Assassin III vs Multiclass

[George40]

I am new to the game and started my first rouge to round out a standing team with a few friends. I had originally planned to go Rouge 14, Ranger 2, Fighter 4 to get a nice mix of combat feats in with the rouge.

However, the whole enchantments thing is something I just really discovered and have read several posts raving about Assassin III as a rocking enchantment. I am thinking about doing a quick reroll for Rogue 18 - Ranger or Fighter 2, else or pure rogue.

I was wondering if one of the vetereans could offer some insight into how good Assassin III is and it really is a key ability. I liked the plan I had for Ro14/Ra2/F4, but I am still early on and not wedded to it.

So:
1. How good/important to a fun/successful Rogue is Assassin III?
2. If someone could direct me to a good guide on how enchantments work I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Braed]

My opinion is, if you are going for Assassin you should take it all the way to Assassin III. Why? Well, the Assassin II ability uses your Int modifier and your Rogue level. With a heavy multi-class (lack of Rogue levels) you'll have a DC that is very easy for mobs to beat.

As for enhancements...

http://ddowiki.com/page/Enhancements

EDIT: If you like your mix a lot, maybe consider Acrobat II (which you can also see at the link I posted above)

[Shamguard]

Rogue assassin without assassin III is like chocolate cake without the frosting, it's good but it can be MUCH better.

Personaly I agree with Braed if your not going to do 18 levels of rogue Acrobat II is a better choice and then only do 13 levels of rogue (for the second rogue special feat) and see what enhancements an extra level of ranger or fighter will unlock.


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[Lorien_the_First_One]

A rogue being able to use 2 damaging weapons of their choice, like a radII rapier and a damaging rapier of some kind, while still being able to vorpal on almost every swing...that is really sweet.

There is no way I'd go less than 18 rogue on an assassin build and personally 19 rogue for that extra sneak is nice.

20 rogue is rather unattractive, so 1 level of something else like fighter is nice.

[Goldeneye]

18 Rogue / 2 Fighter - gives you +STR and 2 more feats
18 Rogue / 2 Monk - gives you 2 feats and slightly better saves
19 Rogue / 1 Barbarian - gives you more sneak attack, barbarian run speed, mini-rages, and +1 damage from the power attack enhancement


those are my 3 favorite Assasin III multiclass options

[ghettoGenius]

Avoid ...

http://www.coppergifts.com/ProductCa...g1-322_300.jpg

Meh I couldnt find a rogue lol. I guess Im just expressing my distaste for the same old cookie cutter builds we hear over and over. Can't really argue against their effectiveness however. That doesnt mean you couldnt be different and still be effective if you know what you are doing.

Oh and for the record my assassin is pure but that's just me.

[George40]

Thanks guys, I get the feeling that L18 to 20 Rouge is the way to go. I appreciate the help.

One follow-up: how good is Assassin III? Is it worth really focusing your build around. My original build had more of a mixed archery 2WF plan, but that wouldn't work without the Ranger/Ftr levels.

[Shamguard]

Thanks guys, I get the feeling that L18 to 20 Rouge is the way to go. I appreciate the help.

One follow-up: how good is Assassin III? Is it worth really focusing your build around. My original build had more of a mixed archery 2WF plan, but that wouldn't work without the Ranger/Ftr levels.

Assassin III with a Radiance II rapier is almost as good as sex.


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[Rydin_Dirtay]

Thanks guys, I get the feeling that L18 to 20 Rouge is the way to go.

And it's ROGUE for the love of all that is holy!

[Razcar]

Thanks guys, I get the feeling that L18 to 20 Rouge is the way to go. I appreciate the help.

One follow-up: how good is Assassin III? Is it worth really focusing your build around. My original build had more of a mixed archery 2WF plan, but that wouldn't work without the Ranger/Ftr levels.

Assassin III is fun, but at that level you and everyone else are powerhouses anyway, so the mobs that can be vorpaled go down fast as it is. Assassin I and II are pointless in my opinion (although I know some people are having fun with the part II Assassination attack), so stay Acrobat (or nothing if you are a halfling so you can more easily max out Guile) until you are level 18.

[Flintsen]

Assassin III with a Radiance II rapier is almost as good as sex.


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WOW you're with the wrong girl!!

[Shamguard]

WOW you're with the wrong girl!!

I'm a gamer, who said anything about a girl?

Besides I did say "almost".


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[Draccus]

Assassin III is fun, but at that level you and everyone else are powerhouses anyway, so the mobs that can be vorpaled go down fast as it is.

I'm going to disagree with you there, but only because of one quest series.

The new Shavarath quests are a great example of where Assassin III dominates. In almost all of these quests, the crux is NOT the boss mob, like most other DDO quests. The crux is getting to the boss. I've seen far more parties struggle the middle of Sins of Attrition than I've seen struggle at the end. Sins, Bastion, and Genesis are all great examples of quests where the trash mobs are tougher than the boss.

