Curse

Vargs · Dec 05, 2007, 09:54 AM // 09:54

I'm new at this >.> Just trying to make an overall PvE build. Haven't played this game in ages, and have never played an assassin. Liking the class a lot so far though.

Don't have Nightfall or EotN, so skills from those are out unfortunately.

Here's what I'm looking at so far.

[skill]Unsuspecting Strike[/skill] - I don't see many others including this, but I like it.
[skill]Wild Strike[/skill] - Wish I could get golden fang strike, I'd like deep wounds :/ Oh well, I suppose. Least I don't have to worry about enchantments, and getting rid of stances is nice enough.
[skill]Death Blossom[/skill]
[skill]Moebius Strike[/skill]
[skill]Return[/skill]
[skill]Critical Eye[/skill]
[skill]Flesh of my Flesh[/skill]
[skill]Shadow Refuge[/skill]

Might drop Shadow Refuge or Flesh of my Flesh for Critical Defenses. Or I might drop Critical Eye and get...something else, because I hate keeping enchantments up >.> Maybe death's charge.

Anyways, is that doable or am I going to get horribly mangled and/or not kill anything?

arsie · Dec 05, 2007, 10:07 AM // 10:07

The one problem with Unsuspecting Strike is that it is expensive. If your attack chain is broken, you might not be able to afford another chain immediately.

Another thing is to keep shadow stepping for PvP, you're not fooling the AI with it.

If you're going to moebius blossum AI mobs, and since you're already A/Rt, you might as well Splinter Weapon them for good measure.

I don't bring a self-heal.

Vargs · Dec 05, 2007, 10:21 AM // 10:21

No shadow stepping at all? I kinda like it as an "oh god get me the hell out of here because I'm going to die otherwise" button >.>

Splinter weapon does sound like a good idea. If I ditch shadow refuge (which I don't really like anyways) there isn't much point in putting stats into shadow arts, so I could spare them for channeling.

Little worried about condition removal but I suppose I'll just have to deal with it.

I'm also considering sticking impale in there somewhere, although that means I probably couldn't use splinter weapon since I wouldn't have enough stats for both deadly arts and channeling. The one second cast time is a little iffy, but the damage seems pretty decent and I lurv deep wounds.

[skill]Unsuspecting Strike[/skill] [skill]Wild Strike[/skill] [skill]Death Blossom[/skill][skill]Moebius Strike[/skill][skill]Return[/skill][skill]Critical Eye[/skill][skill]Flesh of my Flesh[/skill]

and then either [skill]Impale[/skill] or [skill]Splinter Weapon[/skill]

Splinter seems much more useful in ideal conditions (clumped enemies, which seems to happen often enough) and goes well with death blossom, whereas impale seems useful pretty much all the time (what's not to like about some extra spike damage + deep wound?). If only splinter hit the target you're attacking too, this would be far easier >:(

Hmm.

LaserLight · Dec 05, 2007, 11:34 AM // 11:34

Go for Splinter. Impale's cooldown hurts it a lot in a PvE setting outside of Assassin's Promise - ye'll get it once, perhaps twice, in a typical PvE mobfest. Splinter Weapon, on the other hand, looks like it could compliment Blossom spam nicely. Gotta get Channeling up to at least 10, though - that's the breakpoint for next 4 attacks, which'll let one cast see you through both Death Blossom hits. Recommend 12 +1 + whatever-size Dagger rune you feel comfortable with Dagger, 10 Channeling, and 8+1 Critical Strikes.

As for lead attacks...I really, really wish you had GWEN, man. Golden Fox Strike would work better here, Unsuspecting looks like it could net some nasty Energy issues. However, with Factions-only leads I think you hit the right one. Just gear up Radiant armor and some Attunements and hope for the best, I suppose.

Honestly, looks like it could be a fun build. I'm actually going to go work on a similar version myself now, had never thought of Splinter Weapon before for some reason. Heh, hope something in that rambling helped, Vargs.

Vargs · Dec 05, 2007, 12:08 PM // 12:08

Moebius doesn't recharge impale, right?

Splinter weapon it is, then! Too bad, I do love big spikes v_v

Anyways, thanks for the help.

LaserLight · Dec 06, 2007, 12:57 PM // 12:57

Figured I'd put this here, since this thread inspired the design.

