Curse

Adult · Jul 06, 2008, 05:19 PM // 17:19

Ok. With the recent Nerf-Stick-slap to [Shadow Form], what viable Hard Mode builds are there left for an Assasin primary?

The new Mindblade-[Burning Speed] farm works just fine in Normal Mode but not in Hard Mode.

[deadly paradox][glyph of swiftness][Shadow Form][flame djinns haste][glyph of lesser energy][burning speed][frigid armor][fire attunement]

I have tested that on Raptors and in the Underworld and everything will just break agro on Hard Mode, even with your Health around 50. The anti-scatter rule of having your health under 100 only has an effect in Normal Mode.

I have also tried a Perma-[Sliver Armor] [Shadow Form] on Raptors and now since the 50% damage reduction it is painfully slow...but it does work. I don't think Perma-Sliver in UW on HM would be the best idea either. Especially since the Sliver will auto-target the Aataxe's first.

[deadly paradox][glyph of swiftness][Shadow Form][sliver armor][earth attunement][?][?][?]

If there was a way to use Perma-[Shadow Form] and yet be able to keep [Sliver Armor] up nearly 100% of the time, then Sliver would probably be the best Hard Mode farm for the Perma-SF Sin.

The Assasin/Mesmer build may not be viable anymore, or at the very least will take alot more time due to the -50% damage output.

[deadly paradox][arcane echo][Shadow Form][cry of pain][ether nightmare][dark escape][channeling][?]

I have tried the left-side blocked against a wall trick with only some success. Half the time the critters just run backwards out of danger...very annoying. Any tips here?

Essence of Celerity does open up some new ideas. The -25% will replace [glyph of swiftness]. I have tested this and it works. This, at a extra cost of 2k, could open up some other options. Such as:

[deadly paradox][Shadow Form][dark escape][symbol of wrath][kirins wrath][?][?][?]
This actually worked in UW on a NM Mindblade run before the nerf. Might still work since.

[deadly paradox][Shadow Form][dark escape][flame trap][barbed trap][vipers nest][serpents quickness][?]
Max degen with uniteruptable traps anyone?

[deadly paradox][Shadow Form][dark escape][ancestors rage][spirit rift][?][?][?]

[deadly paradox] [arcane echo] / Essence of Celerity [Shadow Form][dark escape][wandering eye][clumsiness][?][channeling]

These are only a few ideas.

With the trap version, or any e-heavy build really, take a second weapon set with a Zealous/Enchanting Scythe and whack away for +3 energy a pop. That should be all the energy managment you need. Watch those graspings and bladedes though. [fear me] and [riposte] could mess you up.

The Assasin/Ranger idea came to me when I realized that the traps would not be interupted, thanks to [shadow form], and that they cause all kinds of lovely conditions and max degen.

I have also looked at A/D and A/N builds but nothing really jumps out at me as possible/viable.

So, any other ideas? Remember, Hard Mode, Assasin Primary, Perma-Shadow Form.

FengShuiDove · Jul 06, 2008, 05:44 PM // 17:44

Personally I find the A/Me to be the most fun still. Toss in [Radiation Field][Ether Nightmare][Cry of Pain] despite Cry's doing only 50 damage at max now, it still carves through Aatxes/Grasping.

Of course, it won't work as well with the Mindblades which is the only thing people care about anymore.

makosi · Jul 06, 2008, 05:46 PM // 17:46

I think the trapper build will be too energy-consuming and if you use the Frigid/Burning Speed idea will do a lot of degen in a more sustainable and engery-friendly way.

Burning Speed could potentially work in HM if you use 'locking' methods to keep them from fleeing but it is probably more bother than it's worth, considering ectos have an equal drop rate in NM and HM. HM yields more rares but is it worth all of the extra effort?

Elite Bushido · Jul 06, 2008, 05:58 PM // 17:58

A/Rt build im liking for some reason, but the energy will be kinda iffy...

Vexed · Jul 06, 2008, 06:57 PM // 18:57

You know, the trap build you've posted is a hell of an idea but I don't know how you're ever going to keep a 'sin in enough energy to kill anything with traps.

Has anybody tried the clumsiness/wandering eye thing? Since the damage from those skills is triggered by the attacking foe, it seems like it wouldn't suffer from the half-damage curse.

Marverick · Jul 06, 2008, 07:01 PM // 19:01

It does unfortunately <_< ANet doesn't follow their own wording.

Adult · Jul 06, 2008, 07:10 PM // 19:10

The whole idea of using an Assasin to farm in Hard Mode was to increase the gold drop rate therefore making the cost of the Essence of Celerity worth while. Also to see if there are any viable HM builds for other things, such as Raptors.