User:Valion Sentis/sin help

O.K., so I'm basically good at assassins, so I've got some tips for people who just don't seem to get them. First, it's critical to build a good skill bar.

Defensive skills
These are crucial to survival, and here are the best ones to use on an assassin:
 * Critical Defenses- probably the best defensive skill for assassins, aside from shadow form. You block basically every attack that wants to hit you.
 * Shadow Sanctuary- good recuperation skill, for high regen and damage reduction. Don't use while fighting, though, because it blinds you for a few seconds.
 * Death's Retreat- good for getting out of overwhelming situations. It's best to jump back to the monk, so they can heal you right away, not to mention the extra healing from the skill.
 * Assassin's Remedy- good for getting rid of those nasty conditions and relieving pressure, especially if you use a build centered around critical hits.

Attack enhancing skills
These help you hit harder, faster, and even guarantee a hit. It's a good idea to use one or two of these.
 * Critical Agility- this increases attack speed, gives armor, and renews itself. One of the best enchantments for a critical- heavy assassin. A must have if you own Nightfall.
 * Critical Eye- basically essential, as it increases your damage output and can renew certain enchantments, and energy management. All around A+ skill.
 * Way of the Assassin- increases damage output by a great amount, but again, you need Nightfall.
 * Way of the Fox- guarantees hits for basically one attack chain. Watch out for high recharge time though, be sure to cast right before engaging.

Attack skills
Basically, the effects of your attacks are determined by their prefix and suffix. Here is the list of prefixes, and what they mean for your attack skills.
 * Black- requires a hex to be on your target, or has a bonus when your target is hexed.
 * Golden- requires you to be enchanted, or has a bonus when you are enchanted.
 * Wild- removes your target's stance (this is not just for assassins, but in general, but I thought I'd put it here anyways).
 * Falling- requires that your foe be knocked down, and has a special bonus.

Here is a list of suffixes and what they mean.
 * Fang- causes a deep wound if the prefix requirements are met.
 * Fox- this attack cannot be blocked if the prefix requirements are met.
 * Lotus- gives you energy is the prefix requirements are met.
 * Ox- causes a knockdown, only some have requirements.
 * Spider- causes poison if the prefix requirements are met.
 * Mantis- causes crippling if the prefix requirements are met.

Using this information, make sure to design your attack chain around the requirements and effects of your attack skills. For example, if you use a skill with the prefix black, make sure you carry a hex, and you should carry a couple other black skills. If you have a skill with the falling prefix, make sure to take an ox suffixed skill.

Here are some skill bar suggestions:

As you can see, this takes advantage of your enchantments and synchronizes them with the "Golden" attacks for beneficial extras. Use skills 1-3 as your primary chain, and follow up with 4 for energy gain. Make sure to pre- cast your enchantments and critical eye. Use DR to back out of overwhelming situations.

This build takes advantage of the black skill group. It uses the hex MoI to hex the foe, uses skills 1-3, and knocks the target down. WotA is used for extra damage, along with critical eye. Critical defenses is the main defensive skill, so it should be cast before going into battle. The last space is a free choice.

The second important component to being successful is your armor. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your equipment.
 * Tip 1- Always have the best armor available. Every time there is better armor to be bought, get it. You're going to be on the front lines almost all the time, so it is important to have a good foundation.
 * Tip 2- Use the right insignias. Survivor or radiant insignias are your best choice, with maybe one Nightstalker's insignia.
 * Tip 3- Use beneficial runes. Don't use unnecessary runes that don't benefit the attributes you use. On another note, it is best to stay away from superior insignias, as they deduct 75 HP.
 * Tip 4- Buy a vigor rune. It's a very good idea to buy a vigor rune, of any level. This will help you be able to take more damage without dying.

Weapon modifications and sync with skills is important. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your weapons.
 * Tip 1- Use good mods. Fortitude, zealous, and enchanting mods are your best choice.
 * Tip 2- Use the best inscriptions. Guided by fate, strength and honor, too much information, and I have the power incriptions are best for an assassin.
 * Tip 3- use the right requirement. Try to find a required 9 or 10 dagger, as req 11- 13 won't be much use unless you get high runes, which will reduce your health.

Second professions
Here are some skill suggestions for each second profession option.
 * Warrior
 * Flurry- increase your attack speed, but at the cost of some damage.
 * "Save Yourselves!"- great party support.


 * Ranger
 * Troll Unguent- some extra regeneration for during or after battle
 * Antidote Signet- condition removal


 * Monk
 * Restful Breeze- most likely the best recuperation skill you could choose
 * Purge Conditions, Mending Touch- Condition removal
 * Judge's Insight- causes you to deal holy damage, which no enemy has armor against.


 * Necromancer
 * Barbs- extra melee spike
 * Mark of Pain- good spread of damage from your melee attacks


 * Mesmer
 * Illusionary Weaponry- a very unconventional skill, but can help in some situations
 * Lyssa's Aura- good energy management when using deadly arts skills


 * Elementalist
 * Conjure Flame, Conjure Frost, Conjure Lightning- extra damage when using elemental daggers.
 * Stoneflesh Aura- good for damage reduction


 * Ritualist
 * Sight Beyond Sight- guarantee for hits even when blinded
 * Splinter Weapon- AoE damage


 * Paragon
 * Remedy Signet- condition removal


 * Dervish
 * Mystic Regeneration- good defensive and recuperation skill
 * Armor of Sanctity- damage reduction if you inflict a condition

That concludes this mini- guide. To sum it up, make sure to include:
 * 1 or 2 defensive skills
 * 1 or 2 attack enhancements
 * 3 or 4 attack skills
 * sync your attack skills and attributes
 * use the right runes and insignias
 * use the best mods and inscriptions