PvE Assassin build, comments please.

Cebe

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

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I don't play Assassin too much, but I've been toying with this build for a while, and I'd just like some comments on it, or suggestions for improvement.

[skill]Critical Eye[/skill][wiki]Critical Agility[/wiki][skill]Black Spider Strike[/skill][skill]Golden Fox Strike[/skill][skill]Wild Strike[/skill][skill]Death Blossom[/skill][skill]Assassin's Promise[/skill][skill]Dark Prison[/skill]

Attributes:
Dagger Mastery: 10 + 1 + 2
Deadly Arts: 8 + 1
Critical Strikes: 12 + 1

Use:
My assassin plays PvE Normal Mode Only.
Maintain Critical Eye and Critical Agility as much as possible.
Use Dark Prison and Assassin's Promise on target foe.
Use BSS > DB, or GFS > WS > DB if foe is using a block stance.

Maybe it's a pretty standard assassin build? I'm none too sure, though I've been tweaking it for a while now so figured it was time for some feedback from the Pros .

It's probably worth just stating that I've done the while Moebius-Blossom thing, I've got the T-Shirt, the keyring, the hat, the mug, and all manner of Moebius-Blossom merchandise...after a while it's a bit boring, and in Normal Mode, which is the only thing my assassin plays, things die fast enough anyway without the need to continual rounds of MS > DB. I wanted to try something...else...so I figured Assasin's Promise would be a decent starting place for PvE.

I've tried on occaision switching AP for [wiki]Siphon Strength[/wiki], which is fun, but does mean some skills have a very long recharge because AP isn't there to recharge everything. With AP, as soon as one foe is dead, and assuming AP works as intended, I can shadowstep straight to the next foe, which is fun.

arcanemacabre

arcanemacabre

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Feb 2006

North Kryta Province

Angel Sharks [As]

This looks relatively fun from this extreme sin novice's perspective. I've been looking for something to replace that tired one-trick-pony that Moebius/Blossom build is. I'll try something like this. Thanks!

Smilin' Assassin

Smilin' Assassin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

Cantha

Pixies O Wickid Nawtyness [pixy]

A/Me

with Promise, you'll really wanna make sure your target is dead, so stick a DeepWound somewhere in there, prolly replacing CritEye ~

Yanman.be

Yanman.be

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

[ROSE]

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Don't need Crit Eye do you?

Bobby2

Bobby2

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2007

Delayed in order to meet ANet's high standards

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Besides CritAgility, it's almost a crime to not run CritDefenses as well. With AP recharging every skill you should concentrate on creating a massive spike chain to make sure the target won't get up, you don't have to worry about recharges anyway if played right.

Sooo... my suggestion....

CritAgility-CritDefenses
- allows for opening strike with
Golden Phoenix Strike, which is too good to pass up when aiming for bar compression. Really worried about block stances? Go A/W and run
Wild Blow, which doubly serves as a great crit guarantee.

To round out the spike, I'd take (GPS), Critical Strike, Black Spider Strike, Blades of Steel/Twisting Fangs to deal a criminal amount of damage.

Good luck!

horseradish

horseradish

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

In a donut hole

Rt/A

It looks like a fun build. Critical Agility is one of the best skills sins have.

imho, PvE characters should bring a rez, but that depends on playstyle I suppose.

Also, I find that the mobility that the assassin has access to is hard to turn down. While shadowsteps aren't necessary at all in PvE, those and the stances help if you're under attack all of a sudden.

However, since your elite is Assassin's Promise, focusing more on offense is the better tactic. Perhaps you could bring twisting fangs? With Black Spider Strike, that's 7degen and deep wound, and with a powerful enough combo, your target should be gone in a little bit, even if your initial assault doesn't kill it.

Bobby2

Bobby2

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Join Date: Jun 2007

Delayed in order to meet ANet's high standards

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Also, calling targets helps.

John Panda

John Panda

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Join Date: Mar 2007

in my house

The Arctic Maruarders [TAM]

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if your in nm you don't need any skills but imo this is bad

just stick with moebius db spam.

Earth

Earth

Always Outnumbered

Join Date: Jul 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Panda
if your in nm you don't need any skills but imo this is bad

just stick with moebius db spam. Note that she did not want to play that build, because she thinks it's boring. Which I agree with, tbh.

