From Stone to Steel: Unlocking the Iron Hatchet in Pax Dei (and the Fastest Way to Get There)

The early game grind in Pax Dei is all about efficiency, and few items are as pivotal to boosting your resource collection as the Iron Hatchet. If you’re tired of slowly whittling away at trees with a basic axe, then this guide is for you. We’ll break down exactly what you need to craft your first Iron Hatchet and lay out the fastest path to level up the required skill.

The Key to the Iron Hatchet: Weaponsmithing

The Iron Hatchet, often referred to by its full name, the “Tempered Iron Chopping Axe,” is a tool that falls under the Weaponsmithing skill line.

Unlock Requirements:

• Skill Level: Weaponsmithing Level 8
• Crafting Station: A Basic Weaponsmith Workbench or a higher-tier Weaponsmith Workbench. The Basic one is typically your first step.
• Recipe: The recipe is generally unlocked automatically upon reaching Weaponsmithing Level 8, assuming you have the necessary materials and workbench.

Crafting Materials (for one Tempered Iron Chopping Axe):

The exact materials can sometimes be adjusted in game updates, but the core ingredients typically involve:

• Iron Axe Head (Requires Iron Ingots, crafted at a Forge)
• Long Wood Stock (From carpentry/woodworking)
• Coarse Leather Band (From leatherworking, requires T2 hides/leather)
• Worn Out Locket (A common component from mob drops)

The biggest bottleneck here is usually getting your metal production up and running, as the Iron Axe Head requires a Forge and Iron Ingots, which themselves require a Charcoal Kiln to produce Charcoal for smelting.

The Fastest Way to Level Weaponsmithing to Level 8

To hit that crucial Level 8 in Weaponsmithing, you’ll need to focus on crafting as many items as possible that utilize the skill. Since higher-difficulty crafts give more experience, but also cost more resources, the fastest method often involves a balance of resource-light and resource-heavy crafts.

Phase 1: Getting Started (Level 1 to ~5)

Your initial levels will come from crafting the absolute basics.

1. Craft a Basic Weaponsmith Workbench: This is your first mandatory step.
2. Spam Basic Weapons: Focus on crafting the simplest weapons available at your basic workbench.
   • The Stone Spear (or similar starting weapon): These are resource-light (sticks, rope, stone) and can be crafted in massive quantities to quickly push through the very early levels.
3. Use Your New Tools: Any time you use a weapon or tool in its respective activity (e.g., using a spear in combat) you also gain experience for that skill, which will help push the overall Weaponsmithing pool.

Phase 2: The Iron Prep Grind (Level 5 to 8)

As the XP requirements increase, you need more efficient crafts. This is where you leverage your Iron preparation.

1. Mass-Produce Components: If you have unlocked the recipes, craft components that require Iron.
   • Iron Axe Heads or Knife Blades: These are often simpler and cheaper to craft than a full weapon or tool, and will use the Iron Ingots you have begun smelting. Spamming these, along with the leather and wood components needed for your goal, is the most direct path.
2. Focus on the Highest XP/Resource Cost: Check your crafting menu for the highest XP-per-craft item you can make easily and repeat it. This is frequently a one-handed weapon like an Iron Pickaxe (which is also a great upgrade, requiring Weaponsmithing level 10 to unlock its recipe, but can often be crafted earlier if you have the materials and a friend’s higher-tier bench).
3. Collaborate with your Clan/Neighbors: If you can’t yet craft the full Iron Hatchet or the required workbench components (like Wrought Iron Bars for the higher-tier workbench), see if a more advanced neighbor has a Weaponsmith Workbench you can use. You only need to reach the skill level yourself; the physical workbench can be shared!

Pro-Tip: Maximize Gathering Time

Remember that every time you chop a tree, you gain a small amount of Woodcutting skill XP. Your immediate goal is to get that Iron Hatchet, but you’ll be chopping a lot of trees in this game. Once you have your new axe, make a point of using it constantly. The improved efficiency will make all future gathering—and thus all future crafting—significantly easier.

Getting your Iron Hatchet is a game-changer that opens the door to Heartwood and more advanced materials. Focus on your Weaponsmithing, stockpile your Iron, and you’ll be carving through the trees of Pax Dei in no time!