Kiri, The Poisonous Shuriken Storm
Ninja, Master of Poisons, Thief of Legend
How the build works
Show
This build aims to make full use of the new Assassin build (Ninja) along with poisons. It will primarily be focusing on using the Poisonous Shuriken at-will, but will also have a the fallback options of the other at-wills, should the situation demand it. With one daily poison being applied to 5 pieces of ammo, and only needing to use 1 piece of ammo to fuel the Poisonous Shuriken at-will, you can get a total of 15 shurikens (5 standard actions) per daily (or 3 shurikens if you opt for the 1 piece of ammo dailies). Not too shabby. With each of these attacks gaining the poison keyword, it seems like common sense to take the Master of Poisons Paragon Path (+Int to damage for weapon poison attacks, as well as other fun poison related tricks (auto-fail on a poison save? Nice!)). Thief of Legend tops it off for a fun finish.
KEY FEATURES
POISON DAMAGE
- Poisonous Shuriken At-Will: Allows us to effectively use each of the Assassin poisons 3x more than usual. We will be using the "5 pieces of ammo" poisons for maximum effectiveness. This gives us a total of 15 standard actions of poison at level 9 (45 shurikens).
- Master of Poisons (Poison Maven): Gives us +Int mod damage to any poison weapon attacks.
- Envenomed Ki Focus: +enhancement mod to damage as an item bonus with poison attacks.
- Venom Hand Killer: 2/3/4 feat bonus with poison.
- Venom Hand Master: Ignore poison immune and resist.
- Serpentine Bracers: 1d8 extra poison damage when Hidden. This can be used to continue to apply the above features after we have run out of Assassin Daily Poisons.
- Mordant Weapon: If all else fails, use an Mordant Weapon. Can't use it with a Ki Focus, but everything else still applies.
LOADS O' STEALTH
- Gnome: Racial feature gives us 2 Invisibility tools off the start.
- Shadow Skulk: If we miss even one target when we make an attack while hidden, we remain hidden. Useful with a triple attack.
- Assassin Utilities: Tonnes of was to get hidden or remain hidden or to move while hiding.
- Armor of Dark Deeds: Keeps us with perma-conceal.
- Assassin's Cloak: Roll twice for stealth.
- Assassin's Cloak (Feat): Roll to stealth when you go invisible.
- Glooming Call + all of the above = where is that guy?
Level 1 Discussion and Overview
Show
Kiri, level 1
Gnome, Assassin
Guild Training: Ninja
Background: Born Under a Bad Sign (Born Under a Bad Sign Benefit)
Theme: Noble Adept
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 11, Dex 20, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 11, Dex 20, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8.
AC: 18 Fort: 11 Reflex: 16 Will: 11HP: 32 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 8
TRAINED SKILLS
Stealth +12, Bluff +4, Acrobatics +10, Arcana +10, Perception +5
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Diplomacy -1, Dungeoneering, Endurance, Heal, History +3, Insight, Intimidate -1, Nature, Religion +3, Streetwise -1, Thievery +5, Athletics
FEATS
Level 1: Weapon Ki Technique
POWERS
Assassin at-will 1: Poisonous Shuriken
Assassin at-will 1: Ninja-to Rush
Assassin at-will 1: Whirling Kusari-gama
Assassin encounter 1: Assassin's Strike
Assassin daily poison 1: Carrion Crawler Brain Juice
ITEMS
Leather Armor, Short sword, Shuriken (100), Hand Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts (20), Ki Focus, Kusari-gama, Light Shield
Gnome was selected for our race, for the stat bumps we wanted (Dex, Int) as well as two racial features that help use get hidden. Note that if you plan to take a different Paragon Path (Master of Poisons), you can easily take another race better suited to your build, and use a better array.
Assuming backgrounds and themes, Background goes to Born Under a Bad Sign (bland, yet effective) and Noble Adept (for when you really need to hit, or make a saving throw). Both are completely optional to this build. Alchemist was considered for this build (for a free poison, once an encounter), but the only Assassin poisons are considered for Poisonous Shurikens triple application. Guardian is not a bad call either.
Our first feat goes into the quite useful Weapon Ki Technique. Right from level 1, we will have both a weapon and ki focus equipped, so we have an always on feat bonus to hit. As we will be using at-wills for 99% of our attacks, we gain both the +1/2/3 damage against bloodied targets.
