after completing The Curse of Arrav (drops the Broken Zombie Axe at a higher rate)
Best Strategy for Farming Armoured Zombies
The Armoured Zombies are located in a multicombat area and spawn close to each other, making them perfect candidates for area-of-effect (AoE) attacks. Here’s the optimal strategy:
| Equipment Type | Recommended Items |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Weapon capable of multi-target hits (burst spells, venator bow) |
| Armor | Best defensive gear you can wear |
| Amulet | Salve amulet (provides damage bonus against undead) |
| Prayer | Protection prayers and damage-boosting prayers |
| Consumables | Prayer potions, food, stamina potions |
Tips for Efficient Farming:
- The Armoured Zombies in Zemouregal’s Fort have a higher drop rate for the Broken Zombie Axe
- Use area-of-effect spells or weapons to hit multiple zombies at once
- The Salve amulet provides a significant damage bonus against undead creatures
- A Ring of Wealth slightly increases your chances of obtaining the drop by removing the “nothing” drop from the table
Step 3: Repair the Broken Zombie Axe
Once you’ve obtained the Broken Zombie Axe as a drop from the Armoured Zombies, you’ll need to repair it to create the usable Zombie Axe. This requires:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Smithing Level | 70 (can be boosted) |
| Items Needed | Hammer, access to an anvil |
| XP Reward | 500 Smithing XP for repairing |
To repair the Broken Zombie Axe:
- Ensure you have 70 Smithing (or use a boost if you’re close)
- Have a hammer in your inventory
- Take the Broken Zombie Axe to any anvil in the game
- Use the Broken Zombie Axe on the anvil to repair it
Upon successful repair, you’ll receive 500 Smithing XP and the fully functional Zombie Axe ready for combat use.
How to Get to Zemouregal’s Base/Fort
Zemouregal’s Base (Easiest Option)
To access Zemouregal’s Base, where you can farm Armoured Zombies after completing Defender of Varrock, follow these steps:
- Using Ring of the Elements (Recommended): Teleport to the Earth Altar entrance, then run south to the Silvarea gate, and north to the Wilderness border
- Alternative Method: Use a Lumberyard teleport, then head north past the Jolly Boar Inn to the Wilderness border
- Once at the border, locate the trapdoor leading to Zemouregal’s Base
- Enter the dungeon (no key required after quest completion)
Zemouregal’s Fort (Higher Drop Rate)
For access to Zemouregal’s Fort, which houses higher-level Armoured Zombies with better drop rates for the Broken Zombie Axe:
- Complete The Curse of Arrav quest
- Travel to Trollweiss Mountain, east of the Troll Stronghold
- Find the tunnel entrance on the mountain
- Navigate through the tunnels to reach the fort’s basement
- Head to the tunnels west of the basement to find the higher-level Armoured Zombies
Zombie Axe Uses and Comparison to Other Weapons
The Zombie Axe sits as a powerful mid-game weapon, filling the gap between the Dragon Scimitar (60 Attack) and the Abyssal Whip (70 Attack). Here’s how it compares to other popular weapons:
| Weapon | Attack Req | Strength Bonus | Slash Attack | Attack Speed | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zombie Axe | 65 | +105 | +105 | 5 ticks | Highest slash and strength of any one-handed weapon |
| Dragon Scimitar | 60 | +66 | +67 | 4 ticks | Faster attack speed |
| Abyssal Whip | 70 | +82 | +82 | 4 ticks | Faster attack speed |
| Sarachnis Cudgel | 65 | +70 | – | 4 ticks | One-handed crush weapon |
When to Use the Zombie Axe
The Zombie Axe excels in the following situations:
- Against High-Defense Enemies: Due to its high accuracy bonuses
- Against Enemies Weak to Crush: The axe has a substantial crush bonus
- Web Slashing: The Zombie Axe has a +105 slash bonus, which means it will always successfully slash webs
- Temple Trekking: Counts as an axe for fixing bridges
- Mid-game Ironmen: Perfect bridge between Dragon Scimitar and Abyssal Whip
Frequently Asked Questions About the Zombie Axe
How rare is the Broken Zombie Axe drop?
The Broken Zombie Axe has approximately a 1/800 drop rate from Armoured Zombies in Zemouregal’s Base. The drop rate is higher from the Armoured Zombies in Zemouregal’s Fort, making that location more efficient for farming despite being harder to access.
Can I boost my Smithing level to repair the Broken Zombie Axe?
Yes, you can use boosts such as Spicy Stews or the Smithing cape to reach the required 70 Smithing level if you’re close but not quite there.
Is the Zombie Axe tradeable?
Yes, both the broken and repaired versions of the Zombie Axe are tradeable for regular accounts. However, Ironman accounts must obtain and repair it themselves.
How does the Zombie Axe compare to the Dragon Scimitar?
The Zombie Axe has significantly higher strength and slash attack bonuses than the Dragon Scimitar but attacks 1 tick slower. Against low-defense enemies, the Dragon Scimitar might provide better DPS due to its faster attack speed, but against high-defense enemies or those weak to crush, the Zombie Axe often performs better.
Is the Zombie Axe worth getting before the Abyssal Whip?
Absolutely! For players with 65-69 Attack, the Zombie Axe is an excellent weapon choice. For Ironman accounts, it can serve as a powerful alternative to the Abyssal Whip, which requires 85 Slayer to obtain (via Abyssal Demons).
Conclusion
The Zombie Axe is a formidable mid-game weapon that provides a significant upgrade for players with 65 Attack. Its impressive stats make it viable even compared to higher-tier weapons like the Abyssal Whip in certain situations.
By following this guide, you now have all the information needed to obtain, repair, and make the most of the Zombie Axe in your Old School RuneScape adventures. The journey to acquire this powerful weapon will test your combat skills against the Armoured Zombies, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Whether you’re a main account looking for a powerful weapon to bridge the gap to 70 Attack, or an Ironman seeking a viable alternative to the Abyssal Whip, the Zombie Axe is an excellent addition to your arsenal that will serve you well in your OSRS journey.
Happy hunting, and may your Broken Zombie Axe drops come quickly!
