Holy Paladin Artifact Weapon: The Silver Hand

By Wowhead Updated: 2025/10/17

The Silver Handoriginal Legion expansionLegion: RemixAppearances and TintsArtifact CalculatorLegion Dressing RoomThe Silver HandLight's ChargeFist of the Fallen WatcherForged for BattlePower RealizedPart of HistoryThis Side UpProtector's JudgmentImproving on HistoryUnleashed MonstrositiesKeystone MasterGlory of the Legion HeroGravewarderThe PrestigeCrest of HeroismCrest of CarnageCrest of DevastationJustice's FlameEnd of the Risen ThreatWatcher's ArmamentLost Edicts of the WatcherTransmog Recommendationssave and share an Outfit with this ArtifactJustice's Flame + Tier 2Silver Hand + Challenge ModeEmpowered + Recolored Tier 2Protector's Judgment + Tier 16Gravekeeper + Tier 12Artifact AcquisitionThe Silver HandYouTube Artifact Acquisition PlaylistWeapons of Legend

A secret order of paladins has been secretly watching over the resting place of the great titan watcher Tyr for hundreds of years.

Histories tell us that his powerful warhammer is buried there with him.

Recent events have threatened the safety of their secret charge, and they have appealed for help from paladins across Azeroth.

Weapons of LegendThe Brother's Trail

Lanigosa says: "Hello, paladin. I sense you have business with me."

You say: "I do. I am looking for a paladin named Galford."

Lanigosa says: "Ah, yes! A very studious sort he was, eager to hear stories of Tyr, the Titan Keeper. I told him of the battle between Galakron and Tyr, and how Kalecgos saw Tyr's severed hand at Galakrond's Rest. Galford got very excited and left. Is your friend safe?"

You say: "In truth, I do not know. I will seek him out."

Lanigosa says: "Galakrond's Rest can be dangerous. Perhaps a tracking spell will be of use. There! A bit of magic to help you follow in Galford's footsteps. Good luck!"

Friendly Tauren Spirit says: "Your friend came seeking answers, his mind flooded by memories stored in the Spark of the noble watcher. He learned of Tyr's ancient battle against Galakrond and the hand he lost in the dragon's maw.

"A silver hand was forged by Jotun, Tyr's dearest friend for many ages. When Tyr found proof of Loken's betrayal, it was Jotun who stayed behind to hold off the fallen Watcher's pursuit.

"Your friend sought out Jotun, but the Spark did not warn him of the cruel curse with which Loken twisted the Watcher's mind. The paladin rushed to the chasm south of here, only to meet his doom."

Ancient warnings be damned! I should have made this pilgrimage years ago. The spark of Tyr possesses...memories! It has granted me amazing visions of history. It led me here and showed me how the wounded Tyr was aided by his noble companion, Jotun. It was Jotun who helped replace the Watcher's hand and engraved his warhammer with Tyr's new symbol. The stone giant still lives, wandering this broken pathway! It is time to meet this Jotun. Once he recognizes the spark, I have no doubt the giant will aid our cause!

Lanigosa yells: "I've been looking all over for you. Have you found... Oh, no...

"I am truly sorry. It looks as though your friend was crushed. What could have..."

Jotun yells: "Leave this place! Loken's curse compels me to slay all allies of Tyr. Until he comes to collect Tyr's spark, I must defend it!"

Lanigosa says: "What is this essence the giant speaks of? I would have words with you."

Lanigosa yells: "A just cause. I shall stand with you against the might of Jotun! Be ready!"

Jotun yells: "You leave me no choice! I must destroy you!

"The pain! It frees my mind of the curse... for the moment.

"Loken's enchantment won't let me die. We have only a moment before I fall into madness again.

"Here is the spark. Take it and flee! Keep the memory of my fallen friend alive."

Lanigosa yells: "If you desire, I can take you back to your city in the sky. I will return later for Galford's remains."

Jotun says: "For Tyr!"

