Assassin

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Contents 1 Lore 2 Skills 2.1 Martial Arts 2.2 Shadow Disciplines 2.3 Traps 3 General Builds 3.1 Trapper 3.2 Kicker 3.3 Martial Artist 3.4 Whirlwind

Lore

The Assassins are an ancient order originally founded by the Horadrim to hunt down and eliminate rogue mages within their own ranks. Employing secret disciplines to combat and resist the magical abilities of their elusive quarry, the Assassin's bag of tricks includes traps and other infernal devices, martial arts, and powerful mental abilities. Common people know nothing of the Assassins, but they are widely feared and respected by all who employ the magic arts.

In the third century, two brothers rose to dominance from within the ranks of the Vizjerei clan of mages; their names were Horazon and Bartuc. Both were equally powerful and ambitious, and both were fascinated by the power one could obtain through the practice of Demonic Magics; however, the two differed in their views regarding how best to study demons. While Horazon viewed demons as a great source of power, he felt that in order to use that power best, you must harness a demon and bend him to your will. His brother, on the other hand, grew to sympathize with the demonic powers and felt (with no small influence from the demons) that the demonic forces were best understood by allying with the Hellish authorities so their secrets could be shared freely, and that is exactly what he did. Their diametrically opposed philosophies caused a great schism that split the ranks and tore the Vizjerei clan apart.

When at last their fierce rivalry culminated in inevitable violence, the combatants learned too late that they had both been played as pawns by the demonic host. The ensuing battle was so great it set the very firmament aflame, and when it was complete and the stillness of remorse was all that remained, Bartuc lay dead, Horazon had vanished into self-imposed exile, and the Vizjerei had learned a costly lesson. The small surviving group of sorcerers, the remnants of the once-great Vizjerei clan, resolved forevermore to spurn Demonic Magics and set about renewing their studies in the Elemental Magics. To further ensure that a similar tragedy could never happen again, they formed a secret order whose sole purpose was to police the mage clans, destroying corruption wherever they found it. This was the birth of the Viz-Jaq'taar, the Order of the Mage Slayers-otherwise known as the Assassins.

Knowing that such an order might itself be corrupted if exposed to the power of magic, the Vizjerei deemed it of the utmost importance that these Assassins maintain the purest, most focused minds. They should live in meditation and draw their power from within, not from external forces that could easily mask demonic interference. To this end, the Order would not employ the magic arts directly; rather, they would use ingenious devices and enchanted items to battle those possessing great magical powers. To further their campaign against demonic corruption, they concentrated on honing the natural martial abilities of their bodies, both physical and mental.

Because the Order remains veiled in secrecy, few people, even among the mages, know more than rumors about this mysterious organization. Their reputation has been one shrouded in ambiguity. Legends of their stalwart vigilance, and the widespread fear of their retribution, have kept many mages away from the temptations of corruption, so actual sightings have been rare. However, with the reemergence of the Three, and the subsequent increase in demonic manifestations in the world, the Order has shown a greater public presence of late.

Traits and Abilities

Assassins do not employ the magic arts directly; rather, they use enchanted items that mimic elemental powers, which can function autonomously. To further avoid potential corruption, they also focus on the natural abilities of the mortal body-powers of the mind and unarmed combat. The Assassins have trained extensively in the use of an exotic group of weapons: sets of metal blades and claws that strap onto the wrists. They have expertly incorporated the use of these weapons into their martial arts, and when wielding one in each hand, an Assassin can deliver a devastating double attack. Even the most novice of Assassins is a past master of infiltration, and no lock has been made that they cannot circumvent. Hence, an Assassin needs no key to open locked chests.

Skills

The Assassin has two main skill trees as well as a third which grants passive bonuses, an intelligent summon, and some interesting spells.

Martial Arts

For the main article, see Martial Arts

The skills located under an Assassin Martial Arts tree includes Charge-Up skills, and Finishing Moves. For example, Tiger Strike increases the amount of damage your Finishing Move will do, gaining as much 1000% or more damage. Once you gain charges, you can release them using a normal attack, or a Finishing Move. Dragon Tail is an example of a finishing move, and also one that unleashes its own effect, in this case an explosion of fire damage. Dragon Talon is another example of a finishing move, however this one is often used on its own, without charge up skills, to great effectiveness.

Shadow Disciplines

For the main article, see Shadow Disciplines

This tree includes various passive and active skills. Claw Mastery and Weapon Block are two examples of passive skills. Active skills includes Mind Blast, which knocks back and has a chance to convert enemies. The assassin also has three aura-like skills; Burst of Speed, Fade, and Venom. This tree also allows the Assassin to summon a Shadow Warrior or a Shadow Master, both are powerful and intelligent summons that aid the Assassin in tearing down her enemies.

Traps

For the main article, see Traps

This tree holds some of the most popular Assassin skills, including Lightning Sentry and Death Sentry. The Assassin is limited to putting out five traps total at a time. This tree also holds skills such as Blade Fury which utilizes an Assassin's Weapon Damage to unleash a ranged attack that tips enemies to shreds.

General Builds

Like other characters there are many different ways you can build your character, but some of the most popular include the Trap User, Kicker, Martial Artist, or Whirlwind.

Trapper

For the main article, see Trapper

This variant of the Assassin usually relies on the Lightning based Traps to unleash great amounts of damage that fry her enemies. The main skills utilized include Lightning Sentry and Death Sentry. Due to Synergies these traps can reach into thousands easily. Often she will rely on her Shadow Master to help distract enemies while she lays her Traps.

Kicker

For the main article, see Kicker

This variant utilizes Dragon Talon to unleash rapid fire kicks to decimate her enemies with ease. This attack can reach the fastest possible speed of any skill in the game. As such, it can be used with great effective with Crushing Blow to take down to Ubers, as fast or faster then a Smiter. Important to note also that kick damage is based off Boots, not the weapon(s).

Martial Artist

For the main article, see Martial Artist

This is a lesser seen variant, due to it's perceived weakness. However utilizing Phoenix Strike she can unleash a powerful freezing attack, or fire off Meteors at extreme speed.

Whirlwind

For the main article, see Whirlwind Assassin

This variant centers around the Runeword Chaos which grants +1 to Whirlwind. This build is mainly for PVP play.