Assassin Leveling

Here’s a detailed leveling guide for Assassins in Diablo 2: Resurrected. This guide will cover skill allocation, stat distribution, gear suggestions, and effective strategies for leveling up quickly.

Assassin Leveling Guide

Build Overview

The Assassin can specialize in various skills, but for leveling, the Martial Arts build focusing on Tiger Strike and Dragon Claw is particularly effective. This build allows for strong single-target and area damage, making it useful for both solo and group play.

Skill Allocation

  1. Primary Skills
    • Tiger Strike (20 points): This skill provides a powerful single-target attack and increases damage with charge levels.
    • Dragon Claw (20 points): A great follow-up to Tiger Strike, dealing significant damage to enemies and using charges efficiently.
    • Dragon Tail (20 points): Excellent for dealing AoE damage and can be used after charging Tiger Strike.
  2. Support Skills
    • Cloak of Shadows (1 point): Provides crowd control by blinding enemies and reducing their damage output.
    • Fade (1 point): Grants damage reduction and resistances, enhancing your survivability as you level up.
    • Shadow Warrior (1 point): Summons a clone of your character that can help tank and deal damage.
  3. Optional Skills
    • If you’re interested in traps, you can start investing in Fire Blast and Wake of Fire, but focus primarily on Martial Arts for leveling speed.

Stat Allocation

  1. Strength: Enough to equip your gear, typically around 100-130 for early to mid-level gear.
  2. Dexterity: Important for your chance to hit and damage. Aim for around 150-200 depending on your weapon choices.
  3. Vitality: Prioritize this to increase your survivability; aim for as much as possible for your chosen gear and level.
  4. Energy: Generally, avoid points here; the Assassin relies more on skills and gear. Invest a few points if you find yourself running out of mana frequently.

Gear Recommendations

  • Weapons: Dual-wield claws for optimal damage. Look for claws with increased attack speed, damage bonuses, and +skills.
  • Armor: Good options for early and mid-levels include Treachery for the +2 to skills and increased attack speed, or Lionheart for good stats.
  • Helm: Choose helms like *Vampire Gaze* or *Crown of Thieves that provide life steal and resistances.
  • Potions: Use potions to maintain your life and mana; consider getting a few mana potions if you have trouble with skill costs.
  • Rings/Amulet: Look for rings with +skills, resistances, and life. The Stone of Jordan is excellent if you find it.
  • Belt: Consider the Nightsmoke for resistances and some useful stats.
  • Boots: Opt for boots with enhanced speed and resistances. War Traveler is great for experience gain if you find it later.

Leveling Areas

  1. Normal Difficulty:
    • The Cold Plains → The Burial Grounds → The Stony Field → The Underground Passage.
    • The Countess in The Forgotten Tower is great for farming experience and runes.
  2. Nightmare Difficulty:
    • The Outer Steppes → The Plains of Despair → The Chaos Sanctuary.
    • Continue farming The Countess for runes and experience.
  3. Hell Difficulty:
    • The Worldstone Keep → The Throne of Destruction → The Chaos Sanctuary.
    • Make sure to have good resistance gear for this phase.

Gameplay Tips

  • Skill Combinations: Use Tiger Strike to build charges, then release with Dragon Claw or Dragon Tail for massive damage.
  • Mobility: Use your speed to your advantage; Assassins are highly mobile.
  • Crowd Control: Use Cloak of Shadows to blind enemies and buy yourself time to heal or reposition.
  • Party Play: If playing in a group, coordinate with teammates for maximum effectiveness.

Mercenary Recommendations

  • Act 2 Mercenary (Offensive or Defensive): Provides good synergies by boosting your damage or survivability.
  • Equip your mercenary with items that enhance their own survivability and damage.

By following this guide, you can efficiently level your Assassin and prepare for the later stages of Diablo 2: Resurrected. Enjoy your adventures!