Than Axe Max Damage

If you love seeing big numbers pop up on your screen with a huge "!" next to them, the Aspect of Thanatos was made for you.

The unique mechanic of Than axe is building Mortality to gain a Crit hit % chance on Omega Moves. What many players don't realize is that the Crit chance from Aspect of Thanatos actually applies to ALL Omega moves: Attack, Special, & Cast. I'll talk about how we'll use Omega Moves below.

For this build, we are focusing on max damage for Omega Attacks. However, it's important to remember that this Aspect also grants +40% Attack speed, so don't sleep on the standard Attack.

I've used this build for both speed and high fear runs.

Also, below the loadout builder, I'll briefly go over a few variations, and the pros/cons of each of the top 3 build options.

• You can find a couple run examples using Thanatos Axe at the bottom this guide.

Starting with Flutter Strike gives you the highest damage % boost, and is fastest way to quickly have a strong build. Rapture Ring is also really good with Axe builds because the CC buys you time for Omega channeling, and groups foes together to wipe them quickly.

Alternatively, you can opt for

• Sworn Strike if you'd prefer a Curse on Attack, and to have Born Gain in your pool.
• • Hera would be my preferred option at high fear because Hitch is extremely good at dealing with Vow of Hordes 3 & Vow of Wards 2.
• Nova Strike if you want to sacrifice max damage for increased AoE, have Lucid Gain in your pool, and high roll for Exceptional Talent. If you do manage to get Apollo's legendary, the damage numbers end up roughly the same as Flutter Strike, but at a heavily increased Magick cost.
• • I recommend an Aphrodite start because its much more consistent compared to hoping for a Legendary on your 4th+ Apollo Boon. With 10 Fates' rerolls, they are more equally viable.

Keepsakes

1. Beautiful Mirror
2. 1. The benefit of starting with Aphrodite's Keepsake is grab Flutter Strike in the first room, and rarify it. At minimum, you'll have a Rare Attack Boon for +100% damage. This applies to both standard and Omega Attacks. You'll tear through the first region no problem at this point.
2. Barley Sheaf
3. 1. I'd recommend targeting Demeter no matter if you are going for Nova Strike, Sworn Strike, or Flutter Strike. Look for Weed Killer to get a massive boost to your Omega Attacks. Ideally, you'll also get Arctic Ring, but Ice Flourish can be useful if you still need a curse for Origination (XIV).
3. Gorgon Amulet
4. 1. Athena is gonna be good in any run. Since this build uses Strength (XXIII), you'll be able to use her Keepsake.
4. Knuckle Bones
5. 1. The final Keepsake is up to you. Knuckle Bones is good for defense in the final fight. You could also go all in on Omega damage and grab Blackened Fleece. However, given the difficulty of both regions final boss, I'd only recommend this if you have either Psychic Whirlwind or Furious Whirlwind.

Arcana

Strength (XXIII), The Furies (VI), Origination (XIV), The Huntress (III), & Night (X) are all great for increasing your damage with Aspect of Thanatos.

• The Huntress (III) and Night (X) are usually going to be a one or the other situation. But if you feel confident to survive without Persistence (VII), you can free up 2 Grasp and invest in max damage potential.
• • Frinos is going to help make up for this sacrifice should you go for it.
• If you are doing a "At the Fates' Whim" run with the post-credits Keepsakes, then you can easily have these all selected.

Cast

Rapture Ring, Arctic Ring and Tidal Ring are the best Cast Boons for Aspect of Thanatos. Take the first two if you want an easier time channeling Omega Moves, and to be safer when dashing back in with the spinning blade.

Tidal Ring's Froth stacks great with with quick hits of the Omega Attack. Even the standard attack is decently fast, so if Poseidon is offered to you, his Cast is best for damage.

Special

Special Boon is the least important Boon. In fact, you don't need one, so only take one if it's convenient or the best option of what is offered to you.

Ice Flourish and Volcanic Flourish are good options because each has a long cooldown on their status effect. Freeze has a 10 second cooldown window where the same foe can't be frozen again. During those 10-seconds, Freeze still activates Origination (XIV).

Volcanic Flourish is just fun here, even if you have a Common Boon. Only use it when the Blast is ready.

Vicious Flourish opens up Grievous Blow and Mutual Destruction to stack Ares double damage on top of Crit chance from Aspect of Thanatos and Night (X). The double damage can be multiplied by Critical damage.

Rush

The two Rush Boons I'd recommend are Blinding Rush and Nexus Rush. Both have a lingering Curse and large AoE. Either of these paired with Psychic Whirlwind is crazy OP.

Gain

Because you are going to Omega Attack constantly, you'll need a good Magick Boon.

Born Gain, Lucid Gain, Tranquil Gain, & Flood Gain are all good options.

One I would stay away from is Glamour Gain. Your Magick DOES NOT refill while channeling Omega Moves. Therefore, if you are holding a loaded Omega Attack for the perfect moment, your Magick meter will be stuck.

Any of the Attack or Crit Chance Boons from Artemis are strong options here: Shadow Pounce, Lethal Snare, Pressure Points.

By far the best Hermes Boon is gonna be Success Rate. All crit damage and double damage % chance are multiplied by Success Rate's number. So an Epic level would boost Mortality Crit chance from 20% up to 30%.

Moreover, if you managed to get Ares Boons (discussed under Special) opr Artemis's Boons, Success Rate also boosts their % chance.

Combat Loop

There are two basic strategies you'll stick to with Aspect of Thanatos.

Standard Attacks

They are faster, and generally safer to use. You also need to land 10 strikes to build max Mortality. Since it resets every time you take damage, you'll likely need to cycle often.

Try to get used to positioning yourself at max range to hit foes. This will minimize their opportunity to damage you. You should also abuse the wide arc swing and focus on angling yourself so as to hit multiple foes with each swing.

Because the final chop is very slow, you should avoid using it unless you are 100% sure you know the targeted foe is in between attacks and cannot hurt you.

Here's my basic Zorephet combo:

1. Dash-Cast-Strike (One Dash)
2. standard Attack
3. Dash
4. 2nd Attack
5. Dash
6. 1. Pause (to reset combo) or
   2. Special (to reset combo) or
   3. Final Chop as a finisher

Omega Attacks

Sprint in, Drop Cast to ensnare foes in place, then Dash out. Immediately begin Channeling Omega Attack, and Dash back in with the spinning move!

• DO NOT let go of attack before you dash. You can just hold Attack, and press Dash in the direction you want to go, and Melinoë will automatically Dash-cancel.