Assassin Skills Discussion

[Occhidiangela]

1.  Nit:  All CtH attacks.

Could you please elaborate on that nit? If the weapon isn't ITD, you have to roll a chance to hit. If a hit comes up as true, effects from the weapon are implemented. And so on.

Am I misunderstanding you? :blink: Or are you pointing to spell / elemental attacks that don't have to roll a "to hit?"

I don't think it blinds Suicide Minions or objects (Lightning Spires, Fire Towers) either, though you might want to check that. 

Aha, Suicide Minions. Will reconfirm later. Thanks! :) Will double check on fire towers and lightning spires, I was pretty sure I got them, but it was late last night. Gargoyles are for sure.

I don't think it corresponds to melee range, except coincidentally.

I was unclear. The melee range in question is the monster's melee range, which looks to me to be weapons dependent -- goats are the example. You walk up next to "blnded" monster and he attacks you once you get into his detection and attack range for melee (which is what precipitates the AI check, as I understand it.) I am open to correction from anyone who knows a better answer on this.

Note: I never checked cloak on PvP mercs and Valks, Golems, bears, etc. I probably should.

Blinded monsters aren't really blinded until notified of the fact, i.e., forced to do an AI check.

For purposes of where this is headed, in a playing guide, I don't see getting into AI checks. The effect in game is that the monster stands still, or doesn't move toward you, attack you, etc.

I made the list to spell out explicit tactical issues that will be discussed in the guide. HC errors cause death. Spelling out what you can and can't mitigate, as far as tactical risks, is the express purpose of the guide's tactics section. B) A fighter pilot doesn't need to know why the the gimble rate of a SAM is what it is, he needs to know why and how to put the missile off his wing and roll over it in a high angular rate change maneuver to get the seeker head to break lock. ;)

But thanks for the "in the weeds" point. :D

Inner Sight and CoS do stack, but IS's defence reduction happens first.

Thanks for that detail as well. :) A point to consider when choosing a Merc, I'll include it. Mostly an issue for Blade Fury if solo.

I would think that it would overwrite BC like any other "curse" but I can't say it's something I've observed or even looked for.  I doubt it overwrites Attract, but again,  I'm not certain of that.

I'll check again. I was pretty sure it didn't over write Battle Cry, but memory is hazy. Been a while. I will check again rather than guess. Blizz did fix "BC does not overwrite Taunt" from the 1.10 beta. I suspect you are correct.

There is its defence enhancement, though that's completely minor for most Assassins. 

I am making a table to show that for the guide. I'll offer that is can be very handy.

With an ethereal Dusk Shroud Rune Word
Prudence Mal + Tir

2 Socket Body Armor
+25% Faster Hit Recovery
+140-170% Enhanced Defense (varies)
All Resistances +25-35 (varies)
Damage Reduced by 3
Magic Damage Reduced by 17
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+1 To Light Radius
Repairs Durability In 4 Seconds
Assuming maxed % EnDef and Armor Def Rating, and about slvl 5 CoS from + skills . . . 467 * 1.5 = (700.5)*(1+1.7 + 0.22) 1344 defense. If you chose a Defiance Merc . . . you start to have a Defense Rating that makes a difference, even in Hell. (ITD attacks considered, grrrrr, flaming skeleton archers . . .)
The DR enhancement is not trivial for your Shadow Warrior, due to Warrior's large DR adds if you max her. (Guide will include Crystalion's discussion on Warrior Trap Synergy.) It won't hurt Master either.

You do note some of the important cases of monster marking, but it could generally be said that CoS makes monster location clear in areas that are already dark. 

True.

I am spelling out tactically significant details that I think make a difference in HC survival.

You've actually given me some things I'd like to test out, though I'm unlikely to get the chance for a few days.  If you or someone else get to them first, I look forward to hearing the answers.

If you find anything interesting, I'd love to include it in the Lounge HC Trapper Guide. :D :whistling:

Occhi