Hammer – Title Update 1 (TU1)

The ultimate bonker in Monster Hunter Wilds, the Hammer, is one of the most fun weapons to use and is incredibly satisfying when you trigger a KO. With new mechanics introduced in Wilds, Hammer is a really great weapon choice, provided you have the right build. In this guide, I will compile the best Hammer builds in Wilds, from Low Rank to endgame.

This guide will be updated regularly along with future content!

Hammer Gameplay and Combo in MH Wilds

Hammer's movements and versatility are what’s getting boosted in Wilds. With the availability of Offset Attacks, the Hammer can effectively counter monsters and maintain the battle flow in your favor. The core of the new Hammer mechanics includes Mighty Charge, Overhead Smash, Spinning Bludgeon, and Charged Step.

The best combo starter is the simple Triangle-Triangle-Triangle combo, which now allows you to reposition after each swing—an absolute game-changing mechanic.

• For the third Triangle, you can hold it and time it perfectly as the monster attacks to activate the Offset Attack, which is now one of Hammer's specialties.

Spinning Bludgeon is where things get interesting.

• You can now enter Spinning Bludgeon after any attack by pressing Triangle + Circle.
• This is an excellent way to loop combos or transition from a basic combo into Mighty Charge.

Now, onto the highest damage-dealing move—the Mighty Charge.

• You can execute this by holding R2 + Triangle + Circle. This powerful move can be used after all basic combos.
• You can chain an upswing combo into Mighty Charge, as well as Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon.
• Mighty Charge is an essential move to use after any combo.

Additionally, the Hammer now has Charged Step, which you can perform by pressing Circle while charging (R2). This move provides increased mobility and even grants slight I-frames to dodge attacks.

With that in mind, here are the best builds and progression.

Hammer Low Rank Build and Progression

Starting your journey in Monster Hunter Wilds, you begin with the default Hope armor set, which is excellent due to its Divine Blessing 3 skill. This set provides solid survivability, allowing you to use it until you defeat Ajarakan and Guardian Doshaguma.

Early on, the best approach is to focus on upgrading your weapon. The Jail Hammer I is the best early Hammer choice thanks to its Paralysis status, good sharpness, and decent raw damage.

With this setup, you’ll be well-equipped to progress into early High Rank.

Best Hammers for Low Rank

• Jail Hammer II
• Balahara Hammer II

Hammer High Rank Build and Progression

After defeating your first High Rank monster, Yian Kut-Ku, you can craft its Mail and Coil for higher defense and the Agitator skill. Agitator is a great early skill that boosts your damage and Affinity when a monster is enraged.

Once you defeat Guardian Fulgur Anjanath, immediately craft its Helm and Vambraces, as they will be crucial for your endgame build. These pieces provide the Second Wind set skill, granting you an extra Stamina bar, which is highly beneficial for maintaining offensive pressure.

For decorations, Destroyer and Mighty are excellent skills to slot in using jewels. However, if you don’t have them yet, feel free to insert other skills that complement your playstyle.

Late High Rank Build

Once you have defeated Guardian Rathalos, it is advisable to switch out the Kut-Ku and Conga pieces for G. Rathalos armor. This upgrade grants access to Weakness Exploit, one of the best skills for increasing Affinity and damage when hitting monster weak spots.

Additionally, crafting the Exploiter Charm as early as possible is crucial, as it will become the core of your build later on.

This setup will help you take on higher-difficulty monsters, such as Tempered Apex monsters, which will be your primary targets for crafting endgame equipment and jewels.

The Jail Hammer remains the best Hammer at this stage. However, you now have several solid alternatives, including the Albirath Bludgeon II, Jin Dhauda I, Whuchtblick I, and Shell Hammer I. These options provide different advantages depending on your playstyle, such as elemental damage, raw attack power, or status effects.

Best Hammers for High Rank

• Jail Hammer IV
• Albirath Bludgeon II
• Jin Dhauda I
• Shell Hammer I
• Whuchtblick I

Hammer Best Endgame Builds

After reaching HR 40+, it's time to grind for endgame materials and jewels—and this is where the real fun begins! Below are the best Hammer builds in Monster Hunter Wilds, tailored to different playstyles:

Hammer Endgame 2-Gore Second Wind Build

This build is currently the best build you can have for the Hammer. It focuses on the Second Wind and Black Eclipse set skills, granting extra Affinity for consistent critical hits, along with a secondary Stamina bar, which is REALLY important for Max Might to remain active at all times. Charging your Hammer drains Stamina, which is where the Second Wind skill comes into play.

Counterstrike is a perfect skill for the Hammer, as it boosts attack damage after successfully triggering an Offset Attack. Agitator further enhances critical attack chance while the monster is enraged.

For the Artian weapon, Blast or Paralysis are the best choices. For maximum damage potential, invest in all Attack Infusion and reinforce with 4 Attack + 1 Sharpness.

Hammer Endgame Zoh Shia Comfy Build

After Zoh Shia was introduced as a regular monster you can hunt in Title Update 1, you can craft a new comfort build thanks to its armor set. Zoh Shia's armor set grants you Zoh Shia's Pulse, which provides constant passive healing.

The health regeneration is not that fast—it's not as fast as G. Arkveld's healing. However, Arkvulcan and G. Arkveld's set bonuses require you to constantly hit or destroy wounds to activate the healing bonus, whereas Zoh Shia's set bonus regenerates your health passively without any requirements.

In this build, you still get 5 Weakness Exploit, 4 Agitator, 3 Max Might, and 3 Antivirus, which grants you 100% Affinity. So, a bit less damage than 4-piece Gore, but you get that sweet passive healing.

Recovery Up and Recovery Speed jewels are recommended to boost the passive healing from Zoh's set bonus.

Hammer Endgame Arkveld Comfy Build

This build is perfect if you prefer more relaxed hunts. The G. Arkveld set grants Decimator II, which heals you after destroying a wound. Combined with Level 5 Flayer, you will constantly create wounds, deal huge damage, and receive free healing.

Recovery Up is the bread and butter of this build, as it enhances the healing effect from the Decimator skill, ensuring sustained survivability throughout hunts.

Best Hammers for Endgame

• Moteurvankel Para/Blast (all Attack infusion & 4 Attack + 1 Sharpness reinforcement)
• Graviton Hammer
• Grimmblick
• Zaccio's Execution
• Binder Mace
• Precipice Logamtu
• Gibil Hammer

There you go! You can try these builds and see how the Hammer obliterates any kind of monster. Whether you're stunning or paralyzing them, the Hammer has become a versatile weapon capable of dealing massive damage. What time is it? It's Hammer time!