In the landscape of Skyrim’s two-handed weaponry, the warhammer is typically defined by a single trade-off: immense raw damage in exchange for agonizingly slow swing speeds. Most players gravitate toward greatswords for their balance or battleaxes for their versatility, leaving the warhammer as a niche choice for those who don’t mind the 0.6 attack speed. However, one unique weapon—The Longhammer—fundamentally breaks the mechanical constraints of its class. This Orcish warhammer features a hidden, non-enchanted speed multiplier that makes it arguably the most efficient damage-per-second (DPS) tool in the entire game.

The mechanics of Rahd’s legacy

The Longhammer belonged to a bandit named Rahd, who met a grim end in Liar's Retreat. What sets this weapon apart isn't a flashy magical glow or an elemental burst. Its power lies in its weight—or lack thereof. While a standard Orcish warhammer weighs 26 units, the Longhammer weighs only 18. This reduced weight translates directly into a 30% increase in swing speed.

In practical terms, the Longhammer swings at a speed of 0.8, which is the same speed as a one-handed mace. When you consider that warhammers possess the highest base damage and the most impactful stagger mechanics in the two-handed tree, having one that swings with the cadence of a mace is a massive mechanical advantage. Unlike enchanted weapons, this speed boost is an inherent property of the item. This distinction is critical for high-level character builds, as it allows the weapon to interact with game systems that usually exclude unique artifacts.

Navigating the dangers of Liar's Retreat

Securing the Longhammer is not a task for the unprepared. The weapon is located in Liar's Retreat, a cavern system situated southwest of Dragon Bridge. What begins as a seemingly standard bandit hideout quickly reveals itself to be a slaughterhouse. Upon entering, players will find that a Falmer infestation has wiped out the resident bandits.

The layout of Liar's Retreat is tight and claustrophobic, favoring close-quarters combat. You will face a mixture of Falmer Skulkers, Gloomlurkers, and their Chaurus pets. For players at lower levels, the poison damage from the Chaurus and the Falmer's high-damage arrows can be lethal. Navigating the central chamber requires careful positioning; rushing in often leads to being surrounded by enemies dropping from the ledges above.

At the very end of the tunnels, you will find the corpse of Rahd on a sacrificial altar. The Longhammer lies directly in his cold grip. It is important to note that the weapon can sometimes be knocked away during a chaotic fight with the final Falmer group. If it is not on the altar, check the surrounding floor or under the table. Once retrieved, the Longhammer becomes a lifelong companion for any serious two-handed warrior.

The Elemental Fury synergy

The true potential of the Longhammer is unlocked through the Elemental Fury shout. Because the Longhammer’s speed bonus is not considered a magical enchantment, it is one of the few unique weapons that remains compatible with this shout. Elemental Fury increases the attack speed of un-enchanted weapons by 30%, 50%, or 70% depending on how many words of power are used.

When a fully upgraded Elemental Fury shout is applied to the Longhammer, the results are absurd. The weapon's swing speed surpasses that of most daggers, allowing the player to deliver a flurry of heavy-hitting warhammer strikes in a matter of seconds. In this state, the stagger lock becomes near-infinite. Most enemies, including high-level Draugr Death Overlords and even Dragons, can be effectively neutralized by the sheer frequency of impacts. This combination transforms the slow, deliberate playstyle of a two-handed build into a high-octane offensive powerhouse.

Comparing DPS: Longhammer vs. Daedric and Dragonbone

Many players overlook the Longhammer because its base damage is tied to the Orcish tier (21). At face value, a Daedric Warhammer (27) or a Dragonbone Warhammer (28) seems superior. However, raw damage numbers are deceptive in Skyrim. The actual utility of a weapon is determined by how its damage scales with smithing and how often those hits land.

Once your Smithing skill reaches 100 and you apply the Orcish Smithing perk, the Longhammer can be improved to Legendary status. At high levels of Smithing and with Fortify Smithing gear, the gap in base damage between an Orcish weapon and a Dragonbone weapon becomes negligible—often a difference of only a few points in a pool of hundreds.

Because the Longhammer swings 30% faster, its DPS calculation is simple: (Base Damage + Smithing Bonus) x 1.3. A Dragonbone Warhammer might hit harder in a single strike, but in the time it takes to swing it twice, the Longhammer has landed three hits. Over the course of a battle, the Longhammer consistently produces higher total damage output while providing more opportunities to trigger critical hits and staggers.

