Best way to start an Assassin? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best way to start an Assassin? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Agroth5223
08-09-07, 01:22 PM One of the less prestigous classes in my group, my DM decided, after several weaks of kissing up, to let me run an Assassin character. My problem is, I've never run an assassin in D&D before and really don't know where to start. I was thinking that I could start off as a gestalt Rouge/Warrior, then multiclass into the Assassin, but I don't know if that's possible and my DM really doesn't know that much about them other than the fact that they're evil characters.
LoneFlame
08-09-07, 01:29 PM Assassin's in the friggin DMG. What keeps the DM from reading up on?!

Oh well. Anywayz. Assassin's a Prestige Class. So you have to, of course, meet the (easy) requirements. You can't Gestalt 2 prestige classes at once(as in at the same character lv), but you can gestalt a prestige class with a normal each lv(once you qualify for the prestige class/classes).

Yes, Rogue and some sort of combat class would definitely get the job done(though, if you're Gestalt, the Assassin's almost not needed at all, cause a Rogue/Ninja would do a lot more damage).
Tuah
08-09-07, 01:31 PM Well, an assassin's role is to take out enemy characters quickly. A rogue/warrior gesalt would be effective, both in the good BAB and the Sneak Attack abilities. The best thing to do is use the Assassin's invisibility effects to all your ability. They will allow you to defeat enemies quickly.

Your best targets will probably be Arcane casters, Experts, and Generalists. Take them out quickly, then all that is left is combat characters, which can easily be defeated through teamwork. Remember to tell your party to hold off on the attack until you're ready with Death Strike.
LoneFlame
08-09-07, 01:37 PM For any spell-slinging you may do with Assassin, you should look at Spell Compendium(they've got some decent Assassin spells in there, such as Swift Invisibility). Also, pick up the Invisible Spell(Cityscape) Metamagic feat(as well as Silent and Still Spell) and you'll hit your enemies with spells that they'll never hear or see, thus adding to the stealth factor.
Lawkeeper
08-09-07, 04:09 PM One of the less prestigous classes in my group, my DM decided, after several weaks of kissing up, to let me run an Assassin character. My problem is, I've never run an assassin in D&D before and really don't know where to start. I was thinking that I could start off as a gestalt Rouge/Warrior, then multiclass into the Assassin, but I don't know if that's possible and my DM really doesn't know that much about them other than the fact that they're evil characters.
Just a question. You really mean a gestalt character (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/gestaltCharacters.htm), right ? You're not confusing with a simple multiclass, do you ? For it'd change the kind of advice I'd give...

Assassin is a really easy to qualify for PrC. All that is needed is some ranks in three skills that are useful to the role, and essentially role-play actions (evil alignment and a murder : if you're evil, committing murdering is not really a problem). But you have to remember that it depends on two abilities : Intelligence and Dexterity. Intelligence governs both the number of skill points (the assassin only gets a base of 4, half the rogue's), spellcasting and the death attack's DC. So, Int governs most of your abilities. Dexterity is useful for many skills essentially. Charisma is only important for the infiltrating assassin.

So, fighter might not be a fine pick. It gives heavy armor, which is useless since you'd get ACP. It also relies on Strength too much. Go for swashbuckler, to get your IntMod on melee weapon damage. You'll also get free Weapon Finesse, and a +1 competence bonus on Reflex saves.

Rogue is good, but take care not to stop at 4th level, as you'll get improved uncanny dodge thanks to the assassin class alone.

Other Int-reliant classes that might be interesting are factotum, warblade, beguiler and duskblade. And, off course, the wizard. If playing a non-gestalt character, the beguiler and the wizard are a bad option, but it becomes very good if you play a gestalt one (the wizard especially if you get access to many complements).
Three levels of factotum will play wonderfully well, giving you the brains over brawns ability, which will dramatically improve your stealth, among others. It makes for a very physical character (all Str- and Dex-related skills will be boosted, which includes tumble, jump, climb, etc).
Duskblade and warblade are only for the most war-minded would-be assassins.
Tuah
08-09-07, 04:26 PM Imagine a gesalt monk/rogue, then monk/swashbuckler, then Assassin combo. :D
sages
08-09-07, 04:56 PM Rogue3\swordsage2, then you take the assasin. This kind of build makes a very nice Assasin.
Agroth5223
08-09-07, 05:16 PM Imagine a gesalt monk/rogue, then monk/swashbuckler, then Assassin combo. :D

Uhh, yeah, uber creapy.

Anyway, I just have one more question. Does the damage from a rouge's sneak attack stack(add up)with the ones you gain from being an assassin?
Lawkeeper
08-09-07, 05:26 PM Uhh, yeah, uber creapy.

Anyway, I just have one more question. Does the damage from a rouge's sneak attack stack(add up)with the ones you gain from being an assassin?
Yes, but no faster than a pure rogue. So, if you take both rogue and assassin at a given level, you only get the equivalent of one level-equivalent increase.

For my part, I find better to simply say a sneak attack can't give more than half the character levels, rounded up, d6.
Tuah
08-09-07, 06:00 PM Yes, but no faster than a pure rogue. So, if you take both rogue and assassin at a given level, you only get the equivalent of one level-equivalent increase.

