Hammerstorm – What Is This Slot?
Hammerstorm is a Viking-themed video slot from Pragmatic Play, released on 11 December 2025. The theme showcases the longship within a Nordic landscape. The screen features a standard 5-reel, 3-row paylines layout with 40 fixed paylines that pay from left to right. The game features three colour-coded Lightning symbols - Red, Green and Purple. There are also three chests located above the screen - DOUBLE, EXPAND and SPINS.
If any of the Lightning symbols appear on the screen, they can be collected into the matching chest which will randomly trigger the Respins feature. During the Respins feature, up to all three chests can be activated at the same time. The DOUBLE chest will award gold-tier prize symbols that pay out at 2x the value of the symbol selected. The EXPAND modifier will increase the playing field to 7x6 reels. The SPINS modifier will award extra symbols to the playing field during the Respins round.
Alternatively, if the Thor symbol is landed on reel 1 at the same time as at least one Lightning symbol on the other reels, the Respins round will be triggered.
How to Play Hammerstorm
- To begin playing, set the amount you would like to bet on each spin using the +/- buttons. The minimum bet for the game is $0.20 while the maximum is $240.
- Press the Spin button to begin to play the game. Each of the 40 paylines will pay from left to right. Each payline only pays the highest value for that line.
- Keep an eye on the three chests above the screen which contain the DOUBLE, EXPAND and SPINS symbols. Lightning symbols of each colour will feed into the chest of the same colour. Red Lightning will feed into the DOUBLE chest, Green Lightning will feed into the EXPAND chest and Purple Lightning will feed into the SPINS chest.
- If any Lightning symbols were collected by the matching chest at the end of the spin, the Respins feature can trigger. During this round, one, two or all three of the modifiers will be activated.
- The Respins feature will also trigger automatically if the Thor symbol is landed on reel 1 at the same time as at least one Lightning symbol is on any other reel.
- During the Respins feature, any Lightning symbols that appear on the screen function as Money symbols and pay out a value between 0.5x and 10,000x of the player's total bet.
- Prior to the game beginning, the player can select the Ante Bet mode which will ensure that the feature is triggered more frequently. More information about the Ante Bet modes can be found in the Features section of the game.
Bonus Features
Lightning Symbols & Chests
Lightning symbols of three different colours will activate the Respins feature and feed into the designated chest above the reels - Red Lightning will feed the DOUBLE chest, Green Lightning will feed the EXPAND chest and Purple Lightning will feed the SPINS chest. Furthermore, each of these Lightning symbols also functions as a Money symbol during the base game, paying between 0.5x and 10,000x the player's total bet.
Thor Trigger
The Thor symbol can only appear on reel 1. If it lands at the same time as at least one Lightning symbol on any other reel, the Respins feature will automatically be triggered.
DOUBLE Modifier
During the Respins feature, Gold versions of the Coin and Lightning Money symbols can appear on the screen. These symbols pay out their initial value and then another random value is collected a second time - effectively doubling the prize for each of these symbols that are collected.
EXPAND Modifier
During the Respins feature, the playing field switches to a 7x6 grid instead of the standard 5x5. Furthermore, the collection zone can expand to 6x5, 6x6 and 7x6 which awards 3, 3, 2 and 1 additional respins if the player collects three Lightning symbols during each stage of expansion.
SPINS Modifier
During the Respins feature, a +1 Spin value can appear on the Coin and Lightning Money symbols. If any of these symbols are collected by the collection zone, another respin will be awarded to the player.
Ante Bet
Two Ante Bet modes are available to the player. Ante Bet 1 will guarantee that at least one Thor symbol will land on reel 1 each spin. Ante Bet 2 will guarantee that at least 5 Lightning symbols will land at random positions on the reels each spin. Both Ante Bet modes offer a 96.50% RTP.
Paytable
All the information included below assumes that the player is using a $1.00 total bet. All symbols pay from left to right on each of the adjacent reels on the screen. Each payline only pays out the highest value win for the player.
| Symbol | 5 of a kind | 4 of a kind | 3 of a kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔵 Shield | $1.75 | $0.60 | $0.20 |
| 🪓 Axe | $1.75 | $0.60 | $0.20 |
| ⛑️ Viking Helmet | $1.75 | $0.60 | $0.20 |
| 🥊 Gauntlets | $1.75 | $0.60 | $0.20 |
| 📯 Horn | $1.75 | $0.60 | $0.20 |
| A | $1.00 | $0.35 | $0.15 |
| K | $1.00 | $0.35 | $0.15 |
| Q | $1.00 | $0.35 | $0.15 |
| J | $1.00 | $0.35 | $0.15 |
| 🔨 Wild (Thor's Hammer) | $50.00 | $5.00 | $2.00 |
Lightning & Coin Money Symbol Values
In the base game, Red, Green and Purple Lightning symbols also feature as Money symbols. Additionally, Silver and Gold versions of the Coin and Lightning Money symbols pay out values between 0.5x and 10,000x the total bet during the Respins feature. The Gold versions of these symbols pay out again when the Respins feature is activated - effectively doubling any wins from these symbols when they are collected.
