Curse

Bandwagon · May 20, 2011, 10:18 PM // 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Dog

Sins are still very much the beginners class.

Compared to Warriors, Elementalists, and Rangers? Hardly.

Assuming you are not using a PvX-ish resource.

Assassins are volatile and die easily and quickly, the very nature of Shadow Steps allowing unsuspecting noobs to BANZAI into enemy lines proves this. This is not the image that strikes one as being beginner friendly.

Frostie Arrows · May 21, 2011, 12:22 AM // 00:22

I like to use a A/W Build with
12 Tactics
10 Crit
10Dagger I think
Skills are
Soliders Stance -> 33% IAS 75% Chance to Block
Fear Me -> Spamable Shout for ^^ &+25% Crit
I am the Strongest/Unstoppable-> Another shout your choice
Jagged Strike -> Spamable Lead
Fox Fangs -> Spamable Offhand
Deaths Blossum -> Massive Damage
Save Yourself
Asura Scan
Last 2 skills could be whatever your want. But this build works great for me.

thetwistedboy · May 21, 2011, 02:25 AM // 02:25

If you want to be a real rp assassin, like shadow step in, do a lot of dmg, then shadowstep out, go into pvp. It's really the only place where tactics like that are viable. In pve, its all about using critical strikes as energy management and pumping damage through fast recharging 3 skill chains. ie jagged strike, fox fangs, death blossom. Thats for general pve, for farming and speed clears, shadow form builds. Imo, assassins are really limited when it comes to general pve, campaigns and such. there's like 2 - 3 good builds. The rest are can be used, but are subpar or just trash. You're on the right track with db and way of the assassin.

Buns United · Jun 19, 2011, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetwistedboy

If you want to be a real rp assassin, like shadow step in, do a lot of dmg, then shadowstep out, go into pvp. It's really the only place where tactics like that are viable. In pve, its all about using critical strikes as energy management and pumping damage through fast recharging 3 skill chains. ie jagged strike, fox fangs, death blossom. Thats for general pve, for farming and speed clears, shadow form builds. Imo, assassins are really limited when it comes to general pve, campaigns and such. there's like 2 - 3 good builds. The rest are can be used, but are subpar or just trash. You're on the right track with db and way of the assassin.

I beg to differ about DB spam being the most effective way to PvE, atleast in my situation (horrible connection) the AoE from DB can get wasted a lot, and you should be able to AoE spike down any adjacent targets with splinter weapon and just auto attacks. While the regular J-F-DB spammer does kill remarkably fast, so does any basic hero setup with some damage. There's one bad thing about it noone seems to care to mention, it has no DW. And that condition is powerful (and hard to effectively implement in a caster hero setup.)

So in my case I decided to take somewhat of a defensive role, being able to shut down the most threatening characters of an enemy group. Only to give my very offensive oriented hero setup the window to kill. Sure I won't make as fast kills als I could with J-F-DB. But the big issue with that build is that it's a melee build. So you have travel time to mob before you start pumping numbers. My heroes are all ranged and can keep spamming their sources of damage regardless of range (aggro bubble range atleast...)
Resulting in no speed loss in my situation, although I do admit I will do less damage against a stationary target.
But that doesn't matter because it only takes 1 attack chain to effectively shut down my target anyway. Unless it's a caster in which case mesmer update says hi.

The build itself, incase you're interested;

A/W

Critical Strikes: 11+1+1
Dagger Mastery: 11+1
Shadow Arts: 8+1

Sneak Attack [PvE]
Golden Fang Strike
Death Blossom
Unseen Fury
Critical Agility [PvE]
Critical Eye
Beguiling Haze [E]
"Save Yourselves!" [PvE]

On topic; this is the most ninja assassin-ish build which actually works that I could come up with.

_Aphotic_ · Jun 27, 2011, 06:42 PM // 18:42

Meh. Having SY! is not ninja at all. I mean, if we were RP'ing, a Ninja shouting out loud for all the world to hear would give away his stealth/position.

Here's my favorite Ninja Build:
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Attributes:
12 Crit Strike (+ whatever)
11 Dagger Mastery (+ whatever)
6 Wilderness Survival
2 Deadly Arts (+whatever)

Shadow Fang
Spike Trap (Elite)
Falling Spider
Trampling Ox
Falling Lotus Strike
Blades of Steel
Natural Stride
Resurrection Signet

Last 2 skills can be replaced with anything more ninja-esque.

