Why take power axes over power fist?

[xxxxDMANxxxx]

I have tried to understand the reason someone would take a power axe over a power fist. They both drop your int to 1. One only gives you +2 str the other doubles your str which will more than likely instant death most things and ignore most FNP rolls. So if someone could help me understand I would greatly appreciate it.

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

It's cheaper, and you'll have +1 attack since Axes aren't a Specialist Weapon.

Plus, since Imperial Guard with a Power Axe are only 2S weaker than a Guardsman with a Power Fist, I'm thinking that Power Axes will make Power Fists even rarer in Guard armies.

Edit: Whoops, yeah, the Axe is only +1S, got it mixed up with the Maul. The jump of S3 to 4, or 4 to 5, makes a pretty significant difference, so still pretty useful

[Learn2Eel]

I thought an axe was +1 strength?
In any case, axes are cheaper and often (if modeled that way) come free with the cost of a model. I.e if you really wanted to you could model Howling Banshees with them, they get power weapons standard. Chaos Terminators also get them in the kit, included in their cost.

[Archon Charybdis]

Yeah, Tiberius beat me to it, but it's really simple. Cheaper, and +1 attack.

[xxxxDMANxxxx]

Sorry for the mix up on the str. I didn't think about the extra attack. Thanks

[faolan]

As summed up above: cheaper, extra attack.

Not mentioned, and far more important: looks a LOT better.

[PaD]

On a not completely unrelated topic - would it be acceptable to say that my Necron Lychguard had power axes? The hyperphase sword is a power weapon, but it looks much more like an axe to my mind, and I would be quite happy going from I2 to I1 to gain the extra strength. Just wondered how other players would feel about it?

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

Apparently in the Necron e-dex it specifically states they're Power Swords. I assume that'll be added to the next Necrons errata.

[Wolfshade]

Because power axes look cooler. Consider this would Dante look half as cool if he had a pfist?

[RGilbert26]

PaD, no they aren't axes, the name clearly tells you what they are.

[Learn2Eel]

Apparently in the Necron e-dex it specifically states they're Power Swords. I assume that'll be added to the next Necrons errata.

This. In the printed codex if it only says 'power weapon' then technically the answer is yes, but it is pretty a large stretch and would be viewed only as rules abuse. Considering they are called swords and it was a codex written for 6th they should be used as such.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

If they wanted to be ambiguous it would be Hyperphase Blades/Weapons, not Hyperphase Swords.

[Learn2Eel]

Pretty much. Unfortunately some people will look at the rules for the weapon and say "it only says power weapon, oh ok I can make them axes now which are even better!".