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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rel" data-source="post: 4959893" data-attributes="member: 99">Interesting thread.I haven't really examined the new Assassin class for 4e but I've certainly never had a problem with an assassin-type character as a concept for one of my games.  I think the reason is because the historically typical party of D&D characters are not exactly morally superior to the assassin in concept.I mean back in the day the adventure was frequently presented as, "Over in those caves live some orcs.  They probably have some treasure.  Go kill them and take their treasure."  In that context an Assassin, who might be able to sneak past nearly everybody in the place, kill only the guards to the "treasure room" and sneak back out with the loot, is morally superior to the typical band of PC's who kill every monster in the joint before waltzing back to town to spend the money (historically on ale and whores, right?).But let's add a slightly more heroic context.  Say the King says, "Those orcs over there have been killing the farmers in the valley.  They must be stopped!"  Now we're protecting (presumably) innocent lives so it's heroic, right?  But again let's say the assassin sneaks in, kills the Orc Chief and leaves a note pinned to his chest that says:To whom it may concern,I urge whoever takes leadership of the tribe to abandon the policy of attacking the farmers in the valley.  Failure to comply with this request will be grounds for their removal as well.Have a very pleasant rest of your day.Best regards,The King's Assassin.Should that be considered more morally repugnant than the party of adventurers killing every orc in the caves?  And if the party of adventurers are being paid to "dispose of the orcish threat" then are they any less assassins than the more surgical instrument of the actual "Assassin"?I don't mean this to sound like if you don't want Assassins in your game that you're "doing it wrong".  I only contend that most of the RPG playing I've ever done has fallen pretty firmly in the morally grey area.  In the context of "normal adventuring" the Assassin seems at no moral disadvantage to most normal parties of PC's and may even be somewhat superior.All of that said, I do think that an Assassin is unquestionably evil if he or she opts to put all moral consideration aside.  If offered a contract to go stab those nuns in the face then it's probably best if the PC declines, unless of course you are running the sort of campaign where nun face-stabbing is expected of the PC's.  At the very least don't brag about it in front of the Paladin.</blockquote>

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