Assassins and Agro

[Ainianu]

Hello, ive recently started playing EQ2 and have started to play a few classes upto level 38-40 (Coercer, Shadowknight aswell as my Assassin) before deciding which i prefer. Currently i am prefering my Assassin however i am faced with huge problems when i group, and that is Agro, I seem to pull agro every single fight i am in even without using the two biggest backstabs, and using slip/shadow where i can (i often loose agro when i use shadow at least till i press another stab button) Now the problem im faced with i hope can be answered by you <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> at higher level is this agro still a problem, or does it get better? because at the moment mobs dont hit very hard so i dont really worry about getting agro, but at higher levels i would have to hold back if this problem remains, which to me kinda makes it pointless choosing assassin, since our class defining ability is higher damage than other scouts am i right? That said ive only grouped with berzerker, guardian and bruiser tanks so far, bruiser seemed to hold agro best but all of them id have to really slack to not pull agro, and i dont like slacking <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Any feedback would be appreciated <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Xebed]

I didn't see it mentioned in your post, are you using the friendly shadows/murderous design threat-transfer line? Also, you will eventually get access to the ignorant-bliss line of hate reduction poisons. At or near 70, these two will be the main thing that keeps you from gaining aggro in a group (adept3 murderous design transfers 26% thread, grandmasters ignorant-bliss drops hate by >1k per proc).  Its been a while, but i wouldn't be surprised if at lower levels your de-aggro ability lags behind your hate generation for a while....you may just have to put up with it, but at higher levels with everyone doing their job, you can unload with confidence - most of the time <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.

[Ainianu]

yeah i keep friendly shadows up on the tank <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> its only at adept 1 tho,  (12%) and im sure it all helps but it isnt too noticable atm, Il look at what level il get murderous designs and il think about upgrading friendly shadows perhaps if its not soon, and il try get adept3 or master on it, if its soon <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ignorant bliss sounds nice <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Thanks for re-assuring me, i had expected agro wasnt an issue at higher level since no one else has complained about it, but its nice to hear it confirmed <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Jayad]

It's always an issue with crappy tanks, even at 70. With good tanks, it's not a big issue. Get your HT adept3, it'll help, or wait for the updated one.

[whytakemine]

I almost always upgrade my deaggro's before my nukes.  What's the point of being able to do more dps if you then have to hold back?

[Rufio]

<p>If you want to try different tactic, let the tank have 5 seconds or so the gain aggro at the begin of every fight that way he has a head start. Tanks should know this and let their assassin or major dps classes know so they don`t lose aggro.</p><p>Think controlled bursts.</p><p> After 5 seconds don`t open with your biggest attack like AB, throw in a cheap shot, then do the debuffs that you have like the one that slows the target and reduces mit, then slowly work into the fight go from small to large, by this time it will be about 30 seconds and the tank should have aggro in control, the monster depending on type should be 3/4 to 1/2 health by now which is you key to start unloading the big shots. when it gets to 1/3 health just unload everything. This way you shouldn`t get aggro.</p><p>Also another hint, is to step back, joust fire your bow abilities and then come back into the fight, this adds dmg but also gives tiem for your timers to get back up and gives the tank some time to gain aggro as you are not auto attacking, which can draw a ton of aggro if you are procing right.</p><p>Hope this helps.</p>

[Norrsken]

With crappy tanks, I always keep my root for the moment when I do get aggro, I root the mob, back off, detaunt it, and fire away with my bow while the tank goes nuts about me ripping aggro. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Usually he has the aggro locked down when I'm done with the bow attacks. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[-=Hoss=-]

What root ability do we have? -t

[Jayad]

We don't get a root ability. We do get a snare.

[Ouchy Dathurts]

<cite>Jayad wrote:</cite><blockquote>We don't get a root ability. We do get a snare.</blockquote>We don't? Someone should tell whoever gave me freezing strike.

[Jayad]

Hahah oh you're right. I only raid on my asssassin pretty much so I've forgotten it. Doh! <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Actually, with the AA it can last a while.