Every class is restricted from using every other classes' specific item type. In the case of the monk, he will be restricted from using every other classes' specific item type, PLUS SHIELDS, something no other class will suffer from. I'm not saying it's a game breaker that he CAN'T, but we're looking at principle here - no other class has that same perk/penalty, depending on your view.
Thus further cementing the monk as a unique class. You also realize that in the absence of shields, this almost guarantees a workaround mechanic, whether it be his play style or specific skills. Once again, cementing the monk as a unique class.
Q u o t e: Also, whether or not a character is male or female is an uncontrollable issue. By that I mean, short of genetic engineering, a person is male or female by nature, not by choice, which is irrelevant when deciding what knowledge/skills they are able to learn in their life. However, everyone, male and female, DOES have hands. And about the only prerequisite you need for using a shield is having a hand to hold it, plus the muscular strength necessary to wield it properly.
"Your logic is a bit flawed". (Hey that's pretty fun. I feel like a cyborg. Or an alien. Or an alien cyborg. Or just a Beetleborg.)
A character being male or female is a controllable issue on multiple levels. From the developer's decision to design in both male and female variants of every given class to the choice we'll have as players to which gender of the class we want to create.
Unless you are mistaking "characters" for "human beings". To which I will suggest you take a break from the games for a bit. (Don't get mad. I'm making this face --> :3 )
The last bit of that paragraph, I'll simply point you to the link in my sig. The extent of realism begins and ends in a videogame precisely where the developers want it to.
Q u o t e:
This is the difference between a perk and a penalty - a perk is something that one class has but other classes don't miss out on (such as a Barb not caring about a Sorc orb). A penalty occurs when EVERY class has access to a particular item, but one does not. If you don't see that difference, I don't know what to tell you besides open your eyes :D.
But other classes do miss out on a +1 to whirlwind with the claw runeword "Chaos". I bet that'd be pretty damn effective on a paladin, wouldn't you? You're trying to brush the significance of class specific items under the rug so it doesn't completely deconstruct your argument, I get it. Additionally, you're talking penalties. You don't know how not having a shield will affect the monk. We can assume it won't break the game or throw off balance. If you don't see the problem with talking balance in a game that's not even in the balancing stage,
Q u o t e: I don't know what to tell you besides open your eyes :D.
Ha! Two ironic/sarcastic quotes in one post! Beat that! >:D
Edit: Ok, I just took a step back and looked at this topic. If it were a piece of music it would be somewhere between a polyphonic piece and a clusterf*ck. I'll do my part and back out.
[ Post edited by G1370 ]
Dr. Andonuts finally made me Dungeon Man.
My guide to "Realism in Diablo 3":
http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr255/garrett1370/D3GuidetoRealism.jpg
