Up to +5-20% Strength based on the charge time of your heavy attacks. Stacks 3 times.
Recover 15-24% toughness when hitting an enemy with a heavy attack, based on charge time.
+20-35% Toughness on Elite Kill.
Target receives 1-4 Stacks of 2.5% Brittleness on direct projectile hit. Debuff lasts for 5 seconds and can have a maximum of 16 stacks.
Big, taff, strong man! Yes! Haha!
The Branx Pick Axe is the slowest and heaviest of the new two-handed axes which makes it a bit challenging when you don't have a good spot wielding it. Therefore I've paired it with the Blastoom Mk III Grenadier Gauntlet that should be used offensively in melee when clearing out anything smaller than a Specialist or Elite. Gauntlet L1 + dodge move should get you around and out of harms way when dealing with little' ones.
However, your primary task will be to engage any armoured units like Crushers, Maulers and Reapers with the axe. The gauntlet is the perfect marriage with the axe before initating H1 attacks by preemptively blasting enemies and staggering them. If the gauntlet isn't available you can use Indomitable and back-track to finish off staggered enemies.
Feel No Pain should give you a nice passive shield that will counter the slow movement and attack speed of the axe while Batter + Delight In Destruction + Indomitable should elevate survivability to make you into a solid tank.
Branx Pick Axe
Blastoom Mk III Grenadier Gauntlet
Friendly rocks!
Updated for new patch: 2024-10-06