How to Unlock and Upgrade the Axe: Melee Weapons

Learn how to get the Axe melee weapon in Saints Row (2022) from Friendly Fire stores and how to upgrade it through its three tiers for increased damage and bleed.

Alright, so you wanna get your hands on the Axe in Saints Row? It's a pretty solid melee option, and thankfully, it's not too hard to snag. You can grab it from any Friendly Fire location in Santo Ileso. It'll only cost you $100, and you can pick it up right after you finish the 'Making Rent' mission. Easy peasy!

Now, like most weapons in the game, the Axe can be upgraded a few times to make it even more brutal. You'll need to be at certain levels to unlock these upgrades:

• Level 5: Tier 1 upgrade for $5,000.
• Level 10: Tier 2 upgrade for $25,000.
• Level 15: Tier 3 upgrade (max level) for $100,000.

These upgrades will boost its Damage and Bleed Damage, making those hits way more impactful.

But the real fun comes with the Axe's Signature Ability, called Bloodsucker. This bad boy lets you 'Gain a small amount of health every time you hit an enemy.' Pretty sweet, right? You can't buy this one; you gotta earn it. The condition is to 'Kill 15 enemies from behind with a regular attack.'

Getting those back attacks can be a bit of a dance. Sometimes enemies will stagger and turn when you hit them, but a good way to set yourself up is to start a fight with the cops or a rival gang. They'll be busy with each other, giving you plenty of chances to sneak up on distracted foes. If things get hairy, you can always call allies to help draw their attention.

Pro-Tip: If you're finding it tough to get those 15 backstabs, don't sweat it. Lowering the game's difficulty can make this grind a lot smoother. You can also repeatedly summon rival gangs by leaving negative reviews via @TCHA Side Hustles – it's a reliable way to get more enemies to fight and practice those stealthy takedowns.

Once you've met the unlock condition, you can activate Bloodsucker by visiting a Friendly Fire store or using the armory at your HQ. You can even toggle it off if you decide you don't want the life leech active all the time.