Why does no-one use hammers?? - Guild Wars Forums

JediKnight · Feb 22, 2006, 01:44 PM // 13:44

I have a Warrior in pre-searing (lvl 9, just about to go Charr hunting).

Thing is I use a hammer & have noticed that no-one seems to like hammers.

Why not, ok I know you lose upto 16AL coz of the shield but you gain +13 max dmg (in fact max dmg hammer base is only 3 less than max dmg sword top)

Any other reasons??? I am not interested in farming.

Former Ruling · Feb 22, 2006, 01:48 PM // 13:48

Hammers aren't effective skill wise until later in the game.

In Pre-searing you just don't compare dmg wise with Swords. because swords already have condition skills, and axes have a AoE skill.

in Post - people still dont use hammers because hammer skills are really one minded - Knockdown. And thats not to terribly effective against monsters...the Speed advantage of Sword/axe just out-dmgs it in the long run.

In PvP now..hammers are a common weapon. Knockdown owns monks.

xxSilhouette · Feb 22, 2006, 01:54 PM // 13:54

I'm not much for hammers myself, Just don't like how they look.

But everytime i get a really good drop it seems to be a hammer - and I always have trouble selling it

fiery · Feb 22, 2006, 02:37 PM // 14:37

Well hammers have slow damage but packs a big blow if you can pull off a good combo.

striderkaaru · Feb 22, 2006, 02:51 PM // 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxSilhouette

But everytime i get a really good drop it seems to be a hammer - and I always have trouble selling it

i'll take those off your hands. =P

anyway, there are 2 main reasons why hammers aren't as prevalent in pve. one has already been mentioned, and that is the fact that most good hammer skills don't become available till later in the game. i use a hammer for pve every once in a while, but i did not start doing it until after ascension, when i had more options for skills.

the second reason is the fact that pve is centered on a warrior's job tanking mobs of enemies. losing the 16 al and possible damage reduction from a shield is a big deal to some people. also, swords and axes have skills that can damage multiple enemies (cyclone axe and hundred blades) and are good for spiking down single targets with their attacks, while hammers are more for focusing on locking a single target. some people are also turned off by the slower attack speed.

Skuld · Feb 22, 2006, 02:53 PM // 14:53

I haven't got round to it, thats my excuse, same with swords

Jetdoc · Feb 22, 2006, 02:58 PM // 14:58

I agree that in PvE, Hammers are less prevalent because of:

1. The lack of a shield, which can provide 16 armor, -2 damage AND give up to 45 health. That's invaluable, especially if you're soloing.

2. The use of swords, especially with riposte and deadly riposte.

3. The use of axes, especially given their ability to bring down a target quickly.

In PvP, Hammers really only face competition from #3, because of the normal instinct to "attack warriors last" in PvP. The armor/health bonus has a rather minimal effect in PvP until it's too late, and the ability to spike is generally outweighed by the ability to knock a caster down and keep him down, effectively neutralizing one of the opposing forces (especially when combined with Gale, etc).

Maxiemonster · Feb 22, 2006, 03:47 PM // 15:47

An E/W Hammer build is strong against short range AOE Damage, but very hard to time, and not effective in PvP against teams that know how to spread decently. W/? Hammer builds aren't that great in my opinion, they're just aren't quick enough. Hammer should have real spikes, it's slow, but doesn't deal enough damage to give up the shield and speed.

LordMahal · Feb 23, 2006, 05:55 AM // 05:55

Axe has cyclone, sword hundred blades... and hammers have a multiple target attack to. That was not a good excuse. But, Id have to agree that my axe is more effective. I only use a hammer if Im messing around.

purebad · Feb 23, 2006, 06:52 AM // 06:52

personally, I started as a sword, now im into axes(best for solofarming), and now I want to switch to hammer, but realize that I havent come across many hammers that peek my interest. I mean i havent seen a hammer that had good enough mods to make me want to use it

Zirv · Feb 23, 2006, 07:32 AM // 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxiemonster

Hammer should have real spikes, it's slow, but doesn't deal enough damage to give up the shield and speed.

