Assassin

Difficulty Rating: Hard (4/5)

The Assassin class is a mobile class with decent burst damage but is fragile. It excels by moving into stealth, becoming untargetable and hard to see.

Only the Jin race can be assassins. While the Assassins' weapon item is a dagger, their abilities also use a multitude of explosives, traps, and various ninja tools. They are excellent at escapes and at surprise attacks, particularly in world PvP.

Stances

Assassins have two "stances", called Decoy Stance and Stealth Stance. These "stances" simply reflect whether the assassin is in stealth or not. Certain abilities can only be used in one stance or the other but the majority of the assassin's more devastating abilities will be stealth based.

Stealth

There are a number of ways to get into stealth, each of which is situational. For example, Shadow Dash lets the Assassin into stealth only if they are facing the enemy's back. Any damage done to the assassin while in stealth will switch their stance back to Decoy. As such, while in stealth stance, the assassin's dodge chance will be increased by 50% but will still be hit by area of effect and homing skills ie: pentaslash, lotus fury, etc. In addition to the increased evasion, the assassin enjoys increased movement speed and can be surprisingly difficult to anticipate as a result.

Stealth stance can be exited by waiting for it to time-out (it lasts 6 seconds) or by using an ability that switches back to Decoy Stance. A frequently used option to exit stealth stance early is to use Shadow Kick since it doesn't require a target and doesn't move the assassin.

While in stealth, the assassin is not completely invisible and instead produces a slight shimmer which is especially visible in medium range (< 8 m). However, as previously mentioned, the increased evasion make it difficult to connect with most skills and could lead to being ambushed again if swinging blindly.

Resource Mechanic

Chi points are represented by blue orbs.

Assassin abilities use "Focus" much like every other class in Blade & Soul. Different abilities add or subtract different quantities of focus, for a maximum of 10. Assassin's focus is generally not an issue in PvE but must be carefully managed in PvP due to the normalization of equipment. Shadow Dash and Blink Step are the primary ways to regain focus but are often followed up with high focus cost abilities. As such, most new assassin players find themselves having their combos cut short or at the wrong time and get punished severely as a result. Some talent tree options reduce focus costs and must be taken into consideration when choosing skills for PvP. While moon slash (3rd hit combo of Mist Slash) returns 2 focus, it's important to note that spamming LMB in PvP is a surefire way to minimize dps and opens assassin up for a counter attack. LMB Mist Slash is often exclusively used as part of the animation cancelling combo rather than being spammed.

Notable Focus Regain Skills

Skills that require positioning and or has long cooldowns provide more focus whereas those that have little to no cooldown provide significantly less.

Shadow Dash
Blink Step
Decoy
Straw Doll
Shadow Dance/Sidestep Left - on resist only
Throwing Dagger
Smoke Screen (F2)
Lotus of Escape (F1)
Shadow Kick
Shadow Slip
Shadow Drain (Cyclone Sweep F3 T2) - Not recommended for most arena PvP match ups since better players are able to knock you out of stealth consistently.

Notable High Focus Cost Skills

These are generally the heavier damage skills or higher utility. It's important to mix focus gain abilities in between usage of the following abilities.

Choke Bomb and Plague Mist (Poison Breath F3 + F4 T3) - 3 Focus
Flash Kick (not an issue in PvP due to Web usage) - 3 Focus
Landmine - 3 Focus; Set Landmine F4 T3 - 4 Focus.
Lotus Fury - 3 Focus
Spinal Tap (untalented) - 3 Focus
Pull Highwire - 3 Focus
Lightning Rend (untalented) - 3 Focus
Thunderstruck - 3 focus

Poison

The assassins are masters of applying poison that has a few effects such as damage over time, snares, and most importantly skill interaction. The assassin's poison can stack up to five times and is shared as a debuff between assassins in the party. It's important when there's more than one assassin in the party to observe carefully that the stacks are maintained or isn't being wasted by adding to the stack capacity.

