Ragnarok Online 2 An In-depth Guide to Assassin Class by Faulken

An In-depth Guide to Assassin Class

Quote

Assassins are professionals in assassination.

They are especially known to form contracts with Shadow Devils to learn Shadow skills secretly handed down through the Assassin Guild. Their powers exceed any living human being.

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. General Tips
III. Stats
IV. Skills
V.A. Thief
V.B. Assassin
V.C. Skill Rotation
VI. Examples of Skill Build
VII. Cards
VIII. Useful Links





Pros:
- Great DPS class.
- Has many skills to use.
- Great damage output burst.
- Easy to use and learn.
- Less costy in gears than other class.
- Most of the skills are instant to cast.
- Appreciated in Raids and Dungeons.
- Dat awsom pose when standing.

Cons:
- Not meant for tanking.
- Decent survivability with Shadow Armor.
- No healing skills and abilities.
- Melee.
- Ugly after activating Shadow Form.





I. Introduction
Welcome to the In-depth guide to the Assassin Class! If you're the kind of player where you want to see your opponent most of the time bleeding then this is the right class for you! Although you're not tanky as a Knight and not as cool-looking as other class after you change form, you'll learn that looks doesn't matter as long as you can kill them in a matter of seconds. This class is not meant to be played not only by pros but also for beginners as this is not a complicated class like other classes like Priest and Sorcerer as they are the busiest class during raids and the like. This was the 3rd update for this guide and since I finished working on my Assassin, I'll spend most of my time answering Assassin-related questions here. Feel free to ask one if you do have one. I'm no pro player and I didn't have the chance to play CBT but I fairly maxed my Assassin after 5 days of hardships and trials, but sadly no awards for hardworking persons like us. Feel free to ignore the past comments below by me as they were part of the original guide. Let's start.





II. General Tips
Assassins unlike Priest and Sorcerer can't basically do much solo and I recommend going with at least a Priest because Priests are undoubtedly in-demand in this game, and having one doesn't hurt to spare. And trust me, you'll level up faster than usual. On the opposite, priests and sorcerer also needs DPS class like Assassin to make quests easier as they share a common mutual benefit. That's just how the game works.

Wondering what Profession does best for your lovey-dovey Assassin? It's personal opinion but you can choose anything you like from Blacksmith, Artisan, Alchemist or even Chefs. It's a matter of how you play your character. I myself, would go for the easiest of the Profession, Artisan, as I found crafting your own armors would be more convenient than buying and vice-versa for weapon crafting.

So you're wondering how will you spend your stats wisely for your character in each level. You can pump STR till lv. 25 and put some to Agi afterwards or do the 2:1 ratio, do what your heart desires as it will not matter end game as you can level up easily after some grinds and dungeon.

Do Khara while grinding as it helps you get more exp at the same time the quest rewards for each challenge can be surprising, and titles can help boost stats, and you'll find it much easier to do the rest of Khara after max level when there's less monster killing and more of getting this and that. That'll make life easier for you, and the game.





III. Stats
STR - Increases your overall damage
AGI - Increases your evasion, dodge and critical rate
INT - I found this not useful for Assassins
WIS - Increases your max SP
VIT - Increases your max HP

(STR/AGI/VIT)
40/40/8 - Most common build chosen by players.
41/41/0 - If you don't like putting stats to Vit.
50/29/2 - Maximum damage dealt per second
29/50/2 - Great critical rate and decent damage.
33/33/32 - If you like to balance out your stats, although this one is for Rogues





IV. Skills
Skill image, descriptions, requirement, SP, casting time and cooldown are all taken from roguard.net. Personal comments are also listed below.

V.A. Thief
Double Attack (Attack)
Requires:
Description: Obtain 1 combo point. Attack enemy to inflict attack damage of 17%/19%/21%/23%/25%.
SP: 1.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 1s.
Comment: Your main skill. You'll use it whether you like it or not. It's like the butter to your bread.


Dagger Throwing (Attack)
Requires: Deadly Blow 1
Description: Throw knife to a far away enemy to inflict attack damage of 18%/21%/23%/25%/27%.
SP: 1/2/3/4/5.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 8s.
Comment: Used for luring enemies far away from you. Usefully most of the time in dungeons and in grinding.


Deadly Blow (Attack)
Requires: 
Description: Strike the enemy with a Deadly Blow to inflict attack damage of 17%/19%/21%/23%/25%. Consume all combo points to inflict additional damage equivalent to attack of 7% for each combo point consumed.
SP: 1/2/3/4/5.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: Instant.
Comment: Deals a fair amount of damage depending on the number of combo points gathered.


Meteor Assault (Attack)
Requires: Dark Illusion 1
Description: Cause a shock wave on the surface to inflict attack damage of 17%/20%/23% to max. 3 surrounding enemies.
SP: 1/2/3.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 3s.
Comment: Used for luring enemies around you. Leave this at lv 1.


