Curse

Hephaestus Ram · Sep 26, 2014, 01:50 AM // 01:50

I know it's late in the game to bring this up, but I've been bothered by it ever since I started playing.

I've always wanted to play a hammer warrior because the "Ram" theme involves my in game character
name too. I really want to use the Ram's Hammer, but just can't justify giving up the stats on my
shield as a tradeoff for using a hammer. The hammer does more damage per hit, but it's slower, and
the mods don't seem to make up for the loss of an off hand.

I mostly PVE. What do y'all think?

**Marty Silverblade** · Sep 26, 2014, 04:54 AM // 04:54

-Losing the shield means you'll take 32% more damage from armor respecting sources, lose 30-45 max health and miss either -2 physical damage received or +10AL vs <damage type>.
-Raw hammer DPS is higher than sword or axe.

If you want to use a hammer, go ahead. Even if it was made entirely redundant by the other weapons (which it certainly isn't) you'd still be able to complete the content. PvE, for the most part, stopped being difficult a long time ago (ironically, I'd say normal mode is actually harder than hard mode - once you get SY, a rit and mesmer hero (maybe a necro or two) and so on, you'll be pretty much unstoppable).

PvP is a different matter. Afaik hammers are still as useful as they've always been.

Either way, there aren't really any 'issues' as such. Just jump in and enjoy.

**cosyfiep** · Sep 26, 2014, 08:22 AM // 08:22

There is always a trade off when you go from one handed to two handed, sometimes its worth it sometimes its not---

My hubby prefers being a hammer warrior than ax or sword because of knock down (which can be enhanced with an insignia).

If you like it, play it. (there are some really nice hammer skins too)

Zephyr of Light · Sep 26, 2014, 09:02 AM // 09:02

In pve, the lack of stats doesn't really matter that much, as any general team has party wide prots like an ST or some Form of Protection Prayers.
Which migitates damage recieved anyway to a certain point (Max 10% hp loss when hit)

If thats not the case, armor is far superiour over hp, so consider taking "I Am Unstoppable" with Soldiers Stance, or Dwarven Battle Stance (for permanent block or +40-64AL).

When RPing, i ran a hammer monk in HM backed up by prots ofc.

Bristlebane · Sep 26, 2014, 03:07 PM // 15:07

True, with an ST Shelter or similar in PvE it's just better to go all in on damage rather than defense. So bring an ST Shelter Rit go Stop! Hammer time.

The Eternal King · Sep 28, 2014, 06:08 PM // 18:08

What hammer build does alot of damage? Ive been using earthshaker but Im sure there are more builds which do alot more dmg!

**Marty Silverblade** · Sep 28, 2014, 10:43 PM // 22:43

Haven't played hammer in quite a while (got burned out on warrior after doing WoC) but your best bets would probably be Warrior's Endurance or Renewing Smash spam.

Cuilan · Sep 29, 2014, 10:20 PM // 22:20

I know you want to use hammer as damage, but sword and axe are where to go for damage. The attack rate for hammers is very slow. Earth Shaker is known for giving knock down spam, but that's not damage.

http://gwpvx.gamepedia.com/Build:W/any_PvE_Earth_Shaker
I have a W/P version that's a bit more fun and better if you ask.

Zahr Dalsk · Oct 11, 2014, 07:15 AM // 07:15

Earth Shaker + RS puts out wonderful damage and is great for taking down single targets really fast. The AoE knock down is really just an added bonus.

Throw in a Stonefist insignia and you basically go ES -> RSRSRSRS -> ES -> RSRSRSRS etc until everything's dead, which is very fast, and with the added advantage that your targets are also completely shut down while you work on them.

Sure, 100b is technically better, but I find ES+RS a lot more fun personally.

Although really, there's nothing about any of the Warrior's gameplay that isn't fun