Curse

sphere830 · May 03, 2006, 01:18 AM // 01:18

PVE

Here is my pve build that I came up with myself. I struggled at first with how to play an assassin, however I eventually learned what many people are now talking about, get in, damage, and get out. This build facilitates that sort of play, but tends to drop enemies left and right.

Flashing Viper A/R

Daggers 16 (12+3+1)
Shadow Arts 8
Critical Strikes 9

I still don't have minor runes, I do have a sup dagger rune. The armor I use is the shrouded energy armor. Energy management and mobility is key in this build. I have two of the perfect collector sai's, one is a sundering sai of shelter, the other is a poison sai of shelter.

1. Dash (no attribute)-this skill has a multitude of uses, ie. to get to or away from foes.
2. Viper's Defense (shadow arts)- this skill is key to being mobile enough not to get trapped
and does all of your poisoning.
3. Shadow Refuge (shadow arts)- a nice self heal
4. Jagged Strike (dagger mastery)- This is a nice lead attack that will keep bleeding on your
enemies, even when you don't get through your combo.
5. Fox Fangs (dagger mastery)- Great off-hand attack that does solid damage and cannot be
blocked.
6. Twisting Fangs (critical) A badass dual strike that causes deepwound and
bleeding for 15 seconds. Stacking this with the
poison does great damage quick.
7. Flashing Blades (dagger mastery) {elite}- This is the elite of the build, this allows you to tank for 21
seconds, which is long enough to get your combo and
conditions going, then viper defense to get out.
8. Res Sig- I'm one of those old school guys that keep some form of res on all
of my characters most of the time. Obviously this and dash are the
interchangable of my build.

The way this build works is great, you use flashing blades going in, then start your attack seq. then viper defense to get out. This is tried and true by me all over the first part of the main continent quest. I hear people complain about their assassins, but I love the class, played well I feel like I can throw down some serious damage. I may do the numbers in a couple of weeks once I complete the storyline. Feel free to comment and give some suggestions as to how to make the build better. I am going to take credit for this build, but this is because I have not looked at any other forum information. If there is a similar build on the forum, I will retract the originality claim, but keep the build as I have developed it through my play. In a nut shell I use the two stances strategically, throw on the conditions, then get out of dodge leaving my victim poisoned. Try it and let me know how you like it.

Lambentviper · May 03, 2006, 02:25 AM // 02:25

i made a similair build during the second FPE event. I soloed the area outside the marketplace pretty easily with just vipers defense as my damage. defensive assassin ftw!

Kurow · May 03, 2006, 08:38 AM // 08:38

Jagged strike and twisting fangs both add bleeding. Change out jagged strike for something else, like unsuspecting strike.

Priceykins · May 03, 2006, 05:16 PM // 17:16

since i started using most of this build, i have died alot less, however, one question

where can i cap flashing blades?

sphere830 · May 03, 2006, 06:00 PM // 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurow

Jagged strike and twisting fangs both add bleeding. Change out jagged strike for something else, like unsuspecting strike.

I took this into consideration for awhile and even used US, however I always found myself in energy trouble. Jagged strike does also cause bleeding, however, it only cost 5 energy and recharges relatively quickly. Another reason for me choosing JS is because many, many enemies die before I have a chance at using TF. I look at this build as a perfect flanker and if the foe does turn to strike at me, then VD triggers poison and I use a poison dagger to increase poison time to around 14 seconds. At this point just go to your next victim, because that one is dead in a matter of seconds. I am still looking for a different lead attack, but one that only cost 5, the initial 10 in every seq. will keep you energy defficient.

*One alteration to this build, before you have Flashing Blades is energy management, put lotus stance before twisting fangs and negate their cost by receiving 15 energy back.

sphere830 · May 03, 2006, 06:03 PM // 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Priceykins

since i started using most of this build, i have died alot less, however, one question

where can i cap flashing blades?

I think I got that on a quest, just north of the 4th mission town. I capped it off of a boss around there. Ill try and get more specific after I look at my map.

julienp · May 03, 2006, 06:27 PM // 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Priceykins

since i started using most of this build, i have died alot less, however, one question

where can i cap flashing blades?

Here's a nice list with maps where to find the bosses: http://www.xennon.co.uk/eliteskills/#assassin

sphere830 · May 11, 2006, 10:43 PM // 22:43

Has anyone had as much luck with this build as I have? If so let me know, if not and you would give it a try, then leave me some feedback. Im interested in expanding the options with the build for different scenerios.

sphere830 · May 24, 2006, 03:22 AM // 03:22

Nothing new?