Its clear that you haven't played enouth with hammers ^^ If you do it well you can kill any caster or ranger class in 1 spike. for example: W/E with Irrisistable Blow, Hammer Bash, Devistating Hammer and Aftershock.
Use Berserker stance tu build up adrenaline, so you'll be able to knock down within 3-4 seconds, use Devistating hammer, Aftershock, Hammerbash and Irrisistable Blow. *poof* and your necro is dead.

Nothing is harder for monks and other casters then a knockdown-aftershockwarrior

tafy69 · Feb 23, 2006, 08:20 AM // 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zirv

Its clear that you haven't played enouth with hammers ^^ If you do it well you can kill any caster or ranger class in 1 spike. for example: W/E with Irrisistable Blow, Hammer Bash, Devistating Hammer and Aftershock.
Use Berserker stance tu build up adrenaline, so you'll be able to knock down within 3-4 seconds, use Devistating hammer, Aftershock, Hammerbash and Irrisistable Blow. *poof* and your necro is dead.

Nothing is harder for monks and other casters then a knockdown-aftershockwarrior

Please dont use that combo, crushing blow owns the hell out of aftershock

Zirv · Feb 23, 2006, 08:27 AM // 08:27

yeah oke agreed, also possible ^^

Renegade ++RIP++ · Feb 23, 2006, 09:19 AM // 09:19

I like hammers, but consider them to be more or less ineffective in pve, although since the insurection of galewarriors the same can be stated for pvp.

Most times i'm landing my first knockdown when all the mobs are nearly dead. If some of those adrenaline skills were a tad better or recharge a tad faster it would be a bit better. Since at the moment a bunnythumper(r/w) is better then any w/x hammerwarrior, just because it can more quickly spam attacks.

Heck i wouldn't mind seeing all the mods being double as effective on hammers. Since we all know that they are freaking slow, you lose the shield and the extra reduction in dmg and the extra health. So i still wonder why there aren't any grips of fortitude that give like 60 health maxwise or furious mods that give an extra strike in 40% of the cases. A zealous mod that gives 2 energy on every strike and reduces your regen with 1. Heck dmg mods of 30 - 40% vs a certain mobtype. Although my numbers might be a tad over the top, but it was just there as an indication of the idea.

It would at least make hammers more used and usuable. In stead of only as flukes or flavorbuilds.

Heck backbreaker needs to be fixed, earthshaker needs to not have to hit to be effective and lose reduce adrenalineneed with 1 pip. Devestating hammer is allright. Concussion blow or whatever its called needs to apply dazed on hit not if depending on spell being cast. Dazed is to easilly countered by monks to be of any real use on a skill that has a double to tripple dependency, namely having adrenaline build up, catching up to them and catching them in mid spell. Even disrupting chop disrupts any action and is no elite... .

General Surena · Feb 23, 2006, 09:27 AM // 09:27

My own personal reason for not using hammers in PVE is the lessened "knocked down" duration for high-level mobs. In PVP their awesome, no question, if it's either the KD-Warrior or the KD-Ranger. I like smashing those warrior-hating necros in the face.

Numa Pompilius · Feb 23, 2006, 09:47 AM // 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxSilhouette

I'm not much for hammers myself, Just don't like how they look.

But everytime i get a really good drop it seems to be a hammer - and I always have trouble selling it

I have five gold max with good enchants & green hammers in my storage. Can't sell them, not even for 1K, and I refuse to merchant items that good. I tried "will trade my green hammer for any other green item" with two hammers I had duplicates of - and only got other hammers.

Yesterday I tried to sell a gold max hammer 14>50 with 10/10 sundering & +27 health, and it wasn't possible. I spammed WTS for half an hour in LA and Droknars, but nooone would buy it even for 500 gold, and as the merchant value was about 400 gold I eventually said "RED ENGINE it!" and merchanted it.

Hammers definitely need a bit of love in the upcoming rebalancing.

