In Diablo 4, one of the most coveted weapons for players seeking to wreak havoc in combat is The Butcher’s Cleaver, a powerful one-handed axe. With its unique affix tied to the Lucky Hit mechanic, this weapon can cripple enemies and instill fear, making it a Diablo IV Items must-have for those who favor aggressive, high-damage builds.

Key Features of The Butcher’s Cleaver

The Butcher's Cleaver isn’t just an ordinary weapon—it’s a game-changer for any class that can wield axes. Its special Lucky Hit affix activates on successful critical strikes, providing a guaranteed chance to instill Fear and Slow on enemies for up to four seconds. This dual effect cripples your target’s ability to retaliate, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks and crowd control. The added Fear can send enemies fleeing, allowing you to mop up stragglers or control the battlefield with ruthless efficiency.

Best Classes for The Butcher’s Cleaver

While any player can admire the power of the Cleaver, it’s best suited for Druids and Barbarians, the only two classes in Diablo 4 proficient in wielding axes. These classes have the toolkit necessary to maximize the weapon’s potential, especially by triggering critical strikes and enhancing Lucky Hit chances.

Barbarians benefit from their raw physical damage and critical strike synergy. While the Butcher’s Cleaver pairs well with their Whirlwind and Rend builds, Druids can take the weapon even further with their unique abilities.

Druids, especially with Primal Landslide and Supreme Lacerate, can trigger guaranteed critical strikes, allowing them to consistently activate the Cleaver’s Lucky Hit. Using Primal Landslide to stun or immobilize enemies ensures the activation of a Terramote, which is a key to unlocking the weapon’s full potential. By combining Petrify to keep enemies still and Supreme Lacerate for guaranteed critical hits, Druids can inflict massive damage and control enemies.

Additionally, the Predatory Instinct passive skill boosts critical strike chances against nearby enemies by 2%, offering a slight but useful increase to triggering the weapon’s effects, especially in close-quarters combat.

Acquiring The Butcher's Cleaver

The Butcher's Cleaver can be obtained by defeating The Butcher, a random world boss NPC who appears in various locations across different World Tiers. Unlike some of the game’s more difficult items, the Butcher’s Cleaver has the advantage of being available even in World Tiers 1 and 2, meaning players can wield its power earlier than most other high-tier unique items. Its accessibility makes it a desirable item for players looking to dominate their foes right from the early stages of the game.

Conclusion

For any Druid or Barbarian looking to take their combat to cheap diablo 4 gear the next level, The Butcher’s Cleaver is a deadly asset. The weapon’s ability to trigger Fear and Slow with each critical strike is invaluable for controlling the flow of battle and leaving your enemies in disarray. Whether you're unleashing devastation with Landslide or spinning through hordes with a Barbarian's Whirlwind, this one-handed axe is an essential tool for those who seek to carve a bloody path through Sanctuary.