How to Unlock and Use the Thunder Hammer in Warhammer 40K: Darktide

In Warhammer 40K: Darktide, each class has an iconic weapon that everyone knows when they see it. For the Psykers, it’s their various staffs and the bizarre Warp magic they can perform with them. For Ogryns it’s the Ripper Gun, an automatic shotgun that tears through anything and everything in its path. For Veterans it’s the iconic Lasgun, using lasers to deal high damage to target weakpoints. That brings us to the Zealot, whose weapon is as fearsome as it is righteous. Here’s how to unlock and use the Thunder Hammer in Warhammer 40K: Darktide.

Where is the Thunder Hammer in Darktide?

To unlock the Thunder Hammer, players must level their Zealot class all the way to trust level 25, making it one of the highest level requirements for a weapon in the game. Once they hit level 25, the weapon will be appearing in the Armoury Exchange, Sire Melk’s Requisitorium, and from the Emperor’s Gift given after completing random missions. From there, simply purchasing (if you’re using the first two methods) and equipping the weapon will allow you to use it.

The Thunder Hammer, like all melee weapons in Darktide, has three different attacks it can perform. There’s the light attack, which does a standard quick swing into a target (quick by a hammer’s standards, at least). Then there’s the heavy attack, which can do a large swinging attack to either do heavier damage to a single target or knock down a crowd. Finally, there’s the special action which, as the name of the weapon implies, swings the hammer with an electrified attack dealing heavier damage than its regular attack.

In our experience and knowledge, we suggest avoiding using the light attack with this weapon outside of against single targets. It isn’t a terrible swing, but you’re going to find much lower success swinging it into a crowd or against heavier foes like Maulers and Crushers. Instead, you’ll want to mainly use heavy attacks with special actions thrown in on elites, specialists, and monstrosities to inflict massive amounts of damage.

Related: How to Unlock and Use the Flamer in Warhammer 40K: Darktide

If we were to make a suggestion, running the Thunder Hammer with the Flamer will be an insane combination in most games. You can use the Flamer for clearing out small groups of enemies and hordes while pulling out the Thunder Hammer to handle any large foes that are asking to receive the God-Emperor’s justice. You can also throw in the Boltgun instead for elite/specialist clearing at a distance, though keep in mind you’ll need to get comfortable dealing with hordes using the Thunder Hammer. Either way, have fun bringing the righteous fury down on your foes!