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Hammer of Thunderbolts

Hammer Of Thunderbolts
  • Category: Weapon (Maul or Warhammer)
  • Rarity: Legendary (Requires Attunement)

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with this magic weapon.

The weapon has 5 charges. You can expend 1 charge and make a ranged attack with the weapon, hurling it as if it had the Thrown property with a normal range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet. If the attack hits, the weapon unleashes a thunderclap audible out to 300 feet. The target and every creature within 30 feet of it other than you must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or have the Stunned condition until the end of your next turn. Immediately after hitting or missing, the weapon flies back to your hand. The weapon regains 1d4+1 expended charges daily at dawn.

Giant's Bane. While you are attuned to the weapon and wearing either a Belt of Giant Strength or Gauntlets of Ogre Power to which you are also attuned, you gain the following benefits:

Giants' Bane. When you roll a 20 on the d20 for an attack roll made with this weapon against a Giant, the creature must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or die.

Might of Giants. The Strength score bestowed by your Belt of Giant Strength or Gauntlets of Ogre Power increases by 4, to a maximum of 30.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Requires attunement by a fighter; +1 weapon that deals massive damage and can stun giants. When thrown, creates thunder damage in a large area and automatically returns. Extremely powerful against giant-type enemies.

Class Synergies:

  • Fighters: Exclusive attunement restriction makes this a fighter-only weapon
  • Throwing Weapon Builds: Perfect for fighters specializing in ranged/thrown combat
  • Giant Hunters: Devastating effectiveness against giant-type creatures
  • Area Control: Thunder damage affects multiple enemies in impact area

Build Considerations: Fighter-only restriction limits accessibility. Throwing weapon style maximizes effectiveness, but works well in melee too.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires legendary craftsmanship, storm giant materials, and thunder magic. Creation cost 50,000+ gp and takes 6 months by master artificers.

Common Sources:

  • Legendary treasure hoards of storm giants and titan-level beings
  • Ancient battlefields from mythical giant wars
  • Rewards from gods of thunder and storm for epic services
  • Commission from the greatest magical weaponsmiths in existence
  • Found in the deepest vaults of storm giant kingdoms

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in planar rifts or obtained through trials of epic proportions.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 75,000-150,000 gp - considered priceless by most standards and rarely available for purchase.

Trade Considerations: Artifact-level rarity means most sales involve entire kingdoms or epic quests rather than gold.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests legendary fighter status, divine favor, or completion of epic quests worthy of artifact-level rewards.

Character Concepts:

  • Legendary giant slayer with mythical reputation
  • Fighter blessed by storm gods and thunder deities
  • Hero of epic campaigns against titan-level threats
  • Guardian of ancient weapons from primordial conflicts

Adventure Hooks​

The Giant War: Epic campaigns against giant kingdoms where legendary weapons become necessary for survival.

The Storm God's Trial: Divine quests to prove worthiness for wielding weapons of thunderous power.

The Artifact Hunt: Legendary treasure expeditions seeking weapons capable of affecting world-changing events.

The Titan Rising: Apocalyptic scenarios where only legendary weapons can harm primordial threats.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Hammer of Thunderbolts (Artifact): Enhanced area damage and additional storm-based abilities.

Hammer of Divine Thunder (Artifact): Blessed by specific thunder deities with unique divine powers.

Primordial Thunder Hammer (Artifact): Forged from the essence of primordial storms with reality-altering effects.

Specialized Variants:

  • Giant King's Bane: Specifically enhanced against giant royalty and leaders
  • Storm Lord's Hammer: Includes weather control and storm summoning abilities
  • Plane-Shaker: Can affect structures and terrain with thunderous impacts

Lore & History​

Origins: Forged during the dawn wars between gods and titans, when weapons capable of harming divine beings were necessary.

Historical Significance: This hammer has shaped the outcome of legendary battles and prevented multiple apocalyptic events.

Cultural Impact: Represents the ultimate achievement in magical weaponsmithing and the power of mortal heroes to wield divine tools.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates the highest possible mastery of weapon enchantment and the binding of elemental thunder forces.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 15-20 when legendary items become accessible and epic threats emerge.

Campaign Impact: Game-changing artifact that should be the focus of major campaign arcs and epic adventures.

Power Level: Requires careful campaign integration due to its immense destructive potential.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Epic encounters with giant lords, titans, and mythical creatures
  • Climactic battles where area damage affects multiple powerful enemies
  • Legendary conflicts requiring artifact-level power to resolve
  • World-threatening scenarios where legendary weapons are essential

Tactical Adjustments: Encounters must be scaled to challenge wielders of legendary artifacts.

Legendary Weapons: Other artifact-level items of comparable power and significance.

Giant-Slaying Equipment:

  • Items specifically designed for epic giant combat
  • Equipment for legendary warfare against titan-level threats
  • Tools for wielding and supporting artifact-level weapons

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance fighter abilities or support legendary weapon usage.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Legendary Status: Characters become mythical figures whose deeds are remembered across generations.

Divine Recognition: Wielding such weapons creates relationships with gods and cosmic forces.

Epic Responsibility: The power to affect world-changing events comes with proportional moral obligations.