Seismic Slam

Seismic Slam is a Barbarian Tier 5 skill unlocked at level 14, which causes a shockwave to erupt from the Barbarian.

It's a signature skill of the Barbarian.

Contents

Background

Diablo III Active Skill [e]
Seismic Slam
Used by:	Barbarian
Enabled at:	Clvl 14
Skill Description
Slam the ground causing a wave of destruction that deals X% of your weapon damage in front of the Barbarian and causes a small amount of knockback.
Type:	Damage/Line AoE
Resource Use:	Costs Fury
Skill Rune Effects
Alabaster rune:	Unknown
Crimson rune:	Unknown
Golden rune:	Unknown
Indigo rune:	Unknown
Obsidian rune:	Unknown

The Barbarian slams the ground with such power that a shockwave erupts forth from him, annihilating everything in its path.

Skill Design

This is one tough walnut...

When launching this skill, the barbarian lifts one foot and brings it down with his weapon, slamming them into the ground and sending a wave of energy forward, dealing heavy damage to anything directly in front of him. Multiple monsters can be hit by each use, and the ground is torn and fractured by this skill.

Seismic Slam is a strong and fun skill to use, causing damage to the environment as well as to enemies. The skill can cause wooden ornaments to be destroyed or can cause walls to collapse. This skill should be aimed to hit multiple enemies at once, as the damage is good and will keep the fury rolling in for the use of other skills.

During the WWI 2008 Denizens of Diablo panel, The D3 team spoke at length about the creation of this essential skill, and how it was used to focus the design of the character.

Skill Rank Table

• Rank 1: Slam the ground causing a wave of destruction that deals 120% of normal weapon damage in front of the Barbarian and causes a small amount of knockback.
• Rank 2: Slam the ground causing a wave of destruction that deals 140% of normal weapon damage in front of the Barbarian and causes a small amount of knockback. (A)
• Rank 3: Slam the ground causing a wave of destruction that deals 160% of normal weapon damage in front of the Barbarian and causes a small amount of knockback. (A)
• Rank 4: Slam the ground causing a wave of destruction that deals 180% of normal weapon damage in front of the Barbarian and causes a small amount of knockback. (A)
• Rank 5: Slam the ground causing a wave of destruction that deals 200% of normal weapon damage in front of the Barbarian and causes a small amount of knockback. (A)

(A) = Assumed

Trait Synergies

Seismic Slam benefits directly from the following traits:

• Intimidation: Increases damage done and reduces vendor costs.
• Cruelty: Increases your chance of dealing critical strikes.
• Weak Spot: Increases critical strike damage.

Seismic Slam may benefit from the following traits:

• Frenzied Attacks: Increases the chance to deal critical strikes and increases critical strike damage when the Barbarian is wielding two weapons.
• Thunderous Blows: Increases damage done when the Barbarian is wielding a two-handed weapon.
• Beast Hunter: Damage bonus against Beasts.
• Demonsbane: Damage bonus against Demons.
• Just...Stay...Dead!: Damage bonus against Undead.
• Massive Blow: You have a chance to hit all nearby targets with a single hit. Requires a two-handed weapon.
• Pig Sticker: Increases damage done when the Barbarian is wielding a polearm, spears or when he throws weapons.
• Die by the Sword: Increases damage done when the Barbarian is wielding swords.
• Axe Murderer: Increases damage done when the Barbarian is wielding axes.
• Brain Basher: Increases damage done when the Barbarian is wielding maces.

Note: The current trait list is very out-of-date and will no doubt be overhauled before game release.

Skill Rune Effects

• No rune effects for Seismic Slam are known.

Development

Seismic Slam was first introduced in the WWI 2008 gameplay movie when Diablo III debuted, where this skill was at Tier V on the Juggernaut Skill Tree. The development team talked at length about Seismic Slam and how it affected the Barbarian class during the WWI 2008 Denizens of Diablo Panel:

This skill was first skill we made for Barb, and one of the first we did in the game. Getting it right took longer than it did with most skills. We did many iterations. Animation especially. Had to make barb feel physically powerful. Traditionally we associate big bold movements with power. But if you want a game that feels fast and responsive, you want the movements to be really fast. Getting balance of fast movements and powerful feel. It's a big challenge in many ways to get that animation right.

The Seismic Slam from BlizzCon 2008 only did 100% weapon damage on rank one, but was increased to 120% in the BlizzCon 2009 demo. In every gameplay demo so far, this skill has been too high level to play.

Previous Versions

See the Barbarian skill archive for more details on previous versions of Seismic Slam and other Barbarian skills.

Media

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

• Diablo III screenshots and pictures
• Seismic Slam specific gallery contents

• 

  Seismic Slam in the WWI 2008 demo.

References

• WWI 2008 Denizens of Diablo panel
• BlizzCon 2009 Full Barbarian Skill Trees and Stats