Curse

clawofcrimson · Jan 04, 2007, 06:29 PM // 18:29

ok...I am pretty new to using an assasin (in RA mostly) and I have been getting owned lately...these are my biggest problems...

1. I cant get off my combo quick enough....

and

2. I get killed as soon as I get targeted... ;(

..so I have some questions...

1. Is it better to use shadow step to get to the target quicker...or escape quicker? (and just run to the target)

2. I have heard of people skipping the lead attack... but is there a way to do this without having palm strike? (and still get the combo off quick)

If you are succesfull in using the sin...your thought are appreciated...

Sqube · Jan 04, 2007, 06:40 PM // 18:40

If you're having trouble getting your combo off, you could try using a Warrior secondary and running with [skill=text]Flurry[/skill]. IAS is your friend.

You getting killed as soon as you're targeted? Well... there's not too much that can be done for that. You have to keep in mind that Assassins don't have strong armor (max 70 AL) and are not meant to stand up to focused fire for any significant length of time. A/Mo builds do exist which let you tank, but they're pretty specialized. They'll let you take advantage of Golden Phoenix Strike, but there isn't much room in those builds for hexes, which knocks out the Black Lotus/Spider Strike off-hands.

If you're hexing your opponents or using an enchantment on yourself, you have [skill=text]Black Lotus Strike[/skill], [skill=text]Black Spider Strike[/skill], and [skill=text]Golden Phoenix Strike[/skill] as off-hands available to you that ignore the use of lead attacks. [skill=text]Assassin's Promise[/skill] is a commonly used hex. Go for that if you think you can knock off your opponent in time. Another cheap hex is [skill=text]Parasitic Bond[/skill]; if you have concerns about being able to kill your opponent in time, or want to confuse opposing healers, I think this is the hex of choice. Eminently spammable, gives you a little health loving when its time is done (or your opponent dies)... I like it.

I can't claim to be awesome, but these are some fairly standard suggestions that should help you out. As always, check out the builds at GuildWiki to see if there's something you want to emulate, or would like to use as a base to develop your own skillbar.

Good luck!

Yanman.be · Jan 04, 2007, 06:51 PM // 18:51

What's your combo now?

Don't rush in first, I think you're doing that. It's better to watch what your teammates are doing.

A quick example:

Your team: You, a monk, a mesmer, and a warrior.

Their team: A monk, a warrior, a necro, and an elementalist.

Your mesmer goes for the ele, making him useless.
Your warrior goes for the monk, making him run/distracting from healing.
The logical thing for an assassin to do, is going for the necromancer. A good assassin build should specialize in killing a target by himself, fast, clean and mean.

Maria stormshield · Jan 04, 2007, 06:55 PM // 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanman.be

A good assassin build should specialize in killing a target by himself, fast, clean and mean.

Quoted for the truth.

clawofcrimson · Jan 04, 2007, 06:58 PM // 18:58

isnt it better to go for the monk?? focusing fire will killem off quicker.. and what if you get targeted first....(seems to happen to me a lot) assasins have been tageting me and kill me off in a matter of seconds =/

Lord Nibiru · Jan 04, 2007, 07:30 PM // 19:30

don't agrro....w8....don't go 1st....go last....watch 3-4 sec what every1 is doing...pick target...kill....
don't attack rangers,warriors and other assassins as your 1st target.
don't attack E/D or Dervish alone.
all other things you can do

Yanman.be · Jan 04, 2007, 07:50 PM // 19:50

Who cares about the monk if he can't heal?

Pick Me · Jan 04, 2007, 07:50 PM // 19:50

Are you using armor that is +15 when attacking? If not, that may help.

Better to shadow step out, as you can escape quickly before its too late.

Impale or Siphon Speed are good hexes to use and then you can use spider or black lotus.

Recall is a nice enchantment for you to use Golden Pheonix Strike, and it gives you a teleport out when needed.

Do you have any defenses?

