Why "Assassin"?

Toben_Hexx

Toben_Hexx

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

Guardians of Shadow Pass

Me/N

Not the proff, the name. Now, I know it's one of the words every little kid likes putting in their name(along with "Of Death")whether or not they spell it right, but an assassin doesn't strike me as much of a team player.

Boss says, "Assassin, kill this guy." Assassin says, "Ok!"

Assassin kills the guy in whatever way will draw the least attention.

Assassin says to boss, "He's dead. I want my money."

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

Gunz Blazing Smile

Gunz Blazing Smile

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

"Assassin" in a name sounds more like a person that can solo, especially in PvP. I prefer a team player in this game, not a soloer unless its in PvE and they give me some/all drops from solo farming.

Toben_Hexx

Toben_Hexx

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

Guardians of Shadow Pass

Me/N

Well, that was kinda my point. The name just doesnt seem to fit.

Jas D

Jas D

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Oklahoma, USA

None

I could care less, personally. What name would you suggest?

Gunz Blazing Smile

Gunz Blazing Smile

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

True... but they're them with a little track of thought that makes them think that this 1 name will make them stand out that they're "1337." Same goes with the name "Deathbringer." I have no problem with the names, just as long as your good to your word that your good as you say you are.

Grimm

Grimm

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

N/

Logically, yes, that makes sense. But then necromancers and rangers aren't normally the kind of people you would think of as being team players. Both are typically loners.

I guess the rationale is, given whatever the story is, all kinds of people are forced to work together for the good of their country/way of life/etc.

Toben_Hexx

Toben_Hexx

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

Guardians of Shadow Pass

Me/N

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimm
Logically, yes, that makes sense. But then necromancers and rangers aren't normally the kind of people you would think of as being team players. Both are typically loners.

I guess the rationale is, given whatever the story is, all kinds of people are forced to work together for the good of their country/way of life/etc.
Yeah, guess you got it right there.

jciardha

jciardha

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

International Districts

The Labyrinth of Night [LoN]

Me/

Well, the original word "Assassin" derives from a medieval Middle Eastern religious cult, the Hashshashin. Yet, Anet decides to put them into a pseudo-Far Eastern culture instead. If you're into historical purism anyway.

SisterMercy

SisterMercy

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2005

Sisters of Mercy

I think you're analyzing too much. Why assassin? Rogue was too much like Ranger, and it sounded cool.

Sol_Vie

Sol_Vie

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Boston, MA

Blood Of Orr [BoO]

Because assassins are closely tied to ninja, who we all know are 1337.

zidane888

zidane888

Core Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

Seattle WA

[Oops]

W/R

...Cuz they flip out and kill people!

Sol_Vie

Sol_Vie

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Boston, MA

Blood Of Orr [BoO]

Quote:
Originally Posted by zidane888
...Cuz they flip out and kill people!
Hell yes they do.

chaos dragoon

chaos dragoon

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2005

The Warrior Nation[WN]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sol_Vie
Hell yes they do.

Haha that was funny.

EternalTempest

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

Perfer Assassin > Ninja

AeroLion

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by EternalTempest
Perfer Assassin > Ninja
Seriously. Because if they called them ninjas, it would only be a matter of time before the pirates start peg-legging their way into Cantha. And we all know what happens when ninjas and pirates get together....

Sagius Truthbarron

Sagius Truthbarron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Animal Factory [ZoO]

A/

Quote:
Originally Posted by jciardha
Well, the original word "Assassin" derives from a medieval Middle Eastern religious cult, the Hashshashin. Yet, Anet decides to put them into a pseudo-Far Eastern culture instead. If you're into historical purism anyway.
Yeah, they didn't have assassins untill Medieval periods.

What? That doesn't make any sense at all. It has nothing to do with being a 'historical purist'. Just becuase the English word is derived from something doesn't mean that it originated with it.

And Assasins have alot to do with Asian military culture, and much less in comparison to do with that of Western military culture, in my opinion.

JiggyFly

JiggyFly

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2006

So-Cal

Forsaken Wanderers [FW]

Mo/

Well using that logic than I suppose Monk is the worst name, because in all other games I've ever played a Monk was a H2H melee character.

SnoopJeDi

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Saved By My Pinchers of Peril

R/N

Quote:
Originally Posted by jciardha
Well, the original word "Assassin" derives from a medieval Middle Eastern religious cult, the Hashshashin. Yet, Anet decides to put them into a pseudo-Far Eastern culture instead. If you're into historical purism anyway.
ANet is promoting marijuana usage!

Lets Get to Healing

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

You want see?

True Gods of War [True]

Mo/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sol_Vie
Hell yes they do.

lol kitty ninjas ftw.

Rieselle

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Melbourne, Australia

E/Rt

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sagius Truthbarron
Yeah, they didn't have assassins untill Medieval periods.

