Hammer of the Ancients (Diablo III)

For the skill as portrayed in other games, see Hammer of the Ancients.

Hammer of the Ancients Class: Barbarian (Diablo III) Required Level: 2 Skill Category: Secondary Active Cost: 20 Fury Call forth a massive hammer to smash enemies directly in front of the Barbarian for 535% damage as Physical. Hammer of the Ancients has a 1% increased Critical Hit Chance for every 5 Fury the Barbarian has. Damage Type: Physical

Hammer of the Ancients is a Secondary Barbarian skill.

In-game

When invoked, slams the ground, hitting a 6 yard radius circle 6 yards in front of the Barbarian (so technically, it is not a cone, and there is a chance that the foes directly to the left and right of the player will not be hit). Bonus Critical Hit Chance is calculated based on current Fury (before subtracting the skill cost), therefore it always has at least some bonus.

Visually, it causes a massive golden mace to appear above the Barbarian, which they slam straight down into the ground in front of themselves, where the mace remains crushed for a moment. Note that this skill is targeted at the enemy, not at the location.

Runes

• Rolling Thunder: also hits a 22 yards long, 60 degrees wide cone; enemies outside the the usual 6 yards radius circle suffer 505% damage as Physical. Damage done in the circle does not change.
• Smash: damage type changes to Fire, and damage increases to 640%. Visually, the size of the mace decreases, yet the damage area does not change.
• The Devil's Anvil: damage type changes to Cold, and leaves a tremor at the impact location for 2 seconds. Enemies within the tremor area are Chilled by 80%.
• Thunderstrike: damage type changes to Lightning, and enemies killed by Hammer of the Ancients also Stun every other enemy within 10 yards for 2 seconds.
• Birthright: Critical Hits each heal the Barbarian for 3% of maximum Life.

Non-rune enhancements

• Remorseless (Legendary Mighty Weapon): while both Wrath of the Berserker and Call of the Ancients are active, Hammer of the Ancients deals 200-250% more damage.
• The Gavel of Judgment (Legendary Two-Handed Mighty Weapon): Hammer of the Ancients returns 25 Fury if it hits 3 or less enemies, and deals +600-800% increased damage.
• Bracers of the First Men (Legendary Bracers): Hammer of the Ancients attacks 50% faster and deals 400-500% increased damage.

Barbarian Skills

Primary Skills
Bash • Cleave • Frenzy • Weapon Throw
Secondary Skills
Hammer of the Ancients • Rend • Seismic Slam • Whirlwind • Ancient Spear
Defensive Skills
Ground Stomp • Leap • Sprint • Ignore Pain
Might
Overpower • Revenge • Furious Charge • Avalanche
Tactics
Threatening Shout • Battle Rage • War Cry
Rage
Earthquake • Call of the Ancients • Wrath of the Berserker
Passive Skills
Pound of Flesh • Ruthless • Nerves of Steel • Weapons Master • Inspiring Presence • Berserker Rage
Bloodthirst • Animosity • Superstition • Tough as Nails • No Escape • Relentless
Brawler • Juggernaut • Unforgiving • Boon of Bul-Kathos • Earthen Might • Sword and Board • Rampage