Poison Inflicting Skills

While the most straightforward way to inflict poison is with 4 (Poison Breath and variants), it's important to be aware of all the skills that inflict poison

Poison Breath (and variants)
Venom Pierce (Heart Stab F1 T3+) - on decoy counter within 0.5 sec
Throwing Dagger
Acrid Star - triggers on resist; virtually safe to use whenever available
Spinal Tap - on stun only
Thunderstruck
Shadow Slash (F3 T5) - on knockdown
Venom Slash (Shadow Slash F4 T5)

Notable Poison Interactions

The poison debuff is especially important in PvP due to the interaction with several key skills. Listed are skills that change in function, rather than just increased damage ie: Lightning Rend (F3 T2)

Heart Stab (F1 T2+): Allows animation cancelling on targets with 5 stacks of poison
Landmine (F1 T2+): Dazes poisoned enemies for 3 seconds
Hook Kick: Switches the assassin to stealth stance upon hitting a poisoned target
Lotus of Poison (Lotus of Escape F3 T4) - Pulls and dazes poisoned enemies in an 8m radius towards the center, then disables Offense and Defense skills for 6 seconds.
Stomp - Spreads poison to nearby enemies (limited use in 1v1 arena PvP)
Shadow Drain (Cyclone Sweep F3 T2) - Extends stealth by 6 seconds on hitting poisoned enemies
Lightning Stride (Special Mention) - Devastating damage when used at 5 stacks. May be a useful finisher when an opponent is around 10 % (4.5k) HP and is often unexpected can take many opponents by surprise

Playstyle

	PvP	PvE
Mobility	Mobility: 5/5 As mentioned in the class summary, the assassin excels at escapes and surprise attacks. The core strength being hit and run tactics and generally lying in wait in stealth, where the increased. In-depth knowledge of the game's mechanics, intimate knowledge of the assassin class's capabilities as well as the other classes are mandatory to do well as an assassin. Each attack must be with measured cunning and counter-attacks anticipated since being caught without Stealth (Tab escape) can often mean death even from full health. The increased mobility while in stealth isn't just limited to the movement speed. It also allows the assassin to teleport directly to their opponent in one of two ways: Shadowless Step which is more straightforward, and Throwing dagger, which then activates Sneak Attack.	Mobility: 5/5 Not much changes in PvE in terms of mobility except perhaps the fact that assassins are able to be permanently in stealth through a combination of skills that refreshes cooldowns and takes advantage of npc AI.
Damage	Damage: 3/5 The damage burst is around the middle tier, since it's not particularly as devastating as a blade dancer but it's also not particularly as lacklustre as a blade master's. Instead of burst damage, the assassin can chain long combos that can be devastating but are very dangerous to execute since they need to be planned for and have the gaps minimized to avoid a counter-attack.
Durability	Durability: 2/5 The assassin is very fragile and has less health pool than the other melee classes. This is especially an issue when facing against opponents that are able to stunlock the assassin or otherwise hit with impunity from a distance. However, the escape and counter-play abilities available should mitigate most, if not all of this weakness.
Defense	Defense: 3/5 The defensive options available to the assassin require precise timing and are often easily punished when executed incorrectly. This is especially true against spinning aoe classes that can knock the assassin right out of stealth with a simple spin. The defensive options are also inferior in comparison to the kung fu masters and blademasters. Shadow Dance provides a short iframe, while Lotus Fury provides a longer invulnerability duration. The ultimate defence of an assassin however is being in stealth stance where they can pick and choose their engagements.
Escape	Escape: 4/5 The escape capabilities of an assassin is often the primary complaint of those who has to face such a shadowy opponent. While Lotus of Escape (V) and Stealth (Tab) are the default escape mechanics, the other skills can be used in ways to facilitate a retreat to the shadows. Landmine, Icemine, Lightning stride, Choke bomb, are some of the few offensive skills that can be used defensively to buy the assassin time and a chance to turn the tides.
Stunlock	Stunlock: 3/5 While crowd control options are many, improper usage can lead to a quick counter and ultimately quite sudden death. Web allows the assassin to have ample time to set up additional ambushes but must be executed properly for optimal effect. Other classes can stunlock with less effort and often less cooldown issues. It's very important for an assassin to keep track of their cc cooldowns due to the lengthy nature of some of them (ideally by instinct alone rather than indicators).

