Soloing as an Assassin

demonevs · 11-08-2006, 08:06 PM

Hi,

Is it easy? ive just returned after a looong time away and decided to start a char from scratch to get back to grips and maybe even continue it up up and away!

Ive decided on the assassin as it seems a strong class and perhaps one that'd be good fun to solo and in groups (i mean, when is doing a lot of damage NOT fun in a game?)

Is there any specific do's or don'ts? Especially for gear or guides anyone could point me to.

I have a bit of cash and a level 50 that can grind me some (if i can work out how to play the bugger again after a year off) but im interested in seeing all the 1-50 changes thats happened as well SMILEY

Thanks for any help

HellRaiserXX · 11-08-2006, 08:17 PM

It gets easier as you get higher level. Things are going to change with EoF though so I am not sure how well we will be able to solo after that.

Some things that are a must to have:

Life tap poisons
Stun poisons are useful, but I dont use em that much
Bow and Arrow
Resist gear
Snare Poison for kiting, very useful to keep him snared if the main snare gets resisted

When I solo I try to get in places where I can bow kite as much as possible. If not I can pretty much always take heroic mobs 5lvl or more below me if they arent named. A big thing is to avoid mobs that are heavy casters cause we cant avoid spells. If you can get your resists up high to fully resist it than thats good, but even a 200dmg spell is going to wear you down faster than you can kill it on heroic mobs. Always try to start off with your biggest stealth attack and then either snare em and pull back to bow range or just lay into them and try to get them down fast. Stun poisons help a lot if you want to stay in and fight.

Most importantly is to learn what works best for you. I have gotten to the point where I can solo some heroic instances. I know of people who have soloed from 1-70 on their assassin. Pick your targets well, dont fight in places where you have a high chance of getting adds.

EtoilePirate · 11-10-2006, 07:27 AM

There are some hell levels for soloing. I soloed a LOT of the way up to 70.When you get key skills, things change. 38 was the origin of two important lines when I hit it, so I remember things getting better then. And of course getting Assassinate at 50 is a nice perk. The thing is that you really need to choose your fights carefully. I can take down a blue ^^^ mob IF -- and that's a REALLY BIG if -- it doesn't see stealth. Nearly all heroic mobs DO see stealth and if I don't start the fight, I don't stand a chance.For everyday soloing of mobs from v to ^^ though, I think we do pretty well (also on green non-named ^^^). Seriously, though, the trick to soloing an assassin is to think like one. Perch yourself in a hidey-hold where the mobs can't see you, and pick 'em off one by one like a ninja sniper. Don't run into a room and expect to survive ten adds.

Message Edited by EtoilePB on 11-10-2006 09:52 AM

Dracor · 11-10-2006, 11:04 AM

For mobs that do see stealth, I usually find my big arrow shot is sufficient to start the battle, especially if my big backstabs are up (and I dont mean the I WIN backstab)

steelbadger · 11-10-2006, 05:56 PM

An interesting little quirk to remember when soloing is that it is possible to actually get behind a mob even when it is not stunned.Just run around the mob in very close circles spamming your Crippling Strike skill and it will eventually go off. And you get a few laughs from passers-by.I like to range pull to begin with.Neck Shot/Spitting AspAssailing Blast while they run towards meContrived Weapon(I use a weapon with a fear proc in my off hand, this will very often proc on the mob after this many hits, if it does then use Neckshot/Spitting asp, depending on which one I didn't use, or just keep auto bow attacking if I have adamantine arrows equiped)Malignant MarkEnmeshConcealmentCheap ShotCrippling StrikeKilling Blade/Eviscerate/Jugular (dependant on mob)Usually dead by now, if not...Freezing Strike*step back* Auto range attack (adamantine again, so 1500dmg per hit)Then just do the good ol' spam HO's.