| Possible Money Symbol Values (× Total Bet) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5× | 1× | 1.5× | 2× | 2.5× | 3× | 4× | 5× | 6× |
| 8× | 10× | 12× | 12.5× | 20× | 37.5× | 40× | 50× | 100× |
| 250× | 625× | 10,000× (maximum single symbol value) | ||||||
Ante Bet Modes
| Mode | Bet Multiplier | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Play | ×20 | Standard base game |
| Ante Bet 1 | ×500 | One Thor symbol guaranteed on reel 1 every spin |
| Ante Bet 2 | ×1,000 | At least 5 Lightning symbols guaranteed on screen every spin |
Respins Feature – The Collection Zone
Respins is initiated with 5 respins that occur on a 5x5 grid (or 7x6 if the EXPAND modifier is active). Lightning symbols and Coin symbols pay out during this round. Any Lightning symbols that are on the screen at the initiation of the Respins feature have their values collected by the collection zone.
| Lightning Symbols Collected | Zone Expands To | Extra Respins Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Lightning symbols | 3×3 | +3 respins |
| 4 more Lightning symbols | 4×4 | +2 respins |
| 3 more Lightning symbols | 5×5 | +1 respin |
If the EXPAND modifier is active during the Respins feature, the playing field will be 7x6 instead of 5x5, allowing the collection zone to expand beyond the 5x5 grid.
| Lightning Symbols Collected | Zone Expands To | Extra Respins Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Lightning symbols | 6×5 | +3 respins |
| 3 Lightning symbols | 6×6 | +3 respins |
| 2 Lightning symbols | 7×6 | +2 respins |
| 1 Lightning symbol | Full grid coverage | +1 respin |
RTP & Variance Explained
Hammerstorm features an RTP of 96.50% which can be seen during normal play as well as when activating the Ante Bet modes. The game's volatility is five out of five indicating that it is a very high volatility game. The base game offers players wins of various values but more frequently during the Respins feature where the collection zone may expand to include various portions of the game screen which can pay out various prizes.
By activating the Ante Bet 2 mode at 1,000x of the player's total bet, each spin will feature at least 5 Lightning symbols on the screen which makes each spin more likely to trigger the Respins feature. This mode is best used by players who would like to focus on the Respins feature instead of the base game.
Our Verdict
✅ Pros
- The RTP for Hammerstorm is above the average for this type of slot. Furthermore, the three different modifiers offer players varied gameplay within the Respins feature. The fact that the collection zone continues to move to different parts of the screen with every spin ensures that the gameplay remains exciting. The automatic triggering of the Respins feature with the Thor symbol is another way to gain entry into the feature. Players who activate the Ante Bet 2 mode will have access to a high-frequency triggering of the Respins feature. The Money symbols pay out up to 10,000x of the player's total bet. The free play mode for this game is available and does not require the player to register with the casino.
❌ Cons
- The volatility for Hammerstorm is high which means that the base game may be relatively dry and the player may spend most of their playing time in the Respins feature. There is no option to purchase the Respins feature within the game. The cost of activating the Ante Bet 2 mode may be relatively high compared to other games. Furthermore, the variants of the game with the 95.50% and 94.50% RTP are in circulation at some casinos.
Hammerstorm FAQ
The 96.50% RTP is applied to both normal play and each of the Ante Bet modes. At some casinos, the game may also be available at a 95.50% or 94.50% RTP which pays out less money to the player, so be sure to check the game info panel to make sure which version you would like to play.
Yes. The free play mode for Hammerstorm can be accessed directly on the game's webpage without the player having to register for an account. All features including the Respins feature and modifiers are active using virtual credits.
The Respins feature is triggered in two ways. First, if the Lightning symbols of each colour are collected into the appropriate chest above the screen, the Respins feature can trigger at the end of a spin. In addition to this trigger, the Respins feature will also trigger if the Thor symbol is landed on reel 1 at the same time as at least one Lightning symbol on the other reels.
During the Respins feature, there are 5 respins that can be played on a 5x5 grid. A 2x2 collection zone will be on the screen which will move to a different part of the screen after each respin. Any Coin or Lightning Money symbols that land within the 2x2 zone will have their value paid to the player. Any Lightning symbols on the screen at the start of the feature will have their values paid to the player. After collecting 5 Lightning symbols, the zone will expand to 3x3 which awards 3 additional respins. If 4 more Lightning symbols are collected, the zone will expand to 4x4 which awards 2 additional respins. If 3 more Lightning symbols are collected, the zone will expand to 5x5 which awards 1 additional respin.
The DOUBLE modifier will ensure that Gold versions of the Coin and Lightning symbols appear. These symbols pay out their value and another random value is collected a second time. The EXPAND modifier will allow the Respins feature to be played on a 7x6 grid. Furthermore, the collection zone can expand beyond the 5x5 grid. The SPINS modifier will award the player an additional respin if any of the symbols that are collected feature a +1 Spin value. Each of these modifiers can be active at the same time.
The maximum winning for Hammerstorm is 10,000x the total bet that the player has placed. At the maximum bet of $240, the maximum win is $2,400,000. However, if any one spin reaches this amount, the feature will end and the remaining respins will be forfeited.
Yes. Hammerstorm has been fully optimised for mobile devices to run on iOS and Android mobile devices. The player does not have to download the game - it can be played in any mobile browser.