Numerous types of [[weapons]] (but not [[armor]]) are restricted to certain classes in Diablo III. The developers have given two main reasons for this limitation. They : they want weapons to be appropriate for the classes that can use them, and it would be a huge amount of more work to make animations for every item on every character, and as seldom as some classes would use some item types, the development time is better spent working on other aspects of the game. The limitations on class weapons have changed repeatedly during the game's development, and will likely continue to evolve right up until release. As recently as November 2010 the Monk was granted the ability to dual wield virtually all one-handed weapons. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/the-monks-weapon-options-continue-to-evolve/ Bashiok forum post] - IncGamers November 25, 2010</ref>

* Barbs can't use [[daggers]], [[wands]], [[daggers]], [[caster staves]], [[crossbowscombat staves]], or ranged weapons: [[bows]] and [[combat stavescrossbows]].

* Monks can't use two-handed [[maces]], 2H [[axes]], crossbowswands, or wandsranged weapons: bows and crossbows. (He The class was limited to far fewer weapons earlier in development. See below.)

Only Wizards can use [[orbs]]. Only Monks can use [[fists]] (and combat staves?) Only Barbs and Monks and Barbs can dual wield 1H melee weapons. We don’t know about crossbows or bows or throwing items yet. Might be that only the [[fifth character]] , but can not use them? ranged weapons.

All While all of the classes in Diablo III are somewhat limited in their weapon choices, the Monk more than mostwas greatly restricted during early development, as of February 2010though that's changed over time. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/699367 Bashiok forum post] - IncGamers February, 2010</ref>

At the time that ruled out [[axes]], two-handed [[swords]], [[spears]], [[wands]], [[daggers]], [[orbs]], [[maces]], and possibly [[bows]] and [[crossbows]]. Monks also could not couldn't even use [[shields]],at that point: <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-on-diablo-3-class-specific-weapons/Bashiok forum post] but by August - IncGamers March 2010 that had changed</ref> <blue>Bashiok: Bruce Lee would not use a shield, and neither would the monk.</blue> Apparently Mr. Lee came to his senses, since just a few months later the Monk was seen using a shield in the [[Artisan Video]], in August 2010. The changes kept coming, and in early October 2010 we got word that the Monk's weapon restrictions had been further eased.<ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/more-on-class-weapon-restrictions/ Bashiok forum post] - IncGamers June 2010</ref><blue>Bashiok: He can’t use 2handed axes and maces, uh, wands, orbs, I think that’s about it.</blue>

::'''<blue>Bashiok''': we do now have some restrictions on weapon types usable by each class. It’s been part of the game for a while now. Allowing every class to use every weapon type was actually going to require a huge amount of time and effort and it would have meant cutting out or cutting into other features. We evaluated really how often people would want to have their class holding a weapon type that (traditionally) contradicted their class-style versus that work going in to other features - specifically having a lot more skills and a lot more skill-rune effects. </blue>

::'''<blue>Bashiok''': The list of what weapon types are or aren’t allowed for each class aren’t final and could change. They’re fairly logical choices and what is most commonly seen as closely tied to the hero archetypes. In our current game the wizard can’t wield a two-handed sword for instance, but can still use a one handed sword and shield if so desired.</blue>

::'''<blue>Bashiok''': It’s important to note that we aren’t going to just slap on animations. We’ll do it right or we won’t do it. There is some overlap in weapon animations, but generally every weapon needs a full range of adaptation to the character. We can’t animate a 1h sword and then equip a 1h axe and be happy with it being wielded in the same manner. In addition we don’t want weapons disappearing whenever the hero does anything but a basic attack, so they have to be animated into emotes, idles, and a lot of skills and abilities. Every weapon. Some people noticed weapons disappear during some of the monk abilities. We don’t like that. Most of that was due to time constraints to get that demo finished. Again there is some overlap - staves share a lot of the same animation with the other 2h weapons, but to dismiss it as “just animate it and slap it on and it works!” is seriously oversimplifying our processes. Maybe some other games do it that way.  ==Evolution and Changes== The list of what can and can't be used continues to evolve. Monks could not use shields as of March 2010, but by August of that year the Monk was seen using one in the [[Artisan Video]].<ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-on-diablo-3-class-specific-weapons/ Bashiok forum post] - IncGamers March 2010</refblue>  ::''Like, whoa…whoa…whoa….a shield is not a class specific item. A shield is something that any sane person would carry into battle, regardless of gender or class…and it’s quite an unreasonable restriction if you ask me.::'''Bashiok: '''Bruce Lee would not use a shield, and neither would the monk. Expect additional changes as development continues, and quite likely there will be more such changes in expansion packs as well.