Prof Of Black

Prof Of Black

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2006

@ Sensation Black

Death is Energy [DIE] ~ Raining fame alliance

[skill]Assassin's Promise[/skill][skill]Black Mantis Thrust[/skill][skill]jungle strike[/skill]Trampling Ox Falling Lotus Strike[skill]twisting fangs[/skill][skill]dark prison[/skill] + Crit agility.

Works nice, spike.

~Prof.

Bobby2

Bobby2

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Join Date: Jun 2007

Delayed in order to meet ANet's high standards

[MaSS]

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Ya. The SP Trampling Ox build with a twist. Several PvE baddies won't die to it @ full health though. This is IMO a REAL problem with AP - it does not aid you with the kill in the first place. And without Blossom spamming, good luck keeping up pressure.

/envisions the horror of autoattacking for, say, half a minute

EDIT: AP requires a greater investment in Deadly than SP to be effective... bai bai l33t Dagger sk1llz

Bowstring Badass

Bowstring Badass

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Character selection screen figuring what I want to play...

Purple Lingerie - :D

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yanman.be
Don't need Crit Eye do you?
Great spot filler anyway.

Quote:
Originally Posted by X Earth X
Note that she did not want to play that build, because she thinks it's boring. Which I agree with, tbh. It really is...

Yanman.be

Yanman.be

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

[ROSE]

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BB, when I'm playing a sin, I always have too many skills for too little skillbar space. I'm pretty sure Crit Eye is replaceable by many many different skills that will augment this build's efficacy.

Cebe

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yanman.be
BB, when I'm playing a sin, I always have too many skills for too little skillbar space.
I find that too. Too many fun skills.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yanman.be
I'm pretty sure Crit Eye is replaceable by many many different skills that will augment this build's efficacy. I'll try replacing with a Deep Wound skill...Impale would be a decent choice I guess?

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2007

Heroes Alliance

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I love Critical Eye and always have it in my bar. If you like using it, don't let others here tell you it sucks, because it doesn't.

moko

moko

??uo??o??

Join Date: May 2006

it doesn't suck -- it's fairly good -- the problem is that you simply don't need it or can hardly maximize the effects of it.

bars are already full enough off stuff by now, there's better utility to use, or simply a longer chain that rewards you with more than crit eye\ blame the chain system for that, tbh. if it was like FGJ is for warriors, then it would be really awesome, but since it's not..

the OP's build is a prime example where you simply don't need crit eye. :<

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

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Join Date: Nov 2007

Heroes Alliance

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You don't "need" any skill, even Critical Agility, but they're (Crit. Eye/Agility) good to have. If you can think of some other skill this build "needs" more than Crit. Eye, then please, name it.

moko

moko

??uo??o??

Join Date: May 2006

a rez, crit defenses, IAS, some other funny PvE skills that exist.

also, i don't know if AP recharges shadow walk, but if so, i'd stick in shadow walk and dash.

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

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Join Date: Nov 2007

Heroes Alliance

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LOL @ rez for PvE. Crit. Defenses kinda sucks IMO. I only use it for certain situations. Already have Crit. Agility up there so there goes your IAS idea. I don't know what "funny PvE skills" you're speaking of. He also has a Shadow Step skill in there too.

The only skill I can see replacing Crit. Eye is a self heal. But with the points the OP has distributed already, I don't know what he can fit in there.

Coloneh

Coloneh

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Join Date: Nov 2006

D/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gambit Shinobi
LOL @ rez thats where i stopped reading. go uninstall.

Turtle222

Turtle222

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2007

:D:D

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coloneh
thats where i stopped reading. go uninstall. i second that D:

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

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Join Date: Nov 2007

Heroes Alliance

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Say what you want you n00bs. I never use rez as an Assassin in PvE. It's the biggest waste of a slot. I can't believe how many retards post on this forum.

Bobby2

Bobby2

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Join Date: Jun 2007

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Seemingly you're one of 'em. CritDefenses sucks? When I enter a serious area the blocking noises soon make my ears bleed. Rather that than having to announce "I'm Dead!"

Stormlord Alex

Stormlord Alex

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Beyond the Forest of Doom, past the Cavern of Agony... on Kitten & Puppy Island

Soul of Melandru [sOm]

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gambit Shinobi
Say what you want you n00bs. I never use rez as an Assassin in PvE. It's the biggest waste of a slot. I can't believe how many retards post on this forum. Like yourself?


Yanman.be

Yanman.be

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

[ROSE]

A/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gambit Shinobi
Say what you want you n00bs. I never use rez as an Assassin in PvE. It's the biggest waste of a slot. I can't believe how many retards post on this forum.
I say you fail. Therefor, you fail.

moko

moko

??uo??o??

