Community

Jan 12, 2010 -- 6:35AM, RainemakerNyc wrote:

Has updating ceased on this handbook?

I'm starting to wonder if this class is really played with how few actuall "build guides" exist, and the amount of forum posts in the Strikers forum relegating this class to pretty much the weakest striker, at least in terms of damage.

I guess I am just wondering if its "get a full blade, go for soul thief, end" is pretty much all there is?  Other classes have the talented community tossing together cool optimized and theme builds, yet you never see that stuff for Assassin. 

The Assassin isn't the options powerhouse that is the Rogue, nor does it have the accuracy and lock down of the Avenger. It's damage is okay with some spike potential. Middling defenses and crappy HP relegate this class to fit in more with groups that are perhaps larger than normal. They could fit in as the normal 5th man, but to be honest it fits in better in a 6+ group where overlapping roles are okay. It doesn't hold up well at all in a small party. You can try an optimize as much as you want, but yeah you're basically going end up as either a soul thief with a full blade or a half-elf with twin strike.

Don't get me wrong, its a fun class to fiddle around mechanics with, and it had plenty of fluff and flavor to play with. Probably a class best served for delves or for mini-campaigns (super adventures, one shots, whatever short term name you want to use). You can really play up the flavor of the class and work with your DM to fit him in. But I think it's luster wears off after a few levels and you begin to notice the warlock actually does more than your assassin could ever hope to.

It's a pity the Assassin was made into it's own class and not as a Rogue build. Similar to Beast Master Rangers, an Assassin Rogue would give up a couple of features (say rogue weapons, backstab) and pick up shrouds and ki focus. But players and WotC insist on more power sources and more fluff with weaker and weaker mechanics... this is what you get. 

Jan 12, 2010 -- 9:55AM, RainemakerNyc wrote:

Yeah this is all very disappointing to read, as I just went from level 1 to 6 (!!!) without ever being hit one time and having a decent kill ratio, in a party with a paladin, fighter, swordmage and a ranger. In fact, I get called the killstealer quite a bit. It was fun! Recently, I just got my ass handed to me in just about 1 round by an enemy rogue/ranger. It literally seemed that they just had my powers, etc, outclassed. Just plain better abilities.

Having fun, even with a "sub-optimal" class, is the most important part of the D&D experience.

Jan 12, 2010 -- 9:55AM, RainemakerNyc wrote:

Even tried to yank them off a roof with Noose (a power I always thought was pretty cool and flavorful) and they had a trigger that negated the movement, etc.

Most overrated at-will in the game... It's so situational and it takes you away from your primary role: Striker! Not a bad power, but overrated and situational. 

Jan 12, 2010 -- 9:55AM, RainemakerNyc wrote:

It seems that the class is fun to play, from a tactical and flavor point of view, but from what I am reading, it just doesn't improve much from the start and there is basically only 1 cookie cutter build using 1 weapon to make the class even viable. Unfortunately, I'm using a spiked chain and focusing on implement attacks rather than W ones, which is possibly frowned on?

Aren't there even Multi-class builds that people like using this class? Poisoner? Sneak of Shadows?

Build selection is basically limited to Race and what you plan on doing for a Paragon Path. You can probably MC into Rogue most easily to take advantage of light blade feats or Ranger for ranged weapon multi-attacks.
Implement powers are fine but they lend themselves to control more than they do damage. It's not frowned upon, you just need to be aware that such powers cater to the class' secondary role.