In the new patch 2.4.3 of Diablo 3, Blizzard explains how the Butcher’s leg (Wirt’s leg) relates to the Cow King.
To celebrate the anniversary of Diablo, there will now be a special event in Diablo 3 every January. During the event, there is a special quest line where you receive the Calf of the Crown as a reward. However, the Calf of the Crown is not just any calf, but a special creature. Your time travel to the early days of Diablo, where you steal the calf, has dire consequences … .
The Story of the Killer Cows
During the birthday event in Diablo III, there is a Calf of the Crown as a new companion that accompanies you on your adventures. You can learn how to obtain these companions in our Pet Guide for the Calf of the Crown and the Butcher Companion.
After you have added the Calf of the Crown to your collection, the story about this creature is not yet complete. There are descriptive texts for various companions in Diablo III. For the Calf of the Crown, this text reads: “This young being is surrounded by a majestic aura, as if it holds a special status in its herd. Who knows what it would be capable of, should it get lost …”
Did Wirt’s calf-napping drive the Cow King mad in Diablo?
Is this theft the reason why the cows are so angry at the legendary Wirt? So angry that they demand Wirt’s leg when a hero wants to enter the legendary Cow Level? That’s at least the theory of a user on reddit.
In the Darkness in Tristram event, you time travel to the origins of Diablo, that is, to Diablo 1. There, you steal the “Crown” calf, which held a special place in the herd as the calf of the Cow King. Wirt (in German, Wirret) likely captured it and put it in a chest. As a result of this theft, the calf-napping, the Cow King and his herd are angry in Diablo 2, which might explain the story behind the cows in Diablo.
In this way, Blizzard has found a way with Diablo 3 to address the popular yet absurd cow story, incorporating you as a player into this narrative and justifying afterward why specifically Wirt’s leg was the key to the Cow Level.
