I was hoping the final assassin article would have some sort of information on enchanting a Ki Focus or at least some assassin weapons.
I was hoping the final assassin article would have some sort of information on enchanting a Ki Focus or at least some assassin weapons.
Same here. Though the epic powers are pretty sick, as is the epic destiny, the lack of detail on ki focus is hampering use, for sure.
It seems like the only thing they really fleshed out was heroic tier and just did the bare minimum needed for Paragon and epic.
As it is, they only have feats for heroic and 2 for paragon. I'm hoping that they're planning on releasing more Assassin information soon, although it doesn't seem like it would be this month.
Too be fair how many classes have specfic feats for paragon let alone epic levels?
and to those that do i bet they were in a power sourcebook, arcane, divine, martial etc.
i mean look at the artificer.
1 paragon and 1 epic feat. and that class has been out for longer then assassin and already it has 1 more paragon feats. not to mention assassin has more heroic.
the only thing assassin is missing imo is fleshed out rules for ki focuses.
Overall I'm rather disappointed about the Assassin, when it comes to amount of material, some of which are rather essential for playing a class.
Ki foci?
Multiclass feat?
Only 2 paragon feats, no epic feats at all?
Lack of racial feats on certain assassin-favourable classes like Shadar-Kai and Drow, etc.
It just feels like there should be a 4th article finishing up and tidying the class.
Overall I'm rather disappointed about the Assassin, when it comes to amount of material, some of which are rather essential for playing a class.Ki foci?
Multiclass feat?
Only 2 paragon feats, no epic feats at all?
Lack of racial feats on certain assassin-favourable classes like Shadar-Kai and Drow, etc.Overall it feels like there should be a 4th article finishing up and tidying the class.
Overall I'm disappointed with the number of people who insist on complaining that these three articles don't provide enough content.
- Ki foci? --- The designers have explained (though not on these boards) that a Ki focus can be imbued with any enchantment that could be applied to ANY weapon. Hopefully this will make it into the complied issue at the end of the month.
- Multiclass feat? --- Disappointing but easy to extrapolate (gain training in 1 class skill and use Assassin's Shroud as an encounter power).
- Only 2 paragon feats, no epic feats at all? --- 28 feats is more than ALL the PH1 classes put together, and more than any three classes from PH2. More paragon and epic feats might have been nice, but the assassin is still leaps and bounds beyond every other class. Most of those classes have more feats now, but only because of supplemental material, mostly power source books, which is the kind of coverage the assassin will be getting in already confirmed future articles.
- Lack of racial feats on certain assassin-favourable classes like Shadar-Kai and Drow, etc. --- Again, compared to any other class at debut the assassin has tons of racial feats. Most classes didn't get any racial feats until their associated power source book was released. Though a drow feat would have been nice for flavor reasons (as flavor dictates they invented one school of assassinry).
This article has a few flaws, but over all its grade A material.
Ki foci? --- The designers have explained (though not on these boards) that a Ki focus can be imbued with any enchantment that could be applied to ANY weapon. Hopefully this will make it into the complied issue at the end of the month.
Good to hear this, but having this information coming from a source outside of the articles isn't exactly a good thing. Doubly so when the source is not an official WotC site or platform. I too am hoping that it will be in the compilation or Character Builder, but having to "hope" that all the material will be released at some point is just unbelievable. At the very least they could have had a sidebar in the articles mention the (hopeful) inclusion in the future.
Multiclass feat? --- Disappointing but easy to extrapolate (gain training in 1 class skill and use Assassin's Shroud as an encounter power).
And having to housrule basic functionality to a class is equally. Yes, yes. It'd be easy to do for anyone with a half a brain, but that raises the question why isn't it int he articles in the first place? Also, for RPGA/LFR players houserules are not an option.
