Is the Orcish Warhammer Good in Skyrim? A Veteran’s Perspective
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Absolutely! The Orcish Warhammer is a fantastic weapon, especially for players starting their two-handed journey in Skyrim. While it may not boast the absolute highest damage output, its availability, ease of improvement, and solid base damage make it a reliable choice. It’s a workhorse that can carry you through a significant portion of the game.
Why the Orcish Warhammer Shines
The Orcish Warhammer occupies a sweet spot in Skyrim’s vast arsenal. Here’s a deeper dive into why it’s a worthwhile weapon:
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Early Availability: Orcish weapons, including the warhammer, become available relatively early in the game. You can often find them in loot or purchase them from merchants once you reach a certain level (typically around level 6 or so). This is a huge advantage compared to some of the late-game powerhouses.
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Respectable Base Damage: With a base damage of 21, the Orcish Warhammer holds its own against many early to mid-game enemies. It’s a noticeable step up from iron or steel weapons, allowing you to dispatch foes more quickly and efficiently.
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Ease of Improvement: The Orcish Warhammer can be upgraded at a grindstone using Orichalcum Ingots. Orichalcum is relatively easy to find, making it simple to keep your warhammer sharp and powerful. Crucially, having the Orcish Smithing perk doubles the improvement, significantly boosting its damage output. This perk falls within the Smithing skill tree, encouraging players to invest in crafting.
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Two-Handed Powerhouse: Warhammers, in general, excel at staggering opponents. This means interrupting their attacks and creating openings for your own. The Orcish Warhammer continues this tradition, allowing you to control the battlefield and prevent enemies from overwhelming you. While slower than swords or axes, the sheer force of each blow is often enough to compensate.
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Roleplaying Appeal: For players creating Orc characters, using Orcish weapons just feels right. It enhances the immersion and allows you to fully embody the fierce warrior archetype.
Comparing to Other Warhammers
While the Orcish Warhammer is a solid choice early on, it’s important to consider how it stacks up against other warhammers in Skyrim:
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Longhammer: The Longhammer is a unique Orcish warhammer found in Liar’s Retreat. While it also has a base damage of 21, its special effect allows for faster swings. However, some players prefer the consistent damage of the improved Orcish Warhammer due to smithing enhancements.
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Volendrung: A Daedric artifact, Volendrung, boasts a base damage of 25 and a unique enchantment that absorbs stamina. While powerful, obtaining Volendrung requires completing a Daedric quest, making it less accessible early in the game.
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Dragonbone Warhammer: The Dragonbone Warhammer possesses the highest base damage of any standard warhammer at 28. However, it requires a high Smithing skill level (100) and the Dragon Armor perk to craft, placing it firmly in the late-game category.
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Daedric Warhammer: At 27 base damage, the Daedric Warhammer is also an excellent choice, but requires Daedric Smithing perk.
Therefore, the Orcish Warhammer serves as a stepping stone, providing a reliable weapon that allows you to progress until you can acquire or craft these more powerful alternatives.
Beyond Base Damage: Enchantments
Don’t underestimate the power of enchantments. Applying an enchantment to your Orcish Warhammer can significantly boost its effectiveness. Consider enchantments like:
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Fiery Soul Trap: Deals fire damage and traps the soul of the enemy, allowing you to recharge enchanted weapons.
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Absorb Health: Drains health from the enemy and restores it to you.
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Paralyze: Has a chance to paralyze the enemy, rendering them helpless for a short time.
Remember that using the Elemental Fury shout on an unenchanted warhammer will drastically increase its swing speed, making it incredibly potent. But Elemental Fury only works on unenchanted weapons.
Conclusion
The Orcish Warhammer isn’t the best warhammer in Skyrim, but it’s arguably the best warhammer for a player starting out. It offers a balanced combination of damage, availability, and ease of improvement, making it a valuable asset to any aspiring two-handed warrior. Don’t dismiss it simply because it’s not a Daedric artifact or a Dragonbone creation. Embrace its reliability, upgrade it diligently, and watch it carry you through many challenging encounters.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Orcish Warhammers in Skyrim
1. Where can I find an Orcish Warhammer early in the game?
You can often find Orcish Warhammers in chests, from defeated enemies, or for sale at merchants like Warmaidens in Whiterun once you reach level 6 or so. Keep an eye on blacksmiths and general goods stores.
2. What level do I need to be to find Orcish weapons?
Orcish weapons generally start appearing in loot and at vendors around level 6.
3. How do I improve an Orcish Warhammer?
You can improve an Orcish Warhammer at a grindstone using Orichalcum Ingots. The Orcish Smithing perk in the Smithing skill tree doubles the improvement.
4. Is the Orcish Smithing perk worth getting?
Yes! If you plan on using Orcish weapons (or armor) for a significant portion of the game, the Orcish Smithing perk is definitely worth investing in.
5. Can I enchant an Orcish Warhammer?
Yes, you can enchant an Orcish Warhammer at an enchanting table using learned enchantments.
6. What are some good enchantments for a warhammer?
Some excellent enchantments include Fiery Soul Trap, Absorb Health, Paralyze, and Banish.
7. How does the Orcish Warhammer compare to the Longhammer?
The Longhammer has the same base damage (21) as the Orcish Warhammer, but it swings faster. However, the Orcish Warhammer can be significantly improved through smithing, making it potentially more powerful in the long run.
8. What’s the fastest swinging Warhammer in Skyrim?
The Longhammer is known for its faster swing speed compared to other warhammers.
9. Does the Elemental Fury shout work with Orcish Warhammers?
Yes, the Elemental Fury shout will drastically increase the swing speed of an unenchanted Orcish Warhammer. Remember, it only works on unenchanted weapons.
10. What other weapons are good for an Orc character?
Orcs excel with two-handed weapons in general. Other good choices include the Orcish Greatsword and the Orcish Battleaxe. Also consider using weapons with good reach and damage potential.
11. How does the Orcish Warhammer compare to Daedric and Dragonbone Warhammers?
Daedric and Dragonbone Warhammers have higher base damage but are much harder to acquire. The Orcish Warhammer is a good stepping stone until you can obtain these end-game weapons.
12. Is it worth investing in Smithing if I want to use an Orcish Warhammer?
Yes, absolutely. Investing in Smithing will allow you to improve your Orcish Warhammer to its full potential, making it a much more effective weapon.
13. What’s the best way to level up my Smithing skill?
The fastest way to level up Smithing is to craft iron daggers early on, and then focus on crafting higher-level items like dwarven bows and orcish armor as your skill increases.
14. Can I find a unique version of the Orcish Warhammer?
The Longhammer is a unique Orcish warhammer, but there is no other named unique Orcish warhammer.
15. Is the Orcish Warhammer a good choice for a beginner Skyrim player?
Yes! Its availability, ease of improvement, and decent damage make it an excellent choice for beginner players venturing into the world of two-handed combat. It’s a reliable weapon that will serve you well in the early to mid-game.