<br>==Monk Active Skills and Traits== The Monk's skills were first revealed at Blizzcon [[BlizzCon 2009]], when only 8 of them were in the game, assigned randomly to three skill trees. The entire [[skill tree]] system was reworked during 2010, and at Blizzcon [[BlizzCon 2010 ]] the Monk's skills were seen again, in a very different form, with all [[passive skills]] moved to [[traits]]. However, At the [[July 2011 Press Event]], it was revealed that [[traits]] had been changed back to [[passive skills]].
The Monk skills can be divided into three categories: [[Combos]], [[Auras]], and [[Spirit]] Skills.
* [[Spirit]] skills are all the rest. They cost spirit to cast, and provide a variety of direct attacks, defensive bonuses, or other varied properties.
All skills in Diablo III are [[active]] skills. Passive skills are known as [[traits]]. The following is a very brief listing; see the [[Monk skills]] page for a more detailed list, or any of the individual skill pages for full details.
The following is a very quick list. See the [[Barbarian skills]] page for a more thorough summary, or any of the individual skills pages for full information.
===Tier One Skills===
* [[Hands of Lightning]] -- This [[combo]] skill unleashes a series of lightning infused punches that deal bonus weapon damage as lightning damage, and have an increased chance to interrupt enemy attacks.
* [[Lashing Tail Kick]] -- The Monk unleashes a deadly roundhouse kick, causing knockback and bonus damage.
* [[Long Reach]] -- This [[combo]] skill allows the Monk to project lines of pure force which allow him to hit multiple enemies at greater than melee range.
* [[Blinding Flash]] - Creates a flash of light that blinds all nearby enemies for a short duration. Blinded enemies will not attack unless they are attacked first, and also suffer a reduced chance to hit.
* [[Fists of Thunder]] - This [[combo]] skill unleashes a series of lightning infused punches that deal bonus weapon damage as lightning damage, and have an increased chance to interrupt enemy attacks.
* [[Breath of Heaven]] - The Monk banishes any harmful effects from himself and his allies, including stun, slowing, and effects that reduce defensive or offensive abilities.
* [[Lashing Tail Kick]] - The Monk unleashes a deadly roundhouse kick, causing knockback and bonus damage.
* [[Mantra of Healing]] - Unknown.
===Tier Two Skills===
* [[Circle of Wrath]] -- Creates a blast of holy energy that heals the Monk and nearby allies, while also hitting enemies for considerable holy damage.
* [[Lethal Decoy]] -- The Monk creates an illusion of himself composed of pure holy energy. This illusion attracts enemies to it, before exploding, dealing holy damage.
* [[Serenity]] -- The Monk creates a shield that protects him from all incoming damage for a short duration.
* [[Deadly Reach]] - Unknown.
* [[Dashing Strike]] - This [[combo]] skill allows the Monk to dash quickly at the targeted enemy or location, dealing weapon damage and bonus physical damage when he arrives.
* [[Lethal Decoy]] - The Monk creates an illusion of himself composed of pure holy energy. This illusion attracts enemies to it, before exploding, dealing holy damage.
* [[Crippling Wave]] - This [[combo]] skill provides a series of large sweeping attacks that damage and debilitate enemies.
* [[Mantra of Retribution]] - Unknown.
<br>
===Tier Three Skills===
[[Image:Monk_-_Seven_Sided_Strike02.jpg|thumb|400px|Seven Sided Strike.]]
* [[Blinding Flash]] -- Creates a flash of light that blinds all nearby enemies for a short duration. Blinded enemies will not attack unless they are attacked first, and also suffer a reduced chance to hit.
* [[Crippling Wave]] -- This [[combo]] skill provides a series of large sweeping attacks that damage and debilitate enemies.
* [[Holy Aura]] -- An [[aura]] that boosts the Monk's health. Also grants increased health regeneration to the Monk and all his nearby allies.
