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As with most entries in the Monster Hunter series, there are quite a few weapons to choose from in your monster slaying escapades. In the case ofMonster Hunter Wilds, the weapon count is up to 14, with every single weapon functioning extremely differently than the others, offering unique advantages and disadvantages to each.
One of those weapons is the Hammer, and it’s one of the harder-hitting options there is. While it might not be a particularly agile weapon, it does have one ability that allows you to perform a dodge. When timed well, the Hammer can make great use of opportunities; timed poorly, and you’re going to get clobbered.
You can see the specific Hammer controls for your platform by going into Settings > Info > Play Guide > Weapon Controls > Hammer.
Hammer Overview
The Hammer functions fairly simply; it bonks stuff very hard. Mechanically, there are a lot of things that branch off of this, but at face value, the Hammer is afairlyeasy-to-wield weapon.
Hammer Charge
In terms of mechanics, the Hammer doesn’t have anything too complicated;you can charge the Hammer,allowing you to unleash some high-damage attackswithout leading into them via a combo, and there’s a movement ability tied to that charge effect that we’ll detail below.
There arethree different levels to your Hammer charge:
You can still move at normal speed while charging your Hammer, with the exception of being able to sprint. When charging while moving down a moderately steep incline, your Hunter will slide down the incline while still charging the Hammer.
Charge Step
Charge Step is going to be one of your most used maneuvers. Whileholding your charge, you canpress your Standard Attack buttontododge in whatever direction you’re moving.
This is better than a standard dodge because itmaintains the charge you’ve built up on your Hammer. This means you can charge your Hammer, dodge an attack, and unleash a fully-charged attack without interruption.
For the Hammer, which is relatively slow-moving and immobile, this ability is a game-changer, and making use of it is going to increase your damage exponentially.
Thestrengths of the Hammerinclude:
Hammer Weaknesses
There aren’t too many weaknesses when it comes to the Hammer, but it is not going to be a weapon that everyone has a good time with.
Hammer Combos And Tips
There are quite a few Hammer combos, each with its own use cases.
Basic Combo
The Standard Attack with the Hammer unleashes anoverhand smash on the enemy; this can bechained twice, with thethird standard attack turning into an upswinginstead.
This combo willdeal significant damage in a short amount of time, but in terms of pure damage potential, it’s outshined by the next combo. This combo will be handy in specific situations where you need to place an upswing to disrupt a monster, butin many situations, it has a better alternative.
You’ll need to stand still for this weapon combo, otherwise the first attack is going to be a Side Smash, instead.
Big Bang
Big Bang is ahigher pure-damage combo than the Basic Combo, though it does come with some stipulations.
To use the Big Bang combo, press your Standard Attack button. you may chain this five times,each time unleashing a more powerful downward smash. The final hit is going to be split into three different damage numbers, with the final one being the biggest yet.
This is a bread-and-butter attack for the Hammer.
When you’re right on top of a monster with little chance to miss, this combo is going to really shine. Butmissing even one of these attacks is going to stop the combo entirely.
The Hammer does not have great reach, so you’llneed to stay close to the monsterfor this combo to get optimal use.
Charge Attacks
When charging your Hammer, you’ll have a few different attack options (aside from the Charge Step):
In terms of pure damage, Mighty Charge is one of the best options for the Hammer. When you get a free shot at an enemy, this is a great option.
Spinning Bludgeon
Spinning Bludgeon is an attack that canonly be performed as a follow-up to another attack, but you can perform it after any, including the quickest attack, Side Smash.
Spinning Bludgeon is thehighest risk and reward attack available to the Hammer. At its best, it canunleash a consistent chunk of damage and stun-buildupon a Monster, with the follow-up attack that comes out of the spin as a high-damage finisher to the combo- a different finisher depending on how many spins you’ve spun.
The issue with the Spinning Bludgeon is that itlocks you in an animation that is impossible to get out ofquickly. When timed poorly, a monster is going to be able to hit you with whatever attack it happens to be unleashing, and you’ll have no option but to take it.
Spinning Bludgeon isparticularly effective against groups of monsters, especially smaller monsters. This is going to keep every angle clear and deal lethal damage to multiple small monsters quickly.
