OSRS Abyssal Bludgeon vs Zombie Axe Ultimate Comparison

OSRS Abyssal Bludgeon vs Zombie Axe Ultimate Comparison

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), choosing the right weapon for Strength training or bossing can make or break your efficiency. Two popular crush weapons, the Abyssal Bludgeon and the Zombie Axe, often spark debates among players, especially for midgame Ironmen and mains tackling high-defense monsters. This blog post dives deep into their stats, acquisition, performance, and use cases to help you decide which weapon suits your playstyle. Whether you’re slaying Araxxor, grinding Slayer, or bossing at Sarachnis, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive comparison.

The Abyssal Bludgeon and Zombie Axe are crush-focused weapons, ideal for monsters weak to crush attacks, such as gargoyles, kalphites, or Sarachnis. While both excel in specific scenarios, their differences in attack speed, stats, and acquisition make them cater to different player needs.

Abyssal Bludgeon Key Features

The Abyssal Bludgeon is a two-handed crush weapon requiring 70 Attack and Strength. It’s crafted by combining three untradeable components (axon, claw, and spine) dropped by the Abyssal Sire, making it a grind-heavy item. Its key strengths include:

  • 4-tick attack speed (2.4 seconds per hit), matching the abyssal whip.
  • High Strength bonus (+85), second only to the Inquisitor’s Mace among crush weapons.
  • Special attack (Penance): Boosts damage by 0.5% per missing prayer point, consuming 50% special attack energy.
  • All attack styles are aggressive, making it ideal for Strength training.

The Bludgeon shines against low-defense targets and scales well with gear upgrades, but its grind (approximately 619.4 Sire kills on average) can deter players. OSRS Wiki

Zombie Axe Key Features

The Zombie Axe is a one-handed battleaxe requiring 65 Attack and is obtained by repairing a broken zombie axe, dropped by armoured zombies in Zemouregal’s Base, with 70 Smithing. Its standout features include:

  • 5-tick attack speed (3.0 seconds per hit), slower than the Bludgeon.
  • High Strength bonus (+107) and exceptional slash bonus (+105), surpassing most one-handed weapons.
  • Crush and slash versatility, with a crush bonus (+90) competitive with top-tier weapons.
  • Always slashes webs successfully, making it a go-to for Ironmen at Sarachnis.

The Zombie Axe is easier to obtain than the Bludgeon and serves as a strong midgame alternative for players without access to high Slayer levels. OSRS Wiki

Stats and Performance Comparison

To understand which weapon is better, let’s break down their stats and DPS (damage per second) performance in various scenarios.

Stat Breakdown

The table below compares the key combat stats of the Abyssal Bludgeon and Zombie Axe:

Weapon Attack Req. Strength Bonus Crush Bonus Slash Bonus Attack Speed
Abyssal Bludgeon 70 +85 +85 0 4-tick
Zombie Axe 65 +107 +90 +105 5-tick

The Zombie Axe boasts higher raw stats, but its slower attack speed reduces its DPS compared to the Bludgeon in most scenarios. The Bludgeon’s 4-tick speed ensures more consistent hits, especially against high-defense targets.

DPS Comparison

Using the OSRS DPS Calculator, the Bludgeon outperforms the Zombie Axe by approximately 8% DPS in a standard melee setup against Araxxor. However, the Zombie Axe can edge out slightly at bosses like Duke Sucellus, where missed ticks due to mechanics favor its slower, harder-hitting style. Reddit

Key DPS Insights:

  • Bludgeon: Superior at low-defense targets (e.g., Nightmare) and scales better with gear upgrades due to its faster attack speed.
  • Zombie Axe: Excels at high-HP bosses like Duke Sucellus, where overkill DPS is less of an issue, and at Sarachnis due to its web-slashing ability.
  • Switching the Zombie Axe to crush style is critical, as slash mode reduces DPS by ~13.5%. Reddit

Acquisition and Accessibility

The grind to obtain these weapons significantly impacts their accessibility, especially for Ironmen.

Abyssal Bludgeon Grind

The Bludgeon requires defeating the Abyssal Sire, a level 85 Slayer boss, to obtain the unsired drop, which is then placed in the Font of Consumption to yield components. The mean number of kills to complete a Bludgeon is 619.4, with a median of 552. This grind can take hundreds of hours, and players often report frustration, with some needing over 900 kills. OSRS Wiki

Zombie Axe Grind

The Zombie Axe is far easier to acquire. Armoured zombies in Zemouregal’s Base drop the broken zombie axe, which players with 70 Smithing can repair at an anvil for 500 Smithing XP. While exact drop rates are unconfirmed, the multi-combat nature of the area and burstable zombies suggest a relatively quick grind, making it accessible for midgame players. OSRS Wiki

Use Cases and Bossing

Both weapons shine in specific scenarios, so let’s explore where each excels.

Abyssal Bludgeon Best Use Cases

The Bludgeon is a top choice for:

  • Nightmare and Phosani’s Nightmare: Its fast attack speed maximizes DPS against these crush-weak bosses.
  • Araxxor: Saves ~90 minutes over 600 kills compared to the Zombie Axe due to higher DPS. Reddit

  • Strength training: Its aggressive attack styles make it one of the best non-degradable weapons for training Strength.

Zombie Axe Best Use Cases

The Zombie Axe is ideal for:

  • Sarachnis: Its web-slashing ability and high crush bonus make it a favorite for Ironmen.
  • Duke Sucellus: Slightly outperforms the abyssal whip pre-enrage due to its slower hits aligning better with boss mechanics. Reddit

  • Midgame Ironmen: A powerful alternative for players without 85 Slayer or access to the Bludgeon.

Which Weapon Should You Choose?

Choosing between the Abyssal Bludgeon and Zombie Axe depends on your account progression, goals, and patience for grinds.

For Ironmen

Ironmen with limited Slayer levels (below 85) should opt for the Zombie Axe. It’s easier to obtain, versatile for midgame content, and doesn’t require a grueling boss grind. However, if you’re nearing 85 Slayer or enjoy tackling the Abyssal Sire, the Bludgeon is a long-term investment that outperforms the Axe in most scenarios.

For Mains

Mains with sufficient GP can purchase the Bludgeon (around 40M GP as of early 2025) and skip the grind entirely. The Zombie Axe, while cheaper, is untradeable, so mains must still farm armoured zombies. If budget is a concern, the Zombie Axe paired with an Avernic Defender can rival the Bludgeon in specific situations, like at Duke. Reddit

Final Verdict

The Abyssal Bludgeon is the superior weapon for most endgame content due to its faster attack speed and scalability, but its grind is daunting. The Zombie Axe is a fantastic midgame alternative, offering high stats and accessibility for players not ready for the Sire. If you’re a midgame Ironman or on a budget, start with the Zombie Axe. For long-term progression, aim for the Bludgeon to maximize DPS and efficiency.

Pro Tip: Always use a DPS calculator like OldSchool.tools to compare weapons for your specific setup and target. And don’t forget to set the Zombie Axe to crush style for optimal performance!