Hi, i was just looking over the kit descriptions and i decided that my next character will be a assassin. The only problem is, im having doubts as to if their theif skills are too poor to be of use (only 15 skill points per level of advancement). Can anyone just let me know if they can still compete with normal thieves or should i be just a plain thief myself? Thanx all. Dave....

yeah man i had the same worry , but after playing through they became my favourite class , yes their theif skills will end up below oter theives but their backstab will makeup for it 5x multiplier!!!

Thanx madman, but cant all thieves do 5x backstab damage? I heard that assassins can eventually reach 7x backstab damage, is this true? If it is, what level do they achieve 6x and 7x backstab values? Heheh thanxxxxxxx.

[ 07-08-2002, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: DaveTheOftenConfused ]

Um...that's 7x backstab, actually! ;) 5x is for normal thieves.

IMO, the poison dagger and the backstab are worth it. I'd say go with assassin for a first-class backstabber, or the swashbuckler for a near fighter-thief, if you're looking for thief kits.

-Sazerac

Also, the assassin's poison will kill anything that you can successfully hit, whether his weapon can hurt the enemy or not. This can work wonderfully when your weapon normally would not do you any good (say you were fighting Kangaxx), and your poison would then do all your work for you.
Unlike what the description says, the poison will work for the next 24 seconds, anything you hit in that time period is then poisoned, which is quite a bit more useful.
Anyway the best feature of the Assassin is the x7 backstab.

sorry my bad 7x it is

Ok thanx guys, so it IS true the assassin can get 7x backstab. Im guessing that deals a hell of a lot of damage? I mean it sounds good but if it is really small damage in the first place it isnt as impressive. Forgive me for more q's (im new and naive) but how does the assassins THACO fare? In other words, can they hit anything or are they crap? Also, what levels does the assassin obtain 6x and 7x backstab values?

[ 07-08-2002, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: DaveTheOftenConfused ]

hmmn i tried an assassain and silent death was ok but in a normal fight it didnt fair so good, i guess due to only being allowed to be proficient with weapons, so you'll need some good tanks and other things for sure ;)
Felix

I don't know at what level they get the multiplyers but for THAC0, it should be the same as your average theif's. Which is pretty decent. Get the Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise and Girdle of something Giant Strength and everybody will fear your backstab. If you have ToB get the Assassinate Special Ability for more munchkinated goodness. For weapon proficiencies I recommend Katanas and Shortbows, and points in single weapon style.

This is how I usually use my Assassin.

Backstab! See the enemy curse and swear if he/she/it survives in the first place. Proceed to retreat your Assassin and take out your shortbow to pelt him/her with poisoned arrows. Darts can be used to poison the enemy as well, since they have a default 3 attacks per round modifier, thus maximising your Poison Weapon ability. Later on, you can use the Tuigan Bow, which also has a default 3 attacks per round.

Assassins reach x7 at Level 21. I think they hit x6 at Level 17.

At Character Creation, they get a +1 bonus to their THAC0, as compared with other Thieves and Bards. This gives a little help in combat, but their biggest boost is from being in Stealth--I believe all characters in Stealth, Rangers included, get a nice THAC0 bonus for their next attack. I've never seen it in print, though.

Their 15 points per level isn't bad, you just have to work around it. Ignore Pockets, Locks, Illusions, and Setting Traps for now, and concentrate on the most important 3 skills. When you've got them up to snuff, start learning the other skills, one by one. There are also a LOT of items that you can find or buy that will improve 1 or more Thief skills.

as far as thieving skills, my assassin went to TOB with some great skills, they take longer to get but as long as you focus on the key skills such as setting traps and such, youll be ok. plus there are a bunch of items that raise your skills...mercykiller ring, and the leather armor that upps your hide and move silent.

That is correct - when attacking from the shadows, the character recives a +4 attack bonus.