Only 2 paragon feats, no epic feats at all? --- 28 feats is more than ALL the PH1 classes put together, and more than any three classes from PH2. More paragon and epic feats might have been nice, but the assassin is still leaps and bounds beyond every other class. Most of those classes have more feats now, but only because of supplemental material, mostly power source books, which is the kind of coverage the assassin will be getting in already confirmed future articles.Lack of racial feats on certain assassin-favourable classes like Shadar-Kai and Drow, etc. --- Again, compared to any other class at debut the assassin has tons of racial feats. Most classes didn't get any racial feats until their associated power source book was released. Though a drow feat would have been nice for flavor reasons (as flavor dictates they invented one school of assassinry).
The problem with the Assassin is the fact that (for now) it's DDI exclusive. If taken literally, that severely lacks their options when it comes publishing new material directly for them. Giving support for Insider-only material in paper releases is hardly fair for non-Insiders, so they can't heavily support the class there. Let alone do books like Shadow Power.
But I also doubt they'll want to invest too much time on the assassin on Dragon, either. Having effectively 3 articles in one month for one class is pretty heavy as it is, and I'd be willing to bet it's going to take some time before we get Essential Assassin, or similar articles.
The problem with the Assassin is the fact that (for now) it's DDI exclusive. If taken literally, that severely lacks their options when it comes publishing new material directly for them. Giving support for Insider-only material in paper releases is hardly fair for non-Insiders, so they can't heavily support the class there. Let alone do books like Shadow Power.
This isn't really a problem. There is a confirmed 4th article for assassin with an estimated release date of around the same time as PH3. It's confirmed that it will contain a third build (so more powers and probably another paragon path or 2), feats (racial, paragon, and epic) seem a given, and based on the release date it will likely provide hybrid options as well. While not conformed it is heavily presumed that assassin will get a fifth article whenever Shadow Power is released.
Does this put a heavier burden on Dragon? Yes, but WotC has specifically mentioned that as part of moving DM only content to Dungeon they intend to boost content to Dragon (notably class related articles) so that shouldn't be too much of an issue. This can already be seen in action this month as we got not only the assassin, but articles for wardens, clerics and the fighter as well.
Oh and as for RPGA/LFR, house ruling a multiclass feat might not be an option, but WotC could provide it as a reward card or write it directly into the next revision for the campaign standards. Neither solution is optimal, but they provide possible solutions. Alternatively, from a marketing stand point it might be entirely intentional that WotC is holing off on the multiclass feat. As DDi exclusive content, the Assassin is a major subscription magnet. Any non-subscriber who see it in action at an RPGA table might be motivated to get thier own subscription. By holding off on a multiclass feat WotC insures that what non-subscribers see is the true class, rather than some other class with a few random assassin powers (thus maximizing the observational impact that it is something different from any other class).
Designers have posted information on Ki Focuses? Link?
Designers have posted information on Ki Focuses? Link?
Here's a post from the other thread:
I can understand how ki focuses can be a bit confusing. Basically, assassin's have a ki focus because they're cool that way. This ki focus implement isn't necessarily something tangible; it's just something within the assassin, a way for him to focus his energy. You can enhance this ki focus with basic magic enhancements that you would put on other implements. And by basic I mean the +1, +2, +3, etc. that applies to attack and damage rolls. However, there will be an assassin follow-up article some time in the future that will include specific assassin key focus implement enhancements that do stuff beyond the basic attack and damage buff.
This follow-up article will be in addition to the paragon and epic tier assassin articles, and should include more powers for both builds and more feats along with those ki focus magic items. I don't have an exact date for this follow-up article but it should be out before PH3, and combined with the three tier articles, should give us plenty assassin material to keep us busy!
In my opinion, a ki focus is redundant until WotC puts out something unique for it. "You can also use a weapon with which you're proficient as an implement." And it works the same way a swordmage's implement does—you get the bonus to attack and damage, the extra crit damage, and the item powers. I like the idea of using a ki focus enchantments with multiple weapons, but you're still going to need a magic weapon for weapon attacks. So I can wait.
Thanks for the quote. I like being able to explain how class features work exactly, rather than vaguely compare it to monk unarmed strike.
Did they mention if it was enchanted via the Enchant Magic Item ritual or was it just something the assassin could do with residium?
