Ultimate Jedi Shadow/Sith Assassin Guide

Xinika 04.23.2012 , 05:20 PM | #1 REPORT POST QUOTE

*NEW* ONE WITH SIN - 8/2/2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MepbvnfQmrU

This update focuses on becoming one with your Assassin / Shadow. Becoming ‘one’
with the class is crucial if you are to master it in any form. Whether it’s Warzones,
Arena, Open PvP or Duels. The key to success as an Assassin or Shadow is
understanding and respecting the class for what it is.

INDEX
0:12 – 2:36: Gameplay
2:37 – 3:34: One With Sin (Commentary, Tips, Gameplay)
3:35 – 4:05: Gear (Optimization, Goal, Variations)

Xinika Productions

SPEC
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/Assassin#200-100221220320112032223-
210012223

Playstyle
The Shadow / Assassin is a stealth class. By default it has the option to pick its
fight(s). This means that one shouldn’t zerg in like some swashbuckler. You need to
be wise. Knowing when to attack and when not to would mean victory or defeat.

Avoidance
This class is strictly based on a spiked measure. It wears light armor. It can be easily
destroyed by the player with the incorrect mentality. It is meant to avoid damage, not
mitigate it. Mitigation is your absolute last form of defense. Your first form is making
sure the enemy’s attack does not connect.

Just take a look at some of the abilities

Deflection
Instant
Cooldown: 120s
Increases your ranged and melee defenses by 50% for 12 seconds. Requires a melee
weapon.

Force Shroud / Resilience

Instant
Cooldown: 60s
Removes all hostile removable effects and increases your chance to resist Force and
tech attacks by 100% for 3 seconds. Does not break Stealth.
Low Slash
Instant
Force: 30
Cooldown: 15s
Range: 4 m
Slashes the target low, dealing 1953 - 2082 weapon damage and incapacitating the
target for 4 seconds. Damage causes this effect to end prematurely. Requires a
double-bladed lightsaber or electrostaff.

The theory of this class is based around chances to in-take no damage or shutdown the
opponent from outputting their damage. Understanding this theory will drastically
improve the way you play this class and set you on course to mastering it.

Damage and Tanking

This class is not a pure damage dealing or tanking class. This is very important to
keep in mind. It has the ability to do spike damage or spike tanking in select
situations. There are times when your damage matters, other times when it pales in
comparison to what others have to offer. Same applies with tanking. It cannot
accurately tank without shutting down something first.

Lose the Ego

It's important as a Shadow / Assassin how others interact with you. Do not be
overconfident. If you believe there is a battle you cannot win, then simply step aside.
You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Your class is based on opportune
moments, not honorary gains. Take the chance only if you feel the moment is right.
Sooner you realize this, the more versatile you will become.

Movement
A vital factor of how opponents react to you is your movement. Unbinding the S Key
would be a large step in this aspect. You need to slither around corners, move in and
out of opponents and frankly annoy them to the point of no return. Remember, you
must do damage, but they must not.

Note
There are abilities to mitigate damage and promote damage (IE: Blackout / Darkswell
or Force Recklessness) However, these abilities should be used wisely, not recklessly.
This is the least forgiving class. A simple mistake can cost you everything. Be patient,
keep a cool head and never get emotional.
PVE ESSENTIALS - 7/23/2013

This section is solely dedicated to PvE only. Here you will find information on
gearing, rotation, specs and additional tips.

DPS GUIDE

DPS-Balance / Madness
Spec: 8/2/36
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/Shadow#3000320-200-1012232211202212230223
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/assassin#3000320-200-1012232211202212230223

General Rotation:

Quote:
Force Potency
FiB
Force Breach
Double Strike
Sever Force
If your first DS proced Force Strike then,
Relic, Adrenal, Battle Readiness
Mind Crush
If you didn't proc Force Strike with DS then,
DS until you proc Force Strike then pop cooldowns and Mind Crush

After this it is just a matter of using FiB on cooldown and maintaining your 3 dots,
then DS and Saber Strike will be used as filler. In order to play optimally it is
'absolutely' critical that you don't clip your dots. You will want to reapply the moment
they fall off and not any sooner. Another thing to note is that you need to have the
force available to reapply your dots. This may seem obvious, but you need to make
sure that you are weaving in Saber Strikes if you get low on force.

