Dragon 379: Assassin Heroic Tier

[Majoru Oakheart]

What you're really asking for is a complete PHB, not a class!
So how about being happy you actually already got a lot more than merely a new class?

No, I'm asking for the ability to use the class in a game. If you can't USE the class, it might as well not be released. If someone said, "Here's a brand new type of screwdriver. It works great, you'll love it!" Then, after you bought it, you found out that it only fit special screws that weren't available anywhere except from the company who made the screwdriver, and they were due to be released in 4-6 months, you'd say the screwdriver was useless until then.

If the PHB didn't contain any equipment section or magic item section and they said "Here's 4th edition. It had 8 complete classes!" (even though it is TECHNICALLY true) people would complain that the game wasn't complete because you can't actually use it. Especially if they got a response from WOTC like "Don't worry, all the info you need to play it will come out in around 6 months".

Besides, the class ISN'T complete. A class isn't complete unless I can go through the character creation process from beginning to end without running into a situation where I can't continue. In the case of the assassin, my character creation stops precisely when I look at my powers, see I can use implements, decide to pick a Ki Focus and can't find them. I can't write down the attack bonus or damage for any of my implement based powers. That's not complete.

I'd like to repeat that I have NO problem with them holding back 80% of the Ki Focuses and only providing the bare minimum to play the class. I don't even have so much of a problem with their being no multiclass feat(as you can play the class without it), hybrid info isn't even out until PHB3, so I certainly don't expect them to include that. The ONLY thing actually missing from this article is Ki Focus items.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

Well, implement-wise they can use any weapon as an implement.

Unless you decide to take the Shadowblade PP. In which case, you want to use your summoned shadowblade as your weapon. Only, it can't get any enhancement bonus unless you have a Ki Focus. And without enhancement bonuses at higher levels, you might as well not pick up a dice to attack.

 

[Nightson]

Use existing weapon and implement enchants.

Tada, problem solved, although I'm sure there are people who will still insist it's a problem.

 

[Shazman]

No, I'm asking for the ability to use the class in a game. If you can't USE the class, it might as well not be released. If someone said, "Here's a brand new type of screwdriver. It works great, you'll love it!" Then, after you bought it, you found out that it only fit special screws that weren't available anywhere except from the company who made the screwdriver, and they were due to be released in 4-6 months, you'd say the screwdriver was useless until then.

If the PHB didn't contain any equipment section or magic item section and they said "Here's 4th edition. It had 8 complete classes!" (even though it is TECHNICALLY true) people would complain that the game wasn't complete because you can't actually use it. Especially if they got a response from WOTC like "Don't worry, all the info you need to play it will come out in around 6 months".

Besides, the class ISN'T complete. A class isn't complete unless I can go through the character creation process from beginning to end without running into a situation where I can't continue. In the case of the assassin, my character creation stops precisely when I look at my powers, see I can use implements, decide to pick a Ki Focus and can't find them. I can't write down the attack bonus or damage for any of my implement based powers. That's not complete.

I'd like to repeat that I have NO problem with them holding back 80% of the Ki Focuses and only providing the bare minimum to play the class. I don't even have so much of a problem with their being no multiclass feat(as you can play the class without it), hybrid info isn't even out until PHB3, so I certainly don't expect them to include that. The ONLY thing actually missing from this article is Ki Focus items.

The lack of ki focus is pretty minor, since you can use a weapon's enhancement bonus with your powers, though a shadowblade still loses out. You can use the class without them. The lack of a multi-classing feat is huge, becuase the character creation process comes to a grinding halt when you cannot make the tiefling fighter/assassin you envisioned because you have no assassin MC feat.

 

[Rechan]

So 1/4th of the Paragon Paths of the class are not usable at this time.

Not a big deal.

The lack of the MC feat means, though, that all the information is available only for full-blown assassins. There's no way to "dabble" with the class, or use it for an existing character.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

Even without a listing of Ki Focuses, I think we can assume the existence of a generic "magic" Ki Focus that gives an enhancement bonus, +1d6 crit and nothing else and is a level 1/6/11+ item. Shadowblade is usable.

 

[Arcas_Shan]

But let's be honest. Compared to others the generic +X enchantment is crap. And sure, as a hack we are allowed to use all the weapon enchantments that go on "any" weapon, but we can't make builds around a certain damage type.

And I'm a bit worried about the character builder (...Yes, it has made me lazy, since it exists I haven't made a character with P&P again. I know, I suck...). What will we get as ki foci on October 6th? Will we get a shadowblade in our inventory if we take the PP? Will we get two if we want to dual-wield them? We'll see....

 

[ScorpiusRisk]

I player rolled one of these for my campaign last Saturday. 8th Level. I was disappointed.

I think this is going to be a class that you have to play in a very specific way, and be very on top of things, in order to be effective. He was VERY squishy. There's an avenger in my party and they ended up working as a duo for a bit and the assassin seemed very underwhelming.

The player is going to stick with it for now and we'll see if he can get into the swing of things. In the mean time, here's hoping he survives the current adventure. There's 4 waves of invaders left to go.

 

[SkidAce]

Use existing weapon and implement enchants.

Tada, problem solved, although I'm sure there are people who will still insist it's a problem.

That's what I tried to say earlier to no avail. It says in the article you can enchant the ki focus and its not a physical object. So if you want a +2 flaming ki focus...do the rituals.

So what are the people saying "there are no ki focus items" looking for? They are not items.

 

[Undrhil]

Actually, unless someone has posted something stating otherwise, the Assassin won't be in the Character Builder until November 3, since that's when the September Dragon magazine info will be added to the builder and the compendium. Sad, I know. I wish it wasn't so, but that's the way it is.

But that will not stop you from making a fully playable Assassin character before hand the old-fashioned way (pencil and paper!)

My Kenku Assassin appreciates the old-timey feel of the pencil and paper route.