Is Assassin Fun?

Bibblenorn

Bibblenorn

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2005

Miendrak'el Myrth [MeM]

I have all 3 chapters, and the expansion. I have all my character spots filled with different professions. All are older characters, even my newest one has gotten a birthday present, so I do not want to reroll any of them. To get an assassin, I would have to by a character slot. So, my question is, is playing an assassin fun? I would be wanting to do some permasin, but also general pve and some pvp.

My other chars:
Dervish (now my main): fun to slash at mobs with scythe skills... lots of numbers is fun.
Monk (used to be main): made in the says when you needed a monk to easily get into PUGs. Still fun to run.
Ranger: Can do some really cool things with conditions and traps.
Necromancer: I like the minions and the life stealing.
Elementalist: For when I want to nuke the baloney out of stuff.
Paragon: Shouts are fun, can make some interesting hero groups.
Mesmer: love the degen, my favorite in RA (not that I RA much)
Ritualist: Like the spirits, and as a Rt/A, there is a dagger build that is FUN.
Warrior: Like the armor, great for when I just want to bash stuff.

Is it worth paying for the slot to build an assassin char? I do want to farm, but I am also looking for fun in addition to the inevitable grind.

I am looking for opinions.

Issac

Issac

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2006

Earthrealm

W/A

Personally I find assassins fun, I can end up dealing some high dmg in pvp and pve. I would say it's worth playing. But other people might say otherwise.

The Red Messenger

The Red Messenger

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2008

America

i got protector of all 3 campaigns and beat GWEN with all 10 classes, and sin was one of the most fun to play for me. it deals high damage melee and keeps you on your toes trying to stay alive. i really only enjoyed it after i got to level 20 and capped a couple elites. until you have all of your skill points sin is fairly weak and very vulnerable.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

I don't have a sin among my 8 active characters. But my guildmate has a great time with his. They were/are unpopular because most players thought of them as ninja-style fighter instead of hit and run.

If you are willing to put in the practice time with the skills, they can be great fun.

Autonom

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2007

Clades Gravior Omnibus [Nos]

N/Me

I would say its kinda brainless gaming with assas in nm and lower parts of hm, using one combo on every target and stuff dies.

Alltho i really think that they are usefull, tanking, farming, running and so on.

dilan155

dilan155

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2007

living room

N/

i find that sins are fairly weak if they try to keep attacking when your initial target dies, this makes them very vulnerable, so you need to learn when to retreat and when to jump in. if your willing to give enough time to learn and practice then can be fun.

ac1inferno

ac1inferno

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2007

Boston

We D Shot Your Stances [GODS]

A/W

PvE: In general play, incredibly fast killers with aoe due to [[Death Blossom] spamming and strong tanks from constant blocking ([[Critical Defenses]) and additional armor ([[Critical Agility]).

For farming, one of the best classes. Perma-[[Shadow Form] allows you to solo almost everything.

PvP: Sins are either overpowered, or underpowered here. In a 4v4 situation, the spike damage/pressure from one is almost too much for a single monk to handle. However, in 8v8, sins almost never see play because more skill choices make it easy to shutdown/kill.

petrorabbit

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2007

It sounds like you want to make a sin primarily for PvE since you mentioned permasin.

For PvE play, they are probably the best in terms of melee damage output due to [Moebius Strike][Death Blossom] combo. Not to mention you have access to the best IAS in the game with [Critical Agility]. Since Assassin tomes are so easy to farm, you can easily buy an elite tome for cheap, and unlock Moebius Strike while you're at. When you get sick of Moebius Blossom(and you eventually will need a break from it), there are other viable PvE builds like [Assassin's Promise].

They are also among the most versatile farmers due to the permanent [Shadow Form] with both elementalist and mesmer secondaries. They can run a number places including UW for ecto farming, a plethora bosses in HM for both green and tome farming. Not to mention you can run the voltiac spear farm which is the flavor of the month item at the moment.

You can also do the droks run very easily in sub 15 minutes.

PvE, assassin's are probably the most versatile class for farming, and most potent for melee damage output.

PvP, you will do well in RA and AB (aka Assassin Battles). Anything higher on the rung, you will be stereotyped negatively.

If these descriptions are what you are looking for in a character, then its worth a new character slot.

Flightmare

Flightmare

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2006

NL

Infinite Omega Negatives

N/

I have had a lot of fun with my assassin, far before the shadow form madness came across GW. There are some cool PvE-builds. and [death blossom] surely will get some yellow numbers on your screen. Scythes allso used to be fun, getting insane crit damage was cool to see, but those builds are less strong nowadays. Anyway's, still enoegh things to do with assassins.

Grim Aragorn

Grim Aragorn

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

A/

if u wanna roll pve and have a fun time doing it
assassin is the way to go TRUST ME!!