Overall, the assassin can't stunlock as well as a kung fu master or a blade dancer; aren't as durable as a destroyer, kung fu master, and blade master; doesn't have as good a stealth as summoners (in the current patch); nor does it have devastating damage like the blade dancer or summoner. However, what it lacks is compensated for by the mobility and freedom to engage when the advantage is at its peak. Playing overly aggressive can be easily punished by more savvy players especially if the assassin is prone to panicking and hitting tab at the first sign of trouble. Careful observation with knowledge of the opponent's available skills are key to victory.

PvE

Damage: 5/5

Due to the non-responsive nature of most enemy monsters

Durability: 2/5

The assassin is very fragile and has less health pool than the other melee classes. This is especially an issue when facing against opponents that are able to stunlock the assassin or otherwise hit with impunity from a distance. However, the escape and counter-play abilities available should mitigate most, if not all of this weakness.

Defense: 3/5

The defensive options available to the assassin require precise timing and are often easily punished when executed incorrectly. This is especially true against spinning aoe classes that can knock the assassin right out of stealth with a simple spin. The defensive options are also inferior in comparison to the kung fu masters and blademasters. Shadow Dance provides a short iframe, while Lotus Fury provides a longer invulnerability duration. The ultimate defence of an assassin however is being in stealth stance where they can pick and choose their engagements.

Escape: 4/5

The escape capabilities of an assassin is often the primary complaint of those who has to face such a shadowy opponent. While Lotus of Escape (V) and Stealth (Tab) are the default escape mechanics, the other skills can be used in ways to facilitate a retreat to the shadows. Landmine, Icemine, Lightning stride, Choke bomb, are some of the few offensive skills that can be used defensively to buy the assassin time and a chance to turn the tides.

Stunlock: 3/5

While crowd control options are many, improper usage can lead to a quick counter and ultimately quite sudden death. Web allows the assassin to have ample time to set up additional ambushes but must be executed properly for optimal effect. Other classes can stunlock with less effort and often less cooldown issues. It's very important for an assassin to keep track of their cc cooldowns due to the lengthy nature of some of them (ideally by instinct alone rather than indicators).

Overall, the assassin can't stunlock as well as a kung fu master or a blade dancer; aren't as durable as a destroyer, kung fu master, and blade master; doesn't have as good a stealth as summoners (in the current patch); nor does it have devastating damage like the blade dancer or summoner. However, what it lacks is compensated for by the mobility and freedom to engage when the advantage is at its peak. Playing overly aggressive can be easily punished by more savvy players especially if the assassin is prone to panicking and hitting tab at the first sign of trouble. Careful observation with knowledge of the opponent's available skills are key to victory.

Skills

Numbers and effects should be up to date as of November 12, 2013^[1]. Skill names are not translated. This is a work in progress, with the data being updated and pages being made for each ability.

↑ http://forum.mmosite.com/thread/2/316/20131112/Assassin_Skill_Translation_All_Done_Skill_Build_Included-5282588b525e2f113-1.html