Poisonous Shuriken is the bread and butter for this build. Allows you to minion check, and makes sure your Attack Finesse doesn't go to waste. We selected Light Shields over Two Weapon Defense because of the fact that we are using the only thrown weapon in the game that doesn't could as a melee weapon as well.
Don't be afraid to use the other at-wills. You get full benefits with them as well, and once you are down to 1 or 2 targets left, you are better off with a single target attack. Carrion Crawler Brain Juice is chosen because the other 5 ammo daily (Nitharit Poison) applies a fairly weak ongoing damage effect, which means you might rapidly run out of targets to apply the poison on if mobs actually fail their saving throws.
Not a whole lot of strategy at this point. You have 3 at-wills (minion sweep, charge, double attack with prone), no reason not to use all 3. Your Fort and Will are bad, which is to be expected with a double reflex bump.
Level 2
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
New Assassin utility 2: Cloak of Shades
New Feat Level 2: Shadow Skulk
Magic Items (Expected GP = 1,920):
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L3 (680 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +1
TOTAL: 1,680
Discussion:
Cloak of Shades gives us a very nice Stealth option (that makes 3 so far!).
Shadow Master Ki Focus gives use 5 more damage against any creature we are hidden against.
Top that off with a Shadow Skulk feat, which will allow us to remain hidden if we miss with one of our 3 Shuriken attacks!
Amulet of Life gives us a much needed bump to NADs, as well as a the ability to spend 2 surges when we are healed.
Level 3
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
New Class Feature: Death Attack
Assassin's Strike increases by 1d10 (2d10 total).
Magic Items (Expected GP = 2,560):
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L4 (840 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +1
L3 (680 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +1
TOTAL: 2,520
Death Attack works wonders with Poisonous Shuriken. Perfect for finishing off those mobs in the single digits without wasting a full standard action. Assassin's Strike gets a fair bump (2d10 total now).
Flowform Armor gives us a free save, once an encounter (No Action, so it works against Stun and Dominate).
Level 4
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
+1 Dex. (21), +1 Int. (17)
New Feat Level 4: Weapon Focus (Light Blade)
New Class Feature: Nimble Drop
Magic Items (Expected GP = 3,200):
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L4 (840 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +1
L3 (680 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +1
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
TOTAL: 3,200
Weapon Focus get's applied 3 times a turn, so that's pretty awesome. Keep in mind it won't apply to the flail end of the new double weapon. Executioner's Bracers because... well... you are attacking 3 times a turn...
Between Acrobatics and Nimble Drop, height shouldn't scare you at all.
Level 5
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
Assassin daily poison 5: Bloodroot Poison
Magic Items (Expected GP = 4,480):
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L4 (840 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +1
L3 (680 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +1
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
TOTAL: 4,040
Not that we will use it, but we gained Bloodroot Poison recipe. Take another use of Carrion Crawler Brain Juice.
Gauntlets of Blood gives us another +2 damage versus Bloodied targets (so +3 total).
Level 6
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
New Feat Level 6: Nimble Blade
New Assassin utility 6: Darting Shadow
Magic Items (Expected GP = 6,400):
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L4 (840 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +1
L3 (680 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +1
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
TOTAL: 5,840
You gain Nimble Blade (+1 to hit with Light Blades with CA) and Darting Shadow (Move while hidden to a new location. You stay hidden if you have cover, conceal etc etc at the end).
Pick up some sandals with +2 to Stealth, Acrobatics and Athletics.
Level 7
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
New Assassin At-Will: Hidden Stab
Assassin's Strike increases by 2d10 (3d10 total).
Magic Items (Expected GP = 9,600):
L8 (3,400 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L4 (840 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +1
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
TOTAL: 9,104
Hidden Stab (meh) and more Assassin's Strike (whoo!) this level.
Upgrade Shadow Master Ki Focus.
Level 8
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
+1 Dex. (22), +1 Int. (18)
New Feat Level 8: Sneak of Shadows
New Class Feature: Flawless Disguise
Magic Items (Expected GP = 12,800):
L8 (3,400 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L4 (840 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +1
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 9,784
Flawless Disguise (this + applying poisons to food = priceless RP heaven) gained this level. Sneak of Shadows finally taken (thievery, Sneak Attack once per encounter).
Keep in mind between Sneak Attack (2d6), Assassin's Strike (3d10), bloodied (3), Shadow Masters (5) and Death Attack (1-10) (and everything else), you can reliably execute a bloodied mob.
