Assasin Thumper - THEORYCRAFT

Its just not possible as an assassin. And even if it was, it would be sub-par to the ranger. I posted a Hammer build previously. Here's the link to it:

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10020570

What I can say is this. Firstly, this shows that it is possible to use a hammer as well (or should I say, even better) than a bunny thumper does. Secondly, this is hardly sub par to the ranger, as it kills faster and it degens. Plus 2 KDs is gg.

I've killed other thumpers with it (good for casters too). It strips stances, knocks down twice, isn't dependant on an IAS to be even moderately effective (unlike thumpers, who have to use it to charge their adrenaline attacks), and it degens (Poison+Bleeding+Deep Wound). No bunny thumper can pull that off with a hammer. The poison+deep wound sure, not the bleeding (Unless they bring Brambles, even then, if they dont want to screw with their build too much, they would probably have to rely on a team mate to bring it). An assassin can pull it off in one swift combo.

Its like a dagger combo with a more damaging weapon, plus it doesn't even need an IAS or an elite to be effective. I forgot to edit it previously. Deadly Arts should be at 9 and the rest of the points should go into Shadow Arts.

Two assassins running this against two thumpers? Thumpers=dead

Works even better if you have a monk backing you.

No the reason bunny thumpers work is because there is effectively 2 of them. A complete spike would include Tigers Fury as IAS. Hammer Bash, Crushing Blow, Irresistable Blow and Ferocious Strike (somewhere down the line). With Flurry active you lose the spike potential, which is exactly what bunny thumpers are about. Aren't you totally neglecting the amounts of crits you would be getting? Crits on hammers hurt...

the only reason thumpers work is because their IAS is only 6/4 energy for them, which isnt expensive, if warrior primaries could do that they would.

Plus, ferocious strike is a horrible elite. You got a better idea on an A/R Dagger/Beast Mastery thats pressed for energy? And skill slots?

My build may not be ideal, but it can spike (hard) every ~15 seconds. (an intermediate Ferocious Strike helps get your energy up for spikes)

Referring to my own build, which uses daggers, and would need more regular energy management then the once-every-other-spike BLS, and the I-dont-have-an-enchantment-in-my-build GPS.



Thumpers are nice simply because you can have more damage in a smaller time frame. Brutal Strike landing a half second after a Crushing Blow (with a Fierce Blow on its way) can convince you of that fact fairly effectively. Brutal Strike... landing on a foe 1/2 second after Crushing Blow is nice... er if 1... the enemy gives a toss that you just dazed them and 2... if your pet isn't still attacking the last person you were hitting. Thumper spikes are about changing target, so are all warrior spikes. You can't spike someone who your enemy monks know is been targetted so will be focus healing that target. You CAN and will most likely suceed changing targets to spike. In TA playing thumper i've killed many a target by simply chasing the monk down then changing target as he ran past a fellow caster and quickly spiking them down.

The harrasment from a 'critical hammer' can't compete with the harrassment from a constant IAS KD spamming bunny thumper. I've tried with 'critical x' builds before (as a critical axe w/ Triple Chop) and found them to be reasonably effective. But the damage from a lvl15/16 Axe warrior would out do it. Just like the damage from a lvl16 Hammer warrior could out do it. They may also be able to outdamage a Bunny Thumper, but they can't beat it in the ability to harass targets, not bothering to kite brings severe penalties when dealing with bunny thumpers.

Edit: Regarding dazed, i was thinking of another skill, but the problems with it still remains the same.

Your animal companion attempts a Brutal Strike that deals +5...29 damage. If the attack strikes a foe whose health is below 50% that foe takes an additional +5...29 damage. So, um, what was wrong with my version again? That it cant change targets?

So, um, what was wrong with my version again? That it cant change targets? So did you actually read my post or did you stop when you read the bit about Brutal Strike?

Aren't you totally neglecting the amounts of crits you would be getting? Crits on hammers hurt... Not if you have low weapon attribute. And Tiger's Fury hurts way more than criticals. And pet hurts also. Assassin thumper is one of the dumbest ideas I've seen here. Sticking any weapons but daggers is generally not worth it. It can be done, but it is usually far outdone by that class.

So did you actually read my post or did you stop when you read the bit about Brutal Strike? Did you read MINE?

I am not suggesting hammer use at all, or using Critical Strikes to boost the damage of another class's weapon, so we can throw out the entire second paragraph.

And the bulk of the first is about the effectiveness of changing targets. This is completly true, the ability to switch rapidly is a great strength. But I dont see how my build, forced as it may be (Im certainly not running it), really lacks in the areas you addressed in your first paragraph - changing targets. Something my build is admittably weak in, but I think its a good first step towards an A/R Dagger/Beast Master.