* [[Inner Sanctuary]] - Creates a protected region on the ground for a short duration, shielding the monk from melee attackers.
* [[Exploding Palm]] - This [[combo]] skill hits twice for low damage, before the third hit that sets a pulsing heart over the enemy's head. If an enemy dies while the heart is in place they detonate in a blood supernova, dealing heavy damage to anything in the vicinity.
* [[Mantra of Evasion]] - Unknown.
* [[Tempest Rush]] - Unknown.
* [[Sweeping Wind]] - This [[combo]] skill causes the Monk to sweep his weapon in a wide circle, forming a barrier of force that deals damage to every enemy hit. Can hit enemies multiple times.
===Tier Four Skills===
* [[Dashing Strike]] -- This [[combo]] skill allows the Monk to dash quickly at the targeted enemy or location, dealing weapon damage and bonus physical damage when he arrives.
* [[Dominate Aura]] -- Creates an [[aura]] that causes all nearby enemies to take additional damage.
* [[Way of the Hundred Fists]] -- This [[combo]] skill sends the Monk dashing to deal multiple hits to any number of targets in his range.
===Tier Five Skills===
* [[Exploding Palm]] -- This [[combo]] skill hits twice for low damage, before the third hit that sets a pulsing heart over the enemy's head. If an enemy dies while the heart is in place they detonate in a blood supernova, dealing heavy damage to anything in the vicinity.
* [[Inner Sanctuary]] -- Creates a protected region on the ground for a short duration, shielding the monk from melee attackers.
===Tier Six Skills===
* [[Breath of Heaven]] -- The Monk banishes any harmful effects from himself and his allies, including stun, slowing, and effects that reduce defensive or offensive abilities.
* [[Retribution Aura]] -- Creates an [[aura]] that reflects damage back at enemies, dealing holy damage upon them. Also deals holy damage to every enemy in range, whether they're attacking or not.
* [[Sweeping Wind]] -- This [[combo]] skill causes the Monk to sweep his weapon in a wide circle, forming a barrier of force that deals damage to every enemy hit. Can hit enemies multiple times.
* [[Serenity]] - The Monk creates a shield that protects him from all incoming damage for a short duration.
* [[Way of the Hundred Fists]] - This [[combo]] skill sends the Monk dashing to deal multiple hits to any number of targets in his range.
* [[Mantra of Conviction]] - Unknown.
[[Image:Monk_-_Seven_Sided_Strike02.jpg|thumb|400px|Seven Sided Strike.]]
* [[Seven Sided Strike]] - A powerful attack that allows the Monk to teleport to a target, then strike it or something nearby multiple times.
* [[Mystic Ally]] - Unknown.
===Tier Seven Skills===
* [[Resist Aura]] -- The Monk creates an [[aura]] that protects him and his allies, increasing all resistances. For the first few seconds after this aura is activated, all resistances are granted an additional increase.
* [[Seven Sided Strike]] -- A powerful attack that allows the Monk to teleport to a target, then strike it or something nearby multiple times.
* [[Wave of Light]] -- The Monk summons a rolling wave of holy fire that scorches everything in its path, dealing holy damage.
* [[Wave of Light]] - The Monk summons a rolling wave of holy fire that scorches everything in its path, dealing holy damage.
===Spirit===
The Monk's [[resource pool|resource]] is [[Spirit]]. See that article for many more details.
Spirit is generated by using the ==Monk's powerful [[combo]] skills, and expended by using his various other attacks. Spirit is also generated by the base attack[http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=27607504970&postIdPassive Skills=276049612594&sid=3000#9], but since combos yield much higher damage as well as various bonus effects, there's no logical reason to keep using plain attack once a combo is available. The lowest level combo is [[Hands of Lightning]], available in Tier One.
==This is a very quick listing. See the [[Monk Traits==skills]] article for more details, or click on any of the individual passive skills for full stats and info.