HazNpho · 11-11-2006, 02:49 AM

EtoilePB wrote:
There are some hell levels for soloing. I soloed a LOT of the way up to 70.When you get key skills, things change. 38 was the origin of two important lines when I hit it, so I remember things getting better then. And of course getting Assassinate at 50 is a nice perk. The thing is that you really need to choose your fights carefully. I can take down a blue ^^^ mob IF -- and that's a REALLY BIG if -- it doesn't see stealth. Nearly all heroic mobs DO see stealth and if I don't start the fight, I don't stand a chance.For everyday soloing of mobs from v to ^^ though, I think we do pretty well (also on green non-named ^^^). Seriously, though, the trick to soloing an assassin is to think like one. Perch yourself in a hidey-hold where the mobs can't see you, and pick 'em off one by one like a ninja sniper. Don't run into a room and expect to survive ten adds.
Message Edited by EtoilePB on 11-10-2006 09:52 AM

I'm not sure where you have been fighting... but I don't see alot of mobs that see me when I'm out with my friends killing heroics... Even solo... And here's a tip, I have my Assassinate as key 1 and my next biggest as key 2 on bar 5... When I am soloing I use a nice move only on keyboard as it works better. Shift+5 (Sets primary bar as bar 5, my stealth attacks), go into stealth, use arrow keys to charge the mob while continuing to hit 1 or 2 on the keyboard (Depending which attack is up). With that, I can normally get the first blow. Then I use Numbing Strike line the root the mob, pull back, Double Shot (Line), Makeshift Weapon line, move in, stun, jump behind, Cripple line, if I still have time Shrouded Blade line and finish it off with my fastest recast stealth if I can manage before being popped from stealth. Normally this will drop a green mob for me and sometimes blue, depending on the mobs class. If it takes a few more seconds I use my Quick Strike line Macro (Quick Strike with Bounty cast as well), and finish with whatever I need to kill the mob. The blue combo I mentioned with the Macro also helps in the long run for grinding coin.

Lariu · 11-13-2006, 03:24 AM

Assassins are fun to solo with. But don't try to take on groups of stuff unless they're a lot weaker than you. Single mobs are reasonably easy to take down but the technique takes some getting used to.As for pulling, don't forget to use surveillance to single pull where it otherwise looks impossible.

Mr. Dawki · 11-16-2006, 06:16 AM

your not gona be soloing anymore

even with a shield and fabled gear the green heroics will eat my face off

when before the expansion i never had the slightest problem with them

11-08-2006, 08:06 PM	#1
demonevs Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 23	Hi, Is it easy? ive just returned after a looong time away and decided to start a char from scratch to get back to grips and maybe even continue it up up and away! Ive decided on the assassin as it seems a strong class and perhaps one that'd be good fun to solo and in groups (i mean, when is doing a lot of damage NOT fun in a game?) Is there any specific do's or don'ts? Especially for gear or guides anyone could point me to. I have a bit of cash and a level 50 that can grind me some (if i can work out how to play the bugger again after a year off) but im interested in seeing all the 1-50 changes thats happened as well Thanks for any help

11-08-2006, 08:17 PM	#2
HellRaiserXX Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 440	It gets easier as you get higher level. Things are going to change with EoF though so I am not sure how well we will be able to solo after that. Some things that are a must to have: Life tap poisons Stun poisons are useful, but I dont use em that much Bow and Arrow Resist gear Snare Poison for kiting, very useful to keep him snared if the main snare gets resisted When I solo I try to get in places where I can bow kite as much as possible. If not I can pretty much always take heroic mobs 5lvl or more below me if they arent named. A big thing is to avoid mobs that are heavy casters cause we cant avoid spells. If you can get your resists up high to fully resist it than thats good, but even a 200dmg spell is going to wear you down faster than you can kill it on heroic mobs. Always try to start off with your biggest stealth attack and then either snare em and pull back to bow range or just lay into them and try to get them down fast. Stun poisons help a lot if you want to stay in and fight. Most importantly is to learn what works best for you. I have gotten to the point where I can solo some heroic instances. I know of people who have soloed from 1-70 on their assassin. Pick your targets well, dont fight in places where you have a high chance of getting adds. __________________ Raina 70 Assassin <retired for now>

