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How Do Basic Attacks Work With Weapons in Diablo IV?

How Do Basic Attacks Work With Weapons in Diablo 4?
Screenshot by Siliconera

In Diablo IV, you obtain your Basic Attack after unlocking the first Ability on your Skill Tree. The starting move is transformed further as you equip more powerful gear on your character. Here is how Basic Attacks work with weapons in Diablo IV.

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How do Basic Attacks work in Diablo IV?

If you are confused about what happens to your starting move in Diablo IV, you aren’t alone! After all, the tutorial doesn’t go to great lengths to explain it. Once you spend the first point in your Skill Tree at level one, the ability you choose permanently becomes your Basic Attack. So, for example, Hemorrhage was my Basic Attack for my early-game Necromancer build.

Your Basic Attack is generally used to generate energy for your Core Skills as it costs no Essence to cast. But what happens when you equip a Two-Handed Sword or a Bow?

In Diablo IV, your weapon doesn’t actually have a unique attack, as your Basic Attack will always be triggered in its place. Essentially, weapons are purely there to boost your stats or add special modifiers to your Basic Attack.

A screenshot of Necromancer holding a sword in Diablo 4.

Screenshot by Siliconera

Certain weapons or gems will have Basic Attack damage or speed buffs on them. However, this just means your Basic Attack will be faster and hit for more damage. Weapons are also cosmetic, as they can make your character look incredibly intimidating.

Basically, whichever ability you choose on your Skill Tree first is pretty important, as it will be the Basic Attack you use with any weapon you pick up in Diablo IV.

Diablo IV is available now on the PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. If you’re trying to farm loot, here’s how to reset Dungeons.

Related: How to Get Ancestral Gear in Diablo 4 on Twinfinite

Brent Koepp
About The Author
Based in California, Brent is an Editor at Siliconera and has been a journalist since 2010. When he's not playing JRPGs or catching 'em all in Pokémon, you can find him spending time with his wife and two dogs.

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