- mmerry
Understanding more behind the Balance Rotation...

Quote:
The balance sustained dps rotation operates around the 18s DoTs. If you view the
rotation as a series of 12 attacks and the 13th one is repeating the first, then try to look
at them all as placements where the DoTs never move from their location. Since the
FiB is a 15s CD, it will slowly move its placement back 2 spots of the 12 for the
following cycle. After 5 cycles, FiB will be exactly where it was for the first cycle.
This is why it is not as you say where it will happen anyways. Actually, you will run
into the same problem every 5 cycles or every 90s. Yes, while your opener misses 1
GCD of your DoT being applied, it is not comparable to the multiple times you would
miss the DoT damage when you have to choose between a DoT or your FiB.
- Inovisible

DPS-Infiltration / Deception
Spec: 5/36/5
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/Shadow#320-10120211220321112232223-203
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/assassin#320-10120211220321112232223-203

General Rotation:

Quote:
1.Spinning Strike/Spike > (Relic, Adrenal, Battle Readiness/Overcharge Saber) >
Shadow Strike/Maul

Then (with the normal priority)

2. Clairvoyant Strike/Voltaic Slash

3. Clairvoyant Strike/Voltaic Slash
4. Project/Shock
5. Force Breach/Discharge
6. Force Potency/Recklessness
7. Force Breach/Discharge

- IInox
Additional Rotation Information:

Quote:
Force Breach/Discharge @3stacks > Project/Shock @2stacks > Shadow Strike/Maul
> Spinning Strike/Assassinate

Force Breach/Discharge @3stacks > Project/Shock cause we must no waste any

Breaching Shadow/Static Charge => more time to build another 3stacks => DPS loss.

Project/Shock @2stacks > Shadow Strike/Maul as above, Shadow Strike/Maul proc

Circling Shadow/Induction, if we use Project/Shock than Shadow Strike/Maul we
waste 1xCircling Shadow/Induction => +1 Clairvoyant Strike/Voltaic Slash to use =>
23Force wasted => DPS loss
(if a burst phase you will use Shadow Strike/Maul > Project/Shock)

Shadow Strike/Maul > Spinning Strike/Assassinate as you can see Shadow

Strike/Maul has more damage and more crit size (and less Force cost)

With new talent for Force Potency/Recklessness, we have to take a look of its CD
when using Force Cloak to maximize efficiency of Shadows/Electric Ambush.
Start fight with Force Breach/Discharge thanks to talented Force
Potency/Recklessness.

Tip: [No burst phase] If you have 1x Clairvoyant/Voltage and you see Project/Shock
will be on CD for some seconds (< ~2s) and Infiltration Tactics/Duplicity is out of
CD you can use Saber Strike to have more hit to proc Infiltration Tactics/Duplicity to
use Shadow Strike/Maul to build the second Clairvoyant/Voltage.

On the 2nd full Rotation, we will have this situation:

2x Breaching Shadow/Static Charge

2x Clairvoyant/Voltage
Project/Shock on CD
NO proc for ShadowStrike/Maul
A lot Force

As you can imagine (and remembering the notes of priority list) we can use anything
unless to overcap Force (nope!); so in this case, we can use Low Slash (=filler) that
procs Infiltration Tactics/Duplicity then proceed with normal rotation.

(if a burst phase we can use Shadow Strike/Maul with proc > Spinning
Strike/Assassinate >Low Slash then Shadow Strike/Maul > Clairvoyant Strike/Voltaic
Slash )

having these CDs (better to use at same time):

(Prototype Nano-Infused Resolve Stim up)

1. Battle Readiness/Overcharge Saber

2. Relic
3. Force Potency/Recklessness (to crit Force Breach/Discharge and/or Project/Shock)
4. Prototype Nano-Infused Attack Adrenal (power, power, power and POWER!)

