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Diablo III's new monk detailed

BlizzCon 2009: Following reveal of fourth class, Blizzard Entertainment leads explain the flighty, powerful holy fighter.

Who Was There: The Diablo III panel was lorded over by four of the lead developers on the game: lead world designer Leonard Boyarsky, technical game designer Wyatt Cheng, lead technical artist Julian Love, and lead designer Jay Wilson.

The monk promises to pose a challenge for experienced players.

The monk promises to pose a challenge for experienced players.

What They Talked About: While the headline announcement to come out of Blizzard Entertainment's opening ceremony for BlizzCon 2009 this morning was the announcement of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, the publisher didn't forget about its Diablo III fans. Having previously revealed the barbarian, witch doctor, and wizard, Blizzard today announced that the fourth playable class will be the monk.

As part of a "Heroes and Monsters" panel session for the game, Diablo III leads Wilson, Love, Cheng, and Boyarsky went into greater depth on why the team settled upon the monk and what will differentiate him from the other classes in the game.

According to Wilson, the monk was inspired by the traditional pen-and-paper role-playing archetype, with the goal of creating a fast, melee-oriented fighter that, in contrast to the barbarian, was also less physically durable. Interestingly, Wilson also noted that the monk was inspired by arcade fighters, primarily by way of the combo system that the class will employ.

Going into deeper detail on the combo system, Cheng first outlined three of the monk's skills. The first, Way of the Hundred Fists, has three components--a dash, a multiple strike, and an area-of-effect attack. Crippling Wave is a debuff ability, and it first slows an enemy's movements, then reduces the monster's damage, and finally refreshes both effects while extending the detrimental attacks to all nearby enemies. Exploding Palm, which Cheng described as the monk's signature skill, allows for two damage strikes and then a damage-over-time attack.

Because it's Diablo, these components are cycled through with three successive mouse clicks. Notably, players will be able to combine these abilities, such that the first click would be for Way of the Hundred Fists, the second click would activate the second component of Crippling Wave, and the third click would land the final component of Exploding Palm.

Love then addressed the look of the monk, who the panel said will draw inspiration from both Asian cultures and Eastern Orthodox religious orders. Since the monk is essentially a warrior of the church, the team felt it was important to give him what they called a "holy color palette," which incorporates a lot of coruscated silvers and golds. The monk's graphical effects also display his runic knowledge, with various holy symbols appearing as he attacks.

Quote: "We're going to have to keep that one a secret until next year."--Jay Wilson, in response to a question regarding Diablo II's amazon class.

Takeaway: The monk class should serve as an interesting counter to the barbarian, which emphasizes more brute strength over precision. Indeed, Blizzard noted that the monk class will be more challenging initially due to his relative weakness. However, in later levels, the class should pack a significant punch.

103 Comments

  • shooters125

    Posted Aug 29, 2009 12:47 pm GMT

    starcraft 2 being made into 3 games??WoW Cataclysm?Diablo 3? sounds like blizzard has too much on their plate but diablo 3 better be out before either the 2nd starcraft 2 game and the Cataclysm expansion although if it does come after starcraft 2 WoL im ok with that but with that only.

  • Mr_Versipellis

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 3:47 am GMT

    I hope he's like DnD monks... I love 'em. Monk speed == TS

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 10:19 pm GMT

    He sounds awesome.

  • teaabags

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 9:54 pm GMT

    why did 2 of my comments get deleted??

  • roge666

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 5:40 pm GMT

    i cant wait for this....

  • Dixteel

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 12:17 pm GMT

    Like him or not...his holiness is going to kick Diablo's ass I am sure. lol

  • thug_basher

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 4:09 am GMT

    Little let down with this but hey cant knock it until I try it! Meh back to Baldur's Gate & Diablo 2

  • PixelAddict

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 8:42 am GMT

    @Fandango_Letho

    Well, if you think about it, the Assassin and Necro chars were not exactly simple characters to play. They were more advanced due to their complex skill trees as well. Not so complex as to be unplayable, mind you, just more complex than the simple paladin zeal or hammerdin... more complex than the million ww barbs out there... more complex than the millions of titans zons.

    I hope they keep hardcore mode, as well.

  • Darkman2007

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 4:55 am GMT

    im looking forward to Diablo 3, any new classes, as long as they are well made and balanced, are a good addition

  • Humorguy_basic

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 3:22 am GMT

    Because there are so few PC games coming out now, the hype for the few that are are becoming overwhelming! I am getting sick of Diablo, Starcraft, Dragon Age and Borderlands tit-bits every 5 minutes, with most of the articles 'non news'!! By the times these games come out, they are going to be so incredibly over-hyped they are going to seem ordinary! If there is more PC games out there, sites like Gamespot should give them some coverage instead of the above four titles over and over again!

  • diabloakaSAHA

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 8:14 pm GMT

    hmm the monk will be better than that lame ass martial arts assasin in diablo2.

  • Maddaus

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 7:05 pm GMT

    Yeah he looks like a Shaolin Monk.

  • Scorpion1813

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 5:53 pm GMT

    The Monk looks like he would be more at home in a Mortal Kombat game (at least in that concept art he does).

    He looks like a Mortal Kombat character with the head of that bald guy from Street Fighter (Zangief or whatever his name is).

  • Maddaus

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 5:51 pm GMT

    I'm going to get a PC just for this game, but I've never seen what compels people to play monk. If you want a melee class with medium armor, ranger / rogue type class covers that(talking about mmo's in general).

  • Kcoshiob

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 5:48 pm GMT

    Lord of Destruction was such a good expansion, that i could care less when D3 comes out, just tell us about the expansion already!!

    Yeah, excitement like this makes me real crazy, and causes me to say lots of goofy sheeit

  • Kcoshiob

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 5:43 pm GMT

    The new secret monkey level.

