Age of Empires Mobile Axel Guide

Introduction

Axel is an Epic Cavalry Commander in Age of Empires Mobile who specializes in the Marshal, Attack, and Secondary Strike skills. While Epic Heroes are easier to obtain than Legendary Heroes, they generally have fewer base stats. This makes Axel less powerful compared to some of the more high-tier Legendary commanders, but he still has value depending on how he is used.

The Age of Empires Mobile Axel Guide highlights how Axel’s effectiveness can vary based on the player’s strategy, his talent tree build, and the way he is paired with other heroes. While some players may consider him less powerful due to his lower stats, this doesn’t necessarily make him a “below-average” hero, as his abilities can still be leveraged effectively in certain situations.

Cavalry units, including those commanded by Axel, are the fastest in the game, with a base movement speed of 90, compared to 75 for most other unit types. This high mobility makes cavalry particularly useful for strategic positioning, flanking maneuvers, and rapid responses on the battlefield. Understanding how to take advantage of Axel’s strengths and pairing him with complementary commanders can help maximize his potential in the game. Despite being an Epic hero, Axel has the capability to perform well in the right context, particularly when used in conjunction with other cavalry-focused strategies.

Skills

Axel’s skills in Age of Empires Mobile revolve around enhancing the already high mobility and offensive power of his cavalry units, making him a formidable presence on the battlefield. His skillset focuses primarily on Might damage, a type of damage that is especially effective in the early game. Axel excels at triggering additional attacks and damage boosts after launching a normal attack, allowing him to continuously apply pressure on enemies.

His Commander skill, Weaving Strike, deals Might damage to a single enemy troop and grants him 100 rage when he enters battle, enabling quicker activation of his Commander abilities. One of his standout abilities is Ferocious Chase, which triggers a second instance of Might damage after a normal attack and boosts his Might damage for a short duration, amplifying his overall damage output. Axel also benefits from skills like Critical Blade, which increases his critical strike rate, and Double Strike, which provides additional Might damage after a normal attack—though the latter is less potent than Ferocious Chase.

Further enhancing his utility, Axel’s Armor Piercer skill reduces the enemy’s armor after an attack, making the enemy more vulnerable to all types of damage, while Pacifying Strike deals Might damage and reduces the enemy’s rage, delaying their skill usage. The Infuriation skill increases Axel’s own Might after a normal attack, further boosting his damage potential. Lastly, Sunder combines Might damage with a Rout effect, which deals additional damage over time to affected enemies. Axel’s skillset is designed to maximize his offensive capabilities through continuous attacks and buffs, making him an excellent choice for aggressive, high-damage cavalry strategies.

Commander skill
Weaving Strike deals Might damage to a single enemy troop and grants Axel 100 rage when he enters battle, enabling quicker activation of his Commander skills.

Signature skill
Ferocious Chase triggers a second instance of Might damage after Axel’s normal attack and increases his Might damage for a short duration.

Critical Blade increases Axel’s critical strike rate, enhancing the chance of landing critical hits for higher damage output.

Double Strike deals additional Might damage after Axel’s normal attack, providing extra damage with each hit.

Armor Piercer deals Might damage and reduces the enemy’s armor for a short time, making them more vulnerable to all damage.

Pacifying Strike deals Might damage and reduces the enemy’s rage, delaying their ability to use skills.

Infuriation deals Might damage and boosts Axel’s Might for a short time, increasing the damage of his subsequent attacks.

Sunder deals Might damage and inflicts the Rout effect, causing Might damage over time to the enemy.

Unit Pairings

Cavalry units are an excellent fit for Axel in Age of Empires Mobile due to their speed and versatility, both of which complement his playstyle. Axel specializes in boosting the mobility and offensive power of Cavalry, and when paired with other Cavalry units, they can take full advantage of this synergy. The high movement speed of Cavalry allows them to swiftly reposition on the battlefield, which is essential for Axel’s ability to execute flanking maneuvers and capitalize on his enemies’ weaknesses. Axel’s skillset, which triggers additional attacks after normal strikes, benefits greatly from the speed of Cavalry units, as they can quickly engage and disengage, ensuring that Axel can maximize his damage output in rapid succession.

Additionally, Cavalry units can move through trees undetected, providing an added layer of stealth that makes it easier for Axel to execute surprise attacks and avoid enemy defenses. This stealth element works well with Axel’s playstyle, allowing him to strike when the enemy least expects it. Cavalry’s ability to harass and disrupt enemy lines is another reason why they pair well with Axel, as his skills benefit from putting pressure on opponents and forcing them to respond to his attacks. By utilizing their speed, players can harass enemy resource gatherers, scout enemy positions, and target vulnerable areas, all while Axel delivers consistent and powerful damage.

In the late game, when Axel’s full potential is unlocked, the combination of Cavalry’s mobility and his skillset creates a highly aggressive force capable of overwhelming the enemy. Whether it’s flanking slower units like Swordsmen or Pikemen or securing key objectives across the map, Cavalry complements Axel’s strengths by adding flexibility, speed, and offensive power. Together, they form a dynamic force that excels at both harassing enemies and controlling the battlefield, making Cavalry an ideal pairing for Axel.

