Alliance characters learn Two-Handed Axes in World of Warcraft: Forever from Buliwyf Stonehand in Ironforge, and Horde characters learn them from Sayoc or Hanashi in Orgrimmar. Training costs about 10 silver at launch, and only Warriors, Paladins, Hunters and Shamans can learn it.
The trainers are not where a new Stormwind or Thunder Bluff character looks first, because neither Woo Ping nor Ansekhwa teaches any axe skill. Below is where to go for your race, how Two-Handed Axes differ from the one-handed skill, and why Warriors in particular want them. Trainers are as of launch, checked November 8. Our weapon skills guide covers every weapon master and every weapon.
Who Teaches Two-Handed Axes
| Faction | City | Weapon master | Where to find them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance | Ironforge | Buliwyf Stonehand | Timberline Arms in the Military Ward, about 61, 89 on the map |
| Horde | Orgrimmar | Sayoc or Hanashi | Valley of Honor, about 81, 19 |
Sayoc and Hanashi both teach it, so either will do. All three also teach One-Handed Axes, and they cover plenty else: Buliwyf has Maces, Fist Weapons and Guns, and the Orgrimmar pair have Bows, Staves and Thrown, with Sayoc adding Daggers and Fist Weapons. City guards offer a Weapons Trainer option if you get lost.
Where to Go for Your Race
Alliance:
- Dwarf and Gnome: Buliwyf is in your home city.
- Human: take the Deeprun Tram from Stormwind to Ironforge.
- Night Elf: take the boat from Rut’theran Village to Auberdine, then the ship to Stormwind Harbor and the tram. Our guide to getting to Darnassus from Stormwind covers those ships.
Horde:
- Orc and Troll: Sayoc and Hanashi are in your home city.
- Tauren: there is no zeppelin or portal between Thunder Bluff and Orgrimmar, so ride or fly. Our Thunder Bluff route guide covers the road and the way back.
- Undead: take the zeppelin from Tirisfal Glades to Orgrimmar. Our guide to getting to the Undercity from Orgrimmar covers that same zeppelin from the other end.
Skyborne characters use the weapon master for whichever faction they chose. Our flight paths guide explains how to learn new points as you travel.
Which Classes Can Learn Two-Handed Axes
| Can learn Two-Handed Axes | Cannot learn them |
|---|---|
| Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Shaman | Rogue, Druid, Priest, Mage, Warlock |
Rogues are the ones most likely to ask. Blizzard’s Rogue and Warlock deep dive says “Rogues can now learn to equip one-handed axes,” and that new option stops at one-handers. Our Rogue leveling guide covers how the Hack and Slash talent treats those axes.
Before you make the trip, press C and check your character sheet, since it lists every weapon skill you already know.
What It Costs and How the Skill Works
- The price: about 10 silver at launch, once. Good reputation with the city’s faction lowers it a little.
- It is not the same skill as One-Handed Axes. You train and level each one on its own, so buy both if you want both.
- Your starting skill: a new weapon skill starts at 1, and its cap is five times your level, so 300 at level 60.
- Raising it: every hit has a chance to raise the skill. Until it climbs, expect more misses and glancing blows, so start on easy mobs.
- Gear helps less. Blizzard’s Deep Dive panel recap says items with weapon skill “offer less of it per item so they are not always the obvious best choice.”
Why Train Two-Handed Axes
Warriors get the clearest payoff. The new Weaponmaster talent gives axes and polearms extra critical strike chance, and Two-Handed Weapon Specialization adds up to 6% more damage with any two-hander. Our Warrior leveling guide lays out when to take both.
Hunters can train them as well, and our Hunter leveling guide covers how the class fights. Paladins and Shamans should check our Paladin and Shaman leveling guides, since the right weapon depends on your build.
Orcs no longer get a racial axe bonus. Forever replaced the old racial weapon specializations with other bonuses, as our racial changes story explains, so an Orc has no extra reason to pick an axe over a sword. Every Forever guide we have is on our World of Warcraft hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I train Two-Handed Axes as Alliance in WoW Forever? From Buliwyf Stonehand at Timberline Arms in Ironforge’s Military Ward. Stormwind and Darnassus do not teach any axe skill.
Where do I train Two-Handed Axes as Horde? From Sayoc or Hanashi in Orgrimmar’s Valley of Honor. Thunder Bluff and the Undercity do not teach them.
How much does it cost? About 10 silver at launch, paid once.
Can Rogues use two-handed axes in WoW Forever? No. Blizzard’s change lets Rogues learn one-handed axes only.
Can Druids use axes? No. Druids cannot train any axe skill.
Can Hunters use two-handed axes? Yes. Hunters, Warriors, Paladins and Shamans can all train them.
Do I need One-Handed Axes first? No. It is a separate skill, and you can train either one on its own.