User blog comment:Arbytor7/Hammer help/@comment-5933391-20130224142748

Hammers are my favorite weapon! I killed my first Great Jaggi with a hammer and since then they've been my most used weapon throughout MH3, MHP3rd and even MHFU and hopefully they'll remain my favorite in MH3U. I like hammers because they're slow but mobile and IMO better at hitting openings then Great Swords.

Hammers are all about predicting the monster and taking advantage of exploits as well as timing. There are plenty of guides out there explaining what attacks the hammer has so I guess I'll just stick to how to use them. The triple pound is only for major openings the mnonster gives you like taunts, when it trips or when its out of stamina. If you have ear plugs you can triple slam during a roar. The most damaging part of a triple slam is the last swing. Another version of the triple slam is to press AXX not XXX, this is faster and still gives you that deadly swing but the first pound does less damage.

The best way to do damage when theres no huge opening is with the hammers signature moves, the charge attacks. The first level of charge is a simple swing, if you click X after that first swing you can do 2 in a row. These swings don't do that much damage but they're fast and can be done after a triple pound or other move for a kind of infinite combo. The next level of charge is a up swing, Im not really sure what to call this one I always called it a penatration swing. Its good for covering distance and reaching monsters with high heads like Zinogre. You can also do the AXX combo right after a seing if you want. Then theres the all mighty 3rd charge. If you unleash it while standing still you'll do a super-pound. Not much to say here, its a great attack and incredibly deadly. If you time it right you can hit the monster while its turing around to face you or using a fireball, just remember to evade cancle. If you unleash it while moving you'll gulf swing, although if you click X at the right moment it can be the best hammer attack its really hard to use and takes more time than a super-pound.

I would recomend practicing on monsters with nice big heads and plenty of exploits. Rathian and Barroth come to mind.

Theres tons of great hammers coming in 3U but like any other weapon the best hammer for the job depends on the monster you're fighting. I think the best overall hammer is the Dobo hammer because hammers need raw damage much more than elemental. Some good hammers for beginers are always the iron ones. I really hope this helped please ask me anything you didn't understand.