Best Soulslikes If You Want To Fight With Hammers

Highlights

Combat in soulslike games can get brutal, and hammer offer the high damage that some players seek.
Games like Bloodborne, Nioh 2, and Dark Souls provide a variety of powerful hammers for fans of heavy weapons.
From Demon’s Souls to Elden Ring, the soulslike genre offers a range of hammers for players who enjoy crushing their foes.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of action RPGs and their iconic hammers. Having played through the soulslikes, from Lords of the Fallen to Dark Souls 3, and now Elden Ring, I can confidently say that none compare to FromSoftware’s latest masterpiece in terms of the sheer variety and power of its hammer offerings.

In the intense battles of soulslike games, the fighting can become extremely harsh. Some gamers opt for a weapon that mirrors this severity, and among these options, hammers truly stand out. These massive weapons may not move as swiftly as swords, but when they make contact, they deliver an impressive amount of damage.

Several gamers opt for the high-risk, high-reward approach and focus on selecting weapons for their immense damage output in one strike. Not all soullike games provide an equal experience for this destructive tendency. For those intrigued, here are some soullike games that cater best to players seeking hammer-inflicted mayhem.

10 Bloodborne

Convert A Sword Into A Hammer By Inserting It Into A Block

Best Soulslikes If You Want To Fight With Hammers

In the famed game Bloodborne, there are distinctive weapons unlike any others. This acclaimed soul-like title grants the hunter an extensive collection of “trick” weapons, which come with extraordinary transformations. These surprises allow players to adapt their combat tactics on the spot during battles.

In Bloodborne, several of these unconventional weapons come equipped with blades or spears for taking down the grotesque creatures haunting Yharnam’s streets. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as:

9 Lies of P

Encourages The Use Of Bladed Weapons But Features Various Hammers, Too

In the intriguing world of “Lies of P,” the frenzied gameplay might appear incongruous with a more deliberate and weighty construction. Nevertheless, the extensive array of customization possibilities for weapons in Krat’s bustling streets ensures that players can fashion their preferred builds, irrespective of playstyle.

In “Lies of P,” although the weapon collection leans heavily towards edged tools, there exists a variety of hammers for players to wield. These include the Big Pipe Wrench Head, a Krat police baton, and even an explosive pickaxe, which can inflict significant damage on the rebellious robots of Krat. Hammers such as the Golden Lie and Noblesse Oblige may not be disassembleable like other weapons, but they certainly pack a powerful punch during battles.

8 Demon’s Souls

Offers A Small Yet Reliable Selection Of Hammers

From a dedicated fan’s perspective, it’s tough to dispute that “Demon’s Souls” didn’t make as big of an impact as its successor in the gaming industry. Nevertheless, I can’t imagine “Dark Souls” or its subsequent sequels ever coming into existence without it. This classic RPG paved the way for numerous elements that were later refined and enhanced in “Dark Souls” and beyond. The diverse weapon categories alone became a beloved staple of the series.

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: In Demon’s Souls, my hammer selection isn’t as varied as in later Dark Souls games. There are only five hammers and three Great Hammers for me to pick from. But these heavy-hitting, slow weapons are a game-changer when facing armored enemies. They’re an essential addition to my inventory.

7 Dark Souls

Features An Impressive Selection Of Slow And Fast Hammers

The acclaimed game Dark Souls, whose influence on the gaming world is undeniable, paved the way for the soulslike genre with its vast arsenal of weapons. Notably, the game’s generous offering of hammers and maces contributed significantly to establishing a notable place for this weapon category.

In the game Dark Souls, there are nine regular hammers and six powerful ones. Regular hammers can deal swift blows with considerable force, but they require a significant amount of time to recover between strikes. The powerful hammers move more slowly but deliver greater impact. Notably, Smough, a renowned boss character in Dark Souls, wields an exceptionally formidable great hammer. Players have the chance to acquire this mighty weapon if they manage to secure Smough’s soul.

6 Nioh 2

Provides Fourteen Different Types Of Powerful Hammers

In the historic Japanese backdrop of Nioh 2, a weapon that contrasts sharply with hammers is frequently linked. Unlike hammers which are heavy and forceful, the katana is a swift and sharp cutting tool. It’s more frequently depicted in comparison to hammers.

