UpurBloodstab wrote: Now, with myself, the Assassin of course, the averages were a bit more interesting. As I expected, I was able to keep my DPS much higher both the Swashbuckler and the Brigand even on fights without using the 5 minute recharge "extreme damage" skill. Without using this skill, I consistantly did anywhere from 75 up to 100 DPS per fight. When I did use Assassin's blade in a fight, which happened about every 4 fights, the extra 700-1300 damage boosted my DPS for that fight to anywhere from 100 to 150.
Basically, the idea that Assassin's do damage in spikes is a myth. They do consistant damage greater than or equal to that of the other scouts, or at least Brigand and Swashbucklers. However, they do have one (two, if your counting Assassinate) "spike-damage" abilities.
While Damage over Time is important to factor in overall balance, Damage per mob is relevant and practical to gauge. Your two "spike-damage" abilities raised your DPS up to 50 above the other fights. If that isn't a spike, I don't know what is...
What defines the spike is when you consider your sub-class counterpart - Ranger. Rogue sub-classes are balanced differently because they offer more utility to a group. Rangers are Assassin's direct mirror sub-class. Comparing what you just did is like comparing a Wizard's DPS to a Conjuror's.
Assassin's DPS is on a 5 minute cycle. Rangers DPS is on a 1 minute cycle. Assassin's need that spike damage to balance their Damage over Time. As a Ranger, I can use every damage CA every fight. In respect, Assassin's can use all their skills once every 4-5 mobs.
Of course the rest of your damage in the 5 minutes will outpace the uber damage Assassin's Blade ( ^ Condemning Blade), but the spike recieved from that skill balanced Damage over Time. Hence, said description.
Message Edited by Ravi on 12-28-2004 02:16 PM