History Main / HammerOfTheHoly

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Paladins have several abilities that include "hammer" in the name or otherwise depict hammers -- Blessed Hammer, Hammer of the Righteous, and Judgement throwing a hammer, to name just a few.

As mentioned, a common trait of a ChurchMilitant, ReligiousBruiser, or WarriorMonk. A subtrope of CarryABigStick and WeaponBasedCharacterization. Compare KnightlySwordAndShield -- as a rule, paladins are associated with either this trope or that, depending on whether they lean more towards a "noble knight" or "holy warrior" archetype. Outside of a European Christian context, this can overlap with the MartialArtsStaff, the traditional weapon of choice for [[AllMonksKnowKungFu a different sort of monk]].

As mentioned, a common trait of a ChurchMilitant, ReligiousBruiser, or WarriorMonk. A subtrope of CarryABigStick and WeaponBasedCharacterization. Compare KnightlySwordAndShield -- as a rule, paladins are associated with either this trope or that, depending on whether they lean more towards a "noble knight" or "holy warrior" archetype.

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'': Clergy of the HealerGod Shallya are forbidden to kill and use no arms or armour other than a simple staff. That said, they can still be combat-trained, and that simple staff gives a bonus to [[TapOnTheHead bash foes unconscious]] without inflicting any Wounds.

* ''Literature/MalleusMaleficarum'': A medieval treatise on [[WitchHunt how to destroy witches]], its Latin title translates to "The Hammer of the Witches" (in much the same sense as Edward I of England was called the "Hammer of the Scots"). While the hammer is metaphorical, the title alone is famous and influential. It remains so even in modern times through the book's inclusion in ''Theatre/TheCrucible''.

There's a common belief that holy men were historically prohibited from "shedding blood" in battle, leading to {{Church Militant}}s opting for blunt weapons in an effort to [[ExactWords get around the taboo]]. The historical evidence for this is limited and appears to derive mostly from the depiction of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odo_of_Bayeux Norman bishop wielding a mace]] on Art/TheBayeuxTapestry; meanwhile, monastic warriors such as the Templars happily used bladed weapons in battle. The use of scepters, staves, and gavels in Christian religious ceremonies may have entrenched the association of such instruments with priests, however. Alternatively, since blunt weapons are generally cheaper and require less training than fancy swords or spears, it may have caught on due to monks' vows of poverty and as a way of distinguishing poor priests from wealthy knights.

* As mentioned in the description, Art/TheBayeuxTapestry's depiction of bishop Odo Bayeux wielding a mace appears to be at least the TropeCodifier.

Whatever the origins, the association stuck around, and today, religious warriors such as {{paladin}}s, war-priests, and others are typically depicted wielding blunt weapons. The use of appropriate metaphors such as being the "hammer of [the] God[s]," "crushing" the enemies of the faith, "smiting" the wicked, and "forging" righteousness usually follows. In some cases, the aforementioned "spilling blood" taboo may even be directly named as a justification. [[FridgeLogic Don't ask about the spikes]].

** In a variant, [[HermitGuru Nazarites]] can defend themselves using a walking stick or utility knife, but are not allowed to wield anything designed as a weapon.

* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
** The standard weapon of the Chaplains of the Adeptus Astartes is called the Crozius Arcanum, a staff or mace typically with winged(and/or skulled) iconography. Crozius' are usually not bladed, but seeing as they're sheathed in the same matter-disrupting field as the Power Swords, that hardly matters.
** The main choice of weapon of Lorgar Aurelian, and his legion the Word Bearers, is that of a mace. The Word Bearers, both pre- and post-Chaos Corruption, are the most religiously fanatical members of either side. Pre Literature/HorusHeresy, Lorgar viewed his father, The Emperor, [[LikeAGodToMe as a god]] and worshiped him as such, while spreading what would eventually become the modern-day Imperial Cult. Now Lorgar and his World Bearers worship [[ReligionOfEvil Chaos Undivided]].
** A common weapon carried by the Imperium's Demon-hunting inquisitorial branch is the Demon Hammer, an energized hammer that is further sanctified and blessed for even more effectiveness against Warp entities. Indeed, the use of hammers is reflected in their name: the Ordo Mallaeus.

* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'': The Cleric class in all three games have the Mace as their starting weapon, which is noted to be a common weapon for that line of work.

Whatever the origins, the association stuck around, and today, religious warriors such as {{paladin}}s, war-priests, and others are typically depicted wielding blunt weapons. The use of appropriate metaphors such as being the "hammer of [the] God[s]," "crushing" the enemies of the faith, and "forging" righteousness usually follows. In some cases, the aforementioned "spilling blood" taboo may even be directly named as a justification. [[FridgeLogic Don't ask about the spikes]].

* In ''VideoGame/LimbusCompany'', the N Corp Inquisition is a subdivision of N Corp who have taken the MegaCorp's disdain for prosthetics to cultish extremes, viewing their usage as a heresy that must be purged with their members even styling themselves after religious crusaders adorned with seals and scriptures. Hammers of varying sizes are wielded alongside giant nails and are often used as a follow-up attack to drive the nails further into their victims.

* In ''VideoGame/MapleStory'', paladins are the only Warrior-class adventurer with the ability to wield blunt weapons like hammers and maces while smiting their foes with holy powers. In addition, their signature attack, "Heaven's Hammer", causes an enormous hammer to slam into a wide area in front of the paladin.

* ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'': In the chapter "Heresy!", Paul Luther, a Franciscan monk, is dispatched to Oublié Cathedral to investigate rumors of a relic. He can also find a mace at the start of the chapter and wield it to defeat the eldritch monsters infesting the cathedral. To further {{Pun hammer}} the point home, each of the playable characters has access to a melee weapon per chapter. In his chapter, Paul can still find a long-edged sword, but that is optional and missable. Thus, a mace is the melee weapon available to Paul Luther.

* ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'': In the chapter "Heresy!", Paul Luther, a Franciscan monk, is dispatched to Oublié Cathedral to investigate rumors of a relic. He can also find a mace at the start of the chapter and wield it to defeat the eldritch monsters infesting the cathedral. To further hammer the point home, each of the playable characters has access to a melee weapon per chapter. In his chapter, Paul can still find a long-edged sword, but that is optional and missable. Thus, a mace is the melee weapon available to Paul Luther.

As mentioned, a common trait of a ChurchMilitant, ReligiousBruiser, or WarriorMonk. A subtrope of CarryABigStick and WeaponBasedCharacterization. Compare KnightlySwordAndShield -- as a rule, paladins are associated with either this trope or that.

As mentioned, a common trait of a ChurchMilitant, ReligiousBruiser, or WarriorMonk. A subtrope of CarryABigStick and WeaponBasedCharacterization.

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'': Clergy of the HealerGod Shallya are forbidden to kill and use no arms or armour other than a SimpleStaff. That said, they can still be combat-trained, and that simple staff gives a bonus to [[TapOnTheHead bash foes unconscious]] without inflicting any Wounds.

->''"It's so ecclesiastical! And smitey!"''
--> -- '''Mink''', ''Webcomic/{{Darken}}''

* ''VideoGame/RuneScape'': Priest robes (prayer bonus), best mace you can find (prayer bonus), hunt giants/dragons (their bones give more prayer XP). You can take a lot less damage (Protect from x prayers) while dealing a lot more damage (Fortify Strength/Attack/etc.) And, the Monks of Zamorak, too.

* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'': Paladin heroes are depicted wielding {{Humongous Headed Hammer}}s.

* ''Webcomic/{{Darken}}'': As a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''-based setting, Mink the cleric gleefully uses a large warhammer when [[ReligionIsMagic her divine magic]] doesn't cut it, though "righteous" is a stretch, given her {{patron|God}} is the LawfulEvil[[invoked]] god of tyranny. {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d by Mink herself:
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Durkon, the Order's cleric, being a worshipper of Thor, primarily uses a warhammer. [[spoiler:After he comes BackFromTheDead for real, he upgrades this to a Hammer of Thunderbolts, a magic item bestowed upon him by Thor.]]