Hello all.

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gibsonSG

Diabloii.Net Member
Hello all.

Hello--this is my first time in the assassin forum since....the pre 1.10 days. I was wondering how the class has been drastically changed since the patch, and what builds are now viable in this patch. I heard something about kick assassins being good now, but what about hybrids? Are any hybrid builds still viable (for overall PvM/PvP) in 1.10? Also, what types of items seem to be good for assassins--it seems they get the short end of the stick when it comes to runewords, but are any of the new unique claws worth using? I know there's a guide thread, but I'm asking more along the lines of...what's a build that overall works well in this patch.

Thanks
 
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Ismalia

Diabloii.Net Member
When my Clvl 72 Pali friend tosses me the Unique and Rare claws she picks up in Hell, I die several deaths because OMG THEY ARE SO GREAT. I refuse to use anything *but* claws on my Sin unless I'm retrieving my corpse.


I'm a first timer to Diablo, but my Sin is a Clvl 31, C/S atm until I get some decent resists going in my armor (NefLum is what I want), and I'm having a blast with this class. Phoenix Strike just freezes mobs left and right. It's delightful.
 
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Amortization

Diabloii.Net Member
I loke most assassing builds. Assassing seem like they arn't as common and less cuukie cutter ish with builds. Ya know what I mean? Anyway, my personal favorite for an assassin build is a Dtalon kikker. It is the fastest attack speed in the game and can really rule with some crushing blow. Great against bosses. You can also have traps with this build cause it only takes 20 pts into Dtalon which makes it good all around.
 
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gibsonSG

Diabloii.Net Member
...my question was more towards the "experts" in the forum. What types of hybrid builds are viable in 1.10? I don't think the claw/trap hybrids work as well, as each have their own synergies, which kinda stretches your points if you want good damage, but what are some effective hybrid builds that can help you in hell difficulty? I hear something about kicks getting better? But don't kicks do a lot of damage to few enemies? How would you kill a lot of enemies quickly? And PvP considerations for a hybrid?

Thanks.
 
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BIGeyedBUG

Diabloii.Net Member
gibsonSG said:
...my question was more towards the "experts" in the forum.
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Oh, well I'll answer anyway.

(First off, you might get a better response if your title had some relation to the question.)

The most common hybrid is Talon/LS/DS focused: http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=546 If you can get Chaos claws, WW / Trap builds are an option. And some TS/DTailers use the lightning traps as a fallback. There are other possibilities, but they're much more challenging.

As far as Assassin specific changes go, I'd sum up the major PvM ones like this:

- Lightning trappers are very powerful now.
- BF is a great skill at one point.
- Fade has a hidden 1% slvl PDR
- Venom isn't great, but is much better. It now can be used at the same time as BoS or Fade too.
- Targets blinded by CoS are still blind if they're damaged.
- Auras have been fixed so that Mind Blast conversion is much less dangerous.
- Both the MB and CM bugs have been fixed.
- Kicks are more powerful because boots now have damage, and they carry more effects. With the right gear, Talon kickers are probably the easiest martial artist to play.
- ...and two or three more that I've forgotten.

And this is all in the context of a much tougher environment in Hell and NM, especially for melee builds.

For a more complete rundown, I'd suggest starting to read the FAQ and guides.
 
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gibsonSG

Diabloii.Net Member
BIGeyedBUG said:
Oh, well I'll answer anyway.

(First off, you might get a better response if your title had some relation to the question.)

The most common hybrid is Talon/LS/DS focused: http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=546 If you can get Chaos claws, WW / Trap builds are an option. And some TS/DTailers use the lightning traps as a fallback. There are other possibilities, but they're much more challenging.

As far as Assassin specific changes go, I'd sum up the major PvM ones like this:

- Lightning trappers are very powerful now.
- BF is a great skill at one point.
- Fade has a hidden 1% slvl PDR
- Venom isn't great, but is much better. It now can be used at the same time as BoS or Fade too.
- Targets blinded by CoS are still blind if they're damaged.
- Auras have been fixed so that Mind Blast conversion is much less dangerous.
- Both the MB and CM bugs have been fixed.
- Kicks are more powerful because boots now have damage, and they carry more effects. With the right gear, Talon kickers are probably the easiest martial artist to play.
- ...and two or three more that I've forgotten.

And this is all in the context of a much tougher environment in Hell and NM, especially for melee builds.

For a more complete rundown, I'd suggest starting to read the FAQ and guides.
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Thanks for the feedback--sorry 'bout the title. I haven't been in this forum in a while. I think I used to post here under a different name when that guy "maxus" was around. I'll check some of the guides and whatnot, but I still like the hybrid concept--the assassins are such a unique class in that the weapon they use is pretty cool in itself, and they can block without a shield! So yeah, this post is still open to more suggestions from other "pros" around here if they'd care to post.
 
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ilkori

Diabloii.Net Member
Some hybrids that have been used well (first two are best).
Dragon Talon/Traps
Whirlwind/Traps (Whirlwind from Chaos runeword in claws)
Dragon Claw/Traps
Dragon Tail/Traps

Like you mentioned, Pheonix Strike builds don't make the best hybrids because of the synergy competition. The hybrids typically take better equipment to use well, but have the potential for being even stronger than the "standard" builds.

From what I've seen/heard, these are the best builds (almost all include 1+ Death Sentry):
Dragon Talon ("pure" or hybrid)
Trapsin (Lightning > Fire, both work)
Furysin (see Ristev's guide)
Whirlwind (mostly PvP, but work PvM also)
Phoenix Strike
TS/Dragon Tail
 
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Ismalia

Diabloii.Net Member
Now that I'm able to use the claws given to me by a very high leveled Pali I'm working the Dragon Claw/Death Sentry combo. Death Sentry to weaken, Dragon Claw charged by Phoenix Strike third charge to finish off.