Combo Training (Passive)
Requires: Double Attack 1
Description: Use skills that obtain combo points to obtain additional 1 combo point with 5%/10%/15% probability.
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: Instant.
Comment: Gives you extra combo points with % chance after using skill.


Poisoning Weapon (Buff)
Requires: Dagger Throwing 1
Description: Dip weapon in poison to poison target with 30% probability when used in attacks. Inflicts additional damage equivalent to attack of 10%/11%/12%/13%/15% every 2 sec. for 20 sec.
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 3s.
Comment: Some players max it, some players don't, and I'm one of those who didn't because for me, the extra 4 points are better of spent to other useful skills and the 5% at max level isn't worth the skill point.


Hiding (Buff)
Requires:
Description: Unavailable during battle. Hide yourself in shadows. Movement speed decreases by 40%/20%/0% in Hiding state. The first attack skill used during Hiding state also inflicts twice the damage.
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 3s.
Comment: I use this skill in combination with Dark Illusion or Shadow Assault.


Cross Impact (Attack)
Requires: Mark of Genocide 1
Description: Obtain 1 combo point. Attack enemy and inflict damage of 17%/19%/21%/24%/26%.
SP: 1/2/3/4/5.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 8s.
Comment: This is a skill which I do not use and can be likened to Double Attack and I prefer using that than this.


Dark Illusion (Attack)
Requires: Hiding 1
Description: Hiding state required. Obtain 1 combo point. Inflict Attack Power damage of 17%/19%/21%/23%/25%. by attacking the enemy from behind. This skill always applies as a critical hit.
SP: 1/2/3/4/5.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 3s.
Comment: Initiating skill used especially in grinding and/or PvP. Deals 2x damage and I use it every time before engaging mobs.


Mark of Genocide (Buff)
Requires: Combo Training 1
Description: Increases Critical Rate of all Party and Attack Squad members by 0.4%/0.8%/1.2%/1.6%/2% for 30 min.
SP: 2/3/4/5/6.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 3s.
Comment: Party Buff. It's up to you whether you want to max it or not because your party might call you a noob if you don't. Well if you're playing with friends just tell them otherwise.


V.B. Assassin
Grimtooth (Attack)
Requires: Shadow Fiend 1
Description: Obtain 1 combo point. Spout a Shadow Thorn from beneath the ground to inflict Attack Power damage by 16%/18%/20%/22%/24% to max. 3 surrounding enemies. Obtain additional combo points depending on number of targets hit.
SP: 1/2/3/4/5.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 10s.
Comment: I use this when mobs are still far away from you to get 1 combo point. I leave this at lv 1.


Shadow Fiend (Passive)
Requires: Cross Impact 1
Description: Use skills that obtain combo points to inflict additional attack damage of 22% by casting a shadow from your feet with a 4%/8%/12% probability.
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: Instant.
Comment: I just love this buff. Max it! Who doesn't want extra damage?


Shadow Claw (Buff)
Requires: Shadow Fiend 1
Description: Increase your Critical Rate by 1%/2%/3%/4%/5% for 30 min.
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 3s.
Comment: Moar crits. Max it.


Hiding Exceed (Passive)
Requires: Meteor Assault 1
Description: Increases movement speed by 10%/20%/30% during Hiding state.
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: Instant.
Comment: This the subject of debate between many discussion whether to max it or not. Some players max this because their builds are focused on mobility and I do not. I mainly focus my Assassin on dealing DPS and I don't care much about moving but I've seen mobility Assassin type in PvP which the opponent cannot damage due to fast speed esp. when Melee vs. Melee.


Shadow Fang (Attack)
Requires: Grimtooth 1
Description: Swallow max. 10 surrounding enemies around target by a shadow to inflict Attack Power damage of 9%/10%/12%. This skill is effective when used on more than 3 enemies and the effect drops depending on the number of targets when used on more than 6 enemies.
SP: 3/4/5.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: Instant.
Comment: I leave this at lv 1 because the extra 3% at max level ain't just worth it.


Shadow Armor (Buff)
Requires: Grimtooth 1
Description: Increase defense rate by 50% for 10 sec. with a Shadow Shield. (Recast after 120/100/80/60/40 sec.)
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 120s/100s/80s/60s/40s.
Comment: Great skill for soloing boss because of the half damage decreased. I leave this at lv 1 and maxed it after 50 because I'm more of a PvP type of person and I need all the defense I can get to survive.


Shadow Explosion (Attack)
Requires: Shadow Form 1
Description: 5 combo points required. Explode a shadow within the enemy to inflict attack damage of 67%/72%/76%/81%/85%.
SP: 3/4/5/6/7.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 20s.
Comment: I use this in alternate with Deadly Blow. It has cooldown so I use both.


