During his ultimate ability, Earthshatter, Reinhardt exclaims, "HAMMER DOWN!"
When Reinhardt unleashes his powerful ultimate, Earthshatter, he loudly declares, "My name is Reinhardt, HAMMER DOWN!" to both allies and enemies, signaling the imminent impact of his ability. This iconic voice line precedes a devastating ground pound that stuns opponents in a cone in front of him, creating a critical opening for his team.
Understanding Reinhardt's Earthshatter Ultimate
Reinhardt's Earthshatter is a formidable area-of-effect (AoE) stun that can turn the tide of a team fight. It's a key ultimate for initiating engagements or peeling for teammates. The voice line serves as an auditory cue for all players on the battlefield.
- Ability Name: Earthshatter
- Hero: Reinhardt (Tank)
- Effect: Stuns enemies in a cone in front of Reinhardt, knocking them to the ground and making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
Voice Line Variations
While the core message remains consistent, the specific voice line Reinhardt utters depends on whether it's heard by an ally or an enemy.
| Perspective | Voice Line | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Friendly | "My name is Reinhardt, HAMMER DOWN!" | Alerts allies to prepare for stunned enemies. |
| Enemy | "HAMMER DOWN!" | Warns enemies of impending stun. |
This distinction is common for many ultimate abilities in Overwatch, providing different levels of information to respective teams. The full "My name is Reinhardt" phrase adds a touch of his bombastic personality when heard by allies, while the concise "HAMMER DOWN!" serves as an immediate, clear threat to opponents.
Strategic Importance of the Voice Line
The unmistakable call of "HAMMER DOWN!" is not just for flavor; it's a vital piece of in-game information:
- For Allies: It cues teammates to push forward, use their own abilities, or focus fire on the now-vulnerable enemies. A well-coordinated Earthshatter can lead to an immediate team wipe.
- For Enemies: It acts as a crucial warning, giving them a brief moment to react, such as using defensive abilities (e.g., Zarya's Particle Barrier, Orisa's Fortify), or attempting to interrupt Reinhardt (e.g., with a stun or hack) before the ability goes off.
Understanding and reacting to ultimate voice lines like Reinhardt's "HAMMER DOWN!" is a fundamental skill in Overwatch, enabling players to make split-second decisions that can determine the outcome of a match.