Dagger 12 + 3 (don't ask, my Dagger armor swaps are weird)
Channeling 10
Critical 7 +1
Shadow 6

[skill]Splinter Weapon[/skill] > Golden Fox > Golden Fang > [skill]Death Blossom[/skill] > [skill]Flashing Blades[/skill] > [skill]Way of Perfection[/skill] > [skill]Dash[/skill] > Sunspear Rebirth Signet

Splinter build using GWEN skills and subbing in a Sunspear Rebirth Sig for emergencies. Way of Perfection is a useful, long-duration enchantment that keeps Golden Fang in Deep Wounds, and that's really all I need it for, and the combination of Blossom and Splinter, at these att spreads, deals 230 total damage to adjacent targets if I get all four Splinter shots and both Blossoms. Build can rapidly apply Deep Wound and protect itself with Flashing Blades - yes, I used Flashing Blades instead of Moebius Strike. Mostly because Moebius Blossom spam burns my brain, and takes away from the build's other strengths.

Thing can hit energy problems since it burns through so many attacks so quickly, but it's very good at scything through enemy groups, especially with supporting Barragers as is common with my Guild's PvE excursions. Flashing Blades and Way of perfection help more than some would think under heavy fire, and Splinter Weapon is just fun.

Heh, thanks for the idea Vargs. Here's what it might look like if you grab GWEN and toss a ReSig over that Sunspear Rebirth.

Aris the Accurate · Dec 06, 2007, 03:13 PM // 15:13

as far as shadow stepping in pve it actually does work well if you know how to use it. When it comes to a panic button I used Shadow Walk,Dark escape. Dont take splinter, instead designate it to a hero so not only will it save yo energy but you will get more of an effect. Flashing blades is a fail elite. Unsuspecting isnt that big of an energy issue because you arn't specing 10 into channel for splinter so you can pump your crit strikes.

DDL · Dec 06, 2007, 03:42 PM // 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aris the Accurate

Dont take splinter, instead designate it to a hero so not only will it save yo energy but you will get more of an effect. Flashing blades is a fail elite.

No heroes: no nightfall or EotN.

I'd recommend critical defenses as a superior alternative to flashing blades, but when I'm wandering around with Henchies I find that I rarely actually use it:the AI healers are good enough to keep me fighting (they may hate me for it, mind). Plus if I'm hitting the squishies (god I hate you, wardens of earth) the damage I'm taking isn't melee-based anyway.

It's handy if you find an oni spawn or a melee boss that you want to solo or something, though.

I usually go with

[skill]Critical Defenses[/skill][skill]Shadow Refuge[/skill][skill]Unsuspecting Strike[/skill][skill]Wild Strike[/skill][skill]Death Blossom[/skill][skill]Moebius Strike[/skill][skill]Critical Strike[/skill][skill]Way of Perfection[/skill]

which (while cookie-cutter, I suspect) works fairly well with henchies or solo. Use critical strike to refresh critical defenses and get more energy (or against kappas, coz that'll surprise em)

Hardmode I usually drop unsuspecting and wild for golden phoenix and then add in blinding powder: 75% block just doesn't cut it for long enough against HM melee hate, though it'll usually protect you long enough for blinding powder to refresh. Not so good against enchant shattering enemies, of course (nothing so annoying as GPS going FAIL on you).

Also, against really horrible healer groups (double/triple monk teams for instance) drop blossom for twisting fangs: the deep wound really helps.

street peddler · Dec 06, 2007, 04:51 PM // 16:51

the main downside of unsuspecting strike is that it's only good once in a fight, and it's expensive.

winterheart · Dec 06, 2007, 04:58 PM // 16:58

go with something easy and short, i personally run in pve, a really short chain with IAS and healing buffs:

Jagged strike
Wild Strike
Death Blossom
Critical eye
Way of the Assassin (e) or Locusts fury
Critical Agility
Way of Perfection
Res skill

but because of Critical Agility being NF i recommend Crit Defences for sticky cituations

Sir Pandra Pierva · Dec 06, 2007, 06:02 PM // 18:02

Go crit defenses and golden pheonix strike then DB. Then the typical mobious fun. you could also put in critical strike to keep up energy and crit defenses.

Doubt that is a good idea but just tossing things out.

Bobby2 · Dec 06, 2007, 07:38 PM // 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Pandra Pierva

Go crit defenses and golden pheonix strike then DB. Then the typical mobious fun. you could also put in critical strike to keep up energy and crit defenses.

Doubt that is a good idea but just tossing things out.

Wow, have you been hiding under a rock?

@ Vargs: are you going to be in PUGs for PvE, guildies helping you, or are you henching your way through?