Rhythm Blade ups our AC and Reflex by another one (need to put away your shuriken and equip your sword). Not something you will be able to do every turn, as you will need to draw your shuriken to attack next turn, but if you think you will get an OA, or if the enemies are heading your way, put it on.
Level 9
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
Assassin daily poison 9: Greenblood Oil
Magic Items (Expected GP = 16,000):
L9 (4,200 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L5 (1,000 gp): Amulet of Life +1
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 13,816
Another recipe, but again, take more of the Brain Juice. You now have 3 uses of the poison, each affecting 15 shuriken. 45 attacks!
Upgrade Flowform Armor.
Level 10
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
New Feat Level 10: Improved Defenses
New Ranger utility 10: Persistent Tail
Magic Items (Expected GP = 22,400):
L10 (5,000 gp): Periapt of Cascading Health +2
L9 (4,200 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Shadow Master Ki Focus +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 22,016
Improved Defenses gives us a nice bump to our NADs. Persistent Tail gives us a very nice way to stealth OUT of turn with only regular cover or concealment, even if we were hidden when we used it.
Grab a the +1 will helm and Periapt of Cascading Health.
Level 11 Snapshot and discussion
Show
Kiri, level 11
Gnome, Assassin, Master of Poisons
Guild Training: Ninja
Background: Born Under a Bad Sign (Born Under a Bad Sign Benefit)
Theme: Noble Adept
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 11, Con 12, Dex 23, Int 19, Wis 11, Cha 9.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 11, Dex 20, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8.
AC: 27 = 10 + 5 (half level) + 6 (Dex) + 2 (Leather) + 2 (enhancement) + 1 (Shield) + 1 (Rhythm Blade)
Fort: 21 = 10 + 5 (half level) + 1 (Con) + 2 (enhancement) + 1 (class) + 2 (Improved Defenses)
Reflex: 27 = 10 + 5 (half level) + 6 (Dex) + 2 (enhancement) + 2 (Improved Defenses) + 1 (Shield) + 1 (Rhythm Blade)
Will: 21 = 10 + 5 (half level) + 0 (Wis) + 2 (enhancement) + 2 (Improved Defenses) + 1 (item) + 1 (class)
HP: 73 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 18
TRAINED SKILLS
Stealth +20, Bluff +9, Acrobatics +18, Arcana +16, Perception +10, Thievery +16
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Diplomacy +4, Dungeoneering +5, Endurance +6, Heal +5, History +9, Insight +5, Intimidate +4, Nature +5, Religion +9, Streetwise +4, Athletics +7
FEATS
Feat User Choice: Weapon Proficiency (Shuriken)
Level 1: Ki Weapon Technique
Level 2: Shadow Skulk
Level 4: Weapon Focus (Light Blade) (retrained to Venom Hand Killer at Level 11)
Level 6: Nimble Blade
Level 8: Sneak of Shadows
Level 10: Improved Defenses
Level 11: Venom Hand Master
POWERS
Assassin at-will 1: Poisonous Shuriken
Assassin at-will 1: Ninja-to Rush
Assassin at-will 1: Whirling Kusari-gama
Assassin encounter 1: Assassin's Strike (3d10 total)
Assassin daily poison 1: Carrion Crawler Brain Juice x3
Assassin utility 2: Cloak of Shades
Assassin utility 6: Darting Shadow
Assassin at-will 7: Hidden Stab
Assassin utility 10: Persistent Tail
Master of Poisons encounter 11: Blinding Dust
ITEMS
Shuriken (100), Light Shield, Executioner's Bracers (heroic tier), Gauntlets of Blood (heroic tier), Sandals of Precise Stepping (heroic tier), Rhythm Blade Short sword +1, Flowform Leather Armor +2, Periapt of Cascading Health +2, Circlet of Indomitability (heroic tier), Mordant Shuriken +2, Envenomed Ki Focus +2
Changes:
+6 HP
Strength +1 (11), Constitution +1 (12), Dexterity +1 (23), Intelligence +1 (19), Wisdom +1 (11), Charisma +1 (9)
New Feat Level 11: Venom Hand Master (Weapon Focus (Light Blade) retrained to Venom Hand Killer)
New Paragon Path encounter 11: Blinding Dust
Magic Items (Expected GP = 32,000):
L10 (5,000 gp): Periapt of Cascading Health +2
L9 (4,200 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Mordant Shuriken +2
L7 (2,600 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 27,336
Discussion:
As usual, Paragon brings us a huge bag of toys. The level 11 feature gives us +Int damage with weapon poison attacks. This means the 45 shurikens just gained Int mod. We also swapped out Weapon Focus (Light Blade) for Venom Hand Killer (+2/3/4 with poison), and picked up Venom Hand Master (ignore poison resist and immunity) as our level 11 feat. Oh, and we took the Envenomed Ki Focus, giving us an item bonus with poison attacks equal to our enhancement modifier.
