Alright, fellow Tarnished! Gather 'round. Ever since the base game launched, and especially with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC dropping in 2024, Great Hammers in Elden Ring have gone through a serious glow-up. Remember when they felt a bit slow and clunky? Well, FromSoftware heard our prayers and gave them buffs to speed, range, and recovery time. Now, swinging one of these bad boys feels incredibly satisfying — there's just something primal about bonking your way through the Lands Between with a weapon that weighs a ton. If you've been sleeping on Great Hammers, 2026 is the year to wake up! They offer that sweet, sweet stopping power without the glacial pace of Colossal weapons. Today, I'm here to break down the best picks, including the shiny new toys from the DLC. Let's find your perfect bonk stick!
14. Greathorn Hammer
Let's start with the 
Greathorn Hammer. Its main gimmick is healing you when enemies die. Sounds cool for exploration, right? But let's be real, in a tough boss fight, that passive heal is basically useless. Compared to other life-steal options like the Blasphemous Blade, its effect is weaker, and it's heavier than something like the Serpent-God's Curved Sword. Without that niche ability, its damage across different infusions is just... okay. If you still want it, prepare for a farm session with the Ancestral Followers in Siofra River. Honestly, unless you're a completionist, you might want to skip this one.
13. Devourer’s Scepter
The Devourer’s Scepter asks for a lot — high stat requirements — but doesn't give enough back. Its Weapon Skill, Devourer of Worlds, does an AOE heal based on hitting multiple enemies. Useful when swarmed? Maybe. Practical against a single, massive boss? Not really. Its damage just doesn't justify the investment. You get it from killing Bernahl. You can do it early at the Warmaster's Shack (and miss his quest), or wait for his invasion in Crumbling Farum Azula. For a weapon with such a cool name, it's a bit of a letdown.
12. Large Club
The 
Large Club has one major selling point: it's long. It's one of the longest Great Hammers that can accept any Ash of War. You trade some raw damage for that reach, which can be a lifesaver against tricky enemies. The best part? You can grab it super early, right after the tutorial (if you skip it). Just head south of the Forlorn Hound Evergaol and snag it from some Demi-Humans. A solid, no-fuss starter bonker.
11. Curved Great Club
Calling all sorcerers and clerics! The 
Curved Great Club is your go-to if you're running an Intelligence or Faith build. Why? It scales amazingly well with Magic, Flame, and Sacred affinities. Who needs a staff when you can channel magic through a giant piece of wood? 😉 Farm it from the Second-Generation Albinaurics in Liurnia of the Lakes (Temple Quarter is a good spot). The drop rate is low, but hey, the bonk is worth it.
10. Rotten Battle Hammer
The 
Rotten Battle Hammer is short and its damage isn't winning any awards. So why is it here? Scarlet Rot. That's it. It's one of the very few weapons that can inflict this devastating status. Sure, it's slow, but with Scarlet Rot, you only need to proc it once per fight and then let the rot do its work. It's a late-game weapon, found as a guaranteed drop from a Rotten Duelist in the Consecrated Snowfield. A niche but powerful tool for certain situations.
9. Great Mace
The 
Great Mace is the definition of a well-rounded weapon. It's not the absolute best in damage (that's the Brick Hammer) or length (that's the Great Club), but it offers a fantastic balance of both. It can use a variety of Ashes of War, making it incredibly flexible. You find it in a chest among the trebuchets on the path to the Grand Lift of Dectus. If you don't like extremes and want a reliable all-rounder, this is a top contender.
8. Smithscript Greathammer (DLC)
Now for some DLC goodness! The 
Smithscript Greathammer has a hilarious and unique trick: you can throw it. Its strong attacks let you yeet this massive hammer at enemies. Is it the hardest-hitting? Not really. Its stat spread is a bit odd for pure Strength builds. But come on, being able to throw a Greathammer solves so many problems! Find it in Taylew’s Ruined Forge. Pure fun factor right here.
7. Envoy’s Long Horn
Ah, the 
Envoy's Long Horn. This one has a sad story. Once, its Weapon Skill Bubble Shower was an absolute PvE monster, shredding large bosses with a barrage of holy bubbles (especially with the Envoy's Crown). Then, just before the DLC, it got hit with a massive nerf. It's still decent for swinging around, but its signature skill is now much more niche. Farm it from Large Oracle Envoys in Leyndell or the Haligtree. A shadow of its former glorious, bubbly self.
6. Brick Hammer
Do you crave pure, unadulterated blunt force trauma? Look no further than the 
Brick Hammer. It is literally a brick on a stick. And it hits like one. On a Heavy infusion, it gets S-tier Strength scaling, offering some of the highest raw damage in the class. The trade-off? It's quite short. You'll need to get up close and personal. The good news is you can get it super early in Stormveil Castle, near Gostoc's trap area. An iconic weapon for any Strength enjoyer.
5. Cranial Vessel Candlestand
Let's talk spectacle. The 
Cranial Vessel Candlestand has one of the coolest Weapon Skills: Surge of Faith. You thrust it skyward and summon a rain of fireballs around you. Against large bosses (think dragons or giants), especially if you get underneath them, this skill does massive damage. It's random against smaller foes, but who cares when it looks this awesome? It also has solid Strength/Faith scaling for regular attacks. You'll find it late-game in the Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave in the Mountaintops.
So, which Great Hammer will you be taking into the Shadow of the Erdtree or on your next NG+ run? Whether you want pure damage (Brick Hammer), holy bubbles (Long Horn, RIP), magical bonks (Curved Great Club), or the ability to throw your weapon (Smithscript), there's a hefty stick here with your name on it. The best part? They're all more viable now than ever. Happy bonking, everyone! 🎮💥