Join Date: May 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gambit Shinobi
LOL @ rez for PvE. Crit. Defenses kinda sucks IMO. I only use it for certain situations. Already have Crit. Agility up there so there goes your IAS idea. I don't know what "funny PvE skills" you're speaking of. He also has a Shadow Step skill in there too.

The only skill I can see replacing Crit. Eye is a self heal. But with the points the OP has distributed already, I don't know what he can fit in there. oops, forgot about crit agility.

but yes, he has a shadowstep, but he could add a "better" one (that allows you to get out of the crap, too). but as i said, i dunno how it works so..

imo the dash shadow walk >>> selfheal.

crit defenses is pretty damn awesome; i dunno why you wouldn't like it. it *might* not be needed for NM, however. (considering that's what the OP is about)

and Rez is a personal preferance, but tell me, why exactly is a rez bad?

PS, less arrogance imo. i know that *most* of these people are pretty good (even at PvE, lulz, with the exception of yan and coloneh ofc <3), and i can't judge about you, but meh. explanation gogo.

Coloneh

Coloneh

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Join Date: Nov 2006

D/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mokone
i know that *most* of these people are pretty good (even at PvE, lulz, with the exception of yan and coloneh ofc <3) you seem to be mixed up

moko

moko

??uo??o??

Join Date: May 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coloneh
you seem to be mixed up no way, nub! :P

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

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Join Date: Nov 2007

Heroes Alliance

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Oh look at the mob mentality up in full force here. Gang up on the guy who disagrees with all the egotistical, holier than thou PvPers about a PvE build. GG

@ Mokone, since you seem to be the only reasonable one posting here:

Rez sucks for PvE on an Assassin because we're frontline melees. It's best to use that slot for skills that keep us alive (self heal) or to escape out of a bad situation instead of wasting it on a rez. The better you can stay alive and not drain your healers' energy, the better off your party will be. 98% of the time in PvE, you will NOT be using a rez as an Assassin unless you go ranged build in a hard dungeon or do HM missions.

Those rare times where you do need a rez, your party has already failed to stay alive and do their jobs... meaning your party sucks, got unlucky, and/or did not prepare properly for the task at hand. It saves time to just commit suicide if you're the only one alive and the rest of your party is dead, so you can resurrect at a shrine instead of wasting time rezzing everyone. Also, you can use tons of various consumables to get rid of DP, so it's no big deal giving up that slot and not bring a rez.

In conclusion, most of the posters here are retards who most likely don't play Assassin in PvE much, if at all, and are just flamers who offer nothing to this discussion.

Bobby2

Bobby2

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'Just flamers'? You're one to talk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by YOU
Say what you want you n00bs. How you can take yourself seriously is beyond my comprehension. Baibainow.

Coloneh

Coloneh

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Join Date: Nov 2006

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gambit Shinobi
fail, fail, fail. you fail.
gg nub

horseradish

horseradish

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

In a donut hole

Rt/A

I believe the proper term is "gfg nub"

Since when were Sins frontline chars anyway?

Bobby2

Bobby2

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Join Date: Jun 2007

Delayed in order to meet ANet's high standards

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Since they started wearing orange overalls, of course

moko

moko

??uo??o??

Join Date: May 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gambit Shinobi
@ Mokone, since you seem to be the only reasonable one posting here:

Rez sucks for PvE on an Assassin because we're frontline melees. It's best to use that slot for skills that keep us alive (self heal) or to escape out of a bad situation instead of wasting it on a rez. The better you can stay alive and not drain your healers' energy, the better off your party will be. 98% of the time in PvE, you will NOT be using a rez as an Assassin unless you go ranged build in a hard dungeon or do HM missions.

Those rare times where you do need a rez, your party has already failed to stay alive and do their jobs... meaning your party sucks, got unlucky, and/or did not prepare properly for the task at hand. It saves time to just commit suicide if you're the only one alive and the rest of your party is dead, so you can resurrect at a shrine instead of wasting time rezzing everyone. Also, you can use tons of various consumables to get rid of DP, so it's no big deal giving up that slot and not bring a rez.