Aye, my campaign can barely use the assasin as printed. If we want to use the assasin, I have to make up the following rules:
Ki Focus rules: What can you put on your ki focus? Just the basic +1, +2, +3? Or only enchantments that apply to 'any' weapon. What about enchantments that apply to 'melee' weapons?
Multiclass feats: What does the multiclass feat look like? Does it give 1/enc use of shroud? Maybe its 1/enc use of Shadow Step. Do you get to pick the skill or does it just give you stealth?
Hybrid class: Maybe stretching expectations here, but in small groups hybriding is very useful. In order to really use the assasin content, we'd need to design and develop rules for the hybrid class.
It's also dissapointing that we can't build an effective changeling or drow assasin because they didn't put in feat support for them. Must half-elf be the best race for everything?
I feel like I've been given a new toy for Christmas, but it has no batteries. It looks exciting, but I can't use it because they didn't finish it.
I feel like I've been given a new toy for Christmas, but it has no batteries. It looks exciting, but I can't use it because they didn't finish it.
If you're going to complain you might want to find a better analogy. Most toys are "batteries not includes", especially the bigger more impressive ones.
Oh, and as for hybrid, the assassin will likely get a hybrid in the planned forth article. The one that is scheduled for after PH3, the book where hybrid becomes an official play option (the current rules are only a playtest).
The problem with the Assassin is the fact that (for now) it's DDI exclusive. If taken literally, that severely lacks their options when it comes publishing new material directly for them. Giving support for Insider-only material in paper releases is hardly fair for non-Insiders, so they can't heavily support the class there. Let alone do books like Shadow Power.
Of course they can and will do Shadow Power. It just won't happen until after PHB4 or 5 or whatever comes out, with a full spread of Shadow classes. The Assassin will definitely get a new article whenever that happens to give it the same support.
But I also doubt they'll want to invest too much time on the assassin on Dragon, either. Having effectively 3 articles in one month for one class is pretty heavy as it is, and I'd be willing to bet it's going to take some time before we get Essential Assassin, or similar articles.
If they weren't willing to invest time in it in Dragon, they wouldn't have made it DDi exclusive. It will get plenty of support in Dragon, as much as any other class gets between Dragon and Power Source books.
The lack of material we've been given makes it feel like an incomplete class. Especially the lack of ki focuses, multiclass feats, and racial feats for at least drow and shadar-kai. This is the first time since I've subscribed that I'm completely unsatisfied with a Dragon article.
The lack of material we've been given makes it feel like an incomplete class. Especially the lack of ki focuses, multiclass feats, and racial feats for at least drow and shadar-kai. This is the first time since I've subscribed that I'm completely unsatisfied with a Dragon article.
Your first two points are reasonable. It would have been nice to have some ki focus specific enchantments, but I would have hated to have to wait another month or more to get an entire class just because WotC is still fine tuning a handful of items. Also, the designers have provided an answer (use any weapon enchantment that isn't restricted to specific weapons). The multiclass feat is an obvious missing component, but it's easy to homebrew based on past classes and WotC may have marketing reason to hold it back (so that non-subscribers in the RPGA see true assassins in play rather than other classes with a few random assassin powers thus maximizing the advertising draw that this DDi exclusive class is distinct from other classes).
The notion that the article doesn't provide enough racial feats however is ridiculous. The assassin has 13 racial feats, that's 12 more than any other class had when first released. In fact the only class to receive a racial feat when it was first released is swordmage (which had a single genasi feat). As a general rule class don't get racial feats when they are first released, those come later in the power source books. These first three articles only represent a Player's Handbook-like coverage of the assassin. The expanded options will come in 6-8 months when we get a forth article which will provide Shadow Power-like coverage.
Is this set of articles perfect? No, but what it's lacking isn't in the NUMBER of options, of which it has more than any newly released class that came before. Most of what people are complaining the assassin lacks are things that no class had until it's respective power source book was released.
Ki foci? --- The designers have explained (though not on these boards) that a Ki focus can be imbued with any enchantment that could be applied to ANY weapon. Hopefully this will make it into the complied issue at the end of the month.
