Build:A/Me Neutral IW
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The Neutral IW uses Illusionary Weaponry to deal armor-ignoring damage and high chance of double strike, while staying alive by keeping Dark Escape and Feigned Neutrality up constantly. This gives the Assassin 150 armor (70 + 80) and +7 health regeneration while dealing substantial damage. Designed for PvP but can be used effectively in PvE.
This is a variant of the Mesmer version, to be tested and refined because of the nerf to Feigned Neutrality and the possibility of double strikes making up for Mesmer secondary.
[edit] Attributes and Skills
  Assassin / Mesmer |
Attribute Rank |
|---|---|
| Illusion Magic | 12 |
| Shadow Arts | 10 + 1 + 3 |
| Dagger Mastery | 8 + 2 |
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[edit] Equipment
- Max armor with additional health
- 3 Runes of Vitae
- Crippling (for Return) Daggers with of Enchanting suffix and "I have the power" +5 Energy insignia
[edit] Usage
- Start by casting Illusion of Weakness and followed by Feigned Neutrality to heal if no monk.
- Choose your target, Armor level does not matter.
- Against Normal Opponents: Cast and Maintain Illusionary Weaponry, Deadly Paradox and Feigned Neutrality (in order) then attack. Cast Death's Charge after Deadly Paradox if you need to close the gap.
- Against Armor Ignoring Opponents: Cast and Maintain Illusionary Weaponry, Deadly Paradox, Dark Escape and Feigned Neutrality. Always remain in Dark Escape stance. Since Deadly Paradox will no longer affect Feigned Neutrality it will be used half as often.
- When reapplying enchantments, casting Death's Charge can be a good healing boost before Feigned Neutrality.
- You should be almost indestructible, but if for whatever reason Illusion of Weakness triggers then fall back using Return and heal.
[edit] Counters
- Enchantment removal.
- Energy denial.
- Kiting.
- Interrupting or Diversion on Illusionary Weaponry will make this build useless.
- Heavy health degeneration such as Burning, Poison or Conjure Nightmare.
- Life Stealing and other armor ignoring damage.
[edit] Variants
- For Alliance Battles Resurrection Signet isn't important, so Illusion of Haste give you ways of kiting.
- Exchange Return for Distortion. This will sap energy but can be more effective at protecting yourself.
- Replace Return for Shadow Refuge to help further counter degeneration.
- Add Caltrops to snare kiting foes.
[edit] Notes
- Monks such as the Build:Mo/A Blessed Escaper using Return can be chased using Death's Charge.
- The points in Dagger Mastery are there to increase the chance of double striking. Having 12 Dagger Mastery will allow you to use a decent pair of daggers and deal decent damage even when IW is removed.
- Deadly Paradox does not need to be kept up constantly - as of this note, any skills activated while Deadly Paradox is active activate and recharge 50% faster, they do not slow down when Deadly Paradox ends. Use this when activating any Assassin skills, such as Death's Charge or Dark Escape (or Shadow Refuge if equipped).