A very quick listing* [[Exalted Soul]] - Increases maximum [[Spirit]]. Consult * [[Frenzied Attacks]] - Increases the chance to deal [[Monk Traitscritical strike]] article for more detail, or click on any of s and increases [[critical strike]] damage when the individual traits listedcharacter is wielding two weapons.* [[Aggression]] - Increases [[attack]].* [[Superior Skill]] - Increases [[precision]]. These are the traits revealed at Blizzcon 2010; there will be some removed and others added in the final game* [[Expert Defense]] - Increases [[defense]].
Level required: Under 10
* [[Precision_(Monk_trait)|Precision]] -- Increases melee damage for each point in dexterity.
* [[Toughness (trait)|Toughness]] -- Increases [[vitality]].
* [[True Spirit]] -- Increases [[Spirit]] regeneration.
* [[Superior Skill (trait)|Superior Skill]] -- Increases [[dexterity]].
* [[Healer]] -- Increases the amount healed by your healing skills.
* [[Lucky]] -- Causes monsters to drop larger amounts of gold.
* [[Resonance]] - Increases the duration of [[Auras]].
* [[Untouchable]] - Increases dodge chance after dealing a [[critical strike]].
* [[Counterattack]] - When the Monk dodges an attack, the next skill has its [[Spirit]] cost reduced.
* [[Weak Spot]] - Increases [[critical strike]] damage.
* [[Strength in Adversity]] - Healing effects are improved if the Monk is low on health.
Level requirement: 11
* [[Sixth Sense]] -- Increases the Monk's chance to dodge attacks.
* [[Intimidation (trait)|Intimidation]] -- Increases damage done and reduces vendor costs.
* [[Near Death Experience]] - When the Monk receives a near-fatal blow, the Monk gains health and [[Spirit]].
* [[Flawless Technique]] - Skills that generate [[Spirit]] ([[Combos]]) do more damage.
* [[Strength of Spirit]] - Skills that require [[Spirit]] do more damage.
Level requirement: 15
* [[Die by the Sword]] -- Increases damage done when the Monk is wielding a sword.
Level requirement: 23
* [[Beast Hunter]] -- Damage bonus against [[Beasts]].
* [[Demonsbane]] -- Damage bonus against [[Demons]].
* [[Just... Stay... Dead!]] -- Damage bonus against [[Undead]].
Level requirement: 27
* [[Cruelty (trait)|Cruelty]] -- Increases the Monk's chance of dealing [[critical hit]]s.
* [[Fleet]] -- Increases the Monk's movement speed.
Level requirement: 35
* [[Weak Spot (trait)|Weak Spot]] -- Increases critical hit damage.
* [[Natural Leader]] -- Effect Unknown.
Level requirement: 39
* [[Pound of Flesh (trait)|Pound of Flesh]] -- Increases the Monk's chance to get a [[health globe]] from normal monsters by 20%. Also increases the amount of healing provided by 10%.
* [[Rapid Strikes]] -- Increases attack speed
Level requirement: 43
* [[Thunderous Blows]] -- Increases damage done when the Monk is wielding a two-handed weapon.
* [[Frenzied Attacks (trait)|Frenzied Attacks]] -- Increases your chance to deal critical strikes and increases critical strike damage.
Level requirement: 47
* [[Temperature Control]] -- Reduces lightning, fire and frost damage taken by the monk.
===Monk Traits===
Many [[traits]] were preserved as [[passive skills]], but a lot them were dropped. See the [[Monk traits]] page for full info on what the traits system looked like.
The female Monk gained more visual recognition thanks to the efforts of a fan. A [[cosplay]]er at [[BlizzCon 2010]], [[Christina Estrada]], wore an amazingly-realistic female Monk costume and [[Christina_Estrada#Blizzcon_2010_Contest_News|won first prize]]. She's since gone on to appear in that costume at other game conventions as a paid presenter, and it's quite possible that more fans have seen her rendition of the outfit than any of the official game artwork.
==Combat System==