The Silver Hand

Travard says: "Ah, there you are. The area was secured at great cost. This cannot continue; we must retrieve the Silver Hand and destroy the entrance to the tomb.

"I will complete the ritual to release the Hammer and collapse the tomb, but we must be quick. I can sense evil emanating from the tomb.

"You and I shall lead a small team in first. Let me know when you are ready."

Travard says: "Behold the Tomb of Tyr, built by the might...wait! These monsters dare befoul the tomb?!

"This cannot stand! Destroy these abominations!

"It pains me to see such destruction threaten the resting place of the Silver Hand."

Travard says: "Look there! The sacred hammer's wards remain strong! First, we must purge this infestation. Let me know when you are ready."

Travard says: "At last, we can begin! After the ritual is complete and we have the hammer, the complex will collapse, sealing Tyr's resting place forever.

"Something is wrong. One of the other Sparks isn't here!

"Wait, I can sense it below, probably taken by one of those monsters. We must have it! We will begin the search when you are ready, champion.

"Once we clear an area, reinforcements will secure it. Onward, paladins!"

Travard yells: Destroy the monster! For the Light!

Trvard yells: NO! They are...gone!

Travard says: "The last of my brothers and sisters. I am all the remains of the Tyr's Guard.

"I have the Spark. The battle this place has seen has warped reality too much. We must finish this now."

Mordoth the Hunter yells: "Life...to consume..."

Travard says: "A dark presence emerges from the void... something big! We need to move now!"

Travard yells: "verything is in place for me to complete the ritual! All of you, defend the tunnel!"

Mordoth the Hunter says: "Why...flee? The Void... inevitable..."

Travard yells: "That this is too powerful! Focus on staying alive and keep it at bay!"

Artifact Book Text

The Silver Hand

The Silver Hand has existed since before recorded history. The world-shaping titans gave this mighty hammer to Keeper Tyr, who used it to help liberate Azeroth from the wicked Old Gods.

Over the ages that followed, the Silver Hand served as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the keeper. Now this legendary artifact rests in your keeping. Wield it well, and honor Tyr's memory.

The Silver Hand, Part One

Long ago, the legendary titans crafted stone- and iron-skinned giants to make war on the Old Gods and free Azeroth from their oppressive will.

The giants were led by beings known as the keepers, and the mightiest of these commanders was named Tyr. Armed with an immense hammer, Tyr helped his kin break the strength of the Old Gods and their dark armies. He forged a glorious new destiny for Azeroth.

Tyr was a warrior without equal, but his greatest trait was his conviction. He never gave up. He never strayed from his titan-bestowed quest. The mere sight of his argent hammer on the battlefield inspired courage in everyone who fought at his side.

The Silver Hand, Part Two

From the writings of an order known as Tyr's Guard, recounting Keeper Tyr and Keeper Odyn's mythic battle against Ragnaros the Firelord:

"Ragnaros retreated to the heart of his lair, where he was most powerful, and waited for his enemies to come to him. He called fire from the sky to waylay Tyr and Odyn. Smoke descended on the land, and it became like night.

"A single brilliant light shone in the darkness-the silvery glow of Tyr's great hammer. It drifted to and fro, sometimes forward and sometimes back. The erratic movements confused Ragnaros. He gradually let his guard down, believing Tyr and Odyn were too cowardly to face him in battle.

"It was exactly what the keepers had been waiting for.

"Like a bolt of lightning, Tyr pierced through the smoke and scored a blow against Ragnaros with his hammer. Odyn then flanked the staggered Firelord, and the two keepers overwhelmed their foe."

The Silver Hand, Part Three

From chapter three of The Age of Galakrond, by the historian Evelyna:

"As great a warrior as Tyr was, he did not always escape his battles unharmed. An example of this was his confrontation with the monstrous proto-dragon named Galakrond.

"Countless years after the keepers defeated the Old Gods and imprisoned them beneath the earth, Galakrond emerged to rule the skies of the world. A fierce hunger compelled the proto-dragon to eat everything in his path.