These tools to manage Force regen:

1. Force Cloak (when used, resets CD of Blackout, use it when Blackout is on CD)
2. Blackout

- llnox

DPS Stats

Quote:
Strength 155
Power 1586 (Stack Power)
Force Power 2012 (from weapons)
Crit Rating 285 - 399
Surge Rating 395
Accuracy 395
Alacrity 0
Armory
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/character/b17b1b77-4ec8-4d9e-866d-16e02394559e

Augments / Armoring / Enhancements / Mods / Set Bonus

Augments
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46733/advanced-resolve-augment-28

Armoring
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46002/advanced-resolve-armoring-31

Enhancements
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46277/advanced-initiative-enhancement-30
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46149/advanced-adept-enhancement-31

Mods
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/45290/advanced-mettle-mod-31
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/45315/advanced-aptitude-mod-31

Set Bonus
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/48298/underworld-stalkers-robe

Crystal
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/13586/advanced-orange-hawkeye-crystal
TANK GUIDE

TANK-Kinetic Combat / Darkness

Spec: 37/5/4
http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#601rsroddfdGbRZcMZbM.3
Variant: 37/5/4
http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#601rsroddfdGbRZcMZbM.3

General Rotation:

Quote:
The attack priority for ST is...

(Spinning Strike)*
Force Breach (for debuff)
HSx3 TkT
Project
Slow Time
(Spinning Strike)*
Shadow Strike (with proc)
Double Strike
Saber Strike

* Choose one or the other for Spinning Strike; placing it at the top will cause a minute
drop in survivability but a much larger DPS increase whereas placing it lower will
keep mitigation the same but provide a smaller DPS benefit

For AoE...

Force Breach
Slow Time
HSx3 TkT
Project
Whirling Blow
Saber Strike

- Kitru
Tips:

Quote:
Gear priority is pretty simple: don't take any accuracy or alacrity gear, use all Force
Wielder armorings, Bastion and Bulwark enhancements (Immunity and Sturdiness
66s are actually better than the Bastion/Bulwark 69s, but that's only applicable for
entry level gearing), and, until such time that they fix our spikiness, use B variant
mods (when/if they fix our spikiness, use unlettered mods).

For relics, the BIS are the Ephemeral Healing relic (i.e. heal proc relic) and the
Fortunate Redoubt relic (i.e. def proc relic). The third best is the Shield Amplification
relic (i.e. abs proc relic) which is what you want to use until you can get a def proc
relic. If you don't have an Ephemeral Healing relic, the Shrouded Crusader (i.e.
shield/abs use relic) is an acceptable choice otherwise (and is actually better for
situations where you have to deal with *massive* spikiness at intervals of 40-59
seconds, which don't currently exist).

- Kitru
Mitigation / Stat Distribution:
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=616779

- KeyboardNinja

In-Depth Tank Essentials:

http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=659873

- insaneric

TANK Stats

Quote:
3523 Endurance
860 Shield Chance
1152 Absorption
527 Defense Chance
0 Accuracy / Alacrity

Armory
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/character/5446d5ae-6482-4c5a-8d78-20cae0ad3f70

Augments / Armoring / Enhancements / Mods / Set Bonus

Augments
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46741/advanced-absorb-augment-28
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46741/advanced-absorb-augment-28

Armoring
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/45976/advanced-force-wielder-armoring-33

Enhancements
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46414/advanced-bulwark-enhancement-33
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46105/advanced-bastion-enhancement-33

Mods
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/45405/advanced-robust-mod-33b
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/45587/advanced-reinforced-mod-33

Set Bonus
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/47247/kell-dragon-survivors-boots

Crystal
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/13431/advanced-black-red-indestructible-crystal
Additional
Shadow Abilities
http://www.torhead.com/abilities/advclass/601/class/6/level/1-50

Assassin Abilities
http://www.torhead.com/abilities/advclass/200/class/2/level/1-50

Contributors
mmerry, insaneric, KeyboardNinja, Kitru, llnox

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------

SHADOW / ASSASSIN ADVANCED PLAY - 6/20/2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNX61VjNqy0

In hopeful cheer of an eventual arena system, this video takes its own stand. Included
are some 1vX, 2v2, 3v3 and 2vX battles paired with tips, cliff notes and pointers on
why or what to do in select, dynamic situations. This video contains less vanity, but
can be very helpful to those learning Assassin / Shadow PvP. Sit back and enjoy!

