Diablo 4 Staggering System Explained: How To Stagger Bosses

Published: Jun 14th, 2023, 10:30

Learn about the Stagger mechanic in Diablo 4 and how to use it against big bosses such as Ashava to crush them beneath your boots.

Diablo 4 Staggering System Explained: How To Stagger Bosses

In Diablo 4, there is a combat mechanic unique to big enemies, such as World Bosses and story bosses, called Stagger. Not to be confused with the Sorcerer class' Stagger skill in the Lightning tree, Staggering a World Boss such as Ashava can be done with any class.

This guide explains how you can go about Staggering bosses in Diablo 4 and the effects they have on the big bads of the Burning Hells invading Sanctuary, so let's not waste any more time.

Update on 14 June 2023: We've updated this article with the latest info on how you can Stagger bosses in Diablo 4.

How To Stagger Bosses in Diablo 4

Diablo 4 stagger staggering system bosses world boss how to effects ashava — World Bosses have Stagger bars underneath their Health Bars in Diablo 4. (Picture: Blizzard / GameInformer)

As you can see from the image above, there is a Stagger Bar (thin gold line) present below the health bar of big bosses in this cave, the World Boss Ashava the Pestilent.

You see, World Bosses in Diablo 4 cannot be crowd-controlled, as these skills, such as freezing or slowing them down, would make the fights too easy. However, Blizzard did want to give CC some functionality against the big Diablo 4 bosses, which is where the Stagger combat system comes into play.

Players can fill the Stagger bar (from left to right) by unleashing crowd-control skills on the boss. Once it fills up, the boss will become Staggered. Our next section of this guide explains exactly what it means, including unique effect examples.

Diablo 4 Staggering Effects on Bosses

The image above showcases Ashava in its Staggered state. The Staggering effect lasts 12 seconds and opens up the boss to a whole lot of powerful attacks from players without the ability to fight back. Think of it as a stun. This 12-second period is visually represented with a green bar as you can see from the image above.

There are also unique Staggering effects for each big boss in Diablo 4. Taking Ashava as an example, one blade on the front arm breaks when Staggered. It makes her weaker for the rest of the fight, lasting until death.

While you wait for your chance to play Diablo 4, check out Game Informer's awesome vid from all the way back in 2019, where they faced Ashava.

So there you have it, a complete guide to Staggering enemies in Diablo 4, especially those big story, dungeon, and World Bosses. We will endeavor to update this article if anything changes.

For more Diablo 4, be sure to check out our dedicated section or some of our Guides & Tutorials just below:

Features: Beginners Guide | Impressions From Beta |

Stronghold Guides - Kor Dragan | Malnok | Nostrava |

Mounts - Temptation Mount | Diablo 4 Class Dismount Mechanics | Unlock & Customize |

Diablo 4 PvP - Coming soon!

Our section keeps growing, so check for new guides daily! Don't forget to pick up one of the Diablo 4 Editions and join the fight to save Sanctuary soon.

Written by Wessel Minnie

Wessel is a former member of Bravado Gaming, a top South African esports organization, and a former editor at GLITCHED.online. He can also be found on HLTV discussing everything CS:GO esports. When he's not writing or editing, Wessel is not-so-patiently waiting for the release of Counter-Strike 2, pondering over the best Diablo 4 builds for each class, or venturing into the Lands Between of Elden Ring for the umpteenth time. He loves ARPGs and any SoulsBorne title he can get his mitts on, but feel free to email or drop him a message on social media with any interesting gaming-related topics you think he might enjoy.