If you attempt to create an assassin who is well-rounded in all of these areas, however, you will likely find the higher skill levels (nightmare and hell) quite difficult.Īn assassin character should be focused in one of the three main skill types-martial arts, shadow disciplines, and traps-and should then be semi-proficient in one of the other two. The assassin's wide range of abilities allow her to become almost anything she likes, from a raging melee fighter defended by spinning blades to a more standoffish spell caster to a hit-and-run poisoner. TIP: Although a dual-weapon assassin may learn a skill that allows her to block, this skill's benefits are easily attained by a decent blocking shield.A player who runs more risks to become a slaying machine will likely opt for a pair of claw-based weapons. A player who is tired of dying or who is playing hardcore will likely wish to emphasize defense and will therefore tend to use shields. The choice should be based on your style of play. Trapping can often be done from a safe vantage point, allowing for the peaceful quaffing of a mana potion, while martial arts assassins need mana in the thick of a fight-thus, it is especially important for these hand-to-hand masters to have plenty of available energy.Īssassins may choose to wield a weapon and a shield or two weapons-almost always, two claw-class weapons. None of her skills take tremendous amounts of mana, and quite a few skills generate effects that last a long time for example, burst of speed lasts for a couple of minutes, and shadow warriors stay alive until they are slain.Īn assassin character specializing in traps and martial arts will want to put more points into the energy attribute than one who relies on stealth or summoning. Thanks to her nimbleness, stealth skill, and traps, the assassin does not need to focus on defense to the extent that paladins and barbarians must.

7 Fighting Enchanted Monsters and Bosses.

Diablo 2 pvm assassin build