Try to get the skill Feign of Neutrality, its great. Try not to chase other players, attack those who are not expecting an attack. In Yanman.be's case, the Necro is blissfully unaware of your intentions.

clawofcrimson · Jan 04, 2007, 08:51 PM // 20:51

here is the build I have been using....it just seems like I cant get my combo off in time

[card]shadow of haste[/card] [card]way of the lotus[/card] [card]golden lotus strike[/card] [card]temple strike[/card] [card]twisting fangs[/card] [card]deadly paradox[/card] [card]feigned neutrality[/card] [card]resurrection signet[/card]

Diddy bow · Jan 04, 2007, 09:39 PM // 21:39

If your using temple strike you cant skip the lead other wise you can with golden pheonix black spider or black lotus(just need a hex or an enchantment first) and a heal/escape definetly better than a quick entry better slow than dead

Pick Me · Jan 04, 2007, 10:00 PM // 22:00

Possible reasons for you not getting your combos off:

Enemy has defensive stances that block/evade
You become blinded
Someone takes off your stance
You get spiked
You've been hexed so you miss some of the time

If this happens to you, then here are possible solutions:

Drop way of the lotus for Way of the Fox or Expose Defenses.
If you take Expose Defenses, take Black Lotus Strike.
If you take WotF, then take Wild Strike (if you are being blocked by a stance and not a spell).

If someone takes off your stance while you are in SoH, then you are SOL (lol).

Flashing Blades is a good defense, but its an elite, and in theory, you shouldn't need to defend yourself too often.

Assassins don't have a natural defense against hexes, so if you are hexed with Spiteful Spirit, Blurred Vision, Price of Failure, Reckless Haste, Empathy, etc. you already know not to continually attacking someone.

Personally, I like KDs. But if you can't complete your combo before you start to get into trouble, then try different tactics with your build. Also, drop Deadly Paradox. It does you no good. At least get Dash for your stance cancel.

clawofcrimson · Jan 04, 2007, 10:59 PM // 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diddy bow

a heal/escape definetly better than a quick entry better slow than dead

definitely what I was hoping to find out thanks...

also... I am running radiant armour (paranoid about energy i know) with zealous daggers...is this not the best equipment?

BlackSephir · Jan 04, 2007, 11:56 PM // 23:56

Zealous daggers are imo best choice for Assa
Also, I think you shouldnt be paranoid of energy- Assa has great e-management...
Assuming you're using zealous daggers and have 13 or more critical strikes
1 hit- 1 energy
double strike- 2 energy
critical hit- 3 + 1
And other skills like criticaly eye, black lotus strike, golden lotus strike, way of the lotus, assassin's promise grant great boost of energy

Personally I dont get why ppl make R/A or E/A with daggers saying "Assa needs lots of energy" ;p

Yanman.be · Jan 05, 2007, 11:14 AM // 11:14

I tweaked your build in the other thread, but I said you had to take Shadow Walk, not Shadow of Haste.

I don't think energy is a problem unless you abuse your energy through false combo's. Zealous daggers should suffice. Use armour or health instead of energy armour.

dgb · Jan 05, 2007, 11:19 AM // 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sqube

you could try using a Warrior secondary and running with [skill=text]Flurry[/skill]. IAS is your friend.

Don't recomend garbage skills.

[skill]Burst Of Aggression[/skill] is far better for assassins.

clawofcrimson · Jan 05, 2007, 06:56 PM // 18:56

well that is much better than frenzy... but Im using Shadow Walk/Shadow of Haste. so it would cancel out this stance and teleport me...

...and Yanman... Im sure shadow walk works better... but I found it harder to use because you have to be in shadow step range and you have to be quick at the buttons...for now I will stick with shadow of haste

and I have started using a combo with [card]palm strike[/card] which lowers the combo time by a lot...I just miss the daze/blindness (I switch to my paragon build whenever I need to get a lot of faction quick) It seems that the daze/blindness is not an issue as the target dies off pretty quick