Optimization: Perks and Enchanting

While the Elemental Fury route is the most famous way to use the Longhammer, it is not the only path. For those who prefer a more traditional "enchanted" build, the Longhammer offers a unique advantage. Since it starts without an enchantment, you can take it to an Arcane Enchanter and apply two custom effects (if you have the Extra Effect perk).

Applying Chaos Damage and Absorb Health to a weapon that already swings 30% faster creates a terrifying tool for survival. Every strike has a high probability of dealing massive elemental damage while keeping your health bar full. However, choosing to enchant the weapon prevents the use of Elemental Fury. This is the primary decision a Longhammer user must make: do you want the raw, supernatural speed of the shout, or the utility and elemental procs of a dual enchantment?

In terms of the Two-Handed perk tree, the following choices are most effective for this specific weapon:

  • Barbarian (5/5): This is non-negotiable. Doubling your base damage is the foundation of any build.
  • Champion's Stance: Reduces the stamina cost of power attacks. Since you will be swinging more often, managing your stamina is vital.
  • Devastating Blow: Adds a 25% damage bonus to standing power attacks and a chance to decapitate. This synergizes with the Longhammer’s speed, making your power attacks come out much faster than an opponent expects.
  • Skull Crusher (3/3): This perk allows warhammers to ignore 75% of an enemy's armor. While many late-game enemies don't have high armor ratings, this perk ensures that against heavily armored foes like Ebony Warriors or high-tier bandits, your damage remains consistent.

Survival Tactics: The Two-Handed Warrior

Wielding a warhammer requires a different mindset than sword-and-board play. You lack the ability to block as effectively as a shield-user, and your recovery time after a missed swing is significant. The Longhammer’s speed mitigates this risk. It allows for a "hit and run" style that is usually impossible with heavy weapons.

You should focus on "spacing." Use the superior reach of the warhammer to land the first blow as an enemy closes in. Because you swing faster, you can often land a standard hit followed by a power attack before the enemy can even initiate their own animation. If an enemy is blocking, a bash with the Longhammer is faster than with other warhammers, allowing you to break their guard and follow up instantly.

Stamina management is the only real hurdle. Using the Longhammer effectively means you will be performing more actions per minute than a typical two-handed build. Keeping a supply of Vegetable Soup is a classic but effective strategy; the 1 point of stamina regeneration per second allows you to perform power attacks indefinitely, which is particularly deadly when combined with the Longhammer’s speed.

The 2026 Perspective: Longevity of the Build

Even as new strategies emerge in the community, the Longhammer remains a top-tier choice because it relies on a fundamental speed multiplier rather than a gimmick. It scales perfectly from the mid-game to the absolute endgame. Whether you are clearing out vampire dens in the reach or facing off against legendary dragons in the forgotten vales, the efficiency of this weapon is hard to overstate.

It is also worth noting that the Longhammer is a "hidden gem" in terms of aesthetics. It lacks the over-the-top spikes of Daedric gear or the organic look of Dragonbone. It is a simple, brutalist piece of Orcish engineering that looks like a tool of war. For players who value a more grounded, "warrior-monk" or "veteran mercenary" aesthetic, it fits perfectly without sacrificing any combat efficacy.

Potential drawbacks and considerations

No weapon is without its flaws. The Longhammer’s primary weakness is its short reach compared to some of the larger greatswords. While it is technically a warhammer, its model is slightly more compact, meaning you need to be a bit closer to your target than you would be with something like the Bloodskal Blade.

Additionally, obtaining the weapon requires clearing Liar's Retreat, which can be an exercise in frustration for players who struggle against Falmer. The poison resistance of the player character should be a consideration before heading into the cave. Bringing along a few Potions of Cure Poison or wearing the Savior's Hide can make the acquisition process much smoother.

Lastly, if you choose the enchantment route, remember that the 30% speed boost is always active, but it does not make the enchantments themselves trigger more powerfully—only more frequently. This makes it an ideal candidate for "chance-based" enchantments or "on-hit" effects rather than those that rely on a single massive strike.

Final verdict

The Longhammer represents the pinnacle of mechanical efficiency in Skyrim. It challenges the notion that two-handed players must be slow and reactive. By combining the highest stagger potential in the game with the speed of a one-handed weapon, it creates a playstyle that is both aggressive and safe. It is a weapon that rewards knowledge of the game's systems—specifically the interaction between weight, speed, and shouts. If you are looking to maximize your lethality in the tundra, there is no better investment of your time than a trip to Liar's Retreat to claim this unassuming but legendary mallet.