Great Hammer

Lore & Background

Forged in the smithies of the Empire, the Great Hammer is a weapon of brutal simplicity. Its thick, rectangular head is often reinforced with bands of steel and inscribed with the twin-tailed comet of Sigmar, a blessing against the corruption of Chaos. Unlike the elegant swords of the nobility, the Great Hammer is a tool of the common soldier, designed to crush armor and break the will of any foe that dares stand against the Reikland's defenders.

In the hands of a seasoned warrior like Kruber or Bardin, the Great Hammer becomes an extension of their unyielding resolve. Its weight demands a two-handed grip, but the payoff is a strike that can send a Stormvermin reeling or flatten a horde of Clanrats into paste. The weapon's power is not in its edge, but in its momentum—a true test of strength and timing for those who wield it.

Among the Ubersreik Five, the Great Hammer is often passed between those who can best handle its heft. Kruber favors it for its ability to punch through the front lines of a Skaven charge, while Bardin appreciates its reliability against the heavy armor of Chaos Warriors. It is a weapon that inspires fear in the enemy and confidence in its wielder, a blunt instrument of righteous fury.

In Their Own Story

Rain slicked the cobblestones of Ubersreik's market square into a mirror for the flames gnawing at a toppled cart. Kruber planted his boot on the corpse of a Clanrat, yanking the Great Hammer's head free with a wet, grinding sound. A pack of the vermin spilled from an alley, their red eyes like cinders in the dark.

'Come on, then,' he rumbled, voice flat as iron. The first rat lunged, and Kruber pivoted, the hammer tracing a lazy, terrible arc. The impact wasn't a crunch—it was a *thump* that shook the air, sending the creature cartwheeling into its kin. He reversed the swing, dropping the hammer's full weight into a downward smash that cracked a paving stone and painted the cracks red. The remaining Skaven froze, tails twitching, then scattered into the night. Kruber spat, wiped rain from his stubble, and grunted. 'Aye. Run tell your warlord what's comin'. Tell 'em it's heavy.'

Reader's Guide

The Great Hammer excels in two distinct roles: horde clearing and elite staggering. Its light attacks are wide sweeps ideal for thinning packed groups, while the charged overhead attack is a precision tool for cracking open Stormvermin, Chaos Warriors, and other armored threats.

For Kruber (Mercenary or Foot Knight), pair this with the 'Paced Strikes' talent to offset its slow attack speed. Bardin's Ironbreaker can use the hammer with 'Gromril Armor' to safely charge into dense crowds, while the Slayer's 'Leap' ability lets him close distance and deliver devastating overheads.

Key breakpoints to aim for: +Skaven/Armored properties to one-shot Clanrats on body hits and two-shot Stormvermin with charged attacks. The 'Swift Slaying' trait is a must for attack speed, while 'Off Balance' can boost team damage on staggered elites. Avoid using it against fast, spread-out enemies like Gutter Runners—your slow wind-up will leave you vulnerable.

Did You Know?

• The Great Hammer's charged attack can stagger a Chaos Warrior mid-swing, interrupting its attack animation.
• Bardin's version of the Great Hammer is slightly shorter but wider, reflecting Dwarf forging traditions.
• The weapon's 'Sigmar's Blessing' skin features a glowing comet motif, a nod to its use by the Empire's warrior priests.
• In the lore, Great Hammers are often wielded by Flagellants and Witch Hunters as symbols of penance and judgment.