Kassad · Feb 23, 2006, 10:03 AM // 10:03

Hammers are the most under-rated weapon, yet most effective in pvp.

Swords got old fast, the whole "Liek omagad I have a sword, I look like a knight dude LOLOL" got, and still is annoying.

Axes.. not bad, random dmg is what puts me off, 6-28.. damn that min dmg is damn low.

Hammers.. well, if your being attacked by a hammer war, prepare to die. As most good wars, you'll be on your ass most of the time and unable to do anything.

Elena · Feb 23, 2006, 02:56 PM // 14:56

probably one of the most effective combo's in pve is Earthshaker(E) then Aftershock ^^

Mysterious · Feb 23, 2006, 03:04 PM // 15:04

yea, i think that people don't use hammers is because of the -2/-3 damage or health mod from a shield.

taxed · Feb 23, 2006, 03:13 PM // 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by tafy69

Please dont use that combo, crushing blow owns the hell out of aftershock

Hammer ownage:
Devistating hammer - Crushing Blow - Heavy blow - Holy strike - Irrestable blow

Feb 22, 2006, 01:44 PM // 13:44	#1
JediKnight Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away Profession: W/R	Why does no-one use hammers?? I have a Warrior in pre-searing (lvl 9, just about to go Charr hunting). Thing is I use a hammer & have noticed that no-one seems to like hammers. Why not, ok I know you lose upto 16AL coz of the shield but you gain +13 max dmg (in fact max dmg hammer base is only 3 less than max dmg sword top) Any other reasons??? I am not interested in farming.

Feb 22, 2006, 01:48 PM // 13:48	#2
Former Ruling Grotto Attendant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cedartown, Georgia Profession: R/	Hammers aren't effective skill wise until later in the game. In Pre-searing you just don't compare dmg wise with Swords. because swords already have condition skills, and axes have a AoE skill. in Post - people still dont use hammers because hammer skills are really one minded - Knockdown. And thats not to terribly effective against monsters...the Speed advantage of Sword/axe just out-dmgs it in the long run. In PvP now..hammers are a common weapon. Knockdown owns monks.

Feb 22, 2006, 01:54 PM // 13:54	#3
xxSilhouette Desert Nomad Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lost in the sands of time... Guild: Blood Of Orr [BoO] Profession: R/Rt	I'm not much for hammers myself, Just don't like how they look. But everytime i get a really good drop it seems to be a hammer - and I always have trouble selling it

Feb 22, 2006, 02:37 PM // 14:37	#4
fiery Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: maryland Guild: InYurFace Gaming [IYF] Profession: R/	Well hammers have slow damage but packs a big blow if you can pull off a good combo.

Feb 22, 2006, 02:53 PM // 14:53	#6
Skuld Furnace Stoker Join Date: Sep 2005 Guild: Thousend Tigers Apund Ur Head [Ttgr] Profession: A/	I haven't got round to it, thats my excuse, same with swords

Feb 22, 2006, 02:58 PM // 14:58	#7
Jetdoc Hell's Protector Join Date: Jul 2005 Guild: The Eyes of Texas [BEVO] Profession: D/A	I agree that in PvE, Hammers are less prevalent because of: 1. The lack of a shield, which can provide 16 armor, -2 damage AND give up to 45 health. That's invaluable, especially if you're soloing. 2. The use of swords, especially with riposte and deadly riposte. 3. The use of axes, especially given their ability to bring down a target quickly. In PvP, Hammers really only face competition from #3, because of the normal instinct to "attack warriors last" in PvP. The armor/health bonus has a rather minimal effect in PvP until it's too late, and the ability to spike is generally outweighed by the ability to knock a caster down and keep him down, effectively neutralizing one of the opposing forces (especially when combined with Gale, etc).