For my part, I find better to simply say a sneak attack can't give more than half the character levels, rounded up, d6.

It could if the character multiclasses into the next class at an even level, like a rogue 5 would have +3d6, and an Assassin 5 would give another +3d6.

Slightly broken, but it works. :P
Lawkeeper
08-10-07, 04:24 AM It could if the character multiclasses into the next class at an even level, like a rogue 5 would have +3d6, and an Assassin 5 would give another +3d6.

Slightly broken, but it works. :P
You mean entering assassin1 while taking rogue6, then assassin2/rogue7, etc ? Won't work.

Sneak attack is one class feature. The fastest it can increase is by following the rogue's shema, of +1d6 every odd level - not 1d6 every level.

Besides, looking at your previous comment
Imagine a gesalt monk/rogue, then monk/swashbuckler, then Assassin combo.
Sorry lady, this is a bad move. As I pointed in another thread, the monk dramatically suffers from MAD. The assassin's main ability is Intelligence - that is, one of the two least-needed abilities of a monk.
The_Shaman
08-10-07, 07:43 AM Unless the monk uses one of the feats to key his abilities off intelligence.

BTW, ranger6/ might not be a bad entry for assasin, too (or 5, lvl 6 boosts practically everything on a ranger). You can meet the disguise prerequisites easily even without multiclassing. You get favored enemy features to help you deal more damage against certain creatures (i.e. humans), you get bonus feats while in light armor (most of the time), you get a trained animal helper or the ability to better tag-team opponents, as well as other survival and tracking-related feats. Rangers could use good wisdom, but by lvl 6 it is still not necessary - the difference between 0 and 2 (at most) lvl 1 spells is not so overwhelming. Ranger 2/rogue or swordsage 4 can also work.
Tuah
08-10-07, 10:28 AM You mean entering assassin1 while taking rogue6, then assassin2/rogue7, etc ? Won't work.

Sneak attack is one class feature. The fastest it can increase is by following the rogue's shema, of +1d6 every odd level - not 1d6 every level.

Besides, looking at your previous comment

Sorry lady, this is a bad move. As I pointed in another thread, the monk dramatically suffers from MAD. The assassin's main ability is Intelligence - that is, one of the two least-needed abilities of a monk.