Let's review what our 45 shurikens can do:
+Int (Level 11 passive)
+2/3/4 feat (Venom Hand Killer)
+enhancement (2) as item bonus (Envenomed Ki Focus)
ignore poison resist and immunity.
Ok, but what about when the 45 shurikens run out? Then, we use a Mordant Shuriken (we lose the item bonus, but keep everything else).
AP feature is weak, but not useless. (ongoing 10 poison on ONE target... boo...). The encounter power is pretty weak, but gives you a tool against a lot of enemies. Now that Stealth is less critical to doing damage, you can swap out some of your powers (or not, hidden is still CA)).
Level 12
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
New Feat Level 12: Blade and Buckler Duelist
New Paragon Path Utility: Persistent Poison
Magic Items (Expected GP = 48,000):
L12 (13,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +3
L10 (5,000 gp): Periapt of Cascading Health +2
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Mordant Shuriken +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 44,816
Another +1 AC and Reflex (still shield bonus, mind you) from our feat.
Auto-fail on a poison... That could be very nasty with some of the bigger ones.
Upgrade Envenomed Ki Focus and grab a Diamond Cincture.
Level 13
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
New Class Feature: Improved Death Attack
Assassin's Strike increases by 3d10 (4d10 total)
Magic Items (Expected GP = 64,000):
L12 (13,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +3
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L10 (5,000 gp): Periapt of Cascading Health +2
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L9 (4,200 gp): Flowform Leather Armor +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Mordant Shuriken +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 58,016
Improved Death Attack... now 20 HP or less to auto kill. Tasty. Assassin's Strike goes up a bit more to 5d10 total. Backlash Tattoo for some out of turn fun, and Dice just because,
Level 14
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
+1 Dex. (24), +1 Int. (20)
New Feat Level 14: Shield Mastery
Magic Items (Expected GP = 80,000):
L14 (21,000 gp): Drowmesh of Dark Deeds +3
L12 (13,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +3
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L10 (5,000 gp): Periapt of Cascading Health +2
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L8 (3,400 gp): Mordant Shuriken +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L4 (840 gp): Gauntlets of Blood
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 78,176
Remember how we had Light Shield (+1 Reflex/AC), Rhythm Blade (INCREASE shield bonus by 1) and Blade and Buckler Duelist (INCREASE shield bonus by 1)? Now that applies to Fort with Shield Mastery! +3 Shield bonus to fort. Fun!
Drowmesh of Dark Deed will give us near perma-concealment, for both staying hidden and just a passive defense buff.
Level 15
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
Assassin daily poison 15: Black Lotus Extract
Magic Items (Expected GP = 112,000):
L14 (21,000 gp): Drowmesh of Dark Deeds +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Assassin's Cloak +3
L12 (13,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +3
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L11 (9,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier)
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L8 (3,400 gp): Mordant Shuriken +2
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability +2
L6 (1,800) gp): Sandals of Percise Stepping
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 107,008
Black Lotus does a bit more damage than Brain Juice, but lacks the slow.
Assassin's Cloak is not only fluffy, but effective. Shadowdancer's Gloves gives us a slightly more controllable condition than bloodied.
Level 16
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
New Feat Level 16: Assassin's Cloak
New Assassin utility 16: Glooming Call
Magic Items (Expected GP = 160,000):
L14 (21,000 gp): Drowmesh of Dark Deeds +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Assassin's Cloak +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Mordant Shuriken +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Ring of Giants
L12 (13,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +3
L12 (13,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Boots
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L11 (9,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier)
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability
L3 (680 gp): Executioner's Bracers
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 152,968
What. The. Hell. Glooming Call??? Ok, so let's review. You take damage. You teleport. You turn invisible. You make a Stealth Check (as per Assassin's Cloak FEAT we just picked up) to hide. You are now hidden.
