Conquering the Goblin Axeman in Dark and Darker

In the unforgiving world of Dark and Darker, survival hinges on more than just brute strength—you need timing, strategy, and a deep understanding of your enemies. One of the most formidable foes in the Goblin Caves is the Goblin Axeman, a relentless melee combatant capable of tearing through unprepared adventurers in seconds. Whether you're dungeon crawling for rare Dark and Darker Items or trying to amass a pile of Dark and Darker Gold, knowing how to take down this enemy is essential.

Let's break down this deadly opponent and learn how to avoid a swift end at the edge of his axe.

Meet the Goblin Axeman

The Goblin Axeman is a heavy-hitting enemy encountered deep within the Goblin Caves. Unlike his ranged counterparts, this goblin specializes in brutal melee attacks that come in fast and leave little room for mistakes. He has a strong presence and often guards valuable loot, including chests stocked with sought-after Dark and Darker Items.

There are three known variants of the Goblin Axeman:

    Normal

    Elite

    Nightmare

Each version increases in lethality, so understanding their attack patterns and behavior is key to coming out alive—and rich.

Normal Goblin Axeman

The normal Goblin Axeman features a two-part attack pattern that can catch players off guard if they aren't paying attention. His first move is a diagonal slash, swinging from high-right to low-left (from his point of view). This is followed, sometimes immediately, by a second diagonal slash that mirrors the first: high-left to low-right.

Though simple on paper, these strikes are deceptively fast and can stagger or kill lightly armored characters.

How to Counter:

    Watch the wind-up: His attacks are telegraphed but quick—don't wait too long to move.

    Bait and dodge: The safest approach is to bait the first attack, strafe or backpedal to avoid it, then punish before he resets.

    Time your counters: Don't get greedy. One or two strikes between his swings is safer than overcommitting and eating an axe to the face.

Defeating this version often rewards you with modest Dark and Darker Gold and basic gear, making it a decent early-game farming option.

Elite Goblin Axeman

The Elite Goblin Axeman looks and feels similar to the normal variant but comes supercharged with higher damage, faster swing speed, and greater health. He's much less forgiving and is usually found in more dangerous zones of the Goblin Caves, typically guarding better loot or rare Dark and Darker Items.

How to Counter:

    Be quicker on the dodge: His swing speed means you'll need faster reaction times.

    Stick and move: Land a hit or two after dodging, then back out—this version punishes prolonged engagements.

    Use the environment: Tight corridors can work to your advantage; bait him around corners or through chokepoints to limit his mobility.

Elite Axemen are great for players hunting mid-tier Dark and Darker Items and farming a good stash of Dark and Darker Gold per run.

Nightmare Goblin Axeman

The Nightmare Goblin Axeman is the pinnacle of goblin brute force. He features massively increased health, faster action and movement speed, and higher damage output than any other variant. To make things even worse, he introduces a third attack into his combo—a horizontal slash from right to left (his POV). This triple-combo can shred even the most well-armored adventurer in seconds if not handled properly.

How to Counter:

    Recognize the pattern: Bait out the first two diagonal attacks. If he doesn't reset after the second, immediately prepare to dodge the third.

    Strafe and punish: Circle around him rather than backpedaling—this gives you better positioning and control.

    Bring support or crowd control: If you're not confident solo, bring a teammate with CC abilities or ranged DPS to wear him down from a distance.

Nightmare Goblin Axemen are usually found in endgame areas rich with high-value loot. They guard some of the rarest Dark and Darker Items and drop hefty amounts of Dark and Darker Gold, making them high-risk but extremely rewarding foes.

Farming Tips for Goblin Axemen

If you're planning to farm these enemies regularly for profit or gear upgrades, here are some extra tips:

    Gear Up: Before venturing into Nightmare-level dungeons, spend some of your Dark and Darker Gold on upgraded armor, poison resistance, or potions.

    Clear the Area First: Goblin Axemen are often accompanied by other enemies. Clear them first to avoid being overwhelmed mid-fight.

    Use Verticality: When possible, take the high ground or use terrain to control his pathing and limit his swing opportunities.

    Run Light: Axemen are slow between attacks, so lighter builds can kite them effectively, especially when paired with ranged damage or magic.

Final Thoughts

The Goblin Axeman is one of the most iconic enemies in Dark and Darker, not just because of his strength, but because of how much he tests your skills and patience. Whether you're farming for rare Dark and Darker Items, trying to stack up some Dark and Darker Gold, or just exploring the depths of the Goblin Caves, mastering your encounters with this foe is vital.

So gear up, study his moves, and step into the shadows of the cave with confidence. Every swing you dodge brings you closer to victory—and treasure.