Enhancement Shaman Artifact Weapon: Doomhammer

By Wowhead Updated: 2025/10/17

DoomhammerDoomhammerFury of the Stonemotheroriginal Legion expansionLegion: RemixAppearances and TintsArtifact CalculatorLegion Dressing RoomDoomhammerLight's ChargeStormbringerForged for BattlePower RealizedPart of HistoryThis Side UpLegion's DoomImproving on HistoryUnleashed MonstrositiesKeystone MasterGlory of the Legion HeroBlackhand's FateThe PrestigeCrest of HeroismCrest of CarnageCrest of DevastationTyphoonThe God-Queen's FuryZandalar ChampionThe Warmace of ShirvallahTransmog Recommendationssave and share an Outfit with this artifactTyphoon + Tier 17Default + Dark ShamanEmpowered + Recolored Tier 6Molten + Tier 1Fel-Touched + Tier 8Artifact AcquisitionDoomhammerYouTube Artifact Acquisition PlaylistThe Hammer in the Deep

The Doomhammer has fallen into the Maelstrom.

It would be wise to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

Travel with Thrall into Deepholm to pursue the missing artifact. Beware—the demon Geth'xun also plummeted into the Maelstrom and may still be alive.

The Doomhammer chose you, shaman. Already, you wield it with a power I have never tapped into.

I must go my own way. I have a lot of thinking to do. Aggra will be at the Maelstrom shortly—listen to her counsel, she has taught me so much.

Go back to the Earthen Ring. Bring them together. Turn their might against the Legion. This is your time.

The Orcs had a prophecy about the Doomhammer. It was said that a stranger will raise the hammer high and with it, justice shall reign. Maybe... maybe you were meant to be that stranger all along.

Artifact Book Text

Doomhammer

Forged in elemental fury, handed down from generation to generation, a harbinger of destruction to all who oppose it, the Doomhammer is prophesied to bring about both salvation and doom.

Some of the most renowned orcs in history have possessed the Doomhammer: Blackhand, Orgrim, Thrall. And now it passes to you. In your hands, the Doomhammer carries the potential for either victory... or ruin.

Doomhammer, Part One

The Doomhammer's origins have been traced to the ogre empire's rise to power on Draenor, and to an orc named Gelnar.

It is said that Gelnar, faced with the problem of preventing the orcs from being enslaved by the ogres, wandered alone in contemplation for days upon days. When a mighty storm forced him to take shelter in a Gorgrond steam cavern, Gelnar experienced fever-induced visions. Pledging his body and spirit to the elements, he submerged himself in a pool of lava and was miraculously unharmed.

According to legend, the head of the Doomhammer was coaxed forth from the heart of Draenor itself. When Gelnar later crafted an oaken handle, the forming of the Doomhammer was complete. From that day forward, both the weapon and the name Doomhammer would be passed down from father to eldest son.

Doomhammer, Part Two

From the writings of Tolla Kol'gar, orc shaman:

"Our clan faced an army of ogre invaders.

"Gelnar raised the Doomhammer to the sky, and it spoke-it spoke in fire and lightning. Thunder rolled through the blackened clouds above, shaking the very ground beneath our feet. Draenor boomed with all its fury.

"Rain anointed us with the elements' blessing, and as Gelnar rushed toward the enemy, I knew that somehow our clan would survive.

"Emboldened and with a fierce war cry upon our lips, we charged forward to meet our fate."

Doomhammer, Part Three

There is a long-standing prophecy associated with the Doomhammer: "The last of the Doomhammer line will use it to bring first salvation and then doom to the orc people. Then it will pass into the hands of one who is not of the Blackrock clan; all will change again, and it will once again be used in the cause of justice."

Doomhammer, Part Four

For generations, the Doomhammer was passed from father to eldest son upon the father's death. The chain was temporarily broken when a young Orgrim Doomhammer took the weapon to the lava pool where it had been created. There, he attempted to negate the prophecy associated with it, while retaining the hammer's power.

The pool reclaimed the weapon from Orgrim. It remained in the lava until an orc chieftain, clearing his mind of pride and dreams of glory, reached in and took the Doomhammer in his grasp. Though the lava left him permanently scarred, the chieftain did not die.

From that day forward, that chieftain would be known as Blackhand.

Blackhand used the Doomhammer to forge weapons and help fight off an invading ogre army. When the battle was complete, Blackhand returned the weapon to Orgrim, who would carry it until his death.

Doomhammer, Part Five

Throughout the First War between orcs and humans, Orgrim Doomhammer crushed enemies with the weapon of his namesake, blazing a path of destruction through one settlement after another.

As the war drew to a close, Orgrim used the Doomhammer to kill his commander, Blackhand, and claim the title of warchief of the Horde.

Doomhammer in hand, Orgrim led the charge against the human capital of Stormwind, sacking it and winning a decisive victory for the orcs.