Start of next turn. You lose the invisible from Glooming Call. No longer hidden, right? Well, remember Armor of Dark Deeds? Pretty good chance we still have concealment from that. You only need concealment to remain hidden. Repeat 3 more times. WTF. Awesome.
Upgrade your back-up shuriken, and grab Shadowdancer's Boots for some speed (as well as a bump to some skills from the set). Ring of Giants for a bit more damage on your crits.
Level 17
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
Assassin's Strike increases by 4d10 (5d10 total)
New Assassin Utility: Shadow Coffin
Magic Items (Expected GP = 240,000):
L18 (85,000 gp): Serpertine Bracers
L14 (21,000 gp): Drowmesh of Dark Deeds +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Assassin's Cloak +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Mordant Shuriken +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Ring of Giants
L12 (13,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +3
L12 (13,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Boots
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L11 (9,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier)
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L8 (3,400 gp): Circlet of Indomitability
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 237,832
Another 1d8 poison damage against people you are hidden from. Whoo! It IS possible, at this point, to go back to your original Ki Focus for a slight edge on damage while hidden (because the bracers will add the poison keyword), but if you AREN'T hidden, you lose nearly all your modifiers. These bracers also make the back-up Shuriken a real last resort.
Shadow Coffin is just plain stylish.
Level 18
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
+1 Dex. (25), +1 Int. (21)
New Feat Level 18: Danger Sense
Magic Items (Expected GP = 320,000):
L18 (85,000 gp): Serpertine Bracers
L17 (65,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +4
L14 (21,000 gp): Drowmesh of Dark Deeds +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Assassin's Cloak +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Circlet of Arkhosia
L13 (17,000 gp): Mordant Shuriken +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Ring of Giants
L12 (13,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Boots
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L11 (9,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier)
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 320,552
Danger Sense gives us a the jump when we want it. Circlet of Arkhosia gives us the important saves at the start of the turn. Upgrade Envenomed.
Level 19
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
Assassin daily poison 19: Lich Dust
Magic Items (Expected GP = 400,000):
L18 (85,000 gp): Serpertine Bracers
L17 (65,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +4
L14 (21,000 gp): Drowmesh of Dark Deeds +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Assassin's Cloak +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Circlet of Arkhosia
L13 (17,000 gp): Mordant Shuriken +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Ring of Giants
L12 (13,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Boots
L12 (13,000 gp): Stone of Wind
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L11 (9,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier)
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 333,552
You can swap a Brain Just for another Black Lotus, or don't, depending how useful you find the slow is. Grab a Stone of Wind for hitting with your really important attacks.
Level 20
Show
Changes:
+5 HP
+1 to attacks, defenses, and checks
New Paragon Path Daily: Insidious Attack
New Feat Level 20: Toughness
Magic Items (Expected GP = 520,000):
L20 (125,000 gp): Ring of Agile Thought
L18 (85,000 gp): Serpertine Bracers
L17 (65,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +4
L14 (21,000 gp): Drowmesh of Dark Deeds +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Assassin's Cloak +3
L14 (21,000 gp): Circlet of Arkhosia
L13 (17,000 gp): Mordant Shuriken +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Ring of Giants
L12 (13,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Boots
L12 (13,000 gp): Stone of Wind
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L11 (9,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier)
L10 (5,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 458,552
Gain your subpar daily from your PP. It can be ok, pretty much guaranteed an extra 20 damage on top of the hit. Make it fail once or twice? Not bad. Not great either, as it is ongoing.
Ring of Agile Thought gives you +will, as well as a no action daily to prevent stuns/dazes. Toughness because why not.
Level 21 Snapshot and Discussion
Show
Kiri, level 21
Gnome, Assassin, Master of Poisons, Thief of Legend
Guild Training: Ninja
Uncanny Prowess: Uncanny Prowess (Intelligence)
Background: Born Under a Bad Sign (Born Under a Bad Sign Benefit)
Theme: Noble Adept
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 13, Dex 28, Int 24, Wis 12, Cha 10.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 11, Dex 20, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8.