In conclusion, most of the posters here are retards who most likely don't play Assassin in PvE much, if at all, and are just flamers who offer nothing to this discussion. the OPs build has no selfheal, and no real defense at staying alive. that's why i first suggested shadow walk dash over dark prison crit eye, if he doesn't want that combo (nor crit defenses) he should get the rez.

parties don't always wipe just cause one person dies. at least one rez sig should be on every build (imo, on the melee, except if he is meant to 'tank').

of course, if your party is about to full wipe, don't bother and just die -- i'm not keen on hardrezzing (if possible) everyone in the group just so you (except if maybe some other heroes can be safed too) don't gain DP; especially after wintersday with lots of CCs.

generally, the point of the rez sig is to rez a monk really fast (deaths happen, no group is perfect) so you don't wipe. if the monk died, aggro most likely broke and the midline and backline is under attack, with the melee being completely ignored usually. therefore, a rez isn't so bad, IMO.

at least i *never* got to the point where i wish i hadn't took a rez with me cause it was a waste of slot.

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

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Join Date: Nov 2007

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So you'd rather waste that slot for a rez sig than to put in another skill to either keep yourself alive or to kill faster? Doesn't make much sense. Seriously, you're going to rez your Monk in the middle of battle, meleeing mobs and stuff? If your H/H or human mages can't rez your Monk if he/she dies, relying on the Assassin to rez while busy killing stuff, then I feel bad for you and your party.

xDusT II

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Melbourne

The funny thing is, if you'd actually explained your point, I think alot of people would have understood and accepted it. Jumping in yelling "LOL RES NOOBS" kinda ruined it though.

You should bring enough resses that your party needs. Everyone doesn't need a res, especially if you have hard resses on someone. Unless you plan on dying every 2 minutes I'd much rather spends skill slots on something that does something and leave resses to whoever can support them.

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

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Join Date: Nov 2007

Heroes Alliance

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Quote:
Originally Posted by xDusT II
The funny thing is, if you'd actually explained your point, I think alot of people would have understood and accepted it. Jumping in yelling "LOL RES NOOBS" kinda ruined it though.

You should bring enough resses that your party needs. Everyone doesn't need a res, especially if you have hard resses on someone. Unless you plan on dying every 2 minutes I'd much rather spends skill slots on something that does something and leave resses to whoever can support them. If you (or anyone that isn't a troll) actually read this thread, you'd realize that I didn't run into this thread and start calling everyone "n00bs." In fact, I called the 2 trolls Coloneh and Turtlewhatever "n00bs" because they are, when they flamed me for no apparent reason... as well as the subsequent idiots that followed their retarded, trolling ways.

Anyway, I believe only mages (and Rangers) should bring res. They're in the backlines and should have enough time to res the team should people start dying. If your team cannot protect the mages (or protect themselves) and causes a wipe, then that's the party's fault. Frontline melees like Sins, Dervishes, and I guess Warriors should never bring rez unless it's for hard dungeons and HM missions like I said above. Even then, IMO, res should only be brought if you can spare the slot.

horseradish

horseradish

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

In a donut hole

Rt/A

Whether or not to bring a rez in PvE is just a preference of playstyle. You've, obviously, expressed your opinion, as did the "flamers" and "trolls".

You should realize, that insulting the majority's opinion will get you flamed. You brought the attacks upon yourself with your impudent comment, "LOL @ rez for PvE".

I am curious to how you play an assassin. Categorizing it a frontline character is rather odd.

Gambit Shinobi

Gambit Shinobi

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Join Date: Nov 2007

Heroes Alliance

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Quote:
Originally Posted by horseradish
Whether or not to bring a rez in PvE is just a preference of playstyle. You've, obviously, expressed your opinion, as did the "flamers" and "trolls".

You should realize, that insulting the majority's opinion will get you flamed. You brought the attacks upon yourself with your impudent comment, "LOL @ rez for PvE".

I am curious to how you play an assassin. Categorizing it a frontline character is rather odd. The flamers and trolls did not express anything nor did they add anything to this thread or conversation. I did not insult the "majority" by saying "LOL @ rez for PvE." Then again, I don't feel as if I need to explain myself to some of the morons in here either...

I play Assassin the way it's supposed to be played: Kill shit fast and don't die. In most cases, I am frontline melee. I don't understand how else you're supposed to play Assassin well in PvE unless you like defending mages, use ranged builds (crit. Barrager), or be a wuss and hide in the backlines constantly acting like it's PvP or something (in which case, you're a waste of a player slot... in PvE). And no, I do not die much, even in hard dungeons like Slaver's Exile and such.

Yanman.be

Yanman.be

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

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I take Death Pact Signet in PvE.