What? That doesn't make any sense at all. It has nothing to do with being a 'historical purist'. Just becuase the English word is derived from something doesn't mean that it originated with it.

And Assasins have alot to do with Asian military culture, and much less in comparison to do with that of Western military culture, in my opinion.
It's common sense that they had knifey-stabby dudes in and out of warfare ever since they had knives and people you wanted to stick them in. What word we call it is largely irrelevant.

(In japanese, a word for assassin is basically "man-killer"... in chinese, a word for assassin is "killing hand"... I guess in this case english suffers from using a non-descriptive loanword.)

Pevil Lihatuh

Pevil Lihatuh

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Yorkshire, UK

R/Me

yeah it sounds solo... but then why the hell does DnD have thieves fighting in groups with clerics and paladins? A thief wouldn't be out fighting, he'd be hiding in a corner ready to swipe stuff out your pocket. Just think of it like that; the assassin is your group member who keeps out of the main melee then runs in and finishes off the enemy after you beat it up badly and finishes him off swiftly and efficiently. Now I'm sure it won't play exactly like that, unless you go for a caltraps type assassin, but its gonna be a similar kinda thing surely

Numa Pompilius

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toben_Hexx
Not the proff, the name.
Well, it's a lightly armored and lightly armed warrior, relying on stealth, speed, and conditions.
It should've been called 'scout', but that's taken, they couldn't call it 'rogue' because WoW's got'em, plus everyone spells it rouge anyway. He's sortof a ninja but not quite, and Chuck Norris beats ninjas. So what's left?
Assassin.

SilentAssassin

SilentAssassin

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

Remnants of Ascalon, KT alliance

R/N

well I use Silent Assassin so that makes me a kid? ...

Well I am 19, find it quite weird to say stuff like that, oh well...

about why assassin?

assassins are closest related to ninja's (in games), its an obvious name...

Cjlr

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

SMS

E/Me

No no no. It's because it has a very sexy abbreviation...

ShadowMagus

Academy Page

Join Date: Oct 2005

Put simply, the name assassin was probably chosen because of the proffessions play style.

The assassin specializes in hit-and-run techniques, suprising the opponent by teleporting right next to them, launching a chain of fast attacks for high damage, and dissapearing again.

Further, assassin does not neccesarily imply solo - it is mearly a style of "combat" for eleminating the enemy. Assassins can come in groups of any size, depending on their target and circumstances.

WasAGuest

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by JiggyFly
Well using that logic than I suppose Monk is the worst name, because in all other games I've ever played a Monk was a H2H melee character.
heh, I was gonna say that. We've all seen the monks martial art inspired dance. I wonder if at one time, the monk was gonna be a h2h character...

MalVeauX

MalVeauX

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

I personally don't like the "assassin" name either. Look at the character types we have:

Globals:

Warriors - Global name.
Monks - Global name.
Elementalist - Global name.

They're global because it's a name that can represent a great deal of things. One can be less of a fighter, or more of a defender, etc. They have many options and each name doesn't neccessarily mean that they're the exact thing in your head. These names are pretty universal.

Specifics:

Necromancer - (Read: Not Sorceror!) Type name.
Mesmer - (Read: Not Sorceror!) Type name.
Ranger - (Read: Not Warrior!) Type name.

These are all more specific name types of a larger global name. Funny how it's in groups of 3's....

New Names:

Ritualist - (Read: Not Sorceror!) Type name again.
Assassin - (Read: Not Warrior!) Type name again.

Now, the Assassin is different though. The name isn't just a type name, it's quite different. It doesn't really fit into other categories, because the idea of a Fighter or Warrior doesn't work well with the idea of an Assassin. Assassins kill people not monsters. And in PVE that makes it a very silly idea. In PVP however, it makes slightly more sense, but again, it's not that useful because they're in a team. What's the point of calling them an assassin if everyone techically is one in PVP.

The Assassin should have a different name. Maybe a Head Hunter or something. Martial Artist? Ninja? It would just make more sense to get a more non-specific name.

An assassin is a very specific name in the idea of names. There's no question about what an assassin is or does unlike the other names, even the more specific type names above. Assassins are as specific as it gets out of all these names. It just doesn't fit.

Cheers!

Grimm

Grimm

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

N/

That made no sense. There is nothing intrinsicly "global" or "specific" about any classes. They all can do many different things from offense to defense. Where do you come up with "sorceror" anyway?

You can try to split classes into "casters" and "fighters", but assassins do both. They have attacks and hexes, enchantments, etc.

X of Thulcandra

X of Thulcandra

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

Sector 001

N/A

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sol_Vie
Hell yes they do.

Dear. God.

Da Cebuano

Da Cebuano

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Virginia born in Cebu

Jelly Toast[jT]

W/

Konoha ninja were taken, as well as shinobis.