If the ninja is not seen, he can put up the 2-second cast of Spike Trap...

Buns United · Jul 11, 2011, 01:51 PM // 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Aphotic_

Meh. Having SY! is not ninja at all. I mean, if we were RP'ing, a Ninja shouting out loud for all the world to hear would give away his stealth/position.

To be fair, "SY!" is just a filler. I tend to use it maybe twice in an area, if I'd been a fair bit too reckless.
But you're right about the not ninja-esque part of the skill... though that assassin build is an "Unseen Fury", not an unheard one.

Enough puns.

Would you know a better alternative?
I'd been considering Epidemic for awhile, to fully disable a ball of mobs with BH->UF/SA->Epidemic.
Wouldn't know what other PvE skill to use either, none seem to be all too interesting.

scoutct6 · Aug 06, 2011, 11:52 AM // 11:52

In my honest opinion, any assassin on the frontline more an extended period of time is begging to be killed. The JS,FF, DB combo is definately a powerful spammable attack chain, but the problems it creates is that too much damage over a short time against maybe 4~5 mobs at once, -will- change their target to you. This is especially deadly to you if you're over-extended. They're basically a midline class with frontline abilities.

This is probably why assassins' with melee attacks are'nt as popular in high end pve compared to their caster counterparts.

i would'nt add SY into any of my assassin builds, simply because warriors are much better at doing that with FGJ . and id rather spend my skill slot for something more damaging to my target so i can kill him faster without putting myself in a 1 vs 5 situation

However, you can use the Assassin's Promise/Shadow Fang combo to quickly get into a mob, use highly potent single targeting attacks to spike(maybe kill the target) and then get out- with shadow fang.

Here's a build i've been using quite extensively now - against lvl 28 HM mobs

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Dagger mastery 10+3
Critical Strikes 11+3
Deadly Arts 10

Black Spider Strike
Critical Strike
Golden Phoenix Strike
Blades of Steel
Impale
Assassin's Promise (elite)
Shadow Fang
Critical Agility (PvE)

1. Cast critical agility before heading in for the kill.
2. Cast Shadow Fang to shadow step to your target while hexing him at the same time, allowing you to use Black Spider Strike as your combo starter
3. Use Black Spider Strike -> Critical Strike -> Golden Phoenix Strike -> Blades of Steel -> Assassin's Promise -> Impale (i would cast Assassin's promise prior to shadow fang - risky but that's just how i do it.)
4. target should die - ending shadow fang, and instantly bringing you back to wear you cast it in the first place and assassin's promise should recharge your skills, allowing you to 'ninja' in on another target again.

You might ask, why 2 deep wounds? The basis of this build is deal high amounts of damage in 10 seconds, which is the time span of Shadow Fang.
Shadow fang is just there as your 2 way ticket in and out of the mob's group.
Impale is there as your damage spike skill. A deep wound at the end of the combo can deal a large spike of health for even a HM monk to handle.

Basically the build throws away your usual defense enchants for the extra damage. You're definately weaker than a frontline sin with Critical Defenses, but being in the killzone in less than 10 seconds decreases your chance of getting any aggro on you - hence being you can attack and probably kill any caster with the combo. Therefore it is best not to take first aggro, but stay behind where the necros/monks/eles are. Once the battle starts extend out far enough to start the combo.

The problem behind this build, apart from the defense, is that if both hexes are stripped, you're practically useless for the next 45 seconds.. so its best to target enemies with hex removal skills first. Also any blindness or blocking can spoil this build. just pick your targets right and you should be fine

Daris · Dec 19, 2011, 07:14 PM // 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpyderArachnid

There is other ways to play an Assassin besides tanking and SC. As a new player, I'd try to stay away from PvX as well till you get the hang of things. When you are more comfortable with the play style of your profession, then check out some of the builds there for some tips.

If you're having trouble with survivability though, spec into Shadow Arts. There is a bunch of healing abilities in there that will help you out. I personally enjoy Flashing Blades as my Elite, and it allows you to spec into Dagger Mastery to get the most out of your combo.

Top that with some Shadow Arts (Shadow Refuge, Shroud of Distress, Way of Perfection, Heart of Shadow, etc) and you got some good heals with a great chance to block.

Hopefully those help ya with Survivability.

this person is my
new best friend.

also don't let people discourage you by telling you " X class can only do X things ". the reason anet gave us so many skills and only 8 slots is to experiment.

that being said there are skill combinations that are just bad ideas....