Doomhammer, Part Six

From the writings of General Turalyon, recounting the battle between Orgrim Doomhammer and Lord Anduin Lothar:

"I drove my way through friend and foe alike in an effort to reach the two combatants. A massive blow from Orgrim crumpled Lothar's shield, but our leader answered with a fierce strike of his own, nearly rending the orc commander's breastplate. Orgrim tore his armor free even as Lothar discarded his shield.

"The two re-engaged, trading vicious blows. Punishment and pain were dealt and endured. Orgrim punched, forcing Lord Lothar back; the orc followed with an overhead swing that our leader attempted to block, but before my horrified eyes, the massive hammer clove through the mighty blade of Stormwind, smashing down into the helm of our beloved commander.

"With his broken blade and his final breath, Lord Lothar opened a gash across the chest of Orgrim. Then, the Lion of Azeroth fell, his life's essence draining out onto the battlefield."

Doomhammer, Part Seven

In the aftermath of the Second War, Orgrim Doomhammer went into hiding. It was his desire to liberate his fellow orcs from human internment camps, but he needed a strong ally. He would find that comrade in an orc raised by humans--Thrall.

Upon first meeting the hooded Orgrim, Thrall was unaware of the stranger's identity. When Thrall challenged him to a fight at the camp of the Frostwolves, the former chieftain accepted.

Thrall quickly proved his mettle, trading blows with the armored combatant, grappling with him, and at one point, successfully wrenching the Doomhammer from the other orc's grasp.

By the end of the bout, Orgrim was so pleased with his opponent's tenacity that he named Thrall his second-in-command.

Doomhammer, Part Eight

An account of the death of Orgrim Doomhammer, by Warchief Thrall:

"I was outraged! Orgrim lay there, dying, attacked from behind. The lance haft still protruded from his back. This was a cowardly act!

"I knelt beside him. 'My lord,' was all I could manage to say.

"My mentor then told me that I must carry on, that he had led the Horde once, but it was not his destiny to do so again. At last he said, 'Yours is the title of Warchief, Thrall, son of D-Durotan. You will wear my armor and carry my hammer.'"

Doomhammer, Part Nine

When a dying Orgrim Doomhammer bequeathed his armor and hammer to Thrall, the young orc felt that he was unworthy of such an honor.

Orgrim told Thrall that there was no one breathing who was worthier.

The last words of Orgrim Doomhammer to Thrall were, "You will lead them... to victory... and you will lead them... to peace."

Orgrim expired in Thrall's arms. To show that the orcs were not without a leader, Thrall took on the old warrior's armor. Once the plate mail was secured, Thrall bent down and picked up the Doomhammer--passed on not from father to son, but from mentor to student.

Doomhammer, Part Ten

Over many years, the appearance of the Doomhammer has changed, based on alterations made by its owners.

In the possession of Thrall, a Frostwolf symbol was added to the head of the hammer to honor his ancestral clan.

The newly modified Doomhammer quickly became an icon of strength and justice. Most importantly, though, it served as a symbol of hope for all orcs.

Doomhammer, Part Eleven

Long ago, before Orgrim passed the Doomhammer to Thrall, he confided that although the weapon had once brought him closer to the elements, over time it had become a dead weight in his hands.

Through the years, Thrall wielded the Doomhammer with honor and integrity. However, following his execution of the malign warchief Garrosh Hellscream, Thrall felt conflicted. This internal struggle was reflected in the Doomhammer as well. In Thrall's mind, the weapon that had embodied the ideals of justice and virtue had now come to represent vengeance.

History repeated itself as the Doomhammer had once again become a "dead weight." This has caused many to wonder whether the Doomhammer will reclaim its place as a symbol of righteous wrath.

Comments

Comment by AnarchAL

How do we unlock the Typhoon appearance? ...or does no one know yet?

Comment by Xeros1

I received the Petrified Ancient Branch with Spirit of the Maelstrom on it. Why would I want to attack in Ghost Wolf form? Any cast, and I'm out anyway. Is there some talent that will allow you to stay in the form while casting? It was upgraded to 759 (+19 levels) so is currently the highest relic I have for the slot, so I'm really curious.

Comment by Velo09

Does anyone know if we are able to farm the world bosses for the hidden appearance? Or is it only once a week we have a chance to get it.

Comment by 1727699

Regarding the 1000 player kills Hidden Artifact appearance,

I statistically did not kill 1000 players to begin with according to my actual achievement stats. However, I have been doing the World Quests for Warden Tower which award honor points. Still have got the artifact appearance.

My speculation is that the NPC's around Warden Towers count towards "Player kills with a Hidden Artifact Weapon" Though I cannot confirm it.

Comment by Arthmas

I honestly just want to be able to use the OH that comes with the doombringer as both weapon tmogs, I would love to dw lightning axes as an orc, would feel so EPIC, but alast, blizzard must think that is too cool, and here we are not being able to do it.

Comment by Lokosi

Worth noting that in Shadowlands we will be able to Transmog the off-hand appearances onto both weapons! 😍

Comment by marulol

how do the pvp achievements work now? do i need this equipped ? I feel like i'd do no damage to players with an old expansion weapon equipped

Enhancement Shaman Artifact Weapon: Doomhammer

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