Dragon 394: Executioner - at last! Was it worth the wait?

[mattcolville]

It doesn't say it only works when the target is helpless. It says it is maximized if the target is helpless.

Effect: The target takes 1d10 extra damage from the triggering attack. If the target is helpless, this damage is maximized.

Ahh, I misread it. Good!

 

[Klaus]

It's worth reading the design commentary for the Executioner. Very insightful!

 

[BobTheNob]

It's worth reading the design commentary for the Executioner. Very insightful!

Indeed. Last night I read this article and then re-read the assassin and have to say...its brilliant.

I am so thoroughly impressed with this class. Its distinct (they definitely avoided it being a re-badged rogue"), its combat effective AND non-combat effective.

Its just another piece of essentials elegance.

I have to admit that my interest on pre-essentials 4e was beginning to to wane (indistinguishable classes, unnecessarily bloated option lists) but things like this are re-igniting my interest. Well done to the WOTC team on this one and essentials in general.

Cant wait to see it in the CB

 

[Stalker0]

EDIT: nvm I found teh actual class.

 

[Droogie128]

EDIT: nvm I found teh actual class.

Nevermind.

 

[LightPhoenix]

My one gripe was that they didn't mention Halflings in the intro text. They're freaking Dex/Cha, how can they not be mentioned? Murdering bastard halflings, come on!

 

[Walking Dad]

Other than dex primary and stealth, it's nothing like a rogue at all.

Martial striker using stealth and lighter weapons to kill unsuspecting targets...

I think the flavor of the Essassin is to similar to what I think as 'rogue'. I liked the 'gave a part of his soul to kill enemies with their own shadows' shtick of the original 4e one.

Ki-focus seems not so natural for the new fluff.

 

[Droogie128]

Martial striker using stealth and lighter weapons to kill unsuspecting targets...

I think the flavor of the Essassin is to similar to what I think as 'rogue'. I liked the 'gave a part of his soul to kill enemies with their own shadows' shtick of the original 4e one.

Ki-focus seems not so natural for the new fluff.

They don't need to use lighter weapons. They can function great using a bastard sword. Since the only requirement is a 1h weapon.

 

[Mengu]

Ki-focus seems not so natural for the new fluff.

I think it's more for the fact that their at-will powers use a plethora of weapons, and without Ki Focus, they would have to keep a lot of magic weapons around, which gets expensive. With Ki Focus, they can just use one regular primary magic weapon with a property they want (like vanguard), and the Ki Focus for everything else. Two weapons are a lot easier to maintain.

They don't need to use lighter weapons. They can function great using a bastard sword. Since the only requirement is a 1h weapon.

True, but the support for light blades seems much better (light blade expertise, surprising charge, deft blade, etc), and since rapier is now military, they are proficient with it out of the gate, no need to spend a feat.

 

[mach1.9pants]

As I said on rpgnet:

love it. I can make my 2nd ever PC again. Garush, half-orc fighter-assassin who looks like the guy on the city system box.

Martial until 10th level check
longsword and light shield check
no heavy armour-chain- but it is possible to fluff that!

I love all the fluff, quick draw would be my first feat... even with the ass'n feature swapping between longsword, dagger, garotte and shield... let alone poisons, is going to use up actions.

can't wait til it is in theCB

The coolest thing is (apart from a few attacks) I can use my sword, only using dagger/garotte when thematically (and tactically ) cool/appropriate