AC: 38 = 10 + 10 (half level) + 2 (Snakeskin) + 9 (Dex) + 4 (enhancement) + 1 (Shield) + 1 (Rhythm Blade) + 1 (BB Duelist)
Fort: 34 = 10 + 10 (half level) + 1 (Con) + 4 (enhancement) + 1 (class) + 2 (Diamond Cint) + 3 (Improved Defenses) + 1 (Shield) + 1 (Rhythm Blade) + 1 (BB Duelist)
Reflex: 41 = 10 + 10 (half level) + 9 (Dex) + 4 (enhancement) + 3 (Improved Defenses) + 1 (Shield) + 1 (Rhythm Blade) + 1 (BB Duelist) + 2 (Snakeskin)
Will: 29 = 10 + 10 (half level) + 1 (Wis) + 1 (class) + 4 (enhancement) + 3 (Improved Defenses)
HP: 133 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 33
TRAINED SKILLS
Stealth +28, Bluff +15, Acrobatics +24, Arcana +24, Perception +16, Thievery +26
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Diplomacy +14, Dungeoneering +11, Endurance +11, Heal +11, History +17, Insight +11, Intimidate +10, Nature +11, Religion +17, Streetwise +10, Athletics +13
FEATS
Level 1: Ki Weapon Technique
Level 2: Shadow Skulk
Level 4: Weapon Focus (Light Blade) (retrained to Venom Hand Killer at Level 11)
Level 6: Nimble Blade
Level 8: Sneak of Shadows
Level 10: Improved Defenses
Level 11: Venom Hand Master
Level 12: Blade and Buckler Duelist
Level 14: Shield Mastery
Level 16: Assassin's Cloak
Level 18: Danger Sense
Level 20: Toughness
Level 21: One with Shadow
POWERS
Assassin at-will 1: Poisonous Shuriken
Assassin at-will 1: Ninja-to Rush
Assassin at-will 1: Whirling Kusari-gama
Assassin encounter 1: Assassin's Strike (5d10 total)
Assassin daily poison 1: Carrion Crawler Brain Juice x1, Black Lotus Extract x2
Assassin utility 2: Cloak of Shades
Assassin utility 6: Darting Shadow
Assassin at-will 7: Hidden Stab
Assassin utility 10: Persistent Tail
Master of Poisons encounter 11: Blinding Dust
Master of Poisons utility 12: Persistant Poison
Assassin utility 16: Glooming Call
Assassin Utility 17: Shadow Coffin
Master of Poisons daily 20: Insidious Poison
ITEMS
Shuriken (100), Light Shield, Rhythm Blade Short sword +1, Cobra Strike Ki Focus +3, Backlash Tattoo (heroic tier), Dice of Auspicious Fortune (paragon tier), Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier), Mordant Shuriken +3, Shadowdancer's Boots (paragon tier), Ring of Giants (paragon tier), Serpentine Bracers (paragon tier), Circlet of Arkhosia (paragon tier), Stone of Wind (paragon tier), Ring of Agile Thought (paragon tier), Assassin's Cloak +4, Snakeskin Armor of Dark Deeds +4, Diamond Cincture (paragon tier)
Changes:
+6 HP
Strength +1 (12), Constitution +1 (13), Dexterity +3 (28), Intelligence +1 (24), Wisdom +1 (12), Charisma +1 (10)
New Feat Level 21: One with Shadow
Magic Items (Expected GP = 800,000):
L20 (125,000 gp): Ring of Agile Thought
L20 (125,000 gp): Diamond Cincture
L19 (105,000 gp): Snakeskin Armor of Dark Deeds +4
L19 (105,000 gp): Assassin's Cloak +4
L18 (85,000 gp): Serpertine Bracers
L17 (65,000 gp): Envenomed Ki Focus +4
L14 (21,000 gp): Circlet of Arkhosia
L13 (17,000 gp): Mordant Shuriken +3
L13 (17,000 gp): Ring of Giants
L12 (13,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Boots
L12 (13,000 gp): Stone of Wind
L11 (9,000 gp): Dice of Auspicious Fortune
L11 (9,000 gp): Shadowdancer's Gloves (paragon tier)
L9 (4,200 gp): Backlash Tattoo
L3 (680 gp): Rhythm Blade Short Sword +1
TOTAL: 784,152
Sadly, Epic is not nearly as impressive as Paragon. Epic Destiny was taken because there really isn't a stand-out good option for Executioners ED. The Rogue/Ossassin ones rely too much on their respective striker mechanics to be useful to us. Thief of Legend gives us a double stat bump and a bunch of really fun stealth/thievery choices.
Grab an upgraded Armor of Dark Deeds, Diamond Cincture and Assassin's Cloak. One with Shadow feat lets us move through creatures as we move around.