Well, they'd just have to increase their wisdom somehow. ;P
chefcyric23
08-10-07, 10:31 AM Ive been looking into playing an assassin, as I have never done before. Do they really suck that bad? Even if I started out as a ranger? And since I dont have the book with ninja in it, not much I can do there.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Agroth5223 08-09-07, 01:22 PM	One of the less prestigous classes in my group, my DM decided, after several weaks of kissing up, to let me run an Assassin character. My problem is, I've never run an assassin in D&D before and really don't know where to start. I was thinking that I could start off as a gestalt Rouge/Warrior, then multiclass into the Assassin, but I don't know if that's possible and my DM really doesn't know that much about them other than the fact that they're evil characters.
LoneFlame 08-09-07, 01:29 PM	Assassin's in the friggin DMG. What keeps the DM from reading up on?! Oh well. Anywayz. Assassin's a Prestige Class. So you have to, of course, meet the (easy) requirements. You can't Gestalt 2 prestige classes at once(as in at the same character lv), but you can gestalt a prestige class with a normal each lv(once you qualify for the prestige class/classes). Yes, Rogue and some sort of combat class would definitely get the job done(though, if you're Gestalt, the Assassin's almost not needed at all, cause a Rogue/Ninja would do a lot more damage).
Tuah 08-09-07, 01:31 PM	Well, an assassin's role is to take out enemy characters quickly. A rogue/warrior gesalt would be effective, both in the good BAB and the Sneak Attack abilities. The best thing to do is use the Assassin's invisibility effects to all your ability. They will allow you to defeat enemies quickly. Your best targets will probably be Arcane casters, Experts, and Generalists. Take them out quickly, then all that is left is combat characters, which can easily be defeated through teamwork. Remember to tell your party to hold off on the attack until you're ready with Death Strike.
LoneFlame 08-09-07, 01:37 PM	For any spell-slinging you may do with Assassin, you should look at Spell Compendium(they've got some decent Assassin spells in there, such as Swift Invisibility). Also, pick up the Invisible Spell(Cityscape) Metamagic feat(as well as Silent and Still Spell) and you'll hit your enemies with spells that they'll never hear or see, thus adding to the stealth factor.
Lawkeeper 08-09-07, 04:09 PM	One of the less prestigous classes in my group, my DM decided, after several weaks of kissing up, to let me run an Assassin character. My problem is, I've never run an assassin in D&D before and really don't know where to start. I was thinking that I could start off as a gestalt Rouge/Warrior, then multiclass into the Assassin, but I don't know if that's possible and my DM really doesn't know that much about them other than the fact that they're evil characters. Just a question. You really mean a gestalt character (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/gestaltCharacters.htm), right ? You're not confusing with a simple multiclass, do you ? For it'd change the kind of advice I'd give... Assassin is a really easy to qualify for PrC. All that is needed is some ranks in three skills that are useful to the role, and essentially role-play actions (evil alignment and a murder : if you're evil, committing murdering is not really a problem). But you have to remember that it depends on two abilities : Intelligence and Dexterity. Intelligence governs both the number of skill points (the assassin only gets a base of 4, half the rogue's), spellcasting and the death attack's DC. So, Int governs most of your abilities. Dexterity is useful for many skills essentially. Charisma is only important for the infiltrating assassin. So, fighter might not be a fine pick. It gives heavy armor, which is useless since you'd get ACP. It also relies on Strength too much. Go for swashbuckler, to get your IntMod on melee weapon damage. You'll also get free Weapon Finesse, and a +1 competence bonus on Reflex saves. Rogue is good, but take care not to stop at 4th level, as you'll get improved uncanny dodge thanks to the assassin class alone. Other Int-reliant classes that might be interesting are factotum, warblade, beguiler and duskblade. And, off course, the wizard. If playing a non-gestalt character, the beguiler and the wizard are a bad option, but it becomes very good if you play a gestalt one (the wizard especially if you get access to many complements). Three levels of factotum will play wonderfully well, giving you the brains over brawns ability, which will dramatically improve your stealth, among others. It makes for a very physical character (all Str- and Dex-related skills will be boosted, which includes tumble, jump, climb, etc). Duskblade and warblade are only for the most war-minded would-be assassins.
Tuah 08-09-07, 04:26 PM	Imagine a gesalt monk/rogue, then monk/swashbuckler, then Assassin combo. :D
sages 08-09-07, 04:56 PM	Rogue3\swordsage2, then you take the assasin. This kind of build makes a very nice Assasin.
Agroth5223 08-09-07, 05:16 PM	Imagine a gesalt monk/rogue, then monk/swashbuckler, then Assassin combo. :D Uhh, yeah, uber creapy. Anyway, I just have one more question. Does the damage from a rouge's sneak attack stack(add up)with the ones you gain from being an assassin?
Lawkeeper 08-09-07, 05:26 PM	Uhh, yeah, uber creapy. Anyway, I just have one more question. Does the damage from a rouge's sneak attack stack(add up)with the ones you gain from being an assassin? Yes, but no faster than a pure rogue. So, if you take both rogue and assassin at a given level, you only get the equivalent of one level-equivalent increase. For my part, I find better to simply say a sneak attack can't give more than half the character levels, rounded up, d6.
Tuah 08-09-07, 06:00 PM	Yes, but no faster than a pure rogue. So, if you take both rogue and assassin at a given level, you only get the equivalent of one level-equivalent increase. For my part, I find better to simply say a sneak attack can't give more than half the character levels, rounded up, d6. It could if the character multiclasses into the next class at an even level, like a rogue 5 would have +3d6, and an Assassin 5 would give another +3d6. Slightly broken, but it works. :P
Lawkeeper 08-10-07, 04:24 AM	It could if the character multiclasses into the next class at an even level, like a rogue 5 would have +3d6, and an Assassin 5 would give another +3d6. Slightly broken, but it works. :P You mean entering assassin1 while taking rogue6, then assassin2/rogue7, etc ? Won't work. Sneak attack is one class feature. The fastest it can increase is by following the rogue's shema, of +1d6 every odd level - not 1d6 every level. Besides, looking at your previous comment Imagine a gesalt monk/rogue, then monk/swashbuckler, then Assassin combo. Sorry lady, this is a bad move. As I pointed in another thread, the monk dramatically suffers from MAD. The assassin's main ability is Intelligence - that is, one of the two least-needed abilities of a monk.
The_Shaman 08-10-07, 07:43 AM	Unless the monk uses one of the feats to key his abilities off intelligence. BTW, ranger6/ might not be a bad entry for assasin, too (or 5, lvl 6 boosts practically everything on a ranger). You can meet the disguise prerequisites easily even without multiclassing. You get favored enemy features to help you deal more damage against certain creatures (i.e. humans), you get bonus feats while in light armor (most of the time), you get a trained animal helper or the ability to better tag-team opponents, as well as other survival and tracking-related feats. Rangers could use good wisdom, but by lvl 6 it is still not necessary - the difference between 0 and 2 (at most) lvl 1 spells is not so overwhelming. Ranger 2/rogue or swordsage 4 can also work.
Tuah 08-10-07, 10:28 AM	You mean entering assassin1 while taking rogue6, then assassin2/rogue7, etc ? Won't work. Sneak attack is one class feature. The fastest it can increase is by following the rogue's shema, of +1d6 every odd level - not 1d6 every level. Besides, looking at your previous comment Sorry lady, this is a bad move. As I pointed in another thread, the monk dramatically suffers from MAD. The assassin's main ability is Intelligence - that is, one of the two least-needed abilities of a monk. Well, they'd just have to increase their wisdom somehow. ;P
chefcyric23 08-10-07, 10:31 AM	Ive been looking into playing an assassin, as I have never done before. Do they really suck that bad? Even if I started out as a ranger? And since I dont have the book with ninja in it, not much I can do there.