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Weapon file / Age of Sigmar

Tempest Axes

Weapon 路 Melee area damage

Tempest Axes are the October demo’s benchmark evolution weapon. Neave’s whirling melee covers a circle, Sabaton keeps her moving, and Whirlwind Axes adds lightning to the same pattern.

Checked 1 November 20267 minUnofficial guide
Warhammer Survivors gameplay context for Tempest Axes
Official gameplay context from Auroch Digital.
On this page4 sections

Confirmed behaviour

Neave Blacktalon begins the October demo with Tempest Axes. Her combat identity is a torrent of whirling axe swings; IGN’s hands-on describes the axes evolving into Whirlwind Axes after choosing and levelling Sabaton. The evolved form adds arcing lightning to the melee pattern.

The pairing is press-tested, which makes it stronger evidence than a community table. The exact level threshold and the universal chest rule still are not published. Treat the route as confirmed in direction, not as a precise recipe with numbers.

  • Universe: Age of Sigmar.
  • Confirmed wielder: Neave Blacktalon.
  • Confirmed evolution: Whirlwind Axes.
  • Press-tested companion: Sabaton.
  • Demo status: playable in the October demo.

Sabaton and the lightning form

Sabaton is a movement passive. It improves the exact thing the axes need: staying in the pocket long enough for the next swing. The Whirlwind Axes form adds lightning, which extends the visual and damage coverage without changing the core movement pattern.

The reported general trigger is a maxed weapon plus a boss chest. If the evolution does not fire, check that Tempest Axes is fully upgraded and that Sabaton is held. The community report is not a guaranteed universal rule; the launch build may change the gate.

Evidence level: the pairing was tested by IGN. Exact level and chest requirements are not confirmed.

How to use it

Fight in a broad circle and cut across the front edge of the pack. The axes meet the enemies following you rather than the ones already behind you. Use Sabaton to widen the circle when a pack is about to close, not to sprint through the middle of it.

Against Skaven, keep the circle perpendicular to a Vermintide line. Against ranged specialists, break the orbit and cross the arena. The axes are contact-based; the challenge is bringing the fight to you without letting it surround you.

  • Keep the pack in the path of the next arc.
  • Do not reverse into the horde to finish an elite.
  • Use the movement passive to maintain the circle, not to escape it permanently.
  • After the evolution, keep investing in the axes.

Build and users

Neave is the confirmed user. The Neave dossier covers her positioning, and the Tempest Storm build lists the demo upgrade order. The tier list explains why this is one of our two S-tier demo weapons.

Pre-launch note. Values and evolution triggers can change before 10 November 2026. Community pairings are labelled and should be verified in the launch build. See the update log for newer information.

Sources and evidence

Editorial method

Official claims, press observations and community reports are kept separate. Where Auroch has not published a value, this guide says so instead of filling the gap.

Continue the dossier

Wielder dossierNeave Blacktalon build and playstyleA Stormcast Eternal who fights in a torrent of whirling axe swings. Pair Tempest Axes with Sabaton and you have the demo’s clearest evolution lesson.Evolution indexFind the complete recipeSearch the reported pairings, official evolution names and unannounced prerequisites.Build routeTurn this weapon into a run planCompare demo loadouts and use the run planner to check a champion and companion.ArsenalBack to the weapons indexFilter all named weapons, evolutions and passives by universe and evidence.