'''Hands of Lightning''' is a [[Monk]] Tier 1 [[Monk skills|skill]] unlocked at [[clvl|character level]] 2. The Monk charges his strikes with [[lightning]] in a three-stage attack.<br>This is one of two [[combo]] skills available to the Monk in the first tier. Combo skills generate spirit. 

Various [[Monk traits]] augment this skill.(Since most Monk skills depend on base weapon damage and probably attack speed, traits which enhance those, and not the skill specifically, are also listed here.)<br>* [[Precision]] :Increase melee damage for each point in dexterity.<br>* [[Intimidation]] :Increases damage done and reduces vendor costs.<br>* [[Cruelty]] :Increases chance of critical strikes.<br>* [[Weak Spot]] :Increases critical strike damage.<br>* [[Rapid Strikes]] :Increases attack speed.<br>* [[Frenzied attacksAttacks]]:Increases chance of critical strikes as well as their damage.<br>'''Note:''' The current [[trait]] list is very out-of-date and will no doubt be overhauled before game release.

This skill '''Hands of Lightning''' was first shown at [[BlizzCon 2010]]. Blascid reports reported on using the skill at Blizzcon<ref>BlizzCon:[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2010-hand-on-blascid/ BlizzCon 2010 Hands On Blascid]- Incgamers 25/10/10</ref>:<br>

<blockquote>''In the Monks case, with her actual lightning fist skill (I do not remember the name), the first hit would be a claw sweep with lightning damage, the second one granted more lightning damage with more lightning graphics, and the third hit was a lightning blast that created a nice AOE arc. (The third move’s animation {Monk’s move and spell effect} reminded me of how Ryu and Ken’s Hadouken looked in Street Fighter 2 {Sorry, I have not played any more recent than that) if your opponent was right in front of you.) </blockquote>

[[Flux]] also wrote about using this skill at Blizzcon<ref>. A small excerpt:[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/hands-on-from-blizzcon-mega-pvm-report-monk/ BlizzCon 2010 Hands-on report: Flux]- Incgamers 29/11/10</ref>. A small excerpt:

<blockquote>''The only drawback of Hands of Lightning was the fun factor. It was a fairly plain attack. It looks pretty with the big lightning blasts, but it’s basically just a straight ahead right, left, right combo. It doesn’t hit multiple enemies, it doesn’t debuff them, it doesn’t let you dash across the screen to start hitting, etc. It’s the lowest level combo skill for a reason; it’s just a damn powerful attack to use against a single or a few enemies, and sure, killing them quickly and efficiently is fun. But if I were playing for real, I’d probably respec it to another combo when I had the chance. (Though it might be handy long term for the huge lightning damage.)</blockquote>

You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 III screenshot and picture gallery:* [http://wwwdiablo.diiiincgamers.netcom/gallery/ Diablo 3 III screenshots and pictures]* [http://wwwdiablo.diiiincgamers.netcom/gallery/showgallerysearch.php?cat=all&sikeywords=Hands+of+Lightning &cat=all '''Hands of Lightning-''' specific gallery contents]

<references* [http:/>/diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2010-hand-on-blascid/ BlizzCon 2010 Hands-on Blascid]* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/hands-on-from-blizzcon-mega-pvm-report-monk/ BlizzCon 2010 Monk Hands-on Report]