"When Tyr learned about the creature, he feared Galakrond would soon devour all nature. He gathered five other proto-dragons to wage war on him.

"Though the five proto-dragons would eventually vanquish Galakrond, their initial attacks on him went poorly. Tyr's new allies did not always work together. Even when they did, Galakrond proved too mighty for the combined strength of the keeper and the proto-dragons.

"In one battle, Tyr himself grappled with Galakrond and pummeled the beast with his hammer. The blows had little effect. Tyr's weapon was knocked from his grasp, and Galakrond consumed the keeper's hand.

"Only with the help of his five winged allies did Tyr escape with his life."

The Silver Hand, Part Four

From chapter nine of The Age of Galakrond, by the historian Evelyna:

"Keeper Tyr worked with a giant named Jotun to replace his appendage. They mined a vein of pure silver deep within Azeroth. Jotun used the metal to forge a hand for his injured companion.

"Tyr was in awe of Jotun's craftsmanship, and he asked the giant for one final favor: to reforge his warhammer so that it would incorporate the image of his new hand. The giant did so, but he inquired why the keeper wanted to draw more attention to his wound.

"Tyr replied that he did not consider his argent hand a reminder of defeat. For him, it was a symbol of the sacrifice he had made to defend Azeroth, and he wanted the world to see it that way as well.

"When Jotun finished reshaping the hammer, Tyr named his weapon the Silver Hand."

The Silver Hand, Part Five

As the ages passed on Azeroth, the unity between Tyr and his fellow keepers crumbled.

Keeper Loken fell under the sway of the imprisoned Old God Yogg-Saron. The once-noble giant turned on his kin, leaving many of them incapacitated or imprisoned. Loken's betrayal ignited chaos among the earthen, vrykul, and other titan-forged creatures who served the keepers.

Only Tyr and a handful of his closest allies eluded Loken's wrath. Though they planned to strike down the corrupted keeper, they first needed to find a refuge for the earthen and their other innocent servants. Tyr rallied the titan-forged to his side and ventured south in search of a place that was safe from Loken's reach.

The journey was harsh, and many of the titan-forged worried for the future. Only the sight of Tyr leading the way, his legendary hammer always in hand, gave them the hope they needed to continue.

The Silver Hand, Part Six

Nearly all of Tyr's followers traveled south, but not Jotun. Inspired by the keeper's ideals of personal sacrifice, the giant stayed behind to distract Loken and help mask his allies' escape.

Jotun succeeded, but he was punished for his heroics.

When Loken learned that many of the titan-forged had fled south, he captured Jotun and twisted his mind. The cursed giant was forced to search the lands surrounding Ulduar and destroy Tyr, anything that symbolized his power, and anyone who followed his ideals.

As his first act, Jotun shattered the anvil he had used to craft Tyr's hand and reshape his warhammer.

The Silver Hand, Part Seven

From the writings of Tyr's Guard, recounting Tyr's death:

"Loken awakened two of the Old Gods' most powerful generals and sent them after Tyr. These enormous creatures were called the C'Thraxxi. They stormed south and caught up with Tyr and the titan-forged refugees in the land we know as Tirisfal. Or, as the vrykul called it, 'Tyr's Fall.'

"Tyr stood against the C'Thraxxi alone. It would be his final-and greatest-hour.

"Tyr called upon all the lessons he had learned in battle. He wielded the Silver Hand as if it were an extension of his own body. The C'Thraxxi slashed at his metal hide, but Tyr's hammer shielded him in holy power and mended his wounds. The battle dragged on, with neither the keeper nor his enemies giving any ground.

"Tyr knew there was only one way to secure the safety of his allies. He unleashed his immense powers, igniting an explosion of arcane magic that blasted a massive crater in the earth. Tyr and one of his foes were killed instantly. The other, on the verge of death, retreated from the battle site."