Rhamia Darigaz

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bibblenorn View Post
Mesmer: love the degen stop playing guild wars imo

Bobby2

Bobby2

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2007

Delayed in order to meet ANet's high standards

[MaSS]

W/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bibblenorn
Dervish (now my main): fun to slash at mobs with scythe skills... lots of numbers is fun. Sins do it better. [moebius strike][death blossom] ignorez teh AL, Scythes' crit potential is imba but sadly underwhelming in HM

wind fire and ice

wind fire and ice

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Oct 2008

There

[ToA]

[moebius strike][death blossom] All i need to say.yes make an assassin for the random pve fun and yellow numbers.sins arent the most effective prof,but there-very- fun,and if your main is a dervish you will really like assassins.

majikmajikmajik

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2007

SATown~Tx

Guild Hopper!

R/

assassin is only "fun" if you like mindless UW grinding or pvp. but thats my opinion and thats why i stay ranger

Saviour of the Good

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2008

A/

I think sin is one of the most fun professions in the game both for pve and pvp. As mentioned above the hardest part about sin is getting it to level 20, especially in factions where everything is exploding thx to death nova. Yet if you manage to make it to level 20 you will be surprised and how fun and useful sin is to play (yes sin can be useful in pve besides for farming).

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Enjoyment is entirely based on opinion.

lord_shar

lord_shar

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2005

near SF, CA

Quote:
Originally Posted by majikmajikmajik
View Post
assassin is only "fun" if you like mindless UW grinding or pvp. but thats my opinion and thats why i stay ranger There's also mindless chest running, droks running, raptor farming, vs-farming, etc... yes it's boring, but it sure spoils my other characters silly with their sugar-daddy sin funding all of their high end vanity gear

tuperwho

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Tenacious Knights of Doom [TKD]

Yes, assassins can be a lot of fun -- especially if you're willing to use a little creativity. I'm having fun set up with [Palm Strike] and a pseudo-touch build right now. Of course, my favorite is using icy daggers + high crit. strikes and chance to double strike + [critical agility] + necro secondary for [spinal shivers]. Just sit back, laugh, and watch things try not to die

Stealth Bomberman

Stealth Bomberman

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2008

[golden fox strike][golden fang strike][death blossom][moebius strike]

is pretty much instakill for any pve monster. plus its fast recharge so pve for sins isnt challenging at all.

pvp and sins go together like peanut butter and bread.

-Lotus-

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhamia Darigaz
View Post
stop playing guild wars imo agreed.
at the very least delete the mesmer and try a sin. it's always better to have a profession that offers some sort of benefit as a primary.

Bibblenorn

Bibblenorn

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2005

Miendrak'el Myrth [MeM]

Sounds like I am going to have to get a sin then.

And as for the mesmer, honestly I mostly use it in pvp after I get frustrated with my other chars.

For example, say I use my dervish, doing reasonably well in RA:
"OMG noob! I reported you for leeching since yur derv!"
(I kill more than you, and you die more? hmm?)

So, I come back as a Mesmer:
"OMG you hakz using Backfire!" -- says the dead body.
(yes, actual quote. It is called PAYING ATTENTION people!)

Honestly it is mostly just for watching bossy monks heal themselves to death. Sounds petty I know, but I can only take so much.

I would just give up on pvp, but I keep thinking if I keep trying, I will get the hang of it.

I think I will probably buy my slot after the 10/13 update.

It sounds like assassin is mostly misunderstood because it requires more skill then button mashing. I admit to using my share of Ursan before the nerf, but sometimes I like the idea of strategy as well. It sounds as if assassin might do that.

Plus the potential to farm for that loot.

MegaVolti

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2008

Me/Rt

Quote:
Originally Posted by -Lotus-
View Post
agreed.
at the very least delete the mesmer and try a sin. it's always better to have a profession that offers some sort of benefit as a primary. Then he should delete the Ritualist. It has the by far most useless primary attribute in the game

Mesmers on the other hand are totally awesome, both in PvP and PvE (actually in PvE the Mesmer is my main char, in PvP I enjoy Rangers or Elementalists more). But the Mesmers core strength is not degen, which is why he should probably reconsider his style of play in PvP

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

Sins are good, however their main problem comes from limited options in pve. Its hard to successfully spike something in 1 chain in HM due to high hp. Hence you need something spammable. This basically comes down to moebius, deathblossom or shattering assault. Very fun builds, but can get repetitive. (This assumes sticking with daggers).

