SLAAAAAAAANDDERRRRR!!!!

Battle axes are a sidegrade, not a downgrade. Although they get replaced in many scenarios in terms of raw dps, Id say you wouldn't be using the weapon correctly. Its basically the atgeir inverted; Slow, area main attack and a Fast, jab special. You ideally use it against swarmy enemies with a large stagger threshold. Otherwise, you'd be using either a sword or a sledge hammer.

Id also like to counterclaim the "atgeir better" argument. Atgeir is in my eyes more fit for the big beefy enemies, and in most cases, the ones with LOW stagger thresholds. Its secondary attack is more directed at giving you space when you get crowded on because thats what this weapon suffers in: Crowd Control. Its secondary can build some distance and setup attacks, but if you are in a group of 6-7 seekers with a himmin afl/krom (first of all, how) you may scrape away with one or two kills before getting impaled to death by the mandibles of the norse antlion. In the situation of the battle axe (gonna switch the scenario since there isnt a mistlands tier b.axe) A small crowd of fulings or wolves will get knocked back enough for you to recover for a followup attack or to reposition. As mentioned, this isn't diss against the atgeir, this is sidegrade talk.

I think the battle axe fits its niche, and a rework isn't necessary. A buff, however, we can talk about that. It needs a bit more force behind it so it can play a little more into its strengths, and be a little more viable for area clearing.