Hammer (Zelda)

The Megaton Hammer as seen in Ocarina of Time.
Hammer
Type	Hammer
Debut	Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

The Hammer is a type of recurring weapon within the The Legend of Zelda series. There are several variations with different names, but most of them have essentially the same capabilities.

Information

The hammer is known for being a large and usually powerful item, which is sometimes stronger than Link's actual sword. In most games, it can be used to defeat enemies quickly and bluntly. Hammers are also used to smash in certain pegs that could act as obstacles and can break through some types of armor.

Appearances

The original Hammer was found within the Death Mountain maze in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. It was not used in battle (as the game strayed away from Link using gear for combat) and instead could only be used to clear boulders which served as obstacles in the overworld, and it could also cut down some trees. The first time one appeared as an actual weapon was in A Link to the Past, where it was known as the Magic Hammer and was found at the Dark Palace. Ocarina of Time had the Megaton Hammer, which was found at the Fire Temple and was the weapon that the legendary Goron hero had used to defeat Volvagia.

A hammer known as the Skull Hammer was featured in The Wind Waker, where it was found at the Forsaken Fortress after defeating Phantom Ganon during the second visit to the place. Four Swords Adventures used the Magic Hammer as one of the items that could be found in various areas of the game. Great Fairies could also temporarily upgrade the hammers into Level 2 Magic Hammers, which could send out powerful shockwaves and unearth hidden Force Gems. Magic Hammers are also wielded by Dark Links to stall the Links' progress. In Phantom Hourglass, a powerful hammer simply known as the Hammer was found in Mutoh's Temple, where it could be charged to make an individual pounding larger and stronger. Within this game, Link could also use the hammer on certain springboards to launch himself into the air.

In A Link Between Worlds, the Hammer was one of the items that was available from Ravio's shop throughout the game. It could initially only be rented for 50 Rupees, but later in the game it could be purchased permanently for 800 Rupees. After being bought by Link, it could be upgraded into the Nice Hammer by Mother Maiamai, which was more powerful and released shockwaves. Magic Hammers could also be found in various areas of Tri Force Heroes, in which their efficiency could be increased when wearing an outfit known as Hammerwear. In Breath of the Wild, one of the melee weapons that could be obtained in various locations was an Iron Sledgehammer, and Link could also purchase a Spring-Loaded Hammer from Kilton after freeing at least one Divine Beast. The Spring-Loaded Hammer is not powerful, but it will send an enemy flying after four hits.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In Soulcalibur II, the Megaton Hammer appeared as an unlockable weapon which was paired with the Hylian Shield. It was one of the most powerful weapons but had a short reach.
• In Hyrule Warriors, the Hammer is a weapon class wielded by Darunia, with its different levels being called the Magic Hammer, Igneous Hammer, Megaton Hammer, Megaton Hammer + and Darkfire Hammer, with 8-Bit Food being available as an extra type of Hammer. Ravio also had a Rental Hammer weapon class based on the hammer from A Link Between Worlds, with the different weapons in that class being the Wooden Hammer, White Bunny Hammer, Nice Hammer, Nice Hammer + and Crackling Nice Hammer. Additionally, the hammer is available as an item in later versions of the game, which can be used to smash objects and to attack certain foes such as the Helmaroc King.

Trivia

• In the Japanese version of A Link to the Past, the Hammer is referred to as the M.C. Hammer when first obtained, in reference to the name of an American rapper.
• Interestingly, the Megaton Hammer could be used to break open hidden grottos instead of the usual bombs.
• In most appearances, the hammer can destroy frozen enemies with one hit.