New Assassin needs help with combat chain

[wheato]

<DIV>Ok, I hve an assassin currently at level 23.  I have noticed that the best dps I get is by chaining my CAs, the problem is that I run out of CAs and the reuse timers haven't reset yet.  My current chain looks like this:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Open with Pounce(sometimes a bow CA and bow auto attack to pull) - (HO1) Lucky Break - Caltrops - Pierce - Bleed - Impale - Assassin's Mark(Sometimes) - Cheap Shot - Stalk - Poisoner's Blade - (HO2) Lucky Break - Vex - Pierce</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Problem is that after this chain I just sit there and wait for Caltrops Bleed or Impale to reset.  There is about a 3 - 5 second time that I am stuck just doing melee damage and letting my poison's and DoTs run their course.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I usually fight yellows up to three levels higher than me and have noticed that by the end of the chain they have just turned red.  I would really like something to be able to finish off strong.  Any ideas out there on how to improve this chain or if there is something I am not taking advantage of?</DIV>

[TwoBy]

<DIV>Well, at 24 you will get 2 more attacks to use, but they will require stealth as well.  It's more a matter of pacing your attacks and not simply mashing every skill that's up.  Double check your refresh timers on the skills and maybe readjust the timing and ordering of your CA's to improve on them that way.</DIV>

[Phaethor]

<P>I too had to slow down quite a bit after the patch...  My DPS has dropped alot, Waiting on refresh timers for even the HO (Lucky Break) to pop again while twittling my thumbs.  I'm 28 now Its a tough row to hoe but I am keeping my fingers crossed some of the Devs will actually look into this and do something about it...  </P> <P>Assassin: a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a treacherous surprise attack... - Surprise Attack... Kinda hard to do if your so darn slow.  </P> <P>Assassin: a member of a secret order of Muslims (founded in the 12th century) who terroriszed and killed Christian Crusaders -  Would be nice if we had special attacks geared towards Priest/Paladins.  Kinda to fit into the role.</P> <P>Phae</P>

[Bobbubski]

don't forget to use your bow attacks if you are in a group and able to attack from behind.  don't remember if you get back shot yet at 23, but back shot and head shot should most definitely be in your routine as they will greatly up your dps if you have them upgraded.

[optikal]

<blockquote><hr>wheatone wrote:<DIV>Ok, I hve an assassin currently at level 23. I have noticed that the best dps I get is by chaining my CAs, the problem is that I run out of CAs and the reuse timers haven't reset yet. My current chain looks like this:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Open with Pounce(sometimes a bow CA and bow auto attack to pull) - (HO1) Lucky Break - Caltrops - Pierce - Bleed - Impale - Assassin's Mark(Sometimes) - Cheap Shot - Stalk - Poisoner's Blade - (HO2) Lucky Break - Vex - Pierce</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Problem is that after this chain I just sit there and wait for Caltrops Bleed or Impale to reset. There is about a 3 - 5 second time that I am stuck just doing melee damage and letting my poison's and DoTs run their course. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I usually fight yellows up to three levels higher than me and have noticed that by the end of the chain they have just turned red. I would really like something to be able to finish off strong. Any ideas out there on how to improve this chain or if there is something I am not taking advantage of?</DIV><hr></blockquote>Doesn't really change much as you progress in levels - you still have to twiddle your thumbs for a few seconds. Review the timers and see if you can adjust your attacks:Pounce = 1 minute timer.Caltrops = 20 secondsPierce = 10 secondsBleed = 30 secondsImpale = 20 secondsAssassin's Mark = 36 secondsCheap Shot = 20 seconds [stuns target]Stalk = 30 secondsPosioner's Blade [10 seconds]Lucky Break = 10 secondsVex = 20 secondsPierce = 10 secondsTry this:Pounce = 1 minuteLucky Break = 10 secondsCaltrops [to start HO] = 20 seconds Assassin's Mark = 36 secondsBleed = 30 secondsImpale = 20 secondsPierce = 10 secondsCheap Shot = 20 secondsStalk / Poisoners Blade = 10 secondsQuickly run back about 5m and fire off open shot [can be done if timed correctly]Lucky Break = 10 secondsYou will get a nice spell at level 24 - Assassin's Blade - does 450-800ish damage and one you will use to replace Pounce as your open attack. I think you also get to choose from 4 new/updated attacks - I went with Ebon Blade as it's another high powered stealth back stab attack [Stalk/Poisoner's Blade combo].

[wheato]

I hit level 24 a couple of days ago and used my master 2 on Ebon blade, bought an adept 1 for assassin's blade and an adept 3 for poisoner's blade.  I like the recomendation of backing up and using open shot or even back shot as it has a faster cast time.  I will ahve to try this.  I have also substituted shrouded strike for stalk to add a little more dps.  This still leaves me the option of doing a stalk - backstab again if the fight lasts a while.  If I have all my cas up and go full blast I can hit around 125 dps now.  I am also using a piercing debuff poison that really makes my auto attack and backstabs hit hard.  Thanks for the input.  Hope other low level assassins benefit from this thread.