Shadow Strike (Attack)
Requires: Shadow Form 1
Description: Obtain 3 combo points only in Shadow Form state. Attack enemy to inflict damage of 28%/32%/35%/38%/42%.
SP: 2/3/4/5/6.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 20s.
Comment: Great skill for getting combo points. Personally I max this because of damage percentage.


Shadow Form (Buff)
Requires: Grimtooth 1
Description: Harmonize with Shadow Fiend to increase attack and movement speed by 6%/12%/18%/24%/30%. Deactivates if used one more time.
SP: 0.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 3s.
Comment: Makes you horribly ugly in exchange for ASPD and MS. We should file a complaint about making a better render than the default. Like srsly.


Shadow Assault (Attack)
Requires: Shadow Form 1
Description: Only available in Shadow Form. Leap onto a far enemy to inflict attack damage of 26%/29%/32%/35%/38% and Fall for 3 sec.
SP: 2/3/4/5/6.
Casting Time: Instant.
Cooldown: 20s.
Comment: I do not use this in combat but in PvP only as it has 3 sec or less glitch when jumping and sometimes makes you stuck on air with the enemy can attack you and makes it definitely unfair. But it doesn't hurt for the 3 sec knock back effect.





V.C. Skill Rotation
Before entering combat: (Thief)
Mark of Genocide>Poisoning Weapon

Normal Mobs: (Thief)
Hiding>Dark Illusion>Double Attack x5/Deadly Blow

Normal Mobs: (Dungeon)(Thief)
Dagger Throwing>Double Attack x5>Deadly Blow

Before entering combat: (Assassin)
Shadow Form>Mark of Genocide>Poisoning Weapon>Shadow Claw>Shadow Armor

Normal Mobs: (Assassin)
Hiding>Dark Illusion/Shadow Assault>Shadow Strike>Double Attack x2>Shadow Explosion/Deadly Blow
or you can put Shadow Armor in the combo

Normal Mobs: (Dungeon)(Assassin)
Dagger Throwing>Grimtooth>Shadow Strike>Double Attack>Shadow Explosion/Deadly Blow
or you can deduct Grimtooth from the rotation and do x2 Double Attack

PvP:
Cast Buffs>Hiding>Shadow Assault/Dark Illusion>Shadow Armor>Shadow Strike>Double Attack x2>Shadow Explosion/Deadly Blow>Repeat combo





VI. Examples of Skill Build
Leveling Build by Faulken
PvP Build by Faulken
Build by Kuropi
Mobility Build by Enlainzer
Alternate Build by Enlainzer
Build by Norenche
Build by cryogenist
Build by Jianwei
Build by NowiseYowl
Dark Illusion 5/Shadow Assault 1 Build by GustaRhymes
Dark Illusion 0/Shadow Assault 5 Build by GustaRhymes
Hybrid Build by Nickoel
Alternate Build by Nickoel
Build by PHB10LM
Build by Ukie29
Build by MFMoon
Build by Aryugal
Build by Ankoku
Build by sinxnite
Build by SuperbBaby
Build by Aneer18
Build by Seifer129
Build by hikariyue
Build by Frostroses





VII. Cards
All information are from ro2-english.wikia.com

Scratch Thief Card
Level: 50.
Equipment Effect: STR 6 WIS 6 INT 6 VIT 17 AGI 6
Obtained From: Scratch Thief, ????
Card Description: Once a Grooming Robber that followed Edze but barely maintaining a life after running away to the Road of Bless after Edze fell.
Set Information: Not Applicable.
Card Combination: (for other Card combinations)


Scratch Thief Card [Normal +]
Level: 50.
Equipment Effect: STR 8 WIS 8 INT 8 VIT 21 AGI 8
Obtained From: Scratch Thief, ????
Card Description: Once a Grooming Robber that followed Edze but barely maintaining a life after running away to the Road of Bless after Edze fell.
Set Information: Not Applicable.
Card Combination: (for other Card combinations)


Garbong Card
Level: 50.
Equipment Effect: STR 9 WIS 3 INT 6 VIT 9 AGI 9
Obtained From: Garbong, ????
Card Description: Has a suspicious bone mask on. All other goblins shake from terror because of its savage personality.
Set Information: Not Applicable.
Card Combination: (for other Card combinations)


Garbong Card [Normal +]
Level: 50.
Equipment Effect: STR 11 WIS 12 INT 8 VIT 12 AGI 11
Obtained From: Garbong, ????
Card Description: Has a suspicious bone mask on. All other goblins shake from terror because of its savage personality.
Set Information: Not Applicable.
Card Combination: (for other Card combinations)





VIII. Useful Links
Roguard Stat Calculator
RO2 Skill Simulator
Mark of Genocide Computation
Dark Illusion Anyone
Critical Rate Drop
Poisoning Weapon Calculations