FlamingMetroid

FlamingMetroid

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2007

standing on your last control point, while the rest of your team is to busy killing mine

The Luminaries [Lumi]

A/

no, it sucks

Stealth Bomberman

Stealth Bomberman

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bibblenorn
View Post
Sounds like I am going to have to get a sin then. nobodys making u get a sin. if u wanna try it good, if not dont. take me for example. i made one just bc i was tired of war,ele,monk PUG teams. sins arent the most wanted class in the game when it comes to pve, and thats the best part about it. sins do so much better H/H or bythemselves in general.

main thing ull need to kno tho if u decide to make one. dont get into the mindset that u can tank everything with a monk behind u. [critical agility] and ["i am unstoppable"] kinda let u play tank in most places, but it will only go so far in other places. also try to look into some nightstalker insignias at least on 3 peices for the extra +45 armor while atking.

best of luck if u do decide to make one, they hard to pick up if ur new to em

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

Ummm Agility and IAU dont stack... armor caps at +25, yay u get 1 more from IAU. Nightstalkers are only relevant on the piece that gets hit. So its not +45, its +15. Actually... ur post is nearly completely wrong. Sins are fine in pugs nowadays.

[Golden Phoenix Strike][Death Blossom][Moebius Strike][Critical Agility][Save Yourselves][Brawling Headbutt][Falling Lotus Strike][Optional] is a very good build that is useable in almost every area. It has insane single target damage, great aoe damage, great party support, and atleast 94 armor. If you have an off character [Great Dwarf Weapon] you can nearly permanently keep a guy on the floor. In 2 seconds youll hit atleast 3 times, more likely 4. + Splinter for nice AoE. Damn... I wanna play sin some more lol.

MegaVolti

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2008

Me/Rt

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealth Bomberman
View Post
also try to look into some nightstalker insignias at least on 3 peices for the extra +45 armor while atking. Nonono. +armor insignia do not stack.
Every attack has a chance to hit you on any piece of armor. Torso has a higher chance to be hit then legs, those again have a higher chance to be hit then the rest.
If hit on any armor piece, only the insignia on that armor piece are applied. Untargeted spells always hit the chest (afaik) - so having +armor there is most important (by the way that's the reason you should never ever put survivors there in PvE).
Nightstalker on every armor piece will give you +15 armor on every hit. Nightstalker only on the chest will give you +15 armor on about 35% of all hits and +0 on the rest.

So the best option is to put +armor runes with an easy to fulfill condition on all pieces. That can be nightstalker for a boost while attacking or blessed since you will be enchanted all the time anyway (critical agility).

@Luminarus: YMLaD > Brawling imho. Else you won't be able to start the chain if the ench gets stripped.

Super Igor

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2008

why should you kno? Oo

A/W

killing stuff fast is fun.

Stealth Bomberman

Stealth Bomberman

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luminarus
View Post
Ummm Agility and IAU dont stack... armor caps at +25, yay u get 1 more from IAU. Nightstalkers are only relevant on the piece that gets hit. So its not +45, its +15. Actually... ur post is nearly completely wrong. Sins are fine in pugs nowadays. so 33% IAS and immune to criple and KD are bad? wat happens if ur in heavy enchant strip area?

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Anti-KD: "Brace Yourself!", Aura of Stability.

Anti-Cripple: Any condition removal, cripple won't hurt you much in PvE.

Super Igor

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2008

why should you kno? Oo

A/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyla
View Post
Anti-KD: "Brace Yourself!", Aura of Stability.

Anti-Cripple: Any condition removal, cripple won't hurt you much in PvE. U r a pvp scrub. :>

[i am unstoppable!] says hi!

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

I always have a necro hero in my party... [Foul Feast] says hi... you basically cant get crippled. Definately not worth wasting a slot for it. In areas with lots of enchant strip dont even bother bringing an enchant in the first place... bring flail, or something along those lines. Better an average IAS then no IAS. And for knockdowns... well if theres lots of them then bring an earth ele with ward of stability. If theres a couple, then deal with them. No worth a pve skills that really only gives u a 2/3 immunity to knockdowns. In fact, if theres enough KD's, id rather bring the pve skill that saves the whole party from kd's, (or back to stability).

Master Ketsu

Master Ketsu

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2006

middle of nowhere

Krazy Guild With Krazy People [KrZy]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by petrorabbit
View Post
PvP, you will do well in RA and AB (aka Assassin Battles). Anything higher on the rung, you will be stereotyped negatively.
. You forgot about HB. Assassins are still the winners of HB arenas last I checked.

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

Unfortunately apart from HB, AB, and RA assassin builds become gimmicks... which quickly get nerfed by Izzy.

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by MegaVolti
View Post
@Luminarus: YMLaD > Brawling imho. Else you won't be able to start the chain if the ench gets stripped. Theres plenty of enchants in the team, ur in the frontline, you should have some enchant on. Also with daggers, brawling takes like 4-5 seconds to charge. Also once spammage starts, it charges in 4 seconds like clockwork. Thats a 50% knocklock on ur target if you want to use it at that rate. YMLAD is better for casters because of its range.

Damian979

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2008

@OP

Permasin is really only for farming. Doing less damage and the fact that enemies will be more likely to stop attacking you and go for your backline means it's not all that that great for general PvE. There are plenty of builds that smash things at an insane rate however.

Dropping a soft target in hm in 3 sec is always fun.

Taking down huge melee mobs solo in hm is funner.