- Bloodborne Kirkhammer is a Strength-focused trick weapon with two distinct forms
- Sword form: fast, low-stamina attacks with reliable parry follow-ups
- Hammer form: massive stagger and high damage, but slow and stamina-hungry
- How to get: purchase in the Hunter's Dream after obtaining the Sword Hunter Badge
- Best fit: dedicated Strength builds; pairs well with physical blood gems
Kirkhammer Overview: Two Weapons in One
The Kirkhammer is one of Bloodborne's most iconic trick weapons: a silver sword that sheathes into a massive stone-headed hammer. Unlike weapons that simply extend or reshape, the Kirkhammer genuinely changes identity when transformed, switching from a nimble one-handed sword to one of the heaviest blunt instruments in Yharnam.
In the sword form, the Kirkhammer behaves like a quick straight sword with low stamina costs and fluid combos. In the hammer form, the sword slides into the hilt and the entire weapon becomes a colossal bludgeon with outstanding stagger potential. The transformation attack itself — slamming the hammer down or pulling it back out — is a strong tool for punishing and repositioning.
Compared to other Strength options in the weapon roster:
| Weapon | Playstyle | Speed | Stagger | Best Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkhammer | Sword/hammer hybrid | Fast (sword) / Slow (hammer) | Excellent | Strength |
| Hunter Axe | Reach and sweeps | Moderate | Very good | Strength |
| Ludwig's Holy Blade | Versatile greatsword | Moderate | Very good | Quality / Strength |
| Saw Cleaver | Quick serrated slashes | Fast | Moderate | Strength / Hybrid |
Treat the Kirkhammer as two weapons rather than one. Hunters who constantly shift between forms get far more value than those who ignore the sword stance entirely.
How to Unlock the Kirkhammer
The Kirkhammer is not a starting weapon, but it is available early. Follow this route to add it to your arsenal:
Reach Cathedral Ward
Progress through Central Yharnam, defeat Father Gascoigne in the Tomb of Oedon, and unlock the Cathedral Ward lamp.
Obtain the Sword Hunter Badge
The Sword Hunter Badge is found on the path toward the Grand Cathedral, guarded by an old hunter NPC on the tower stairs. Defeat or bypass the encounter to claim the badge.
Purchase in the Hunter's Dream
Return to the Hunter's Dream Fountain. The Kirkhammer appears in the Insight shop's weapon selection once the badge is acquired, costing Blood Echoes rather than Insight.
Meet the stat requirements
The Kirkhammer has modest requirements: a small amount of Skill and a moderate Strength investment, making it accessible to Strength-focused characters almost immediately.
The hammer form consumes large amounts of stamina per swing. Raise Endurance alongside Strength, or your heaviest attacks will leave you unable to dodge.
Combat Tactics: Sword Form vs. Hammer Form
Each form has a clear role. Knowing when to use which is the core skill of the weapon.
Sword Form
- Fast, cheap attacks for pressure and poking
- Quick recovery makes parry follow-ups safer
- Lower damage, shorter reach than greatswords
- Ideal for agile enemies and hunter-type foes
Hammer Form
- Huge single-hit damage and stagger
- Charged R2 can flatten large beasts
- Slow recovery punishes greedy swinging
- Ideal for slow, large, or stagger-prone enemies
Recommended tactics by situation:
| Situation | Form | Tactic |
|---|---|---|
| Fast humanoids / hunters | Sword | Quick strings, sidestep, parry into visceral |
| Large beasts (Cleric Beast, Vicar Amelia) | Hammer | Charge attacks on limbs for staggers |
| Groups of mobs | Sword | Wide horizontal slashes while retreating |
| Boss recovery windows | Hammer | One heavy hit, then reset spacing |
| Aggressive pressure phases | Sword | Rally recovery with rapid light attacks |
The transformation attack into hammer form has strong hyper-armor feel and excellent damage. Use it as a punish when an enemy finishes a committed attack — it often staggers humanoid foes outright.
Build Synergy, Gems, and Runes
The Kirkhammer rewards a focused Strength investment with quality-style sword play as a bonus.
| Stage | Stat Targets | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Vitality ~20, Strength ~16-20 | Meet requirements, survive hits |
| Mid | Strength 25, Vitality ~30 | First Strength soft cap |
| Late | Strength 50, Vitality 40+ | Full scaling from physical gems |
Recommended support choices:
- Blood Gems: Physical attack gems scale both forms consistently; Adept (Blunt) gems benefit hammer-heavy playstyles
- Runes: Clockwise Metamorphosis for health, Anti-Clockwise Metamorphosis for the stamina hammer swings demand, Clawmark to amplify visceral attacks from sword-form parries
- Alternate weapon pairing: Ludwig's Holy Blade covers similar ground with more reach — the Kirkhammer trades that for superior blunt stagger
The Kirkhammer deals blunt damage in hammer form rather than serrated damage. Against beasts weak to serration (like Vicar Amelia), Saw weapons or Fire Paper still outperform it, so keep elemental papers handy.
Kirkhammer Mastery Checklist
Kirkhammer Hunter Milestones:
- Obtain the Sword Hunter Badge and purchase the Kirkhammer
- Learn the sword-to-hammer transformation punish timing
- Reach 25 Strength for the first scaling soft cap
- Reinforce the weapon with Blood Stone Shards consistently
- Slot physical blood gems once Chalice Dungeon gems become available
You default to sword form against fast enemies without thinking, and swap to hammer only when a true punish window opens — no panic slamming.
FAQ
Q: Is the Kirkhammer good for a first Bloodborne playthrough?
Yes, for players committed to a Strength build. The sword form keeps early encounters manageable while the hammer form delivers excellent stagger against large bosses. It demands more stamina management than the Saw Cleaver, but it scales well through the entire game.
Q: Kirkhammer or Ludwig's Holy Blade?
Ludwig's Holy Blade is more versatile thanks to its greatsword reach and balanced Strength/Skill scaling, while the Kirkhammer offers higher blunt stagger potential and faster sword-form attacks. Pure Strength hunters who enjoy switching rhythms often prefer the Kirkhammer.
Q: What stats does the Kirkhammer need?
It requires a small Skill investment and moderate Strength to wield, and it scales primarily with Strength. Push Strength toward 25 mid-game and 50 late-game for maximum benefit.
Q: Where do I get the best blood gems for the Kirkhammer?
Physical attack gems from deep Chalice Dungeons are the strongest endgame option. Adept (Blunt) gems favor hammer-heavy playstyles, while standard physical gems benefit both forms evenly.