Except they didn't say this. The post by Mike Mearls said that we'd need to wait until the next article that would come out sometime before PH3 to see the rules on Ki Focuses. But as a workaround a DM could rule(as a house rule) that all weapon enhancements would be used on them.
We got a "We're not going to give you the rules you need to run this class correctly" but you can hack the game to allow them to be used for the next 4 months until we give you the real rules.
We got a "We're not going to give you the rules you need to run this class correctly" but you can hack the game to allow them to be used for the next 4 months until we give you the real rules.
Which leaves the class itself FULLY FUNCTIONAL in the mean time, maybe not entirely as intended, but fully functional never the less. I'd much rather have a hack now than have to wait 4 more months for an otherwise finished class while the designers fine tune a handful of specific items.
Which leaves the class itself FULLY FUNCTIONAL in the mean time, maybe not entirely as intended, but fully functional never the less. I'd much rather have a hack now than have to wait 4 more months for an otherwise finished class while the designers fine tune a handful of specific items.
It's not really fully functional, however. One Paragon Path is pretty much unplayable without rules on Ki Focuses. And almost all my playing is in the RPGA, so we aren't allowed to use house rules. We are stuck with being unable to use Ki Focuses at all for months to come.
It's not really fully functional, however. One Paragon Path is pretty much unplayable without rules on Ki Focuses. And almost all my playing is in the RPGA, so we aren't allowed to use house rules. We are stuck with being unable to use Ki Focuses at all for months to come.
None of that makes the class itself any less functional on a basic level. As for RPGA, the class isn't legal there till the end of the month anyway and the compiled version of this article may yet rectify some of these matters. Even if it does not what has anyone actually been shorted? A single paragon path and the ability to kill using random kitchenware (not play style that is likely even needed in a typical RPGA game). Even without those minor elements we'll still have more, and vastly so, than if WotC had held back the entire class merely to finish a handful of related items.
Just to make sure I understand this correctly (given all the hubbub over Ki Focus I'm starting to think I might be massively misunderstanding it):
I have an Aura Killer Longsword +1
I can use my Aura Killer Longsword as an implement. To my attack rolls I add my Ability mod + half level + enhancement bonus.
When I hit an enemy with an aura with an implement power using my Aura Killer Longsword as my implement I can activate the daily power as a free action.
When I crit an enemy with an implement power using my Aura Killer Longswordas my implement I max the damage and add an additional 1d6 damage.
I also have a Challenge-Seeking Longsword +1.
When I hit an enemy with an implement power using my Challenge-Seeking Longsword I deal an additional 1d6 damage if the enemy was at full hit points.
Just to make sure I understand this correctly (given all the hubbub over Ki Focus I'm starting to think I might be massively misunderstanding it):
I have an Aura Killer Longsword +1
I can use my Aura Killer Longsword as an implement. To my attack rolls I add my Ability mod + half level + enhancement bonus.
When I hit an enemy with an aura with an implement power using my Aura Killer Longsword as my implement I can activate the daily power as a free action.
When I crit an enemy with an implement power using my Aura Killer Longswordas my implement I max the damage and add an additional 1d6 damage.
I also have a Challenge-Seeking Longsword +1.
When I hit an enemy with an implement power using my Challenge-Seeking Longsword I deal an additional 1d6 damage if the enemy was at full hit points.
Correct. The only issue with weapons as implements for assassin is if they can take Focused Expertise (Weapon type) or Implement Expertise (Weapon type).
However if you want to rely on Ki Focus you're kinda stuck in limbo. If you play a Shadowblade you're basically screwed.
Yea, that last is my big issue. They really need a "Ki Focus Exerptise" feat which allows them to use their bonus to hit with any weapon/impliment attacks made using the Ki Focus. Or, if the intent is that you can take Impliment Expertise with the Ki Focus and already have it work this way, they need to spell that out explicitly.
Just to make sure I understand this correctly (given all the hubbub over Ki Focus I'm starting to think I might be massively misunderstanding it):
I have an Aura Killer Longsword +1
I can use my Aura Killer Longsword as an implement. To my attack rolls I add my Ability mod + half level + enhancement bonus.