Feb 22, 2006, 03:47 PM // 15:47	#8
Maxiemonster There is no spoon. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Netherlands Profession: Mo/	An E/W Hammer build is strong against short range AOE Damage, but very hard to time, and not effective in PvP against teams that know how to spread decently. W/? Hammer builds aren't that great in my opinion, they're just aren't quick enough. Hammer should have real spikes, it's slow, but doesn't deal enough damage to give up the shield and speed.

Feb 23, 2006, 05:55 AM // 05:55	#9
LordMahal Krytan Explorer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany Profession: R/Mo	Axe has cyclone, sword hundred blades... and hammers have a multiple target attack to. That was not a good excuse. But, Id have to agree that my axe is more effective. I only use a hammer if Im messing around.

Feb 23, 2006, 06:52 AM // 06:52	#10
purebad Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kentucky Guild: Du Vrangr Gatas [MAGE]	personally, I started as a sword, now im into axes(best for solofarming), and now I want to switch to hammer, but realize that I havent come across many hammers that peek my interest. I mean i havent seen a hammer that had good enough mods to make me want to use it

Feb 23, 2006, 08:27 AM // 08:27	#13
Zirv Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sleen - NL Guild: Guild in Pyjamas [PJs] Profession: Mo/Me	yeah oke agreed, also possible ^^

Feb 23, 2006, 09:19 AM // 09:19	#14
Renegade ++RIP++ Krytan Explorer Join Date: Feb 2006	I like hammers, but consider them to be more or less ineffective in pve, although since the insurection of galewarriors the same can be stated for pvp. Most times i'm landing my first knockdown when all the mobs are nearly dead. If some of those adrenaline skills were a tad better or recharge a tad faster it would be a bit better. Since at the moment a bunnythumper(r/w) is better then any w/x hammerwarrior, just because it can more quickly spam attacks. Heck i wouldn't mind seeing all the mods being double as effective on hammers. Since we all know that they are freaking slow, you lose the shield and the extra reduction in dmg and the extra health. So i still wonder why there aren't any grips of fortitude that give like 60 health maxwise or furious mods that give an extra strike in 40% of the cases. A zealous mod that gives 2 energy on every strike and reduces your regen with 1. Heck dmg mods of 30 - 40% vs a certain mobtype. Although my numbers might be a tad over the top, but it was just there as an indication of the idea. It would at least make hammers more used and usuable. In stead of only as flukes or flavorbuilds. Heck backbreaker needs to be fixed, earthshaker needs to not have to hit to be effective and lose reduce adrenalineneed with 1 pip. Devestating hammer is allright. Concussion blow or whatever its called needs to apply dazed on hit not if depending on spell being cast. Dazed is to easilly countered by monks to be of any real use on a skill that has a double to tripple dependency, namely having adrenaline build up, catching up to them and catching them in mid spell. Even disrupting chop disrupts any action and is no elite... .

Feb 23, 2006, 09:27 AM // 09:27	#15
General Surena Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Germany Guild: None Profession: W/	My own personal reason for not using hammers in PVE is the lessened "knocked down" duration for high-level mobs. In PVP their awesome, no question, if it's either the KD-Warrior or the KD-Ranger. I like smashing those warrior-hating necros in the face.

Feb 23, 2006, 10:03 AM // 10:03	#17
Kassad Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2005 Profession: W/	Hammers are the most under-rated weapon, yet most effective in pvp. Swords got old fast, the whole "Liek omagad I have a sword, I look like a knight dude LOLOL" got, and still is annoying. Axes.. not bad, random dmg is what puts me off, 6-28.. damn that min dmg is damn low. Hammers.. well, if your being attacked by a hammer war, prepare to die. As most good wars, you'll be on your ass most of the time and unable to do anything.

Feb 23, 2006, 02:56 PM // 14:56	#18
Elena Desert Nomad Join Date: May 2005 Location: Belgium	probably one of the most effective combo's in pve is Earthshaker(E) then Aftershock ^^

Feb 23, 2006, 03:04 PM // 15:04	#19
Mysterious Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2005 Guild: FARM Profession: N/	yea, i think that people don't use hammers is because of the -2/-3 damage or health mod from a shield.