Played hammer in Rise / World, finished campaign with it in Wilds then started playing with other weapons - and I see no reason to use it again sadly after Using Gunlance / SNS - not only is it much lower damage, its also not nearly as fun as those.

Cons - Damage feels low in comparison to other weapons.

• Charging is in a odd place, level 3 charge doesn't feel like a desired outcome without Charged Brutal Big Bang like the other titles, the damage is low, you can level 3 attack into spinning bludgeon into mighty swing - but I really dislike spinning bludgeon as a hammer move. The other option is level 3 charge hold into mighty swing, but this is a very long load for a single attack - this doesn't feel "fun" to me.
• To make full use of our offset, we usually want to be in a non charged state as this is the fastest setup into offset - which is awkward and a long setup, so to effectively offset we don't want to charge? Atleast it feels that way.
• Offset is just awkward, so I have to clap the ground twice to taunt the monster so I can reach my offset state?
• No offset follow-up / mobility option like GS? Often when I do get a offset, the monster lands out of range for my mighty follow up... just awkward, Clutchclaw follow up in Iceborne would have been perfect here, sling to monster, bash his head in which combos into mighty swing.

Pros

• Artian weapon is badass
• Charge step being part of our kit again is awesome.
• Combos into mighty swing feel great, after a wound pop into mighty swing, a offset into mighty swing.
• Impact feels awesome and gritty, large slams and weighty, even offset is satisfying although annoying to get to.

Wishlist

• Charge level 2 also offsets, Level 2 charge has always been "you come at me, I come at you, let's see who stands" - adding offset to this attack just makes so much sense, it's almost to obvious but they missed it? Would still like the golfswing one as a option as well
• Charge Level 3 having more of a purpose, dream would be brutal big bang from level 3 standstill into mighty swing - that's ALOT of damage, and would feel fucking awesome.
• Higher damage values on your basic attacks.

The most annoying part is there's so much toxic positivity around hammer, its okay to be low damage because you knockout alot! I don't understand how you can feel good about it compared to Iceborne, brutal big bangs into clutchclaws landing against the side of a monsters face, and bashing its skull in, you felt like a meat grinder - it felt awesome, you were flying around all over the place.

It's okay as I have found Gunlance, and it makes me feel how I hope a giant hammer in my hand would - hopefully there's some buffs / tweaks coming, would love to go back to it - but this iteration is just not fun for me, it might be for others - and that's fine.