When I hit an enemy with an aura with an implement power using my Aura Killer Longsword as my implement I can activate the daily power as a free action.
When I crit an enemy with an implement power using my Aura Killer Longswordas my implement I max the damage and add an additional 1d6 damage.
I also have a Challenge-Seeking Longsword +1.
When I hit an enemy with an implement power using my Challenge-Seeking Longsword I deal an additional 1d6 damage if the enemy was at full hit points.
Actually, you're only mostly correct. When you use weapons a implements, you can't use weapon powers on implement attacks, but you can use weapon enhancement, critical hit effects, and properties.
Actually, you're only mostly correct. When you use weapons a implements, you can't use weapon powers on implement attacks, but you can use weapon enhancement, critical hit effects, and properties.
Thanks
I'm intending to play one this Saturday so having a complete understanding of the class is important I get what people are saying when they say the class is incomplete. But I don't think KI Focus is that important, that its impossible to play the class without it. By RAW you can still play it, you just can't take a certain paragon path and you have a slight disadvantage with implement powers. And for those who play home games there's a hack to remove the slight disadvantage for now.
If Ki focus bother you so much, use Weapons and implements, which Assassin clearly get, and ignore the Shadowblade Paragon. Warlocks got only 3 Paragons on release which was really 1 choice based on your start build (twofold pact came in Dragon), so you are still way ahead.
Multiclasses has always been delayed for a class shown in Dragon: Articer, Barbarian, Psion, it's not surprising this is also true for Assassin.
Every other question has been already answered on the forums at some point, you just need to read before you post.
I get what people are saying when they say the class is incomplete. But I don't think KI Focus is that important, that its impossible to play the class without it. By RAW you can still play it, you just can't take a certain paragon path and you have a slight disadvantage with implement powers. And for those who play home games there's a hack to remove the slight disadvantage for now.
Technically there is no disadvantage with implement powers, as in addition to their Ki Focus an assassin can use any weapon they are proficient with as an implement.
The only "disadvantage" an assassin faces without an enchanted Ki Focus is the inability to take advantage of their ability to impart magical properties onto mundane weapon, however, this is mostly only needed to accomplish the flavor of being able to sneak around seemingly unarmed. That might be a nifty trick for a lone assassin trying to avoid arousing suspicion from guards, but probably less important to the typical dungeon delving adventurer who is likely in the company of four well armed comrades.
Further more, we might not yet know what most ki focus enchantments will be, but anybody who's been playing 4e for any length of time should know one (the same generic enchantment that can be placed on any weapon or implement).
- Magic Ki Focus Level 1+
Lvl 1 +1 360 gp Lvl 16 +5 45,000 gp
Lvl 6 +2 1,800 gp Lvl 21 +6 225,000 gp
Lvl 11 +3 9,000 gp Lvl 26 +6 1,125,000 gp
Implement (Ki Focus)
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 damage per plus
As for the shadowblade paragon path, even without a ki focus it might still be able to work work. It might create its own weapon, but that weapon has real properties and no prohibition against being enchanted as such. A reasonable DM should probably allow such, especially in the absence of ki focus enchantments, and by RAW it might even be legal in the RPGA.
Actually, you're only mostly correct. When you use weapons a implements, you can't use weapon powers on implement attacks, but you can use weapon enhancement, critical hit effects, and properties.
That answer is not necessarily correct. I'm assuming you are using the answer given by FAQ #16. In that FAQ both the Pact Dagger and the Holy Avenger have not powers that are usable with an attack. Since the question is about 2 specific items you can not assume that the exclusion of "powers" in the answer applies to all magic weapons.
Multiclasses has always been delayed for a class shown in Dragon: Articer, Barbarian, Psion, it's not surprising this is also true for Assassin.
