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Pics from gen con.

Character sheet (page 1)
character sheet page 2
Powers 1
Powers 2
assassin preview fluff
Feats and PP

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I like how the class works, basically using creatures' shadow as teleportation pad, sort of dimension door. as an at will even.

And the striker ability looks good, the assassin shroud. Really gets to concept of "waiting for 3 rounds" from 3.5, but this time you could go earlier (or even later) but the longer you wait (you 'plant' shrouds), the harder your hit is. Twisted Evil

I'm weirded out by the ki focus though, but I get the idea.

Looking forward to see this play. Most definitely the lurker PC class.

Old Dragon Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 431

cool. maybe with this i might actually make an evil character.

Old Dragon Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 577

I'm guessing it's a Dex primary character? With Cha as its secondary? I wonder what the other secondary stat is. Wis? Int? Con?

Okay, all 3 tiers of the assassin have finally been revealed for us DDi subscribers, so I guess it's time to talk about it in more detail:

*The 1st thing that I noticed about it is its controller hp, even though it's a striker. Could this be a reversal of the primal power source's tendency for big-time hp's? We'll have to see other shadow power source classes to confirm this.

*The ki focus is an excellent concept, sort of like having your soul as your implement. However, the execution is flawed:
In a pinch, you can enchant your "ki focus" and use it as an implement, or use the enchantment on mundane weapons that you are holding. Alternatively, you can use any weapon with which you are proficient as an implement. The problem here is that you might see stealthy assassins with a big and clunky execution axe as its preferred weapon/implement, unlike the monk whose implements are restricted to a batch of monk weapons. But then, an execution axe assassin may actually be flavorful. (Don't get me started on a dwarf mordenkrad assassin, though >.>)

*The two secondaries are Cha (for the Night Stalker build) and Con (for the Bleak Disciple build). Night Stalkers deal extra damage to targets adjacent to none of your allies, while Bleak Disciples fet temporary hitpoints for hitting unbloodied foes. I find the night stalkers more flavorful, but the bleak disciple will be more survivable (important because of their low hp's).

*Assassin's shroud, as erwin said, feels like the 3.5 assassin's death attack that is made more useful. Back in those days, I remember assassin characters doing nothing for 3 rounds while waiting for death attack to trigger. But with the 4E assassin, you can invest in shrouds while attacking minions. You'll then deliver devastating damage to the BBEG after a few rounds. All in all, I like it.

*There are four paragon paths. The obsidian stalker enhances your insubstantial (the condition, not the adjective) capabilities. The shadowblade is a psiblade that's... shadowy. The soul thief gains assassin's shrouds faster by killing other opponents, and the venomed soul gets to deal extra poison damage.

*There is one assassin epic destiny called the Perfect Slayer, and it's yet another Raven Queen geekgasm on the part of the developers. With it, you will gain CA against all enemies under the effect of a shroud, get an enhancement to dexterity, not fall ENT when reduced to 0hp (and regain hp as if you have spent a surge if you kill your shroud target before then), and finally not expend your shrouds after attacking the target.

*Notably absent are multiclass and epic feats. There is also a lack of drow feats, even though the Night Stalker build specifically mentions that it originated from them.

All in all, this is a very solid striker that manages to separate itself from the rogue, even if they share a primary stat and a secondary stat. I do foresee assassins MCing to rogue or ranger, though; rogues for that sneak attack extra and rangers from some ranged assassination capabilities.

EDIT: Oh, for those who still care, I plan on making the assassin BT-official (or get erwin to do it. XD)