Sir Pandra Pierva · Dec 06, 2007, 07:40 PM // 19:40

Just sleeping I know these are old ideas

Vargs · Dec 07, 2007, 03:27 AM // 03:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby2

Wow, have you been hiding under a rock?

@ Vargs: are you going to be in PUGs for PvE, guildies helping you, or are you henching your way through?

I'm pretty much henching everything, with the occasional pug.
I did purchase Nightfall though, so that gives me a bit more to work with.

Bobby2 · Dec 07, 2007, 04:45 AM // 04:45

Yihaa Critical Agility! I bought NF largely because of that very skill.

After that, Golden Fox Strike-Wild Strike/Golden Phoenix Strike becomes very attractive, as does Critical Strike, then Critical Defenses might as well be included, one throws on Mystic Regeneration for good measure...

Gambit Shinobi · Dec 07, 2007, 05:10 AM // 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by winterheart

go with something easy and short, i personally run in pve, a really short chain with IAS and healing buffs:

Jagged strike
Wild Strike
Death Blossom
Critical eye
Way of the Assassin (e) or Locusts fury
Critical Agility
Way of Perfection
Res skill

but because of Critical Agility being NF i recommend Crit Defences for sticky cituations

QFT. This is best and most basic Sin build you can use to dish out the pain, killing everything fast and efficiently. I still use this build minus Res as my default PvE setup. Of course, it sucks to not have Critical Agility, but like he said, Critical Defenses means you'll almost never die from melee mobs if used correctly.

LaserLight · Dec 07, 2007, 05:22 PM // 17:22

Moebius Strike this, Moebius Strike that, Moebius Strike the other thing. Gawd, that skill makes me sick to my stomach these days...

*Sighs* With access to Nightfall, Vargs, you're going to get about eight hundred people telling you to run the following:

Golden Phoenix > Death Blossom > Moebius Strike [E] > Critical Agility (Sunspear rank PvE-only skill) >Critical Defenses > Mystic Regeneration > *swing*.

That is, apparently, the only bar a PvE Assassin is allowed to run. Deviate from it at all and swarms of angry Guild players will bring the hammer down upon your head for being a Bad Sin Player, even if you're not.

Too bad, really...Splinter build was fun and pretty effective for something that isn't OMGSPAMDBLOSSOM. Ah well. Good luck man.

Gambit Shinobi · Dec 07, 2007, 06:29 PM // 18:29

Wow LaserLight, you seem to have lots of issues with your guild members criticizing you, eh? Personally, I LIKE Moebius spamming. However, it's not the only build I run.

In fact, I have tons of builds I use either just for fun or for specific dungeons/missions/quests that doesn't involve Moebius Strike and the usual bar that most Sins use. I get nothing but compliments from my guild regardless of the build I run. As long as it works well and you play it well, it doesn't matter what build people run. There's nothing wrong with having a build that is fail-safe and makes all Sins into something we're supposed to be: someone who actually ASSASSINATES (kills) things fast. Don't hate the build, hate the game... >.>

Bobby2 · Dec 07, 2007, 07:59 PM // 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaserLight

Moebius Strike this, Moebius Strike that, Moebius Strike the other thing. Gawd, that skill makes me sick to my stomach these days...

*Sighs* With access to Nightfall, Vargs, you're going to get about eight hundred people telling you to run the following:

Golden Phoenix > Death Blossom > Moebius Strike [E] > Critical Agility (Sunspear rank PvE-only skill) >Critical Defenses > Mystic Regeneration > *swing*.

That is, apparently, the only bar a PvE Assassin is allowed to run. Deviate from it at all and swarms of angry Guild players will bring the hammer down upon your head for being a Bad Sin Player, even if you're not.

Too bad, really...Splinter build was fun and pretty effective for something that isn't OMGSPAMDBLOSSOM. Ah well. Good luck man.

I kinda understand how you feel. But can you suggest an Elite that is better? Now don't say FB because CritDef is just as good in context. Promise might be good but does the same thing as Moebius and decent CS attr - only slower.

Of course there's the perma Shadow Form build but I dare you to name 1 (1!!!!) other useful Elite for a PvE Assassin.

EDIT: lawl! CritAgi-CritDef-Conjure [X]-LOCUST'S FURY-[any way to keep up CritAgi/CritDef] have fun auto-attacking!

jesh · Dec 12, 2007, 06:58 AM // 06:58

AP slower? No... AP lets you pretty much run a typical SP bar with no recharge. You can't *get* much faster kills in this game.