Those classes were all presented as playtest or preview articles and thus incomplete. The Assassin is supposed to be a complete and functional class once you have all 3 PDF's . And it is only if you apply what is in essence a house rule. The heroic tier article is clear as to how you use your Ki Focus but not what you can enchant your ki focus with. To get that information you had to go to enworld.com apparently. As for feats, I agree with most that they have enough feats except for the extra races such as Drow, Chagelings, Minotaurs, etc. They are also missing a Multi-class feat.
ulticlasses has always been delayed for a class shown in Dragon: Articer, Barbarian, Psion, it's not surprising this is also true for Assassin.
Those classes were all presented as playtest or preview articles and thus incomplete. The Assassin is supposed to be a complete and functional class once you have all 3 PDF's .
Technically the lack of a multiclass feat does not make the assassin itself any less complete. As a class the assassin doesn't need of its own multiclass feat, only other classes have need of such a feat. The only thing the lack of an assassin multiclass feat means is that no other class can steal its powers, thus the assassin gets to spend the next few months being the unique practitioner of its abilities.
ulticlasses has always been delayed for a class shown in Dragon: Articer, Barbarian, Psion, it's not surprising this is also true for Assassin.
Those classes were all presented as playtest or preview articles and thus incomplete. The Assassin is supposed to be a complete and functional class once you have all 3 PDF's .
Technically the lack of a multiclass feat does not make the assassin itself any less complete. As a class the assassin doesn't need of its own multiclass feat, only other classes have need of such a feat. The only thing the lack of an assassin multiclass feat means is that no other class can steal its powers, thus the assassin gets to spend the next few months being the unique practitioner of its abilities.
i think this is missing the point, rather intentionally, that he's making. yes, multiclass feats aren't part of a class, per se, but their exclusion is nonetheless a sign that the class was delivered in an incomplete fashion. I think had it only been the MC feat, people would not have minded to the degree that its argued about in every assassin thread like it is now.
That having been said, if i had to chose between getting the class this month, minus some feats, with feats later, and getting the class and the feats at whenever that later is, i'd take the incomplete class in a heartbeat.
my only real problem is the lack of ki focus enchants, and the fact, as is being addressed in the original quote, that this is incomplete material presented as complete as a justification for buying D&DI. i love D&DI, i don't need smoke blown up my ass.
That having been said, if i had to chose between getting the class this month, minus some feats, with feats later, and getting the class and the feats at whenever that later is, i'd take the incomplete class in a heartbeat.
The bummer here is that they almost had it! It doesn't bug me that much that they didn't have feats for every single race. Some clearer wording about additional damage would have prevented several threads that popped up right away. An extra line or two about what category enchants can be used would have cleared all this up. They've been working on this class for a while, so I find it hard to believe that Mearls and team didn't have two or three Ki Focus enchants already in the works?
And as I said before, the real kick in the junk came when questions were answered on another website. We're paying for this content here, not elsewhere.
i love D&DI, i don't need smoke blown up my ass.
This. Thank you for saying it better than I could.
(Although I'm no fan of Wizbook also, but thats a discussion for other threads.)
Those classes were all presented as playtest or preview articles and thus incomplete. The Assassin is supposed to be a complete and functional class once you have all 3 PDF's .
Which it is. There is nothing about the class that renders it non-functional with a very simple application of common sense (confirmed by the author of the article, what more do you want?). The only thing truly lacking is the missing multi-class feat and to be honest, I don't view that as a particularly high priority compared with them implementing specific Ki-strike enchantments (but it isn't like there is a dearth of options, a lot of magical enchantments can be applied from the "any" group).
(snip)...(but it isn't like there is a dearth of options, a lot of magical enchantments can be applied from the "any" group).
this is the problem though. a so called "complete and playable" class should not require hacks in order to be used.
if the assassin class weren't otherwise very creative and fun looking, i think people would care less, but everyone wants their paws on this one, and its a sorta of blue balls to not be able to do it correctly.
(snip)...(but it isn't like there is a dearth of options, a lot of magical enchantments can be applied from the "any" group).
this is the problem though. a so called "complete and playable" class should not require hacks in order to be used.
And the assassin class requires no hacks to use because even without any Ki Focus enchantments the assassin can still use its weapon as an implement.
