Way of the Hundred Fists

Way of the Hundred Fists is a Monk Tier 4 skill unlocked at level 10. Enhances the combat speed of the Monk significantly, allowing him to pound his enemies to dust.

This is one of the combo skills available to the Monk. Combo skills generate spirit.

Background

Diablo III Active Skill [e]
Way of the Hundred Fists
Used by:	Monk
Enabled at:	Clvl 10
Skill Description
A fast series of attacks strikes enemies in front of the Monk.
Type:	AoE Damage/Combo
Resource Use:	Generates Spirit
Skill Rune Effects
Alabaster rune:	Unknown
Crimson rune:	Unknown
Golden rune:	Unknown
Indigo rune:	Unknown
Obsidian rune:	Unknown

As part of a Monk's training he strives to become more than just a fighter, focusing his mental energies to enhance combat speed.

Skill Design

This combo skill is a fast series of blows that strikes multiple targets with the third attack.

The attack has three phases. The first attack is a dashing attack, the second is a flurry of blows, and the third an explosive attack that damages additional nearby targets.

Combo skills are the cornerstone for Monks. Combos do bonus damage, grant special properties (i.e. lightning damage and interrupt attacks on Hands of Lightning), and build up the Spirit needed to cast other skills. All combos have three stages, each progressively more powerful and flashier.

Way of the Hundred Fists Video

A video of Way of the Hundred Fists can be seen below, courtesy of the Diablo.IncGamers.com You Tube channel.

Skill Rank Table

• Rank 1:
  • First hit: A short range dashing attack that deals 100% weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
  • Second hit: Attack rapidly 6 times for 8% of weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
  • Third hit: Attack all enemies near the monk for 85% of weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
• Rank 2:
  • First hit: A short range dashing attack that deals 108% weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
  • Second hit: Attack rapidly 7 times for 8% of weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
  • Third hit: Attack all enemies near the monk for 85% of weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
• Rank 3:
  • First hit: A short range dashing attack that deals 116% weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
  • Second hit: Attack rapidly 8 times for 8% of weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.
  • Third hit: Attack all enemies near the monk for 90% of weapon damage. Grants X spirit points.

Trait Synergies

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.)

• Precision: Increase melee damage for each point in dexterity.
• Intimidation: Increases damage done and reduces vendor costs.
• Cruelty: Increases chance of critical strikes.
• Weak Spot: Increases critical strike damage.
• Rapid Strikes: Increases attack speed.
• Frenzied Attacks: Increases chance of critical strikes as well as their damage.

Note: The current trait list is very out-of-date and will no doubt be overhauled before game release.

Skill Rune Effects

Monk dashes towards his first target.

• No rune effects for Way of the Hundred Fists are known.

Development

Way of the Hundred Fists was first shown at BlizzCon 2009 as one of the originals when the Monk was unveiled. Flux was able to try it out:[1]

This one was a blast to use, and was about the most fun Monk skill. It’s just straight out of an action movie, or some game like Tekken 3. The Monk does a short dash to the first punch, throws a flurry of blows for the second stage, and then blasts an explosive, AoE attack. It’s an excellent crowd killer, and when used on a monster marked with the Explosive Palm 3rd stage, it’s almost certain to clear the room.

This skill was one of the Monk's starting skills in the BlizzCon 2010 gameplay demo. Flux described it again:[2]

It was unnecessary, as well as Hands of Lightning was doing, but I wanted to compare the two. I hadn’t really noticed the skill levels at that point, and soon regretted my choice, since rank one Hundred Fists wasn’t nearly as effective as rank five HoL. Hundred Fists was more fun and flashier, with the Superman dashing first punch, and the ability to hit multiple enemies at once, but with just one point the damage was considerably lower than Hands of Lightning.

Previous Versions

See the Monk skill archive for more details on previous versions of Way of the Hundred Fists and other Monk skills.

Media

Way of the Hundred Fists can be seen in action on video here:

• Gameplay: Blizzcon 2009

You can find pictures in the Diablo III screenshot and picture gallery:

• Diablo III screenshots and pictures
• Way of the Hundred Fists specific gallery contents

• 

  There will be blood.

• 

  Dashing to the first hit.

References

• BlizzCon 2009 Full Monk Skill Tree stats and discussion
• BlizzCon 2010 Monk Hands-on Report