The Elementium Poleaxe is a crafted weapon in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm that holds significant value for players looking to enhance their combat effectiveness during mid-to-late leveling and early gearing phases. Designed by Blacksmiths using high-level Cataclysm materials, the Elementium Poleaxe strikes a balance between accessibility and power, making it a popular choice among Warriors, Death Knights, and Paladins who prefer two-handed weapons. As with many items in WoW, its importance goes beyond just stats it’s a part of the game’s intricate economy, crafting system, and PvE gearing path, especially during the Cataclysm expansion era.
Overview of the Elementium Poleaxe
Weapon Type and Item Level
The Elementium Poleaxe is a two-handed polearm introduced in the Cataclysm expansion. It features an item level of 333, which makes it a solid choice for players at level 85 gearing up for Heroics or preparing for early raid content like Blackwing Descent or Bastion of Twilight.
It offers a good mix of Strength and secondary stats such as Critical Strike and Haste, depending on the version crafted or upgraded. While not the strongest weapon available at level cap, it’s reliable and usually much easier to obtain compared to raid drops.
Crafting Profession: Blacksmithing
The Elementium Poleaxe is crafted by players who have leveled their Blacksmithing skill to at least 500. It is one of the many weapons introduced in the Cataclysm crafting tree, and crafting it requires a significant amount of resources, making it valuable both as a usable item and as a sellable product on the Auction House.
Crafting Materials and Requirements
Materials Needed
To craft the Elementium Poleaxe, players will need the following:
- 12 x Hardened Elementium Bar
- 6 x Truegold
- 4 x Chaos Orb
Each of these materials requires effort to obtain, particularly Truegold and Chaos Orbs, which were high-demand items during Cataclysm’s prime. Truegold is created via Transmutation by Alchemists and has a daily cooldown, while Chaos Orbs are bind-on-pickup materials that drop from Heroic dungeon bosses, meaning the crafter must personally earn them.
Hardened Elementium Bars
These are created by smelting Elementium Bars and Volatile Earth at a forge. Farming these components takes time, and their demand often keeps market prices high. Blacksmiths often prepare ahead of time by stockpiling ore while leveling through zones like Deepholm and Twilight Highlands.
Truegold and Market Value
Truegold was one of the most valuable materials in Cataclysm due to its use in numerous epic crafts. It requires:
- 1 x Pyrium Bar
- 3 x Volatile Fire
- 3 x Volatile Air
- 3 x Volatile Water
Each of these volatiles can be farmed or purchased, but combined with the cooldown, Truegold can become a bottleneck in production. As a result, the Elementium Poleaxe tends to carry a premium on the Auction House.
Ideal Classes and Specs
Who Should Use the Elementium Poleaxe?
The weapon is best suited for strength-based classes that benefit from two-handed weapons. The following specs can make good use of it:
- Arms and Fury Warriors Especially useful while leveling or prepping for raids.
- Retribution Paladins Works well before acquiring epic gear.
- Unholy and Frost Death Knights A solid early endgame option.
Hunters may technically equip polearms, but because this one is strength-based, it offers little to no value for them.
Usage in PvE Content
Dungeon and Heroic Preparation
The Elementium Poleaxe shines as a stepping stone between questing gear and Heroic dungeon loot. When players hit level 85, they need a minimum item level to queue for Heroic dungeons. Equipping this weapon can significantly help meet that threshold.
Its stats also provide a good DPS boost in early dungeons like Halls of Origination, Grim Batol, and Vortex Pinnacle. For players not lucky enough to get a strong weapon drop immediately, the Elementium Poleaxe offers reliable damage output in both trash pulls and boss fights.
Early Raiding Option
While not ideal for long-term progression, the poleaxe remains useful for early raids if better weapons haven’t dropped yet. It’s particularly handy for alt characters or for players in smaller guilds who need a temporary boost in weapon strength before transitioning into raid-quality gear like Reclaimed Ashkandi or Akirus the Worm-Breaker.
Auction House and Economy Impact
Player Demand and Pricing
The Elementium Poleaxe often sees high demand in the early stages of Cataclysm progression or on fresh realms. New players and alts looking for fast gear upgrades are willing to pay well for a powerful weapon that requires no dungeon farming or RNG.
Pricing typically depends on the current market value of Truegold and Chaos Orbs. In some cases, crafters may charge extra for the orbs since they’re bound on pickup and require time investment from the crafter themselves. Expect prices to fluctuate widely based on supply and realm economy.
Profit Potential for Blacksmiths
Skilled Blacksmiths can turn a tidy profit by producing and selling the Elementium Poleaxe, especially early in an expansion cycle or after server resets. Players with access to guilds or friends who provide orbs may have a distinct advantage in profit margins.
Because the weapon is tradeable (aside from the Chaos Orbs), it’s one of the few higher-quality crafted items that can be monetized without binding upon creation making it a worthwhile addition to any Blacksmith’s portfolio.
Alternatives and Comparisons
Comparable Weapons
While the Elementium Poleaxe is strong, players might consider other weapons in the same item level range. Alternatives include:
- Wild Hammer A quest reward from Twilight Highlands.
- Reforged Trollbane A drop from Grim Batol bosses.
- Foe Reaper A crafted weapon with different stat allocation.
However, what makes the Elementium Poleaxe stand out is its reliable crafting availability and well-balanced stat profile, especially for strength-using classes.
The Elementium Poleaxe is a fine example of Cataclysm’s crafting philosophy powerful, practical, and valuable for both players and crafters. It serves not only as a gear upgrade but also as a crucial link in the gearing chain for freshly capped characters. With its balance of power, availability, and economic value, the poleaxe remains one of the more memorable crafted weapons of its time. Whether you’re looking to optimize your performance or profit from the bustling economy, the Elementium Poleaxe is a worthwhile investment for any adventurer in the world of Azeroth.