As a huge fan of Nioh 2, I have to admit that one thing that truly sets this game apart is the sheer number of weapons at our disposal. And let me tell you, hammers are just one of the fourteen types! Hammers share some similarities with axes, such as skills, but they have distinct stats and inflict various damage types.

5 Ashen

Half Of The Available Weapons Are Hammers

In the realm of “soulslike” games, Ashen distinguishes itself with its simple graphics and open-ended gameplay design. Unlike its peers, this distinctive title prioritizes collaboration and exploration, allowing players to roam a sprawling world together and encounter each other unexpectedly during their journeys. Moreover, Ashen features a more flexible weapon classification system compared to other games in the genre, making it an appealing choice for fans of hammers.

In the game Ashen, weapons are classified into four distinct groups: one-handheld bladed weapons, two-handheld bladed weapons, one-handheld blunt weapons, and two-handheld blunt weapons. Consequently, approximately fifty percent of the available arsenal comprises hammers, catering to players who favor a more deliberate gaming experience.

4 Dark Souls 2

A Great Collection Of Hammers That Can Be Dual Wielded

For some FromSoft enthusiasts, the notoriously challenging Dark Souls 2 game presents a varied experience. However, this title is certainly worth playing for fans of hammer weapons. Boasting an impressive selection, players can choose from no less than 12 hammers and 17 great hammers to effectively crush their adversaries.

An alternative way to express the advantage of having two identical weapons in Dark Souls 2 is through its dual wielding feature. With this mechanism, players can hold and use two weapons sharing the same damage type and combat style at once. This results in entering a “power stance,” allowing them to deal significantly more damage by attacking with both weapons concurrently. This is particularly beneficial for hammer users, as it helps offset their inherent low attack speed issue.

3 Lords Of The Fallen

Features Various Hammers That Are Especially Effective When Used Against Defensive Foes

In simpler terms, Lords of the Fallen is similar to other “Souls-like” games and pays tribute to Dark Souls in many ways. It offers a substantial collection of weapons, including hammers. There are fourteen regular hammers and twelve powerful ones, which can be compared to the great hammers found in Dark Souls.

In the realm of gaming, just like other types of games, these hammers are less agile in their swings compared to other weapons. However, they make up for it by dealing significant damage. They excel at shattering enemy fortifications, making them an excellent option when facing adversaries armed with shields. Additionally, Lords of the Fallen introduces flails as a separate weapon class. These tools boast a fine balance between speed and force, offering a distinct playing experience.

2 Dark Souls 3

Features Several Iconic Dark Souls Hammers

In simpler terms, Dark Souls 3 concluded the renowned trilogy by incorporating extensive content from the initial two games. Consequently, it’s an excellent choice for avid fans of hammers. This game offers a total of 8 hammers and 14 great hammers, ensuring that enthusiasts who prefer wielding heavy weaponry will be highly satisfied with their gaming experience.

In addition to the game’s rich content, fans will be thrilled to discover and reuse renowned weapons from past installments. Witness the return of legendary items such as Smough’s Great Hammer and Havel’s Dragon Tooth. Although Dark Souls 3 does not incorporate the power stance system from Dark Souls 2 for dual wielding, it offers paired weapon sets like the Drang Hammers, allowing players to inflict double damage with equal effectiveness.

1 Elden Ring

Offers A Vast Assortment Of Powerful Hammers

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to explore the vast expanse of Elden Ring’s intricately crafted world. Unlike any Dark Souls game before it, Elden Ring offers an extensive and diverse arsenal of weapons for me to uncover and master. And if you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned hammer time, boy, do I have some exciting discoveries in store for you!

In Elden Ring, the game introduces a fresh weapon class called Colossal Weapons. These are weapons so enormous they don’t fit into any other category. There are 20 colossal weapons in total. Some of these weapons can be identified as axes or staves. However, others, such as the [Lords’ Exaltation] and the [Giant Crusher], are massive maces that will allow players to obliterate their enemies like never before.

2024-07-25 20:07