Blizzard gain a flash of insight?

[Roland]

The level of gear independence you're talking about never existed for melee in D2. Of course ranged characters with their flat skill-based damage could probably waltz through Hell naked with sufficient patience. Now that everyone's on the same footing with skills using weapon damage % that's no longer true.

Also not true. The only "gear dependence" melee classes had was a good weapon - a requirement even the Amazon had. The Sorceress and Necromancer, OTOH, could do without one - but that was the same case in Diablo as it was in Diablo II. I found tying skill damage to weapon damage to be one of the best changes in Diablo III. Of course, because of the item dependency it becomes a double-edged sword.

Jester, I get the feeling you don't believe me with regards to player skill versus character gear. If that's the case, I invite you to watch the following video (ignore the fact that the guy in the video is a complete and utter tool).