Honed Axes

You and your pet gain ferocity. Axe skills gain reduced recharge, and you gain additional ferocity while wielding an axe. — In-game description

Honed Axes

Specialization

Beastmastery (trait list)

Tier

Master

Type

Major

Training cost

5 Hero points

Game link

API

API

“

Honed Axes

You and your pet gain ferocity. Axe skills gain reduced recharge, and you gain additional ferocity while wielding an axe.

 Ferocity: +120

 Additional Ferocity: +120

 Recharge Reduced: 20%

— In-game description

Notes

• While in Beastmode, the player will not gain their pet's ferocity bonus.

	Skill	Traited recharge
Axe	Splitblade (PvE)	6	→	4.8
	Splitblade (WvW, PvP)	8	→	6.4
	Winter's Bite	10	→	8
	Path of Scars	15	→	12
	Whirling Defense	25	→	20

Version history

For a detailed trait history, see here.

Patch	Changes
January 13, 2026	This trait has been moved to the master tier, replacing Natural Healing. This trait no longer grants extra base ferocity to merged soulbeasts.
February 25, 2020	Competitive content update: Baseline ferocity is now also applied to your pet. This trait no longer causes Winter's Bite to become an area-of-effect strike.
October 02, 2018	The ferocity gained from this trait is now split. It now grants a base of 120 ferocity and an additional 120 ferocity when rangers are wielding an axe.
May 16, 2017	This trait now grants a ferocity bonus whether axe is in the main hand or the off hand.
January 26, 2016	The ferocity bonus this trait grants has been increased from 150 to 250.
June 23, 2015	Specialization update: Updated this trait to reflect the introduction of the specialization mechanic. This trait has been moved to the Beastmastery Grandmaster tier. Added: Winter's Bite now inflicts its effects in an area at your target's location. Added: Axe skills recharge 20% faster.
August 28, 2012	Game release: Honed Axes has been added to the game.