Hawkman's Thanagarian Mace is made of the powerful Nth Metal, one of the most powerful substances in the DC Universe. It was most famously harnessed by the Thanagarians, and both Hawkman and Hawkgirl have used the metal to great effect in their superhero careers. It is integral to their weaponry and gear, and even Deathstroke has used it in his suit in the past.
Aquaman's trident, the Trident of Neptune, is a powerful heirloom passed down through Atlantean royalty and tracing back to the Greek gods of old. It is Arthur Curry's primary weapon and exhibited a fantastic range of abilities. But, which of the legendary Justice League weapons is deadlier?
10 MACE: Power Augmentation
Being made of Nth Metal, Hawkman's Thanagarian Mace augments its wielder's natural abilities. In the case of Hawkman, it makes him physically stronger than he would otherwise be.
Nth Metal also made Deathstroke a faster and more deadly fighter, and it increased the potential of Despero's already-extraordinary powers.
9 TRIDENT: Magic Bolts
While Aquaman doesn't use this one all that often, the Trident of Neptune can conjure blasts of magical energy.
Having been crafted in the age of the Greek Pantheon and wielded by Arion, Lord of Atlantis, the Trident contains immense magical power. Shooting bolts of magical energy or, at times, lightning is a relatively minor ask for this deadly weapon.
8 MACE: Energy Battery
Nth Metal, like Vibranium in Marvel Comics, is a natural energy battery. As such, the Thanagarian Mace can absorb and release all kinds of dangerous energies at the user's command.
It's often been shown to emit its own energy field, which increases the devastating power of the Mace. It's absorbing abilities also have a defensive aspect, allowing the mace to shield Hawkman and Hawkgirl from elements that may otherwise harm them.
7 TRIDENT: The Sea's Rightful Ruler
While this isn't an ability innate to the Trident of Neptune, it is worth mentioning that it, as a symbol, carries a lot of weight. Anyone who wields the Trident can potentially claim leadership of Atlantis.
At the very least, one seizing the Trident can try to make a claim to the throne and sew great turmoil into the undersea kingdom, as Ocean Master and Corum Rath have in the past.
6 MACE: Magic Dispersal
While Aquaman's Trident is a magical artifact, the Thanagarian Mace is an anti-magic weapon. It disperses conjured magic and weakens magical beings.
While this isn't canon to the comics, Hawkgirl's mace was pivotal in warding off the invasion of the vile Icthultu and was the only weapon that could harm the rampaging Solomon Grundy in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.
5 TRIDENT: Command The Seas
In addition to making one ruler of the undersea kingdom of Atlantis, the Trident of Neptune also allows its wielder to command the very seas themselves.
This means Aquaman and anyone else who gets a hold of the Trident can manipulate water like an extension of their own body. Aquaman has used it to call down massive waves, conjure whirlpools, and wield currents.
4 MACE: Liquid Metal
While this aspect of the Nth Metal is a relatively new quality and hasn't been shown again since the conclusion of the Savage Hawkman series, Hawkman has become one with his Nth Metal equipment before. This augmented Carter's ability greatly.
He could conjure armor and weapons out of his very skin, it allowed him to heal from grievous injury, and it made him a veritable powerhouse. It also showed the ability to activate an enhanced mode, where it encased Hawkman's entire body in armor and even altered his mind.
3 TRIDENT: Call The Storm
Like Thor or Storm of the X-Men, Aquaman's trident has displayed the ability to alter the weather and call down a powerful storm should the need arise.
This is presumably an extension of its ability to control water, and the Trident is actually affecting the moisture in the air to create craft weather patterns suited the wielder's needs. Ocean Master used this to great affect when he launched his invasion of the surface world during Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis' New 52 run on Aquaman.
2 MACE: Transformation
Nth Metal is a very adaptable substance, and Hawkman's Thanagarian Mace has demonstrated the capacity to change into other weapons and otherwise shift itself to the needs of Carter.
More recently, he's also mastered the ability to summon it back to his hand at will in a manner similar to Thor's Mjolnir. In a way, it is whatever Hawkman needs it to be, and that is what makes it one of the most fearsome weapons in DC Comics.
1 TRIDENT: Magic Conduit
The Trident of Atlantis, having been crafted in magic and wielded to enact sorcery, is a magical conduit. In a manner similar to a magician's wand, the true power of the Trident is its ability to cast whatever spells its wielder can craft.
Atlantean history is steeped in magic, and Arthur has only scratched the surface of the Trident's true power, and the sky is the limit.