The two-handed hammer (sometimes battle hammer) appears in Ultima V, Ultima VI, Savage Empire, Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two, Ultima VIII and Ultima IX.
Description[edit]
This is a weapon that is designed to crush foes with pure strength. Its blows can shatter bones, even through armour, and thus make it an excellent choice as a weapon. However, its weight also means that only the strongest fighters can successfully wield the mighty battle hammer. tinkers are especially fond of using hammers as weapons, and are often seen taking them to battle.
Effectiveness of the Weapon[edit]
- In Ultima V, a two-handed hammer has a damage rating of "20".
- In Ultima VI, a two-handed hammer has a damage rating of "20".
- In Ultima VII, the battle hammer has a "9" effectiveness rating, making it one of the strongest weapons.[1]
- In Ultima VII Part Two, two-handed hammers have a damage of 9 and a reach of 3.[2]
- In Ultima IX, the war hammer's damage is listed as 25(min) - 35(max).[3]
History[edit]
Britannia[edit]
These hammers, only to be used by the mightiest of warriors, started to be use in battle since Ultima V. From that point onward, their function and high damage stayed the same.
Only a bipedal saurian race called the Sakkhra upon Eodon fought their battles with these mighty weapons. That is why they were commonly found in their caves.
Variants[edit]
Several special battle hammers appeared over time:
Juggernaut Hammer[edit]
- Main article: Juggernaut Hammer
Seeing the great efficiency of Gargoyle boomerangs during the Gargoyle war, they created a magical hammer that can be thrown and always return to the wielder; inflicts high damage.
Hammer of Dedication[edit]
- Main article: Hammer of Dedication
Much like the Juggernaut Hammer, but with less destructive power; from the time of the Ophidians.
Bone Crusher[edit]
- Main article: Bone Crusher
According to the Saga of Bonecrusher, it was created by Hydros and has its origins in the early days of Pagan's Titanic rule. Lord Elsmil, the reigning Tempest at the time, carried the weapon in battle against an army of the undead, who were send by Lithos to raze the city. Although he was successful to drive them back, he died during the course of the battle. For unknown reason, Bone Crusher disappeared as well, only to appear in a cave upon the Plateau. This weapon is capable of inflicting more damage if the target is an undead creature.
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Finally, there is the two-handed hammer. It takes great strength to wield it, but the hammer can inflict devastating damage.
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The mace is favored by many knights, whereas the two-handed hammer has been used by the mightiest of warriors to deal a crushing blow to the foe.
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A weapon of great length, such as a spear or two-handed hammer, can be used to keep one's opponent at bay as well to attack him. The advantage of reach has decided the day in many a battle. Likewise, a long weapon is a proven disadvantage when the fight is in cramped quarters.
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Among the natives the Nahuatla obsidian-edged sword is considered the 'chief' of weapons, with the widely-used atl-atl, or spear-thrower, as the well-respected 'shaman'. Beyond that, in descending order of worth, we have the large, two-handed club favored by the strongest natives; the hand-thrown spear; the stone axe used by most native warriors; the primitive short-bow used by nearly every tribe for both warfare and hunting; the solid wood club; the rock hammer, a single-handed club; the scalpel — sharp Nahuatla obsidian knife, more practical as a tool than a weapon; and, finally the relatively rare boomerang.
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Between the wrists of a skilled fighter, the two-handed hammer can deliver a shattering blow to the skull or a bludgeoning to the deepest organs. The edge of such a hammer is an effective striker against any exposed area. Turned slightly, the flat side of the head can hemorrhage the tissues beneath a coat of mail. Given its heft and balance, the two-handed hammer is poorly suited for extended fighting in close quarters.
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See Also[edit]
References[edit]
