Major Monk Updates, Set Revamps in Patch 2.1

Hello, Monks!

I've been keeping a close eye on this thread (and others) so when it came time to talk a little bit about patch 2.0.5, and the future of Monks, this seemed like a good place to do it. I’ve updated the posting limit in this thread, so feel free to keep it alive.

I'd like to start by pointing out that patch 2.0.5 wasn’t really intended to focus much on class balance when it first was scheduled, but there were some circumstances that resulted in it including a lot of class changes, particularly for the Crusader. The Crusader is not only the newest class in Diablo III (and a big feature of Reaper of Souls), but was in a state that (we felt) merited some immediate tuning and balancing, so 2.0.5 did end up featuring a lot of Crusader changes.

That said, while 2.0.5 didn’t include many changes to Monks, it doesn’t mean we feel there isn’t room for improvement (or that your feedback has fallen on deaf ears). Instead, we have many changes planned for patch 2.1.0, which is our first big content patch for Reaper of Souls and first big opportunity to do some meaningful evaluations for each class, Monk included.

Our future goals for the Monk in 2.1.0 focus improving core class attributes, class abilities, and addressing Legendaries that need improvement. You should all be able to see (and test out) these changes soonâ„¢ on the 2.1.0 PTR once its live. (Note: Initially, the PTR will not have all the changes we want to do for 2.1.0, but as the PTR progresses, more changes will be added. Also note that we do not have an ETA for the 2.1.0 PTR at this time.)

We also want to let you all know that we will be improving some of the underwhelming Set items. The following Sets will be receiving buffs or redesigns to their full-Set bonuses in 2.1.0 and will be retroactive, so keep those pieces:

• Firebird’s Finery
• Raiment of a Thousand Storms
• Monkey King’s Garb
• Thorns of the Invoker
• The Shadow’s Mantle

Below you will find a list of hotfixes recently applied or coming soon that address various bugs or mechanic tweaks.

These hotfixes should not require you to download a new patch. Some of the hotfixes below will go live the moment they are implemented while others may require restarting the game to go into effect. Please keep in mind that some issues cannot be addressed without a client-side patch. Also note that changes to certain abilities will not be reflected in its tooltip until a patch is issued.

Previous hotfixes can be located here: [2.0.1] [2.0.2][2.0.3][2.0.4]

Last Updated - June 5th. Items with an asterisk (*) are most recent.

[UPCOMING HOTFIXES]

There are no upcoming hotfixes at this time.

[LIVE HOTFIXES]

General

• Fixed an issue with matchmaking that could erroneously queue players into a game with an open Nephalem Rift where the Rift Boss had already been defeated.*
• Legendary drop rates have been permanently increased by 100%, to match rates seen during our 2 Year Anniversary Community buff.
• Vote Kick will no longer immediately eject players from the party without party confirmation; other members of the party are now properly prompted to confirm or deny the request.
• The Plagued monster affix is no longer dealing unusually high amounts of damage.
• Fixed a bug where the level 70 Hellfire Ring's legendary proc was not dealing damage.
• Heroes below level 70 will now receive less Blood Shards from Nephalem Rifts than level 70 characters.
• Level 70 heroes will now receive a greatly reduced amount of Blood Shards from Nephalem Rifts when playing in sub-level 70 games.

Artisans

• Fixed an issue that allowed crafted set items to roll for class specific properties that were not available to your class when Enchanting.

Items

• The Tall Man's Finger:
  • Legendary affix will now only apply to Witch Doctor Zombie Dogs.
• Inna's Mantra:
  
  • 4-Piece Set bonus will now only apply to Monks.

Barbarian

• Different Warcry runes now properly stack with one another and are no longer overwritten.

The fixes implemented with patch 2.0.5a in the US are also live in EU now. That patch was not necessary here in Europe as these fixes were instead applied during yesterday's maintenance :-)

Just in case you would like to know, the patch and build number is now the same in all regions: 2.0.5.24017. You can always see the patch and build number to the right of to the Play button in your desktop app, and if that number stays the same no matter which region you have selected above the Play button, then you know that the game is the same in all regions :-)