Level	Name	Hotkey	Focus	Range	Cast Time	Cooldown	Base Damage	Description	Prerequisite	Stance Change
1	Mist Slash	LMB	+1	3m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Slashes single target.	Decoy Stance	No
1	Dew Slash	LMB	+1	3m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Slashes target again.	After Mist Slash	No
1	Moon Slash	LMB	+2	3m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Slashes single target. Recover 1 chi orb for first 2 hits and 2 chi orbs for 3rd hit	After Dew Slash
1	Stomp	F	0?	3m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Step on a target. Recover 2 energy orbs. Doesn't break stealth.	Knocked down enemy
1	Landmine	Z	-3	3m Target	Instant	18s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage and knocks down the enemy for 3 seconds. Does not break stealth. Has to be manually detonated with Z after setting it.
1	Shadow Dash	1	0	5~16m Target	Instant	9s	?-?	Skill Description: Closes gap to enemy and recovers 1 Chi. After successfully hitting the enemy's back, enters stealth for 6 seconds. After entering stealth, 4 extra Chi is recovered, and the cooldown of Hook Kick is lowered by 3s.
1	Spinal Tap	LB	-3	3m Target	Instant	9s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage and stuns the target for 2 seconds. Upon successful stun, applies 1 stack of poison. Decreases the cooldown of Shadow Drain by 6s. Breaks stealth.	Stealth
1	Heart Stab	RB	3	3m Target	~1s/Instant in stealth	0s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage. 1 second cast time while out of stealth mode. Cast instantly while in stealth mode.
1	Decoy	2	0 or +3	0m Self	1.5s	8s	0-0	Skill Description: Counters for 1.5 seconds. If hit while countering, teleport behind opponent, enter stealth, recover 3 Chi, and decrease the cooldown of Hook Kick by 6s.
6	Shadow Slash	3	-1	3m Target	Instant	45s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage
6	Shuriken	X	0?	16m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Ranged attack that deals damage and recovers 1 Chi.
6	Flash Kick	Tab	3	3m Target/3m AOE	~0.5s	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage and ignores defense.	Enemy knocked over or grappled.
6	Cyclone Sweep	1	3	3m Target	Instant	45s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage and renders target unconscious for 30s or until they take non-periodic damage again. Breaks stealth.	Stealth
6	Dark Strike	F	2	3m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage; against a stunned, dazed, grabbed, or phantom gripped enemy, deals bonus damage.	After a critical hit from Heart Stab and cannot be in stealth.
6	Lightning Crash	F	0	3m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage and recovers 1 Chi.	After a successful hit from Heart Stab and still in stealth. (Requires at least one skill point in Heart Stab so that it doesn't break stealth when used.)
6	Poison Breath	4	1	8m Cone	Instant	45s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage and applies 1 stack of Toxin, twice.	Cannot be in stealth.
6	Backstep	S+S	0	8m Slef	Instant	8s	?-?	Skill Description: Travel backwards by 8m. Resists damage and status effects.
6	Shadow Dance	Q+Q	0	3m Target	0.2s	8s	?-?	Skill Description: Moves assassin behind target. While casting, gain resistance to damage and status effects. After resisting, enter stealth for 6s and recover 4 Chi.
6	Shadow Kick	Tab	0	3m 2 Target AOE	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage, recovers 2 Chi, and breaks stealth.
6	Shadowslip	F	0	16m Target	Instant	9s	?-?	Skill Description: Moves assassin behind the target, deals damage, and increases evasion rate by 100%.	After casting Backstep or Stealth.
6	Flash of Leaves	F	0	8m Target	Instant	18s	?-?	Skill Description: Moves assassin behind target, deals damage, and puts the enemy into a groggy state for 3 seconds.	After casting Falling Leaves.
6	Guard Break	RB	0	3m Target	Instant	9s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage, pushes the target ~8m away, stuns for 2s, and prevents the enemy from using defense skills for the next 6 seconds.	Enemy must be blocking or casting a counter.
6	Turning Leaf	Tab	0	5-16m Target	Instant	18s	?-?	Skill Description: Switches positions with target. Target is always places with its back away from the assassin. Pierces parry. If unable to swap places, teleports the assassin behind the target.	Cannot be in stealth.
6	Straw Doll	2	0	0m Target	Instant	12s	?-?	Skill Description: While Knocked down, counters for 0.8s. On a successful counter, moves the assassin behind the enemy, stuns for 2s, resists knock down, groggy (dazed), stun, and knock back for 1s, enters stealth for 6s, and recovers 4 focus.	Cannot be in stealth and must be knocked down.
6	Shuriken Flurry	1	0	3m AOE	Instant	12s	?-?	Skill Description: The assassin escapes from knockdown, deals damage, and decreases enemy movement speed by 30% for 8 seconds on hit. If hit while casting, knocks enemy down for 1s. On a successful skill (cast?), resists knock down, groggy (dazed), stun, and knock back for 1s.	Cannot be in stealth and must be knocked down.
6	Thrash	1	0	3m Target	Instant	Instant	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage.	Under suppression or chocked status.
11	Retreat	F	0	Self Target	Instant	12s	?-?	Skill Description: Escapes from Knockdown, Daze, and Unconscious. Resists damage and status effects.	Cannot be in stealth and must be either knocked down, dazed or unconscious.
11	Stealth	Tab	0	3m Target	Instant	36s	?-?	Skill Description: Escape from Knockdown or Unconscious. Resists damage and status effects during cast and for 0.5s after. Moves backwards 8m, stealths for 6s. On enemy hit, stacks 1 poison, blinds and deafens for 5s, and decreases movement speed by 50% for 5s.	Must be knocked down or unconscious.
16	Time Bomb	2	1	3m Target	Instant	1min	?-?	Skill Description: Detonates after 7s and resets all stacks of poison on target. Blast available after setting landmine or throwing landmine. Doesn't break stealth.	Must be in stealth.
16	Throwing Dagger	x	0	16m Target	Instant	18s	?-?	Skill Description: Deals damage, stacks 1 poison, 15s wind rush (?), on a bound (?) enemy decreases movement speed by 30% for 15s.	Must be in stealth.