The trash mobs in those quests have so many hit points that Assassin III's vorpal is a major contributor to the killing. I have yet to run these quests with any party and not lead the kill count by a significant margin. I'm certainly not bragging (I'm far too weak a player to brag on anything in this game) but the fact of the matter is that it's rare for me not to double the next highest killer in these quests.

Is that because my DPS is so much higher than a dual-khopesh wielding barbarian? Not by a longshot. It's because on 5% of my attacks, I'm killing a mob instantly. That kill may come when it's at full health or it may come when it has 1hp left but the vorpals in quests with tough trash mobs are a HUGE help.

This applies to the Inspired Quarter as well, but those quests are far easier. It also helps a lot in P1 and P2 of the shroud.

No, Assassin III isn't an epic win in Ritual Sacrifice, where mobs are dying in 2 hits anyway, but against the toughest mobs, it's a great enhancement.

[Shamguard]

Assassin III is fun, but at that level you and everyone else are powerhouses anyway, so the mobs that can be vorpaled go down fast as it is.

What Assassin III does is turn any weapon in to a vorpal weapon.
So you have a Radiance II vorpal, if you are fighting mob that cannot be blinded or is immune to you Radiance II then use whatever weapon is best against the mob and tag vorpal on to it.
Add to that the rogue strength draining feat and you have a character that can hold her own against just about any mob in the game.
Oh for those who are going to use bring up undead, think vorpal disruption.
Throw in an item that gives you ghost touch and life is good.

When they finally do something for Mech III and Acrobat III it is going to have to be big to even come close to Assassin III for what it does to the rogue's power curve.

Question: As anyone found a weapon that has a Dispell Magic on hit or crit effect?

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[Razcar]

What Assassin III does is turn any weapon in to a vorpal weapon.
So you have a Radiance II vorpal, if you are fighting mob that cannot be blinded or is immune to you Radiance II then use whatever weapon is best against the mob and tag vorpal on to it.

Oh, I've had it since it came out. And it is fun, as I said. But I didn't feel that it was such a biggie. Radiance II is a biggie, on the other hand, and a game changer for a rogue. Sure, Assassin III gives you some more kills - while able to blind, DPS and Str-drain like usual - and the Seeker bonus is always nice. But considering that Assassin I is worthless, and Assassin II is worthless for the way I play, I'm not that impressed with it. It is very expensive.

I agree with Draccus above though, that it is useful in quests with hardy trash mobs and weak bosses, due to it's multi-functionality along with Radiance.

Question: As anyone found a weapon that has a Dispell Magic on hit or crit effect?
...

That doesn't exist in DDO. But considering Eladrin said they're working on a Holy Avenger (although that was at least a year ago he said that) and Holy Avenger's ability is to cast Dispel Magic as an ability (and in some D&D games on a hit) it might come as a weapon effect.

[Shamguard]

Oh, I've had it since it came out. And it is fun, as I said. But I didn't feel that it was such a biggie. Radiance II is a biggie, on the other hand, and a game changer for a rogue. Sure, Assassin III gives you some more kills - while able to blind, DPS and Str-drain like usual - and the Seeker bonus is always nice. But considering that Assassin I is worthless, and Assassin II is worthless for the way I play, I'm not that impressed with it. It is very expensive.

I agree with Draccus above though, that it is useful in quests with hardy trash mobs and weak bosses, due to it's multi-functionality along with Radiance.

Assassin III is just the frosting Radiance II is the cake.

Any high level rogue you doesn't have or isn't trying to make a Radiance II rapier is make a big mistake and is severely crippled.

That doesn't exist in DDO. But considering Eladrin said they're working on a Holy Avenger (although that was at least a year ago he said that) and Holy Avenger's ability is to cast Dispel Magic as an ability (and in some D&D games on a hit) it might come as a weapon effect.

To bad an offhand with with a Dispel effect could be a solution to the Deathward problem.



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[Razcar]

To bad an offhand with with a Dispel effect could be a solution to the Deathward problem.

Yes it would, but only for those mobs who casts DW on themselves, like the Eladrin in Running with the Devils. For the many mobs that have it as an innate ability (e.g. "Blessing of the Ancients" in GH Tor) it wouldn't help.

[Morgan_Aquila]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shamguard View Post
Assassin III with a Radiance II rapier is almost as good as I imagine sex to be.


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WOW you're with the wrong girl!!

Fixed it for ya.

[Shamguard]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shamguard View Post
Assassin III with a Radiance II rapier is almost as good as Morgan_Aquila imagines sex to be.

Fixed it for ya.

There Morgan I fixed it for you.

OBTW: Married for 29years and 2 kids, I know what sex is like.

I have a good memory.

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[Rindalathar]

Draccus and I are probably two of the game's biggest supporters of pure rogues and we play together occasionally, since a lot of our friends are the same people. I also went Assassin III and absolutely love it. The power curve w/ AIII is huge, especially if soloing is in the picture. Now, if only I could find that +10 seeker rapier of enfeebling, I've been looking for:-).