11-10-2006, 07:27 AM	#3
EtoilePirate Tester Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 1,258	There are some hell levels for soloing. I soloed a LOT of the way up to 70.When you get key skills, things change. 38 was the origin of two important lines when I hit it, so I remember things getting better then. And of course getting Assassinate at 50 is a nice perk. The thing is that you really need to choose your fights carefully. I can take down a blue ^^^ mob IF -- and that's a REALLY BIG if -- it doesn't see stealth. Nearly all heroic mobs DO see stealth and if I don't start the fight, I don't stand a chance.For everyday soloing of mobs from v to ^^ though, I think we do pretty well (also on green non-named ^^^). Seriously, though, the trick to soloing an assassin is to think like one. Perch yourself in a hidey-hold where the mobs can't see you, and pick 'em off one by one like a ninja sniper. Don't run into a room and expect to survive ten adds. Message Edited by EtoilePB on 11-10-2006 09:52 AM __________________ Kella The Mighty Pirate, Assassin & Tailor Nimari, Fury-at-Large Test Server

11-10-2006, 11:04 AM	#4
Dracor General Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 87	For mobs that do see stealth, I usually find my big arrow shot is sufficient to start the battle, especially if my big backstabs are up (and I dont mean the I WIN backstab) __________________

11-11-2006, 02:49 AM	#6
HazNpho Loremaster Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 168	EtoilePB wrote: There are some hell levels for soloing. I soloed a LOT of the way up to 70.When you get key skills, things change. 38 was the origin of two important lines when I hit it, so I remember things getting better then. And of course getting Assassinate at 50 is a nice perk. The thing is that you really need to choose your fights carefully. I can take down a blue ^^^ mob IF -- and that's a REALLY BIG if -- it doesn't see stealth. Nearly all heroic mobs DO see stealth and if I don't start the fight, I don't stand a chance.For everyday soloing of mobs from v to ^^ though, I think we do pretty well (also on green non-named ^^^). Seriously, though, the trick to soloing an assassin is to think like one. Perch yourself in a hidey-hold where the mobs can't see you, and pick 'em off one by one like a ninja sniper. Don't run into a room and expect to survive ten adds. Message Edited by EtoilePB on 11-10-2006 09:52 AM I'm not sure where you have been fighting... but I don't see alot of mobs that see me when I'm out with my friends killing heroics... Even solo... And here's a tip, I have my Assassinate as key 1 and my next biggest as key 2 on bar 5... When I am soloing I use a nice move only on keyboard as it works better. Shift+5 (Sets primary bar as bar 5, my stealth attacks), go into stealth, use arrow keys to charge the mob while continuing to hit 1 or 2 on the keyboard (Depending which attack is up). With that, I can normally get the first blow. Then I use Numbing Strike line the root the mob, pull back, Double Shot (Line), Makeshift Weapon line, move in, stun, jump behind, Cripple line, if I still have time Shrouded Blade line and finish it off with my fastest recast stealth if I can manage before being popped from stealth. Normally this will drop a green mob for me and sometimes blue, depending on the mobs class. If it takes a few more seconds I use my Quick Strike line Macro (Quick Strike with Bounty cast as well), and finish with whatever I need to kill the mob. The blue combo I mentioned with the Macro also helps in the long run for grinding coin.

11-10-2006, 05:56 PM	#5
steelbadger Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 816	An interesting little quirk to remember when soloing is that it is possible to actually get behind a mob even when it is not stunned.Just run around the mob in very close circles spamming your Crippling Strike skill and it will eventually go off. And you get a few laughs from passers-by.I like to range pull to begin with.Neck Shot/Spitting AspAssailing Blast while they run towards meContrived Weapon(I use a weapon with a fear proc in my off hand, this will very often proc on the mob after this many hits, if it does then use Neckshot/Spitting asp, depending on which one I didn't use, or just keep auto bow attacking if I have adamantine arrows equiped)Malignant MarkEnmeshConcealmentCheap ShotCrippling StrikeKilling Blade/Eviscerate/Jugular (dependant on mob)Usually dead by now, if not...Freezing Strikestep back Auto range attack (adamantine again, so 1500dmg per hit)Then just do the good ol' spam HO's.

11-13-2006, 03:24 AM	#7
Lariu General Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 148	Assassins are fun to solo with. But don't try to take on groups of stuff unless they're a lot weaker than you. Single mobs are reasonably easy to take down but the technique takes some getting used to.As for pulling, don't forget to use surveillance to single pull where it otherwise looks impossible.

11-16-2006, 06:16 AM	#8
Mr. Dawki General Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 789	your not gona be soloing anymore even with a shield and fabled gear the green heroics will eat my face off when before the expansion i never had the slightest problem with them