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Message: <blockquote data-quote="trancejeremy" data-source="post: 2009701" data-attributes="member: 924">This is the first in a line of mini-books from Mongoose, "Power Classes", each of which introduce a new core class. This details the Assassin core class. By mini-book, I mean basically like the various mini-modules from AEG and FFG - an 8 page regular sized book folded in half so it's 16 small or half pages. It's priced at $2.95.This assassin is a more traditional 1st edition AD&D style assassin than previous efforts for 3E/d20. Unlike the prestige class in the DMG or the one from Green Ronin, this assassin does not use magic spells. It has the average base attack bonus (like the rogue or cleric - starting at +0 and +15 at 20th level), d6 for hit dice, and 4 skill points per level. Saves are like that for a Rogue - poor in Fort and Will, great for Reflexes. It gets a lot of abilities. Or rather, a few abilities, but ones focused rather narrowly on assassinating. I'm not sure I like how they did this. Seems like they made the class too narrow. At first level, they get the assassinate ability, which is more or less the Death Attack of the prestige class assassin. They also get a sneak attack of +1d6 (+2d6 when assassinating). Then at 2nd, they get poison use. Basically, all they get as they increase in levels is the sneak attack and poison use improving. They do get a couple of exotic weapon proficiencies, and "Meticulous Planning", but that's about it. So, you end up with a character that is essentially really really good at doing sneak attacks, and not that much else. Compared to the Rogue/Prestige Assassin combo, this assassin pales in both power and in flexibility. Compared to the original 1st edition AD&D assassin, it pales in power and flexibility. It does seem a bit better than the Green Ronin assassin (which doesn't even sneak attack well), but again, isn't as flexible.Besides the new character class, there's some new poisons, some new magic items and equipment (poison rings). Many new weapons, mostly for assassins (imagine that), but many have analogs or near items in the PHB (There's an Estoc, but it's really just like a rapier. A fancier garotte, a couple different daggers, and a blowgun. Nothing too exciting.)So, while this is a bit disappointing, given the low price, it's not terrible I'm really looking more for an assassin derived from the one in the DMG, only without magic. This isn't the worst I've seen, but I would have liked one with uncanny dodge ability, among other things.</blockquote>

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