Hero Pairing

Cid

Cid is a Legendary Marshal who specializes in debuffing and crowd control, making him an ideal companion for Axel. His skills focus on weakening enemies, reducing their armor, inflicting the Rout effect, and slowing their movement speed, all of which create an opportunity for Axel to take full advantage of his high Might damage. This synergy is especially powerful, as Axel’s skills rely on dealing rapid and continuous damage, and Cid’s debuffs make the enemies more vulnerable to those attacks.

The Rout effect, which causes Might damage over time, combines perfectly with Axel’s burst damage, enabling him to deal even more damage to affected targets. Moreover, Cid’s ability to slow enemy units helps Axel maintain the upper hand in terms of positioning, making it easier for him to keep attacking while the enemies are trapped or slowed. This pairing not only enhances Axel’s offensive capabilities but also provides crucial crowd control to manage enemy movement and disrupt their formation, resulting in a well-rounded and potent combination for overwhelming foes.

Tariq

Tariq is a Legendary Cavalry specialist, making him a natural partner for Axel, who also leads Cavalry units. Both heroes benefit from increased mobility and offensive power, making them an ideal pairing for fast and aggressive strategies. Tariq excels at dealing burst damage, which complements Axel’s ability to trigger multiple attacks and continuous Might damage. Together, their combined Cavalry synergy allows for rapid flanking, swift repositioning, and overwhelming attacks that leave little time for enemies to mount a defense.

Tariq’s burst damage, especially when combined with Axel’s additional attacks from skills like Ferocious Chase and Double Strike, creates a devastating offensive force. Tariq’s ability to disrupt enemy formations and deal significant damage can create openings for Axel to strike hard and fast, taking advantage of any vulnerability caused by Tariq’s attacks. This pairing is not only highly mobile but also provides a high-damage output that can quickly overwhelm opponents, making it a powerful combination for players looking to dominate with speed, precision, and raw damage.

Axel Talent Tree

In Age of Empires Mobile, the talent tree provides a valuable opportunity to customize heroes, allowing players to tailor their abilities and attributes to suit their preferred playstyle. While there isn’t a dedicated talent build for Axel, there are several key talents that enhance his effectiveness, particularly those that amplify his strengths as a Cavalry commander. One of the most important talents to prioritize is Strength in Numbers, which activates Axel’s military specialty and grants substantial attribute bonuses when paired with other heroes who share the same specialty. This talent increases Axel’s damage potential when partnered with other Cavalry or Warrior heroes, making it a vital choice for maximizing his performance.

The Strength in Numbers talent offers a 20% attribute bonus when paired with two heroes of the same specialty and a 30% bonus with three. This synergy is crucial for creating a powerful combination of heroes that can outpace enemies and deliver devastating blows. Heroes like Attila the Hun, Joan of Arc, and King Arthur share military specialties that complement Axel’s Cavalry focus and benefit from these attribute boosts. Prioritizing this talent early in the game allows Axel to perform at his best, especially in the mid to late game when his skills and abilities are fully unlocked.

Beyond Strength in Numbers, players can consider several other talents to enhance Axel’s combat capabilities. Military Tactics Mastery is an excellent choice for players looking to boost Axel’s offensive abilities. This talent increases normal attack damage, commander skill damage, and siege capabilities, further enhancing Axel’s already impressive offensive potential. For those seeking more balance between offense and defense, Intrepid Warrior provides a flexible option, offering damage boosts and damage reduction, which can make Axel more resilient in battle while maintaining his offensive edge.

For improved survivability, Crushing Blow focuses on reducing the damage Axel and his troops take, making him more durable during extended engagements. On the other hand, if you want to enhance the overall effectiveness of your army, Join the Ranks can be a good option. This talent boosts troop health, rally damage, and overall strategy, strengthening the entire legion’s performance, not just Axel’s. Finally, Bulwark is another useful talent that directly boosts the attack and defense of troops, making them more formidable in combat and adding extra resilience to your forces.

The ideal talent tree build for Axel will depend on your playstyle and the specific heroes you choose to pair him with. If you focus on creating a highly mobile and offensive force, talents like Military Tactics Mastery and Strength in Numbers should be prioritized. However, if you prefer a more balanced or defensive approach, talents like Intrepid Warrior, Crushing Blow, and Bulwark can help ensure that Axel remains effective on the battlefield while mitigating damage. Experimenting with different talent combinations will allow you to find the build that best suits your overall strategy and maximizes Axel’s potential in your army.

Gear Recommendations

In Age of Empires Mobile, the gear system is a crucial aspect of strengthening your heroes, including Axel. Gear acts like a “mini-hero” with its own levels, stats, and upgrade paths. As players progress, they can level up gear to improve its base stats, and duplicate gear pieces can be used to increase the star rating of an item, unlocking additional bonuses. This system allows players to tailor their hero’s equipment to enhance their effectiveness on the battlefield.

