Bash

Bash is a Tier I skill from the Barbarian's Juggernaut Skill Tree, which hits targeted enemies for double damage and causes knockback.

Background

Diablo III Skill [e]

Bash Active, 5 ranks
Used by:	Barbarian
Skill Description:
Bash the enemy for X% of weapon damage. Causes Knockback.
Skill Details:
Type:	Direct Damage
Quantity:	% of weapon dmg.
Effect:	Target
School:	Physical
Fury cost:	1 Orb
Cast time:	None
Duration:	None
Cooldown:	None
Synergies:	None
Requires:	N/A
Prereq of:	N/A

The Barbarian smites his foes with such force that it sends them toppling backwards.

Skill Design

This notorious Combat skill makes a return in Diablo 3, having the same basic functions as it did in Diablo 2. However, basic functions doesn't mean identical, since this weapon does 200% weapon damage at rank 1, making at least one point into this skill worth it. It seems to retain its usefulness into the late game, since 200% weapon damage at a 400 damage weapon will end up doing 800 damage (assumed).

Bash is a wonderful skill all in all, having it early on will help the player lots, and having it during the later stages will also help. Spamming bash has become difficult, due to the Fury cost and cooldown (if there is one).

Since spamming Bash has become hindersome, it can be safely assumed that this skill will no longer cause "Bash-locks", where a player repeatedly spams Bash, causing the enemy to be unable to retaliate. However, the knockback effect of this skill might help you in other ways, for example, to stop the Cultist from becoming a big-ass demon, forcing him to restart the ritual/incantation (assumed).

Skill Rank Table

(A) = Assumed

Rank: 1/5
- Bash the enemy for 200% of weapon damage. Causes Knockback.
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 2/5
- Bash the enemy for 215% of weapon damage. Causes Knockback.
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 3/5
- Bash the enemy for 230% of weapon damage. Causes Knockback. (A)
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 4/5
- Bash the enemy for 245% of weapon damage. Causes Knockback. (A)
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb
Rank: 5/5
- Bash the enemy for 260% of weapon damage. Causes Knockback. (A)
- Fury Cost: 1 Fury Orb

Synergies

None known.

Skill Rune Effects

None known.

Development

While Bash was first seen in Diablo 3 at WWI 2008, the skill has a big heritage from Diablo II's Bash. The skill used to be used to "bash-lock" enemies in PvP, and has changed since then.

The first versions, at WWI 2008 and BlizzCon 2008 didn't use knockback at all, it only made the barbarian dash forward, and hit with full weapon damage. The knockback was added for BlizzCon 2009, but the cost and possible cooldown will hopefully stop it from being overpowered.

Media

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

References