Here’s something you might not have noticed in the 1.0.3 patch. Last week, monks attacked using only their bare hands, ignoring (as far as their animation was concerned) whatever rare mace or legendary daibo you had equipped. In fact, they completely holstered their weapon during fights, which seems rude considering the lengths/auction houses we all go to find them pointier sticks to use in battle. I rationalised this oddness thusly: my monk is spiritual, weapons aren’t spiritual, you wouldn’t catch the Dalai Lama waving a bardiche around, so my monk doesn’t use his weapon. Today, that’s all changed. The delusion ends now. Check out this video of the monk actually attacking with the murder-tools of his death-trade.
Both Fists of Thunder and Way of the Hundred Fists skills remain unchanged, while Deadly Reach and Crippling Wave now use your equipped weapon as part of their combo animation. It might not sound like a big deal, but it will make a difference to the sanity of the countless players who’ll spend another hundred hours or so staring at this centre-screened, mystical blaggard. Personally, I’m just happy my worldview can re-embrace a mental image of the Dalai Lama with a Glock. Weapons are spiritual again. Thanks Blizzard.