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War Hammer
War Hammer NGS1
Statistics
Strength Very High
Speed Low
Range High
Maximum Level 2
First Appearance
Debut Ninja Gaiden (Xbox)

The War Hammer is an large bludgeoning weapon available as a hidden item in Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) and its variants Ninja Gaiden Black and Ninja Gaiden Sigma. It is Rachel's signature weapon and is highly specialized for slow, powerful combat moves.

Attributes[]

The War Hammer's heft makes it even more challenging to use than the Vigoorian Flail and requires expert timing and anticipation to use effectively. It is very useful for breaking walls and decapitating enemies. Due to its considerable mass, it is impossible to swing quickly.

Though generally considered inferior to the Dabilahro, which has a maximum upgrade level of 3 as opposed to maximum upgrade level of 2 of the Warhammer, the Warhammer does have a few specific unique advantages amongst the other heavy weapons of the game, along with the fact that it is found fairly early and requires no scarab searching. This includes the following:

The Warhammer has the Steel Severer move, which is the fastest heavy weapon attack in the game, and features a knockdown effect on enemies, making it an easy and reliable way of dealing safe damage against certain targets (including doppelgangers). Controlled usage of this move is VERY effective at times.

The Warhammer has the Six Paths move, which is not only extremely useful for crowds, but though it appears similar to the Hundred Man Slash move of the Dabilahro and Dark Dragon Blade, it actually counts as a throw, meaning it works with the armlet of potency for very high damage.

The Warhammer's Surging Wave is safer than the Dabilahro aerial version.

The Warhammer's UT has a 360 degree area of effect.

The Warhammer's Flaming Torrent move is unique, and quite useful. It is similar to Lunar's Shrouded Crescent, but has drastically higher damage.

In Ninja Gaiden Black, the Warhammer deals substantially higher damage against Awakened Alma compared to the Dabilahro. It is not known why, and this only seems to apply to Ninja Gaiden Black, but it's a decent benefit in that specific fight.

Unlocking The War Hammer[]

In Chapter 8 of Ninja Gaiden, the War Hammer can be found within the Monastery on the left side of the Altar Hall. Muramasa charges 5000 Essences to upgrade it to level 2.

Moves List with Ryu[]

Normal

  • Ram's Head Drop: X
  • Horse Head Crush: X, X
  • Gleam of Heaven and Earth: X, Y
  • Surging Wave: Y
  • Flaming Torrent (Lvl 2): Y, Y
  • Thunder Tremor: Hold Y
  • Rage Tremor: Hold Y (Ultimate Technique)
  • Tremor of the Heavens: Hold Y (Ultimate Technique, 2 Essences)
  • Steel Severer: Right, X
  • Flaming Whirlwind: Right, Y
  • Earth Slide: While Running X
  • Thunderclap Kick: While Running 'Y
  • Reigning Spiral (Scroll): While Blocking X or Y
  • Six Paths Spin (Lvl 2): Circle, Y
  • Corpse Crusher: Next to Downed Enemy Y

In Air

  • Avalanche Drop: X or Y
  • Guillotine Throw (Throw/Scroll): Near an Enemy 'Y

Wall

  • Rolling Thunder: On Wall X or Y
  • Raging Thunder: During Flying Bird Flip X or Y

In Water

  • Aqua Thrust: Floating on Surface X or Y
  • Water Formation Kick: Underwater X or Y


Moves List with Rachel[]

While Standing

  • Right Fang: S
  • Left Fang: S,S
  • Viper Bite: S,S,S
  • Copperhead Kick: S,S, —> S
  • Viper Crunch: S,S,S,S
  • Bare Fangs: S,T
  • Savage Snake: S,T,T
  • Yell In Pain: S,S,T
  • Max Pain: S,S,T,T
  • High Kick: --> S
  • Double High: --> S,S
  • Integral High: --> S,S,S
  • Python Bite: --> S,S,S,S
  • Python Crunch: --> S,S,S,S,S
  • High Kick Venom: --> S,T
  • Double High Venom: --> S,S,T
  • Integral High Venom --> S,S,S,T
  • Stinger: --> T
  • Snake Hunt: --> T,T
  • Snake Killer: Near an enemy --> T,T,S or --> T,T,T
  • Venom: T
  • Sidewinder: Hold T (Ultimate Technique)
  • Jormungandr: Hold T (Ultimate Technique, 2 essences)
  • Anaconda Clutch: Circle T (throw)

While Running

  • Piercing Kick: While running S
  • Deadly Venom: While running T

While Jumping

  • Serpent Hammer: While jumping S or T
  • Night Adder:  While jumping near an enemy X + S (throw)

While Blocking

  • Naga's Reverse:  While Blocking S or T

Misc

  • Roll Through:  L1 --> (dodge)
  • Roll Over: Near an enemy --> L1 (dodge)
  • Roll Over and behead:  Near an enemy --> L1, T (dodge + throw) (unlisted move)
  • Dolphin Leap:  While on a wall X
  • Hunter's Jump:  X + S (like Ryu's Wind Path, brief invincibility + jump towards nearest enemy)

Trivia[]

  • While Rachel uses the bladed side to attack, Ryu uses the spike side to attack.
  • It is unconfirmed if the Hammer will be upgraded when Rachel uses it during the Ancient Twin Deities chapter, depending on whether or not Ryu obtained and upgraded the hammer earlier. However at least once it has been seen to be upgraded for Rachel regardless of whether Ryu upgrades the hammer he finds or not.  
  • Many of Rachel's combo strings end with her jumping, which set her up perfectly for on-land moves, such as a quick Venom, or an Ultimate Technique if any essence is nearby. This is very useful.  
  • There is an unpainted War Hammer hanging in Muramasa's shop in Ninja Gaiden 1.

Gallery[]

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