All I need is NefLum in three levels in my armor to really be holding on tight.

Claws with +Assassin skills are splendid. Fade (when needed) maxes out my resists and BoS is just a godsend.

I'm very much a melee type but Chaos Sanc as a melee Sin is a very difficult feat. Between DS and Phoenix Strike's third charge, it's possible. Mob freezing fun!
 
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BIGeyedBUG

Diabloii.Net Member
Ismalia said:
I'm very much a melee type but Chaos Sanc as a melee Sin is a very difficult feat. Between DS and Phoenix Strike's third charge, it's possible. Mob freezing fun!
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One point in Blade Fury can help a lot. Fun too.
 
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gibsonSG

Diabloii.Net Member
Any hybrids where claw mastery should be maxed as well as a trap and its synergy? I was wondering about the viability of a dual claw trap using hybrid assassin. I think that's what I used to use pre-1.10 but I don't know of the viability of this build, as you can make traps stronger with synergies, thus taking points from use in the martial arts tree. I assume this would be part of the dragon claw/traps build? Anyone have a guide for that?

Thanks
 
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Ismalia

Diabloii.Net Member
BIGeyedBUG said:
One point in Blade Fury can help a lot. Fun too.
Click to expand...

Gotta get another level. Then it's mine!

Death Sentry, run like hell, claw finishing move got me to Four Seals. Then I got cornered at the fourth with the Venom Lords (easily taken out with one hit) but they all whomped me at once and I was D-E-A-D dead before I could even get a tp open.



Gibson, ANY time you dual claw, you should max out or at least dump points into Claw Mastery. IMO. I'm a killing machine with a mere 5 points with a +1 assassin skills in Shadow Disciplines. And two Rare Blade Talons.
 
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gibsonSG

Diabloii.Net Member
Ismalia said:
Gotta get another level. Then it's mine!

Death Sentry, run like hell, claw finishing move got me to Four Seals. Then I got cornered at the fourth with the Venom Lords (easily taken out with one hit) but they all whomped me at once and I was D-E-A-D dead before I could even get a tp open.



Gibson, ANY time you dual claw, you should max out or at least dump points into Claw Mastery. IMO. I'm a killing machine with a mere 5 points with a +1 assassin skills in Shadow Disciplines. And two Rare Blade Talons.
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...any (hybrid) builds where you max claw mastery and use 2 claws that I can find a guide for that are effective in hell difficulty?
 
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Ismalia

Diabloii.Net Member
gibsonSG said:
...any (hybrid) builds where you max claw mastery and use 2 claws that I can find a guide for that are effective in hell difficulty?
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Honestly, I don't follow builds. I like to go with the flow and work with what I have and enjoy the surprises, frustrations, and accomplishments. I'm still in normal, but I *do* know any dual claw Sin is best with some points in Claw Mastery.

Since I'm a melee type, I sunk major points into my Martial Arts tree, followed by my Shadow Disciplines tree for the bonuses (BoS, Fade, Claw Mastery), then when I realized I needed some Duck and Run methods, I then researched what traps are effective.

In essence, my Sin is a Dragon Claw/Lightening trapper hybrid now. If I hadn't gotten a major unison whomping at that fourth seal, Diablo would have been owned by now. Those evil knights with Iron Maiden only take two hits to take down, but I let my traps handle those evil meanies.
 
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gibsonSG

Diabloii.Net Member
Ismalia said:
Honestly, I don't follow builds. I like to go with the flow and work with what I have and enjoy the surprises, frustrations, and accomplishments. I'm still in normal, but I *do* know any dual claw Sin is best with some points in Claw Mastery.

Since I'm a melee type, I sunk major points into my Martial Arts tree, followed by my Shadow Disciplines tree for the bonuses (BoS, Fade, Claw Mastery), then when I realized I needed some Duck and Run methods, I then researched what traps are effective.

In essence, my Sin is a Dragon Claw/Lightening trapper hybrid now. If I hadn't gotten a major unison whomping at that fourth seal, Diablo would have been owned by now. Those evil knights with Iron Maiden only take two hits to take down, but I let my traps handle those evil meanies.
Click to expand...
...is there a guide for this dragon claw/lightening trapper hybrid build? If not, can you post what skills/stats/items you used?
 
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Ismalia

Diabloii.Net Member
gibsonSG said:
...is there a guide for this dragon claw/lightening trapper hybrid build? If not, can you post what skills/stats/items you used?
Click to expand...

Most likely, in the sticky titled "Assassin Builds/Guides".


I don't necessarily even pay attention to items. If it's better than my last, hell yeah, I'm using it. All body gear (head gear, feet, gauntlets/gloves, amulets, rings) have resist stats in them. I've got a nice claw that has +1 Shadow Disciplines.

I sunk many points into my Martial Arts tree and 5 so far into my Claw Mastery as I'm wielding dual claws. BoS is a given. Fade is a given at times. I'm just messing with my traps right now. I'm giving Blade Fury a shot next. She's morphing into different hybrids with each run I make as I want to see what each skill does and is best for my playing style. I can take out an Oblivion Knight right now in two hits of Dragon Claw if I don't have the Iron Maiden curse on me. Then I can take myself out in one hit! :lol: That's where the traps come in, otherwise I'd be living in Phoenix Strike/Dragon Claw Heaven. I love freezing mobs and making them *pop*!
 
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