Assassin Build Showcase & Comparison with Ninja: Which Class Reigns Supreme?

Introduction

In this follow-up video to the ninja build showcase, we're examining the assassin class, its key abilities, equipment setup, and most importantly - how it compares to ninja in both PvP and PvE scenarios. After numerous requests from viewers wanting to see both builds side by side, this comprehensive breakdown will help you decide which path to take.

The Assassin Build Breakdown

Equipment Setup

• Weapons: Dual Ragnarok daggers (identical to the ninja build)
• Armor: Same elder armor set used in the ninja build
• Accessories: Similar configuration focusing on damage and critical hits

Key Abilities

Unlike ninja, assassin relies on a different set of core abilities:

• Gouge: The standout ability that stuns enemies for 3 seconds (unless they attack)
• Shadow Step: Teleportation ability that allows you to close distance quickly
• Backstab: High damage attack when striking from behind
• Shuriken Barrage: Multi-hit ranged attack
• Ambush: Massive damage finisher against bleeding targets

Notable Ability Observations

• Veil: Considered one of the worst abilities in the game, making your screen dark with little practical benefit
• Gouge: The only truly exceptional ability, but hampered by a lengthy 2-minute cooldown
• Shadow Step: Described as "mediocre" despite its mobility potential

The Assassin Combat Strategy

The recommended combo for assassin is:

1. Activate Savage Battle Aura
2. Land Gouge on the target for a stun
3. Wait for focus to regenerate (up to 80%)
4. Position behind the enemy
5. Execute Backstab
6. Follow with a critical hit
7. Finish with Ambush if they're bleeding

This combination can deal 500-600 damage when executed correctly.

PvP Performance Analysis

In PvP scenarios, assassin reveals several weaknesses:

• Heavily reliant on Gouge, which has an excessively long cooldown
• Needs luck with critical hits to match ninja's consistent damage
• Struggles against warriors, who currently dominate the PvP meta
• Abilities don't reset on death, forcing long waits between effective engagements

Against skilled players, particularly warriors, the assassin faces an uphill battle where ninja would likely have already ended the fight.

PvE Excellence

While its PvP performance is questionable, the assassin shines in PvE content:

• Exceptional damage output once enemies are guard broken
• Can quickly eliminate bosses like Hill Troll and Jaro
• Ambush does a full bar of damage to world bosses when enemies are bleeding
• Effective against Lanthar, able to push him to second phase even without guard breaking

Ninja vs. Assassin: The Verdict

After thorough testing, ninja appears superior to assassin for several reasons:

• Ninja abilities have virtually no cooldown when landed correctly
• Ninja does comparable damage with lower focus consumption
• Ninja's combo is more reliable and less dependent on luck
• Assassin's best ability (Gouge) is handicapped by a 2-minute cooldown

Suggested Improvements for Assassin

To balance the classes, the creator suggests:

• Reduce Gouge cooldown to 30 seconds
• Make Gouge only usable on players not already in combat
• Differentiate between player combat and PvE combat states
• Reset ability cooldowns upon death
• Improve or rework Veil to make it more practical
• Reconsider whether Greater Initiative should take up an ability slot

Alternative Build Suggestions

For players committed to assassin, consider:

• Prioritize agility runes across all equipment for higher crit chance
• Consider switching to Rapid Battle Aura for 50 agility boost and higher critical rate
• The build excels at boss fights despite PvP limitations

Conclusion

While assassin offers impressive PvE damage potential, ninja currently outperforms it in most situations, particularly PvP. The assassin class seems in need of developer attention, with several abilities requiring reworks or cooldown adjustments to make it competitive with ninja.