In the dark and punishing world ofLords of the Fallen, weapon selection can often determine life or death. One weapon that has gained attention for its brutal aesthetic and devastating potential is the Taxidermist Hammer. Far from being a simple blunt object, this unique weapon blends grotesque artistry with raw physical force, offering players a memorable tool for dealing with the horrors that roam the game’s corrupted landscapes. To wield the Taxidermist Hammer effectively, players need to understand its origins, stats, combat potential, and the best ways to incorporate it into their builds.
Overview of the Taxidermist Hammer
What Makes It Unique
The Taxidermist Hammer is a heavy melee weapon known for its unsettling design crafted from bone, rusted metal, and scraps of preserved flesh. It’s as much a tool of fear as it is a weapon of war. While not as sleek as swords or as mystical as staves, its overwhelming weight and grim theme fit perfectly within the lore-heavy world ofLords of the Fallen.
Weapon Class and Scaling
Classified as a Great Hammer, the Taxidermist Hammer falls under the heavy weapon category, making it ideal for strength-based characters. It scales primarily with Strength, offering increased damage as you level up this attribute. Secondary scaling may occur with Vitality, but to a much lesser extent. This makes it ideal for tanky, hard-hitting builds that rely on high poise and heavy armor.
How to Obtain the Taxidermist Hammer
Enemy Drop or Boss Reward
To acquire the Taxidermist Hammer, players must defeat a powerful enemy known as the Taxidermist Revenant. This mini-boss is found deep within the Umbral-infested layers of the game, typically in forgotten crypts or cursed laboratories. Once defeated, it has a high chance of dropping the hammer or the materials needed to craft it through an Umbral Forge.
Alternate Crafting Option
In some playthroughs, you may also be able to obtain the blueprint or weapon head and complete the hammer using rare materials such as:
- Pallid Bile
- Necrotic Resin
- Umbral Shards
These materials can be found in Umbral zones or acquired through trade with shadow realm merchants.
Combat Effectiveness
Damage Profile
The Taxidermist Hammer deals massive physical damage, with high stagger potential and strong knockback effects. Its heavy swings are slow, but if timed correctly, can break enemy defenses and interrupt even larger foes mid-attack. Its damage output makes it especially useful against enemies with thick armor or high poise.
Status Effects
One of the most unique features of the Taxidermist Hammer is its chance to inflict a status effect known as Tissue Rupture. This debuff gradually reduces enemy movement speed and can weaken their resistance to further physical attacks. Combined with its raw damage, this makes the hammer excellent for attrition-based combat.
Special Ability
The weapon’s unique ability,Preserve the Suffering, allows players to store a portion of inflicted damage and release it in a wide-area slam after charging the hammer for a short time. This skill is especially deadly when facing groups of enemies or dealing with bosses surrounded by minions.
Recommended Builds for the Taxidermist Hammer
Strength Tank Build
Since the Taxidermist Hammer scales heavily with Strength, it’s best suited for a build that focuses on durability and melee power. Key stats to invest in include:
- Strength: Primary damage scaling
- Vitality: For survivability and stamina pool
- Endurance: Allows you to swing the hammer more frequently and wear heavier armor
This setup ensures you can withstand enemy barrages while dealing devastating blows in return.
Corrupted Paladin Hybrid
If you’re interested in blending brute force with dark magic, consider combining the hammer with Umbral buffs and corrupted enhancements. Infuse the weapon with necrotic energy to add poison or decay damage, and use dark blessings to boost survivability.
Tips for Using the Hammer in Combat
Master the Timing
Due to its slow wind-up, using the Taxidermist Hammer effectively requires good timing and positioning. Learn enemy patterns and swing just as their guard is down or when they finish a combo. If you’re confident, you can even trade hits thanks to the hammer’s high poise resistance.
Use Terrain to Your Advantage
The hammer’s knockback can be used to throw enemies off ledges or into traps. Position yourself strategically in narrow pathways or on elevated platforms to capitalize on this utility.
Combine with Crowd Control Spells
Because the hammer is not fast, pairing it with slow or stun-inducing spells can make it easier to land charged attacks. Consider using abilities that root enemies or create AoE debuffs before closing in for a crushing blow.
Lore Behind the Taxidermist Hammer
A Tool of Madness
The hammer was once used by a deranged alchemist who turned to taxidermy as a form of twisted salvation. According to lore fragments found throughout the game, this figure believed that preserving the dead was a path to immortality. The hammer was his instrument both of creation and destruction.
Cursed Craftsmanship
Forged in part from bone and Umbral essence, the Taxidermist Hammer is more than just a weapon; it’s a cursed artifact. Wielders have reported hearing whispers or seeing phantom limbs sprouting from their arms mid-swing. Despite this madness, the power it offers is too great for many to ignore.
PvP and PvE Performance
In PvE Scenarios
The hammer shines in PvE combat, especially against slow-moving bosses and tanky enemies. Its area damage and status effects give it a versatile edge, and when upgraded, it can break enemy poise in just a few hits. For dungeon crawling and exploration, its ability to clear tight corridors filled with mobs is invaluable.
In PvP Duels
While slower than other weapons, the Taxidermist Hammer can be surprisingly effective in PvP. Bait opponents into committing to fast combos, then punish with a heavy swing. Skilled players often rely on feints and roll-catches to make the most of its delayed but powerful attacks.
Upgrade Path and Enhancements
How to Upgrade
Upgrading the Taxidermist Hammer requires rare crafting materials such as:
- Umbral Ore
- Pallid Bile
- Twisted Fibers
Upgrades increase base damage, enhance scaling, and sometimes improve the chance to inflict Tissue Rupture. Fully upgraded, it becomes one of the highest raw damage hammers in the game.
Suggested Infusions
Consider the following infusions based on your build:
- Decay Infusion: Adds poison damage for damage-over-time strategies
- Vital Infusion: Grants life leech on kill, enhancing survivability
- Umbral Infusion: Boosts synergy with dark magic and status effects
The Taxidermist Hammer inLords of the Fallenis a gruesome yet powerful weapon that rewards patience, strategy, and strength-based builds. Its haunting design, high damage potential, and unique status effects make it a favorite for players seeking both performance and lore-driven immersion. Whether you’re crushing corrupted knights in dark dungeons or facing monstrous bosses in the Umbral realm, this weapon delivers an unforgettable experience. With the right build and tactics, the Taxidermist Hammer becomes not just a tool of survival, but a symbol of unrelenting brutality in a world where the dead never rest.