(snip)...(but it isn't like there is a dearth of options, a lot of magical enchantments can be applied from the "any" group).
this is the problem though. a so called "complete and playable" class should not require hacks in order to be used.
And the assassin class requires no hacks to use because even without any Ki Focus enchantments the assassin can still use its weapon as an implement.
by that logic then, all of these situations are true:
the rogue is complete without knowing under what circumstances combat advantage is granted. he can still fight, he just can't sneak attack.
the ranger is complete without knowing how much damage hunter's quarry does. he just can't use hunter's quarry yet.
the fighter is complete without knowing his weapon proficiencies. he can still use weapons, he just has to assume he's not proficient until the devs finally release that info.
(snip)...(but it isn't like there is a dearth of options, a lot of magical enchantments can be applied from the "any" group).
this is the problem though. a so called "complete and playable" class should not require hacks in order to be used.
And the assassin class requires no hacks to use because even without any Ki Focus enchantments the assassin can still use its weapon as an implement.
Unless of course you wanted to play a Shadowblade. But hey hack away all you WotC appologists!
this is the problem though. a so called "complete and playable" class should not require hacks in order to be used.
Common sense is not a "hack". It is pure common sense that you can enchant a ki-focus with an enchantment from the any group for the time being. They will indeed be making specific ones later, but there isn't anything that doesn't work about this for the time being at all. It is ultimately a minor point and the assassins I've seen so far are perfectly 100% functional. This is far from being an "incomplete" class as people repeatedly whine.
Specific Ki-Focus enchantments are coming, but in the meantime nobody has yet to give a single coherent explanation why simply using the any group (official word from Mike Mearls) doesn't work (because it does in fact). Is there a reason that you don't think enchantments from the any group work beyond simple whinging for the sake of whinging? In practice I find it works perfectly fine.
The only real miss is the lack of a multiclass feat, but that does not make the class incomplete: it merely means it can't be used by other classes. I would rather have the assassin class now than have it delayed for a single feat.
Edit: My definition, BTW of "incomplete" would be that it didn't have two builds like other classes (Playtest Monk is an example of incomplete in that regards to me) and that it only went up to something silly like paragon or similar. As it is I've yet to see a single coherent explanation as to why the assassin isn't playable as it is.
this is the problem though. a so called "complete and playable" class should not require hacks in order to be used.Common sense is not a "hack". It is pure common sense that you can enchant a ki-focus with an enchantment from the any group for the time being. They will indeed be making specific ones later, but there isn't anything that doesn't work about this for the time being at all. It is ultimately a minor point and the assassins I've seen so far are perfectly 100% functional. This is far from being an "incomplete" class as people repeatedly whine.
Specific Ki-Focus enchantments are coming, but in the meantime nobody has yet to give a single coherent explanation why simply using the any group (official word from Mike Mearls) doesn't work (because it does in fact). Is there a reason that you don't think enchantments from the any group work beyond simple whinging for the sake of whinging? In practice I find it works perfectly fine.
The only real miss is the lack of a multiclass feat, but that does not make the class incomplete: it merely means it can't be used by other classes. I would rather have the assassin class now than have it delayed for a single feat.
Edit: My definition, BTW of "incomplete" would be that it didn't have two builds like other classes (Playtest Monk is an example of incomplete in that regards to me) and that it only went up to something silly like paragon or similar. As it is I've yet to see a single coherent explanation as to why the assassin isn't playable as it is.
i obviously can't speak for anyone else, but my problem is this: i pay a monthly fee for D&DI, for which i get CB, etc, but also access to D&DI only content. This content is declared to be fully playable and ready to go. what i actually got was a class that had a hole in its mechanic. its not "common sense" if the dev has to post it to a forum, and regardless of the fact that a hack exists, the fact that it (hack or common sense deduction) was necessary, and really the fact that it was disclosed on enworld and not here, means the class was NOT, in fact, complete. i can use it now, but in a few weeks/months/whatever, there will be an official mechanic and the way i've been playing will no longer be accurate. that means as it exists now, its incomplete.
