Cleave

Cleave is a tier II skill in the Juggernaut Skill Tree, which hits all enemies 180 degrees in front of the Barbarian.

Background

Diablo III Skill [e]

Cleave Active, 5 ranks
Used by:	Barbarian
Skill Description:
The Barbarian swings at multiple targets at once, dealing X% of normal damage to all targets in front of him
Skill Details:
Type:	Direct Damage
Quantity:	% of weapon dmg.
Effect:	Semi-Circular AoE
School:	Physical
Fury cost:	1 Fury Orb
Cast time:	None
Duration:	None
Cooldown:	None
Synergies:	None
Requires:	N/A
Prereq of:	N/A

Cleave was probably taken from Warcraft 3, since the modifier that changes the damage of Units to hit all enemies in front of them is called Cleave. With the latest changes in Fury mechanics, this skill would end up generating more rage than was initially spent.

Skill Design

Cleave is a good skill to hit multiple enemies, it works with all combination of weapons, including a weapon and a shield, a duel wield combo or one big 2-handed weapon. It is unclear what factors the % damage on Cleave, is it Weapon Damage? or the resulting damage that a normal hit would've done? Make assumptions at your own risk.

Skill Rank Table

(legend (A) = Assumed)

Rank: 1/5
- The Barbarian swings at multiple targets at once, dealing 100% of normal damage to all targets in front of him.
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 2/5
- The Barbarian swings at multiple targets at once, dealing 110% of normal damage to all targets in front of him.
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 3/5
- The Barbarian swings at multiple targets at once, dealing 120% of normal damage to all targets in front of him.
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 4/5
- The Barbarian swings at multiple targets at once, dealing 130% of normal damage to all targets in front of him.
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 5/5
- The Barbarian swings at multiple targets at once, dealing 140% of normal damage to all targets in front of him. (A)
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb

A close up of Cleave, notice the red curve representing cleave. The blue orbs are from the hits of the frost enchanted axe

Synergies

None known.

Skill Rune Effects

None known.

Development

Cleave was seen in every Diablo 3 game demo to date, and was balanced, judging from the latest demo. The old Cleave would hit for 130% weapon damage on 2 enemies at rank 1, with weapon damage and maximum number of targets scaling per rank.

Media

You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:

References

None