Diablo 4 Season 9 has unleashed a new wave of powerful Uniques, but few weapons have caught players’ attention like the Ashen Reaver’s Cleaver. This brutal two-handed axe channels raw infernal energy and Diablo IV gold turns your Barbarian or Druid into a whirlwind of devastation. If you’re aiming to dominate the new Malignant Depths or tackle the Scourge of Hatred Uber Boss, mastering this Cleaver could be the edge you need. This guide will show you how to farm it, how it works, and how to build around it for maximum carnage.

What is the Ashen Reaver’s Cleaver?

The Ashen Reaver’s Cleaver is a Season 9 Unique Two-Handed Axe, designed primarily for high-burst melee classes like Barbarians and shapeshifting Druids. Its key draw is its unique effect:

Unique Effect: Critical Strikes have a high chance to ignite enemies, dealing 50% of the hit’s damage as Fire over 3 seconds. Enemies killed while burning explode, spreading the burn to nearby foes.

This effect synergizes perfectly with high-crit, bleed, or fire-based builds, making it one of the strongest AoE weapons this season.

How to Obtain the Ashen Reaver’s Cleaver

Like most powerful Uniques in Diablo 4, the Cleaver is tied to high-tier endgame activities. Here’s where and how to farm it efficiently:

1. Target the Right Bosses

The Cleaver has an increased drop rate from two Season 9 bosses:

The Scourge of Hatred (Uber Boss): This new boss drops exclusive Uniques, including the Cleaver. You’ll need the Infernal Sigil to summon it in the Malignant Depths.

Tormented Ashen Revenant: A new elite world boss that spawns in Ashen Wastes every few hours. Defeating it solo is tough, so join a group.

2. Farm High-Tier Nightmare Dungeons

Nightmare Dungeons at Tier 50+ have a small chance to drop Season 9 Uniques. The higher the Tier, the better the odds. Look for dungeons with “Increased Unique Drop Chance” modifiers if they’re available that week.

3. Take Advantage of Helltide Events

Helltides in Ashen Wastes are another good farming spot. Focus on Tortured Gift chests, especially the Weapon and Mystery chests. These have a chance to contain high-end Uniques, including the Cleaver.

4. Trade with Other Players

If RNG hates you, keep an eye on trading hubs or Discord communities. Season 9 still allows trading for most Uniques, and many players farm multiple Cleavers to sell or trade for runes, gold, or other gear.

Best Builds for the Cleaver

Once you have the Cleaver, you’ll want to build around its explosive burn mechanic. Here are two top builds to maximize its power.

1. Barbarian – Ashen Whirlwind Bleed

Core Idea: Stack high crit chance, Whirlwind, and bleed damage. The Cleaver’s burn explosions amplify your AoE clear.

Key Skills: Whirlwind, Rupture, Wrath of the Berserker.

Aspects to Pair: Aspect of the Dire Whirlwind (increase Whirlwind crit chance), Skullbreaker’s Aspect (Bleeds deal more damage on crits).

Stats to Prioritize: Crit Chance, Crit Damage, Bleed Damage, Attack Speed.

The synergy between constant crits and the Cleaver’s ignite-explode effect clears elite packs fast, while Rupture helps chunk bosses.

2. Druid – Infernal Werebear

Core Idea: Use Pulverize and Maul to deliver huge crits, igniting mobs and spreading fire explosions.

Key Skills: Pulverize, Maul, Earthen Bulwark for survivability.

Aspects to Pair: Aspect of Ursine Horror (Pulverize now also burns enemies), Aspect of Rampaging Beast (Maul damage boost).

Stats to Prioritize: Crit Chance, Overpower Damage, Fire Damage, Fortify generation.

The Cleaver’s burning explosions turn your bear into a mobile bomb, perfect for clearing tightly packed Nightmare Dungeon mobs.

Tips for Mastering the Cleaver

Keep your crit chance high: The Cleaver’s unique power hinges on frequent crits. Prioritize Crit Chance and Crit Damage on gear and Paragon nodes.

Stack Fire or Burn Damage: Any way you can amplify burn damage — through Paragon Glyphs, aspects, or gear rolls — will scale the Cleaver’s explosions.

Pair it with Burn Aspects: Look for Legendary Aspects that increase burning or DoT damage. For Druids, aspects that turn physical skills into fire damage are especially strong.

Don’t ignore Survivability: The Cleaver’s AoE is great, but cheap Diablo IV gold big packs can still overwhelm you. Balance your offense with damage reduction or life steal affixes.

Closing Thoughts

The Ashen Reaver’s Cleaver isn’t just a flashy new toy — it’s a build-defining powerhouse that can melt endgame content when paired with the right setup. Whether you’re a Barbarian spinning through Helltides or a Druid mauling bosses in the Depths, this weapon rewards smart crit stacking and aggressive play.

So light up the battlefield, farm wisely, and let your enemies burn in your wake. Happy hunting, Nephalem!