Batclaw Slam

The Batclaw Slam is a combat move in the Batman: Arkham video game series.

Batman: Arkham Asylum
In Asylum, if you strike an enemy rendered dizzy by a pull with the Batclaw (quick-fire Batclaw), the strike is called "Batclaw Strike", and it rewards 25 points for every multiplier instead of just 10. However, it is still just a strike, and not a combat variation. If you have the Ultra Batclaw which allows you to pull 3 enemies at once, it is possible to consecutively Batclaw Strike multiple enemies.

Batman: Arkham City
The Batclaw Slam was introduced in City as a replacement for the Batclaw Strike in Asylum. Instead of simply striking the enemy, the Batclaw-using character (namely Batman and Nightwing) will move very quickly toward him, swing their arms at his face, then at his stomach and slam him on the ground. A Batclaw Slam is performed the same way as the Batclaw Strike (quick-fire Batclaw → strike). The move is said to be able to deal twice as much damage as a normal strike. However, it leaves you vulnerable if you're not using it at the right time or from a far enough distance. It is therefore advisable to perform a Special Combo Bat Swarm, Group Attack or Group Electrify to disorient most surrounding enemies and give you enough time to pull it off.

When you enter Freeflow Focus as Batman, you can use the Freeflow Focus Gadget with the Batclaw, which enables you to Batclaw Slam an enemy even harder, with more damage, and a shock wave that can push surrounding enemies away.

The Batclaw Slam adds 1 multiplier to the combo meter, then 25 points for each multiplier to your base score. It also adds 1 combat variation. If it is the first move to be used, it immediately adds 2 multipliers to help initiate Freeflow. It cannot be used against armored henchmen (who can block it) or ninja (who can always dodge the Batclaw); if it is used as such, the combo will break. It also cannot be used against large enemies such as Lieutenants and Titans.

Batman: Arkham Origins
Nothing was changed for Batman's Batclaw Slam. Deathstroke has a move with similar effects called the Grapple Slam, with which he uses his Grapple Gun on an enemy, then moves toward him, slams him with his Ballistic Staff and sends him flying away.

Batman: Arkham Knight
In Knight, the Batclaw gained specific use against electrified henchmen, and so did the Batclaw Slam. It is now much easier to use this move against them, because the Batclaw prioritize targeting them, and you can safely Batclaw Slam them anywhere you want.

If you have the Special Combo Batclaw upgrade, you can Batclaw Slam an enemy simply by using the Batclaw and hold it (quick-fire Batclaw (hold)). The character will pull the enemy high in the air and slam him hard on the ground, pushing surrounding enemies with a shock wave, and immediately taking out that enemy. This powerful move can be used to take out even Brutes, however only this move alone, not the regular Batclaw Slam; if you use this move as such, your character will slide toward the Brute, kick his shin to trip him, roll around his arm toward his back, then jump and stomp on his head, immediately taking him out.

The Batclaw Slam now always adds 2 multipliers. 2 more characters with a Batclaw can use it (both the regular version and the Special Combo version), including Azrael and Batgirl.

It is safe to use the Batclaw Slam against electrified henchmen, or the Special Combo Batclaw Slam. Otherwise, you should time your Batclaw Slams properly to avoid getting hit, especially as Batman and Azrael now that Batman's Special Combo Bat Swarm is no longer available, and as Batgirl because she does not have any crowd control moves like Batman, Azrael and Nightwing.

In Predator Mode
In Predator situations, the Batclaw Slam is very useful to quickly down a lone armed enemy if they spot you, especially if you haven't had the Batclaw Disarm upgrade. It can be followed by a Ground Pound to incapacitate that enemy.

Note that no Special Combo moves are available in Predator mode, therefore it's not possible to use the Special Combo Batclaw Slam on any enemy. It is thus, impossible to use the Batclaw Slam on large enemies, namely Minigunners.