0:06 - 2:47 - 2v2, 3v3, Cliff Notes.

2:50 - 5:14 - 1v2, 1v1, 2vX, 3vX, Tips, Cliff Notes.

SPEC [Deception/Infiltration]
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/Assassin#320-12120221220320112032223-203

Xinika Productions

SHADOW / ASSASSIN CODEX 2.1+ - 5/31/2013

For Tank Shadows / Sins, please refer to Zabuza's collection of Tank wisdom:
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=5781269

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK3BcPh3Jrs
0:00 - 2:13 : Gameplay
2:13 - 2:20 : Mods, Enhancements, Augments
2:21 - 2:26 : Stats to Aim For
2:27 - 3:13 : Gameplay

INTRO
Welcome to the new 2.1+ Shadow / Assassin Codex. I’d like to get straight down to
business. Topics that will be covered will include the following:

- Stats
- Gear (Min/Max)
- Specs
- Notes
- Armory

STATS
Now the stat section of the Assassin / Shadow has been changed not too drastically
since the expansion, but enough to make some scratch their heads as to where to go or
where not too. Luckily it isn’t as uniform as it was before, but there is a general rule
of thumb for each DPS spec.

Basically, here are the stats you want to aim for (Assuming, all buffs)

1262-1565 Damage
95 - 97% Accuracy
21.50 - 23% Crit
72 - 75% Surge
1072 - 1200 Bonus Damage (Force)
2018 Expertise

This setup ensures that you have enough burst damage with consistency to follow.
I’ve been using this and generally topping charts even sometimes on node defense. It
is the perfect balance to hit the smooth spots required.

GEAR
Next we’re going to cover the gear section. I automatically assume that you will be
aiming for full Conqueror gear. If you aren’t, then you should. Now let’s move onto
the more important matter pertaining to gear. First, I’d like to show you the difference
between geared vs undergeared. (Note: These are averaged values, not direct.)

Now let's start with the initial difference.

http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/49013/partisan-stalkers-boots
vs
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/48997/conqueror-stalkers-boots

+8 Armor
+9 Endurance
+8 Willpower
+3 Power
+4 Surge Rating

For the sake of saving time and making this easier for readers, let's convert the off
stats to 1 stat: Off Stats. So basically, we'll combine Surge, Power, or Crit, Alacrity
etc.

+8 Armor
+9 Endurance
+8 Main Stat
+7 Off Stats

Now this is 1 piece of gear, we have a total of 14 pieces to upgrade. So let's multiply
these numbers by 14 for the full set.
14x8 = +112 Armor
14x9 = +126 Endurance
14x8 = +112 Main Stat
14x7 = +98 Off Stats

Now this is the shift from full Partisan to full Conq. Next, let's calculate the augment
(purple) differences.
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/467...lve-augment-28

+20 Endurance
+32 Willpower

Now, let's multiply this by 14, because we need to augment all our gear.

20x14 = +280 Endurance

32x14 = +448 Main Stat (aka WP for me)

Now, let's total it together in order to find true values of geared people, vs entry-
geared players. Remember, these values can change based on the player's profession.
IE: Tank, more End.

+560 Main Stat

+406 Endurance
+112 Armor
+98~200 Off Stat

This is example math, but clearly, there is a major difference between entry-geared
players, and not-even-optimized-but-geared players. Don’t let anyone fool you, gear
makes a tremendous difference.

Especially considering the fact that people do not die in one hit, so if you want
additional math on the gear, multiply each hit you take to kill someone, times that by
your entire team (X DPS on your team) and, in addition, multiple how many heals
your healers take to heal you up in how many heals. Then, multiply that by how much
absorb/end/mitigation your tanks have (1-2?) and now add that all up in comparison
to the enemy team.

