===Class-Specific Weapons===
All of During early development, the classes in Diablo III are Monk was quite limited in their the weapon choicestypes he could equip. This changed later on, and as of the beta test, the Monk more can use every type of weapon other than most. See the [[Classfew that are class-Specific Weapons]] article for more detailsspecific to the other character classes. Bashiok spoke Unfortunately, due to this his earlier weapon selectivity, there are not animations in 2009.[http://diablo.incgamersthe game for the Monk to wield most weapons, and as a result he holds weapons at all times, except when he goes into combat when he performs most attacks with his fists (or with a staff, should one be equipped), while his equipped weapons are slung over his back.com/blog/comments/699367]
<blue>Currently our list This fairly silly state of weapons affairs is unlikely to be rectified before the monk class can use is one handed swords, polearms, combat staves, and fist weapons. That could potentially changegame's launch, but its probably pretty it seems likely those the developers will be add in additional proper Monk animations at some point after release, when the weapons the monk can equip. The flavor of artists and animators have time to catch the monk we’re working on now is a very strong connection between a small and focused group of weapon types, and visuals up to the skills that use themactions.</blue>
This seemed to rule out [[axes]]The following lists some of the Blue statements from earlier in development, two-handed [[swords]], [[spears]], [[wands]], [[daggers]], [[orbs]], [[maces]], and possibly [[bows]] and [[crossbows]]. Later posts clarified that explaining why the Monk was much less limited in his weapon choicescould not use various types of weapons.
Monks could not use [[shields]] as of April 2010, but by August 2010 that had changed, and a Monk was seen using a shield in the [[Artisan VideoBashiok]]from 2009. [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-on-diablo-3-class-specific-weapons/699367]
<blue><font color="#FFFFFF">A shield Currently our list of weapons the monk class can use is not a class specific itemone handed swords, polearms, combat staves, and fist weapons. A shield is something that any sane person would carry into battleThat could potentially change, regardless but its probably pretty likely those will be the weapons the monk can equip. The flavor of gender or class…and it’s quite an unreasonable restriction if you ask me.</font><br>Bashiok: Bruce Lee would not use the monk we’re working on now is a very strong connection between a shieldsmall and focused group of weapon types, and neither would the monkskills that use them.</blue>
Expect additional changes as development continuesBashiok from April 2010, and quite likely there will be more such changes in expansion packs as wellwhen Monks could not use [[shields]].[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-on-diablo-3-class-specific-weapons/]
<blue>Bruce Lee would not use a shield, and neither would the monk.</blue>
As numerous fans pointed out at the time, Bruce Lee was not a monk, nor was he battling for his life against giant demons covered in razor sharp spikes. This logic cut no ice with Bashiok, but obviously the developers had second thoughts, since the Monk was seen using a shield in the August 2010 [[Artisan Video]].
===Monk Armor===
