Axe in Project Zomboid (Build 42)
Axe is a Combat - Melee skill. Taking it from 0 to 10 costs 32,775 XP before multipliers; the Lumberjack occupation starts with 2 levels, and it unlocks 15 recipes.
From the Build 42 dedicated server's files (depot manifest of 23 Sept 2026).
XP for each level
Level 10 alone costs 9,000 XP — 27% of the total.
XP needed for each level
| Level | XP for this level | Total XP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75 | 75 |
| 2 | 150 | 225 |
| 3 | 300 | 525 |
| 4 | 750 | 1,275 |
| 5 | 1,500 | 2,775 |
| 6 | 3,000 | 5,775 |
| 7 | 4,500 | 10,275 |
| 8 | 6,000 | 16,275 |
| 9 | 7,500 | 23,775 |
| 10 | 9,000 | 32,775 |
What you actually earn is scaled first. Starting with no levels in Axe cuts every gain to ×0.25; a starting +1 is ×1, +2 ×1.33 and +3 or more ×1.66. Fast Learner adds ×1.3, Slow Learner ×0.7. How the multipliers work.
Start with Axe
Levels a new character gets in Axe — and, through them, a faster XP rate (see above):
- Lumberjackoccupation · +2
- Firefighteroccupation · +1
Brawlertrait · +1
Recipes you learn by levelling Axe
Reaching the level teaches the recipe — no magazine needed.
- Lv 1Carve Bone War Hatchet Head
- Lv 1
Make Jawbone Axe - Lv 4
Make Railspike Iron Pipe - Lv 4
Make Railspike Large Handle - Lv 4Make Railspike Weapon
- Lv 5
Make Railspike Baseball Bat - Lv 6Make Brake Disc Weapon
- Lv 7
Make Railspike Cudgel - Lv 7
Make Sawblade Large Handle - Lv 7
Make Sawblade Plank - Lv 7Make Sawblade Wooden Bat
- Lv 8Make Garden Fork Head Weapon
- Lv 8
Make Sawblade Cudgel - Lv 8
Make Sawblade Table Leg - Lv 9
Make Spade Head Cudgel
More skills
Pictures: item and trait icons and the health-panel figure are The Indie Stone's game art; item renders and shop signs are from PZwiki (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0).
Project Zomboid is a game by The Indie Stone. PinDrop is fan-made and not affiliated with The Indie Stone.