i'm not mad at wizard, per se. i get that these devs are real people, **** happens, gets delayed, whatever. i just think if it looks like an apple, smells like an apple, tastes like an apple, call it an apple. this class is incomplete by any definition you want to cook up, so lets call it what it is.
is it useless? no, unless you want to play a shadowblade in LFR. but that doesn't somehow magically negate the fact that its incomplete. i guess what i'm saying is i don't mind, so much, that its incomplete, so much as i mind people trying to tell me i've no reason to be annoyed that i can't play a shadowblade. will i live? yes. will i still play the assassin? yes. but is it a complete class? no.
i obviously can't speak for anyone else, but my problem is this: i pay a monthly fee for D&DI, for which i get CB, etc, but also access to D&DI only content. This content is declared to be fully playable and ready to go.
Which it is. Where is your coherent, well reasoned argument otherwise because I've yet to see it.
Regardless of the fact that a hack
It's not a hack, it's how the rules work and always have since 4E was released. Even at the very very very basic level, you can ALWAYS make something magical with the generic base enchantment. There is no "hack" here following how the rules work for ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE GAME.
yes. but is it a complete class? no.
It is a complete class. You can pretend otherwise and keep stating the same whines over and over, it doesn't change the fact that a single problematic paragon path (out of several) and the lack of a multiclass feat does not in fact make it incomplete.
Can it be played through heroic tier? Yes.
Can it be played through paragon tier? Yes.
Can it be played through epic tier? Yes.
Does it have several paragon paths (you lot speak as if there is only one!)? Yes.
Does it even get a specific epic destiny (that not every class even manages to get)? Yes.
Does it have all of its core features in place? Yes, Ki-strike does not have specific enchantments yet but can in fact be enchanted by the same rules that everything else gets enchanted. You know, what common sense and the rules consistently apply to absolutely everything else in the game.
It is a complete, playable class. A minor issue does not make it incomplete, no matter how much you try to oversell it ignoring the fact the article well supports every aspect of the class as much as other classes, if not more so. The one exception being specific Ki implements, where the class has to live with the "any" category. Big woop, you've still yet to explain why that isn't functional I notice, even after I've asked TWICE now.
Calling this a "hack" is complete nonsense - it's how every other implement and weapon category works in the entire game!
by that logic then, all of these situations are true:
the rogue is complete without knowing under what circumstances combat advantage is granted. he can still fight, he just can't sneak attack.
the ranger is complete without knowing how much damage hunter's quarry does. he just can't use hunter's quarry yet.
the fighter is complete without knowing his weapon proficiencies. he can still use weapons, he just has to assume he's not proficient until the devs finally release that info.
No, the logical equivalence is the Fighter being released without rules for Pick family weapons, where none of his powers require using a Pick, but there may be a Pick based Paragon path in addition to the other 3.
by that logic then, all of these situations are true:
the rogue is complete without knowing under what circumstances combat advantage is granted. he can still fight, he just can't sneak attack.
the ranger is complete without knowing how much damage hunter's quarry does. he just can't use hunter's quarry yet.
the fighter is complete without knowing his weapon proficiencies. he can still use weapons, he just has to assume he's not proficient until the devs finally release that info.
No, the logical equivalence is the Fighter being released without rules for Pick family weapons, where none of his powers require using a Pick, but there may be a Pick based Paragon path in addition to the other 3.
Theoretically speaking, I would argue that doesn't make the fighter an incomplete class if there are numerous other viable options.
There are some core classes out right now that have highly deficient options as well compared to others due to having less support than some other aspects. Are they incomplete as well?
(Strength Paladins before Divine Power spring to mind for me).
Exactly, I would argue a fighter without Pick rules isn't incomplete either; I was countering a bad argument by one who thought otherwise.
Regardless of the fact that a hackIt's not a hack, it's how the rules work and always have since 4E was released. Even at the very very very basic level, you can ALWAYS make something magical with the generic base enchantment. There is no "hack" here following how the rules work for ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE GAME.
Calling this a "hack" is complete nonsense - it's how every other implement and weapon category works in the entire game!
Quoted from this thread at ENWorld.org: (Emphasis Mine)
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