UndeadRoadkill

UndeadRoadkill

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by jciardha
Well, the original word "Assassin" derives from a medieval Middle Eastern religious cult, the Hashshashin. Yet, Anet decides to put them into a pseudo-Far Eastern culture instead. If you're into historical purism anyway.
Anet has all kinds of goofy person/place names and character accents all over their world, there doesn't seem to be much ethnic consistancy.

Sagius Truthbarron

Sagius Truthbarron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Animal Factory [ZoO]

A/

"Assassin" has become a pretty term global for 'hired killer; stealthful payed murder'. While its origins might not be global, the name now is among the English speaking.

They say that Abraham Licoln was assassinated. Was he killed by Muslim government operatives in 1200 A.D.? Something tells me, no.

They say there was an 'assassination attempt' against Ronald Regan. Does this mean a group of men on camels ran up to him, attempting to beat him with their curved sword thingies?

Fine, let's just get over with it and call the class 'Thief' or 'Rogue'.

Tell me another word that means 'Hired, stealthful, trained killer'. Hitman?

Diablo???

Diablo???

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

Seattle

SPQR

N/R

The word Assassin did originate from ancient Islam, according to most scholars, but the profession it represents is universal and originates in any cultures that employs a hired killer.

Diablo???

Diablo???

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

Seattle

SPQR

N/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by AeroLion
Seriously. Because if they called them ninjas, it would only be a matter of time before the pirates start peg-legging their way into Cantha. And we all know what happens when ninjas and pirates get together....
I don't know... but let's find out.

stickyballs

stickyballs

Banned

Join Date: Feb 2006

American Servers

Sin Squad [SIN]

W/

Dunno, ANet just tried to make a cool name. How cool they will really be will be seen when Factions comes out. PvP weekend only let us see a glimpse of what they're all about. Pretty cool from what I saw. Combo, combo, combo, combo, Shadow Step, etc. I think they were just trying to get a catchy name.

And who votes there will be way more Assasins than Ritualists?

/raisehand

Desbreko

Desbreko

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2005

California

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

To me, the name Assassin implies a style of play similar to how I played my trap/interrupt build on my ranger. In the case of trapping, I'd let the warriors aggro and draw the attention of the monsters, then run in and lay my traps among them. After my first Dust Trap was sprung, nothing could hit me even if they tried to attack me, and my Spike Trap would keep them snared in my follow-up Flame Trap. I couldn't kill things on my own with this build, but while working in the shadow of the warriors, I could do nasty, nasty things to the baddies.

Or, against casters, I'd be placing my bow shots carefully to interrupt important spells. Again, I couldn't really kill things on my own, but as a support fighter I could cause great havoc among enemy mobs.

I picture the Assassin similar to that, only as a melee character who has a little more killing power. Sneaking in behind the warriors, or teleporting in, to sow chaos among baddies and finish off weak targets. Hopefully I'm not too far off, because that's the sort of melee character I enjoy playing; the current warriors have never appealed to me as much.

NatalieD

NatalieD

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Malveau, I think I get the point of what you're saying, but how the heck is "elementalist" more general than "mesmer"?

Metanoia

Metanoia

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

I remember reading something about the Assassin's outfits, It went a little like this... "When death is your business, you don't hide it, you wear it for all to see" - hence the spandex and razorblades theme... obviously.

What does this actually have to do with assassination? Assassination is all about efficiency. You want someone dead, do you send your army? No, you send an assassin or possibly a really good lawyer, depending on where you're from. On second thought, it's probably a lot cheaper to just hire the assassin. Then again, nobody likes lawyers, so maybe it'd be even cheaper to hire the lawyer and then get an assassin to kill them after they win at a discount fee.

Ninjas were often used as spies and assassins, d'ya think they walked around with neon-lit signs above their heads that read "Assassin. Come get some!". Of course not, bet they didn't run like monkeys either.

Edit: So to reiterate.
Assassin: Discrete efficient professional killer or partially-shaved, ballet dancing, spandex and razorblade wearing killer monkey?

*grumble grumble*

*moan moan*

Oh and Samurai > Ninjas.

*runs away*

wolfe2dale

wolfe2dale

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

Hemel Hempstead

Guildless...

E/Me

This thread should be re-named the 'Geek of Assassins' thread....

Talk about over-analysing a new character class.

The way I see it the reasons are pretty straight forward....

1.) Assassins are considered cool by lots of people.
2.) Nothing like a girl with 2 big knives & a skintight outfit to increase player numbers, (Especially in the under 18 category).

So, new sexy character class = new players who want to play it.

Simple really.

Metanoia

Metanoia

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

If I may interupt the e-pwning, wolfe2dale.

Everyone already knows WHY they did it. People are just a little disappointed in them for actually doing it.

Edit: Not that anyone is being serious. Besides, since when is an excuse to post kitten-ninja videos a bad thing?