The Assassin class has the ability to enter stealth for 6 seconds after using various abilities. This duration can be refreshed by using either Shadow Drain or Hook Kick, both of which have an 18s cooldown, but can be lowered by using other abilities.
The Assassin class also seems to know their way around bombs, utilizing flash bombs to sneak away quickly or destruction bombs to blow their enemies up into the sky!
Assassins are very deceptive and tricky. They can easily disorient their opponents, leaving them dazed and confused. For example, you can see the Assassin at one point in the trailer quickly vanish, leaving a decoy behind in his/her place and stunning the enemy with said decoy. He/she then proceeds to surprise the enemy from behind by using what seemed to be a cut throat ability.
Assassins seem to have an AoE (Area of Effect) type of ability where they rain numerous shuriken down on selected position

Media

Screenshots

The following screenshots were taken from the character creation screen at NA launch in 2016.

Jin Assassin Female
Jin Assassin Male

The following screenshots were taken from Blade & Soul's G-Star 2010 trailer.

Female Jin Assassin
Male Jin Assassin fighting an unknown creature
Male Jin Assassin fighting a Gon Male Destroyer
An Assassin raining down shurikens on his enemy.

Videos

The Assassin class is shown at approximately 1 minute and 57 seconds into the following video.

The Blast skill is shown being cast at approximately 2 minutes 18 seconds into the following video (the explosion, not the invisible affect).

G-Star 2010 Trailer	Assassin Gameplay and Piledriving

Trivia

The Dodge skill shares similar qualities (both visually and in use) as a Displacement use moved in the Japanese Manga/Anime, Naruto (They get away with it because this ability is commonly associated with ninjas, but the animation is too similar to ignore).
Assassin and Blade Master share a few skills that are similar.
The word assassin comes from hashishi which was originally used to refer to a secret order who conducted politically motivated murder.

Guides and Resources

Supa Hot Vile's Assassin PvP Guide for beginners - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meoZasc84O8 - In-depth video guide with explanation on what works and what doesn't as well as video examples
Yuketsu's PvP Guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FQPf1drgC-aacGBitT6QAFqAQpPZo_b6sQQEd1iugj0/ - In-depth google doc guide that has a breakdown of each skill as well as some very useful tips for each match up. Make sure to make a copy of the file since it's usually busy and being read by many users.

Classes