Lyrian Chronicles
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Class record

Assassin

Striker

Tier
3
Difficulty
3 / 5
Main role
Striker
Secondary role
—

Rules reference

Class mechanics

Entry requirements and the complete level-by-level advancement path.

Entry

Requirements

Rogue or Culinarian mastered, any tier 2 class mastered.

Advancement

Progression

  1. UnlockKey ability
    Inconspicuous
  2. Level 2Ability 1
    Death Mark
  3. Level 3Skills
    You gain +5 skill points to spend in Athletics, Stealth, Deception, Roguecraft, Perception, Intimidation or Common Knowledge. You can exchange any skill point for 2 expertise points, but must spend them in these skills.
  4. Level 4Ability 2
    Study Target
  5. Level 5Heart
    You gain +1 Fitness, Cunning or Awareness.
  6. Level 6Ability 3
    Devastating Strike III
  7. Level 7Soul
    You gain +1 Focus, Power or Agility.
  8. Level 8Ultimate ability
    Secret Art: Assassinate

Identity & lore

Class overview

Assassins trace their origins back to the lawless city of Telsin, deep in the Southern Desert. With little military power of their own and relying mostly on the harsh desert environment for protection, the people of Telsin developed less conventional methods of defense. Assassins emerged from this need, honing their skills in reconnaissance and studying their targets with meticulous care, mentally preparing themselves before executing the perfect kill.

Their reputation for precision and effectiveness quickly spread, becoming so legendary that other nations started to take notice. Before long, these nations began hiring assassins of their own, both to eliminate key targets and to counter the deadly expertise of other assassins.

Tactical guidance

Playing Assassin

The assassin functions best when they get the jump on the enemy. Their Inconspicuous key ability is key for this, as it lets them get a surprise attack even if the rest of the party isn't quite as sneaky.

When they get the surprise, they can use their Death Mark ability. It gives them a small benefit on killing the target, but the real use is opening up the target to their other abilities.

Devastating Strike III is the first of those abilities. Similar to the normal devastating strike, but it does guaranteed maximum damage.

Their Secret Art: Assassinate is the second of those abilities. While a sure-hit and full pierce heavy attack is already strong by itself, it shows its true potential against enemies who are unaware of you. Due to this nature, it is a rare secret art ability that must be activated in the first round or lose power.

Study Target has minor issues in a direct fight, though getting a lock-on heavy attack for 4 combined AP is not bad against dodgy enemies. When there's a temporary lull in the action, for example through an acolyte sanctuary barrier, setting up a study target before hand will give you an edge when the fighting resumes. It can also be used to force a Death Mark onto an enemy if you were unable to get the surprise round before. However, this is very AP inefficient so it should most likely be avoided in most cases.

Assassin

Class features

Abilities unlocked

Complete rules for every ability granted by Assassin.

Key ability

Inconspicuous

Class feature

Benefit 1

If you're traveling stealthily, you may roll separate stealth checks even if traveling with the party. When doing this, any surprise rounds for you are determined purely off your own rolls and not your parties.

Benefit 2

During a surprise round, enemies you attack are still treated as having 0 RP for the purposes of ability requirements even after you attack them until they start their turn. You still gain this benefit, even if your allies attacked them already.

Ability

Death Mark

No listed cost
Range
Sight
Keywords
Encounter Start

You mentally mark a target for death by applying Death Mark, opening them up to your Assassin abilities. When you reduce a character marked by Death Mark to 0 HP or lower, you may move up to your Speed and take the Hide action for 0 RP. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Requirements

Enemy is surprised.
1 AP
Range
Melee Weapon Range

You make a Light (1 AP) or Heavy (2 AP) attack against the target.

Requirements

Target must have 0 RP remaining and must be marked by Death Mark. One-handed weapons only.

2 AP3 MP
Range
Melee Weapon Range

You attack the target for Heavy Damage. 

If you surprised the enemy, are currently stealthed and have not been spotted by an enemy this entire encounter, this attack deals double heavy damage. You may move next to an enemy and still qualify as being stealthed and not spotted, provided you use this ability immediately after that movement ends.

Requirements

Target must be marked by Death Mark. One-handed weapons only.