The Silver Hand, Part Eight

After Tyr's sacrifice, his allies entombed the fallen keeper and the dead C'Thrax where they lay. None of the titan-forged felt worthy of taking up their leader's hammer, and they buried it with his corpse.

Tyr's followers then enchanted the tomb with protective wards. They bound the Silver Hand to these magical seals, thereby preventing anyone from touching it in the future.

Of all the titan-forged who had come south, the vrykul were the most moved by what Tyr had done to protect them. They decided to stay in the region and stand vigil over the keeper's tomb.

The Silver Hand, Part Nine

An excerpt from Legends of the Silver Hand, by the historian Evelyna:

"At some point in Azeroth's distant past, humanity emerged in Tirisfal Glades. The iron-skinned vrykul who lived there slowly died off. Many of them suffered from the curse of flesh, a strange malady that transformed them into creatures of flesh and blood.

"Yet one group of vrykul lasted longer than the others. They formed a secretive group, Tyr's Guard, to protect Keeper Tyr's tomb. The vrykul of this order knew that they would not live forever, and so they inducted some of the fledgling humans into their ranks.

"The vrykul taught the human members of Tyr's Guard the history of the fallen keeper, his tenets of self-sacrifice and justice, and the truth of what lay within the tomb."

The Silver Hand, Part Ten

In the ancient days, the only humans ever to breach Tyr's tomb and bypass its protectors were following the legendary human king Thoradin. After the elderly ruler abdicated his throne, he became obsessed with his race's history. Thoradin's curiosity eventually led him to discover Tyr's final resting place.

When Thoradin arrived at the tomb, Tyr's Guard confronted him. A tense standoff ensued. The former king was accompanied by a powerful retinue of guards and learned sorcerers. Though the members of Tyr's Guard did not want them to disturb the gravesite, they also did not want bloodshed.

Thoradin and his followers forced their way past Tyr's Guard. Much of what happened next is shrouded in rumor. It is said that Thoradin and his retinue ventured into the darkened catacombs, and they were never seen again.

Tyr's Guard knew that Thoradin's magi had broken the tomb's wards in their foolish quest to explore the gravesite. The order's members made a vow that day-they would not enter the catacombs again, for fear that further meddling could awaken the C'Thrax buried inside and unleash its evil on the world.

The Silver Hand, Part Eleven

For thousands of years, Tyr's Guard continued its sacred duty. New members came and went, and over time, they adopted more techniques to help them protect Tyr's tomb. In particular, the defenders felt an affinity toward paladins, holy warriors who arose to battle the orcish Horde in the Second War.

The members of Tyr's Guard learned how to wield the Holy Light, and they became mighty paladins. Yet even this newfound power could not save the order from the undead Scourge.

When the Scourge swept over the human kingdom of Lordaeron, Tyr's Guard crumbled. Only a few brave members, led by a paladin named Travard, remained to uphold their ancient vows.

Comments

Comment by Axerax

WAIT! Reinhardt is a support now? R.I.P. Protection Paladin Dreams.

Comment by Deastrumquodvici

The default and first Fist of the Fallen Watcher skins look pretty good with Vengeful Gladiator's Aegis, in my opinion. I've got it mogged with the aforementioned set, with Imbued Infantry Cloak and the Soaring Skyterror for a head-to-mount look.

Comment by Worlocken

Can anyone actually confirm if the Hidden Appearance drops from Faronaar on Live? Apparently many have farmed there yet no one seems to have confirmed a drop.

Comment by 368257

I wanted to note that the quest chain for the holy artifact can be almost completely done as a Prot.

I never plan on healing, but I was tired of having that darn quest there distracting me. Phases 1-7 were simple, just tank the mobs, taunt off the wet-paper-towel NPC tank.

Phase 8 requires you to cleanse a magic debuff - a Holy-only ability. This phase occurs out of combat. You can switch to Holy, Cleanse, then switch back to Prot (or Ret, I assume) and finish the rest of the event.

Holy Paladin Artifact Weapon: The Silver Hand

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