Without getting into too many details, my life as a collector started because I couldn’t actually play the game with one hand. My 1st son was a horrible sleeper and would only drift off if he was tossed over my left shoulder with certain music playing…music that came from my computer. For better or worse, there was one specific song that did the trick for him. It was repeated and repeated and repeated.
As I sat there in front of the computer with one arm occupied there wasn’t much I could do. I certainly couldn’t continue a campaign with my brother (who had bought me GW as a house-warming present) and guildies. I couldn’t even really contribute to the conversation because by the time I typed something with one hand the moment had passed. I could, however, sit there in LA and spam. I was a warrior. I liked the idea of powerful two handed strikes knocking enemies to the ground and leaving them with conditions. Hammers were the thing for me.
I started humbly. I wanted to gather a Req 8 or 9 example of each skin with a perfect damage mod on it. Any perfect damage mod, just to document the variety and beauty of these weapons. With that accomplished, I decided they had to be all Req 8. Then they all had to be either 15>50 or (when available) +5e. Finally, they all had to be Req 8 15>50.
That’s what led to the main part of the collection you see below: Every Gold Max Req 8 15>50 Hammer known to exist in GW.
Along the way, I found a favorite: Clouded Maul. You’ll find a variety of Req 8s there, with some welcome and beloved repetition.
There’s plenty of other stuff here: The Req 8 +5e Hammers that came and went as this collection evolved, multiple examples of some of the most achingly rare hammers in the game, and some misfits that have happily accumulated in my storage over the years.
There are stories and friends attached and many thanks to be given here, but it’s not over yet – I’m still searching for more. I might think I’m done, but for some reason I’ll keep going. What’s funny, though, is that today, while driving my first son home, that one song came on the radio. He rubbed his eyes and said “Why am I so tired?”. He’s too big for me to put over my shoulder but it seems what happened during those nights so many years ago is somehow hardwired somewhere inside both of us.
Enjoy.
PS: Thanks to the anonymous entity who assembled the gorgeous poster. Far beyond my capabilities in paint and my capacities for self-aggrandizement