    For all you monkeys!

    I want Diablo III so bad I could die!

  • ayhokkuu

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 3:42 pm GMT

    sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

  • scarcomputer

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 3:36 pm GMT

    I hope they are going to make a amazon/valkyrie class

  • Darkreaper_1

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 3:28 pm GMT

    I hope there is a secret Cow Level!

  • thundaro

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 3:14 pm GMT

    @ CoreoVII
    i highly doubt there will be a "healer" class, thats just not Diablo style at all

  • RonTorque

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 3:02 pm GMT

    The game should take Oscar when released.

  • teaabags

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 2:51 pm GMT

    have to admit, gameplay looks great..and the different characters working together look brilliant. JUST HURRY UP WITH THE GAME RELEASE!!!!

  • Fandango_Letho

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 2:05 pm GMT

    A class for experienced players? Or a class for people who know how to do something else than button mash furiously? I mean, come on. Don't make me laugh.

    Anyways, the Monk seems okay. Been there done that thought, I guess they should be a bit more creative and bring something new to the table, not rehash old ideas and rename the skills.

  • abuabed

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 2:03 pm GMT

    Wow, this class is AWESOME!

  • Vasot

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 1:30 pm GMT

    Bring the Necromancer back please !!

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 1:29 pm GMT

    not bad at all, sounds interesting, I wouldn't mind trying

  • Bigbudd0045

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 1:28 pm GMT

    sounds like he is this games assassin...ill try him out, but i was born a barb and ill die a barb.

  • CoreoVII

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 12:09 pm GMT

    And don't worry guys the expansion packs to come will fill those Healer, paladin, range DPS slots for sure.

  • CoreoVII

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 12:06 pm GMT

    Duel Wielding Broad Swords was never my thing. This....game....is so going to be a freaking day one.......o....m.....g.
    MONK!!!!

  • Tyuca

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 12:06 pm GMT

    O.o.. fantastic!

  • Templar_Bladema

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 11:55 am GMT

    A class for experienced players... If it was not sold to me before, DIABLO 3 IS SOLD TO ME NOW!!!

  • portymd

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 11:54 am GMT

    Tell me there is going to be a hardcore mode, otherwise it just wont be Diablo

  • NuKkU

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 11:51 am GMT

    monk looks fun seems like one of those classes that are really complicating but once u master them they are one of the best classes in the game like the necromancer and druid in Diablo II

  • Omegaman007

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 11:39 am GMT

    Cool, I can't wait to use the Assassin again in Diabl---oh wait, this is the monk. My bad. The Monk.

  • Humorguy_basic

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 11:17 am GMT

    A prettier but similar Starcraft and a prettier but similar Diablo..... Wow are we PC gamers so lucky to have so much innovation in our games nowadays!

  • Depresso

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:59 am GMT

    Diablo (alongside Blade Runner and Red Alert...) was my favorite pc game but ten years on I can't help feeling this feels a bit retro. Of course I'll buy it regardless just to see what they have done with it, but games have moved on and those vids alone do not suffise. Mind you what made Diablo special was also the great cuts scene that made for an engrossing story so hopefully that will remain and more. My hope is that there is hidden somewhere some real gameplay advancement for it to feel a modern game.

  • DoomZaW

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:35 am GMT

    Somehow i get the feeling that the last one will be something at the likes of the Amazon.

  • Ondoval

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:34 am GMT

    Now rest to announce a hunter/scout/ranger/amazon class based on crosbow & bow, that erases the chances of a paladin/unhally warrior/crusader ast the last class, that means NO AURA SUPPORT FOR TEAMPLAY. ARRRRRGH!!!

  • geomyr

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:32 am GMT

    this so freakin great another warrior is added to the fight demons heheheheheh

  • Richterman

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:16 am GMT

    "We're going to have to keep that one a secret until next year."--Jay Wilson. At least that gives me more time to make some money to build a new computer....*sigh.

  • alkaline_DnB

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:14 am GMT

    i'm going to restart and beat diablo 1 and 2...and every other few hundred games in my collection...twice...while i wait for this to be released.

  • killergt1

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:14 am GMT

    This monk is a total let down to me. It's nothing new, just the assassin from diablo 2. Utter disappointment. I hope the 5th and final class won't be as disapointing as this one is.

  • falcon11

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 10:10 am GMT

    (To Gameplay Vid Above) Woh, colors everywhere its hard to tell whats going on haha!

  • ChristianKiss

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 9:32 am GMT

    If there are five characters and Blizzard revealed four already, then what will be the fifth one? We still need a ranged and a healer class...

    The monk looks awesome, by the way.

  • lance435

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 8:39 am GMT

    Indeed, a fist version of the Assassin. Still though, it looks really great. BTW, there are 5 classes in D3. Barbarian, Wizard, Witch Doctor and Monk have been revealed. Since there aren't Paladin/Healer types yet, I bet the last class will be something like it. Looking forward to Diablo 3 (hope my PC can handle the specs)

  • okassar

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 7:57 am GMT

    Activision-Blizzard is taking over the gaming industry,I guess I don't mind lol.Some realllly good games.

  • athenian29

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 7:34 am GMT

    Interesting - the monk first appeared in Diablo's expansion, Hellfire. It looks like he has evolved. Mwah ha ha...

  • leeroger99

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 7:17 am GMT

    sounds like the assasin from diablo 2

  • AdamWriter

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 5:51 am GMT

    The graphics look very crisp and delicious.

    However, by the time this game is given a release date, WoW will be dead due to everyone coming over to the "dark side", aka Old Republic =) (which is where I'll be)

  • boctober

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 5:51 am GMT

    The Monk looks like the most destructive class ever. All I can say is, I CAN'T WAIT!

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