[DF] Best power-ups for an Assassin?

[cadia134]

The Assassin doesn't have any of its own power-ups.

Which of the general/combat ones, do you think are the best?

Which of the Thief or Ninja power-ups would you allow the Assassin to take and still keep niche protection (especially for the thief)?

Do you have any home brew power-up ideas for the Assassin template?

Thanks

[mlangsdorf]

I'd steal Coup de Jarnac from the Swashbuckler, call it "Death blow", and make it apply to impaling weapons instead. I might also steal Focused Fury from Barbarians, allowing the Assassin to do massive damage on a strike from surprise. Hand of Death (from Martial Artists) might also appropriate, but you'd have to change the prerequisites.

Backstabber is an appropriate powerup from the thief template; I'd leave the rest alone.

Slayer Training, Mortal Foe, Dirty Fighting, and Finishing Move are all especially appropriate general combat power-ups; I'd also grab Quick-Sheathe for swapping knives in combat.

Other assassin specific power-ups might include the ability to poison things with Immunity to Poisons/Metabolic Hazards and/or garrote things that Don't Breath. I don't know how to price either of those, but they'd be cool. Other high end options might include Invisibility (Accessibility: Only in dim light) or Teleport (Accessibility: between dimly lit locations), representing the assassin's legendary ability to hide in any shadows and move without being noticed.

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

I really need to brush off my rough notes for an Assassins Power-Ups article and send it to Steven. The problem is that it's pretty short. :)

For now, I'd just say go with Mike's suggestions, plus allow the Assassin additional levels of their backstab-only Striking ST (allow twice as many levels, which would mean a cap of 8), regular Striking ST (up to 4), unlimited Gizmos, and allow the purchase of Resistance to Poison (+3 or +8) for 5 or 8, respectively*.

That plus the general power-ups and the myriad of advantages on the list should hold you for a bit. :)

* I'm sorry I didn't think to put that on the template in the first place, actually.

[cadia134]

Thanks for the great suggestions!

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Toadkiller_Dog

Resistance to Poison (+3 or +8) for 5 or 8, respectively*.

Heh. I vaguely remember some variant of assassins (most likely from the AD&D2e Thiefbook) who gained the skill to make poison antidotes and identify poisons . . . but neither make nor apply them.

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

Heh. I vaguely remember some variant of assassins (most likely from the AD&D2e Thiefbook) who gained the skill to make poison antidotes and identify poisons . . . but neither make nor apply them.

Sounds like a classic Murphy's Rule from poorly chosen wording.

[Figleaf23]

What game system are you guys talking about?

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

What game system are you guys talking about?

The original post? G4e DF. The Murphy mention is likely from AD&D2e.

[Joel]

Originally Posted by Toadkiller_Dog

For now, I'd just say go with Mike's suggestions, plus allow the Assassin additional levels of their backstab-only Striking ST (allow twice as many levels, which would mean a cap of 8), regular Striking ST (up to 4), unlimited Gizmos, and allow the purchase of Resistance to Poison (+3 or +8) for 5 or 8, respectively*.

Minor nitpick but that should be 5 or 7, given that Resistance rounds down/drops fractions.

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

Originally Posted by Joel

Minor nitpick but that should be 5 or 7, given that Resistance rounds down/drops fractions.

Yeah, that's correct.