Heroes can equip up to five gear pieces: boots, chest, arms, helmet, and a signet ring. The signet ring slot becomes available as you progress through Milestones and Citadel levels, adding an extra layer of customization. To upgrade and craft new gear, players will rely on the Smithy, a key building in the game. The Smithy allows players to forge gear using blueprints and materials like iron meteorite. Blueprints can be obtained through various in-game methods, including purchasing them in the store or earning them through activities like Island Tactics. This game mode plays a crucial role in obtaining blueprints and upgrade materials, making it essential for improving Axel’s gear and boosting his power over time.

Given Axel’s role as a Cavalry commander with a focus on Marshal, Attack, and Secondary Strike skills, selecting the right gear can significantly improve his performance. One of the most important stats to prioritize for Axel is Might, as many of his abilities deal Might damage. Boosting his Might stat will directly increase his damage output, making him more effective in combat. Armor and Health are also essential for Axel, as Cavalry units are fast but often vulnerable to counterattacks. Gear that increases Axel’s survivability will allow him to stay in battle longer and better withstand enemy attacks, especially in prolonged fights where his mobility might be less effective.

Additionally, gear that boosts Attack Speed and Critical Strike Rate will further amplify Axel’s offensive potential. As his skills frequently trigger additional attacks, increasing his attack speed will allow him to deal more damage over time, while boosting his critical strike rate will enable more frequent critical hits, resulting in bursts of higher damage. These gear stats complement Axel’s ability to deal sustained and powerful damage during engagements.

While acquiring legendary gear can be challenging, particularly for free-to-play players, it’s important to focus on upgrading blue and purple gear in the early stages of the game. These rarities will provide a solid foundation for Axel’s progression, allowing him to become more powerful as you gather resources. As you advance and accumulate more materials, you can gradually work towards acquiring and upgrading legendary gear, which offers the highest stat boosts and additional benefits.

By understanding the gear system and prioritizing equipment that complements Axel’s strengths, players can enhance his effectiveness on the battlefield. Whether focusing on his damage potential through Might, improving his survivability with Armor and Health, or boosting his offensive output with Attack Speed and Critical Strike Rate, careful gear selection is key to unlocking Axel’s full potential as a formidable Cavalry commander.

Conclusion

In Age of Empires Mobile, Axel stands out as an Epic Cavalry hero with a unique skillset that enhances the speed and offensive power of Cavalry units. As a Cavalry commander, Axel’s strengths lie in his ability to quickly reposition on the battlefield, flanking enemies, and using his high mobility to exploit weak points in enemy formations. His skills, focused on delivering additional damage after normal attacks, make him particularly effective in dealing sustained damage over time. However, his effectiveness is limited compared to higher-rarity heroes, especially in the later stages of the game where Legendary heroes offer stronger stats and abilities.

Axel’s primary role in your army is as a damage dealer who excels at hit-and-run tactics. His Secondary Strike abilities allow him to deal extra damage following his normal attacks, which is crucial for maximizing his output during combat. This makes Axel particularly potent when combined with other units that can control the battlefield and allow him to focus on delivering burst damage. His Marshal skills boost the damage potential of Cavalry units, making him an excellent choice for players who prefer fast, offensive playstyles. His ability to swiftly maneuver and strike key targets makes him valuable in both early-game harassment and late-game flanking.

Axel’s synergy with Strength in Numbers, which boosts his attributes when paired with other Warrior heroes, can further enhance his performance. This talent is especially beneficial when deployed alongside other strong, frontline units, as it boosts his offensive capabilities while supporting his team. His Epic rarity allows for easier access compared to Legendary heroes, making him a good choice for players looking to build a strong, versatile Cavalry-focused army without relying on rarer heroes. However, it is important to recognize that as you progress and unlock more powerful commanders, Axel may need to be supplemented with higher-rarity heroes to maintain his competitiveness.

When it comes to gear, focusing on improving Axel’s Might, Health, and Attack Speed is key. Boosting his Might will increase his damage output, particularly in his abilities that deal Might damage. Additionally, increasing his Health and Armor will help make Axel more resilient on the battlefield, especially when engaging in prolonged fights. Finally, enhancing Attack Speed and Critical Strike Rate will further amplify his burst damage potential, allowing him to deal more frequent and powerful hits.

Axel’s Cavalry expertise also makes him an ideal partner for units like Swordsmen or Pikemen, who may be slower but are stronger in direct combat. By pairing Axel with these units, you can create a balanced force that capitalizes on Axel’s speed to disrupt enemy lines, while the slower units provide solid support and hold the line against more powerful enemies. This tactical combination allows Axel to do what he does best: outmaneuver opponents and strike where they are weakest.

In conclusion, Axel’s unique set of abilities, combined with his high mobility and offensive focus, make him a valuable addition to any Cavalry-based army. Though he may face limitations against higher-tier heroes in the late game, his accessibility, speed, and burst damage potential ensure he remains a formidable hero, especially when paired strategically with the right units and talent choices.