Additional Non-Average Math [Part v Conq]:

Quote:
Helm, Chest, Gloves, Legs, Feet (x5)
+8 Armor
+9 Endurance
+8 Main Stat
+7 Off Stats

MH and OH (x2)
+5 Endurance
+7 Main Stat
+6 Off Stats
+96 Force Power

Belt and Bracers (x2)

+8 Armor
+7 Endurance
+6 Main Stat
+3 Off Stat

Relics (x2)
+5 Endurance
+0 Main Stat
+2 Off Stats

Earpiece (x1)
+7 Endurance
+7 Main Stat
+7 Off Stats

Implants (x2)
+10 Endurance
+7 Main Stat
+10 Off Stats.

+56 Armor, rather than +112 Armor

+106 Endurance, rather than +126 Endurance
+87 Main Stat, rather than +112 Main Stat
+84 Off Stats, rather than +98 Off Stats
+96 Force Power (not listed in the original model)

-Satedbuffalo

Now, let’s focus on optimizing our gear to its full potential. We already know what
stats we should aim for, but now, let’s discuss what mods/enh are needed to get there.
I automatically assume you will be using Conqueror armoring, so I will not go over
that.

Prime Mods:
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/45870/advanced-mettle-mod-28x
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/45762/advanced-aptitude-mod-28x

Prime Enhancements:
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46632/advanced-adept-enhancement-28x
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46597/advanced-battle-enhancement-28x

Notice a trend here? There are no high-WP mods. Why? Wait and see.

Augments:
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/46733/advanced-resolve-augment-28
And that will be your reason why. All augments should strictly be WP, because this
grants you access to be more flexible concerning your mods/enh. High WP-Mods are
generalist in nature. They specialize in nothing, and therefore, will make it more
strenuous to attain min/maxer stats.

SPECS
KC/Darkness (Tank DPS): 36/5/5
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/shadow#1201322123212110223302-203-221
Standard Tank Build designed for use with a generator. Warning, this spec with DPS
gear may not be overly efficient for a specialist-based team.

Infiltration/Deception (Burst DPS): 7/36/3

http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/Assassin#2000320-12120221220320112032223-3
DPS build with emphasis on heavy burst damage backed with respectable consistency
and defensive output.

Balance/Madness (DoT DPS): 7/3/36

http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/assassin#2000320-3-1212232211002212230223
DPS build designed for harassment scaled encounters on multiple ranges.

NOTES
The Shadow / Assassin in 2.0+ so far seem to have a solid spot as a DPS. Particularly,
Deception / Infiltration are performing (at last) at a balanced level. Madness /
Balance, however, are desperately lagging behind and are in need of some serious
revamps.

Some changes I’d recommend is to make the tree a lot more tanky. Have it perform
similar to that of an Annihilation Marauder. I’ll get into that in more detail for another
subject. It should also be noted that Darkness is performing on a solid level, though,
lacking the absurd mitigation compared to that of a VG/PT Tank.

Overall, I think the state of the class is in a fine chapter. This is one of the better times
we’ve had since launch. Let’s enjoy it.

ARMORY
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/character/158eee0e-aed4-4bb5-a455-9fadd0b2fe10

Deception / Infiltration 2.0, Leveling Guide - 5/18/2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJydERffMMA

ASSASSIN / SHADOW LEVELING GUIDE 2.0

This high-speed action video dedicates itself to splitting between entertainment and
tutorial footage. Included in this video: Help with Rotation, Spec and some General
Tips more geared toward the newer Assassin / Shadow. Along with, of course, some
good ole assassination action.

INDEX
0:00 - 2:10 : Gameplay
2:11 - 3:00 : Tutorial (General, Rotation, Spec, Tips)
SPEC [Deception/Infiltration]
http://www.swtor-spy.com/skill-tree-calculator/sith-assassin/11/?
build=000000000000000000000000000000000322230021102030221022000010000
003222100012200000000000000000000&ver=20

Xinika Productions