The current wiki lists the Basic Axe as the reward for completing Adrian's task “Tentacle Cleanup.” It is not listed as a normal Mall Rat purchase. This guide does not invent the task's trigger, target count, or turn-in sequence because those details are not yet supported by two current sources.
The reliable part of the route.
- Find Adrian and follow the task line named Tentacle Cleanup.
- Complete the task and check the reward for the Basic Axe.
- If Adrian does not offer it yet, confirm your active tasks and current game version rather than following an unverified checklist.
Do not confuse the two early axes.
| Tool | Current documented source | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rusty Axe | Old Man Crawford, listed at 12g | Woodcutting level 1 |
| Basic Axe | Adrian's Tentacle Cleanup reward | Woodcutting level 2 |
Both the price and tool fields above come from the collaborative official wiki's Items revision. “Basic” is an upgrade tier, not a synonym for the first axe you can obtain.
What to record if the task does not appear.
Before assuming a bug, note the task names currently visible in your journal, whether you have already received an axe, and the version number on the title screen. Those three details distinguish a progression mismatch from advice written for another build.
This page will add a step-by-step route only when the trigger, objective, and hand-in have current, reproducible evidence.
Common wrong turns.
- Buying the Rusty Axe and expecting level 2. The Crawford purchase is the level-1 tool.
- Saving a quoted Mall Rat price for the Basic Axe. One third-party video contradicts itself about both the tool name and the price.
- Following a precise Tentacle Cleanup walkthrough without a version label. The current evidence does not support those extra steps.
Continue the tool chain.
Mining uses a different starter task and purchase route. See how to get the Basic Pickaxe, or return to the beginner guide.
Sources and revision notes.
Collaborative official wiki: Items revision 4483 for both axe tiers and their acquisition fields.
Current community checks: Steam discussion one and Steam discussion two.
Conflict policy: the contradictory third-party Mall Rat price claim is excluded.