The Ultimate Guide to the Best Assassin Builds in D2R

Last updated: 4/9/2024

The Assassin, a master of shadows and traps, wields martial arts and engineering to defeat her foes. This guide shows Meta builds - Phoenix Strike, Traps, and Shadow - outlining optimal gear, skills, and strategies.

Mosaic Pheonix Strike "PS" Assassin Build

This build uses the meta of dual

Mosaic

which were introduced in the 2.6 patch. You can have 100% uptime on your charge-up skills when dual wielding. Coupled with a

D2R Crack of the Heavens - 80-71 Lightning Resist

Lightning Sunder

make this an insane damage dealing build. The Martial Arts Assassin uses a series of charge-up and finishing moves, delivering devastating damage. This build isn't for beginners, and provides a challenging, dynamic and engaging melee combat experience.

Key Skills

Max these three skills and charge them up:

Blades of Ice

Blades of Ice Charge-up Skill consecutive hits add cold damageto finishing movescan only be used with claw class weaponsmust use a dragon finishing move ornormal attack to release charges Required Level: 24

for Cold damage,

Fists of Fire

Fists of Fire Charge-up Skill consecutive hits add fire damageto finishing movescan only be used with claw class weaponsmust use a dragon finishing move ornormal attack to release charges Required Level: 6

for Fire damage,

Claws of Thunder

Claws of Thunder Charge-up Skill consecutive hits add lightning damageto finishing movescan only be used with claw class weaponsmust use a dragon finishing move ornormal attack to release charges Required Level: 18

for Lightning damage.

Phoenix Strike

Phoenix Strike Charge-up Skill adds elemental novas to finishing movesmust use a dragon finishing move ornormal attack to release charges Required Level: 30

: Your main skill - A charge-up skill that unleashes all three elemental attacks.

Dragon Talon

Dragon Talon Finishing Move kick your enemies out of your wayadds charged-up bonuses to the kick

: Your primary finishing move - delivers quick kicks to a single target, but creates a huge AOE explosion.

Fade

Fade raise all resistances and resist cursesfor a period of time Required Level: 18

: Provides you with a large amount of Resistance and Damage Reduction.

Dragon Flight

Dragon Flight Finishing Move teleport to your enemiesand destroy them with a kickadds charged-up bonuses to the kick Required Level: 24

: Use this to teleport and reposition yourself and your merc.

Mind Blast

Mind Blast using the power of your mindstun a group of enemiesand convert the feeble-minded Required Level: 24

and

Cloak of Shadows

Cloak of Shadows cast a shadow to blind nearby enemieslowering their defenses for a period of time Required Level: 12

for crowd control.

Weapon Block

Weapon Block passive - chance to block whenyou are using dual claw class weapons Required Level: 12

: Provides a Chance to Block when dual-wielding Claws.

Burst of Speed

Burst of Speed increases attack and movement speedfor a period of time Required Level: 6

: Makes you speedy. Run faster and faster attack speed.

A few points in

Death Sentry

Death Sentry trap that shoots lightning at your enemiesor explodes nearby corpses laying waste to more enemies Required Level: 30

can provide additional crowd control and damage.

Suggested Items

Weapon: 2 ×

Mosaic Runeword

each one gives you 50% chance to not consume a charge. Use 2 of them.

Helmet:

Griffon's

boosts skills, cast rate and Lightning damage. Socket with a

Light Facet

for even more damage.

Armor:

Enigma

for mobility with Teleport and +skills. Also useful for the Life After Each Kill stat.

Gloves:

+3 MA 20IAS Gloves

for +skills and IAS

Boots:

Natalya's Boots

for Cold Res, Light Res and Faster Running.

Belt:

Arach

for FCR and + skills.

Sunder Charm:

D2R Crack of the Heavens - 70 Lightning Resist - Perfect

Lightning Sunder

To break monster Lightning Immune is generally best for this build.

Martial Arts Tips

Learn to master the flow between charging up skills and executing finishing moves for maximum damage output.

Keep an eye on your positioning to effectively use area-of-effect and single-target skills.

Balance your gear and stat allocation to support both your survivability and damage capabilities.

Best Farming Areas for a Mosaic Assassin in D2R

Act 5 - The Worldstone Keep & Throne of Destruction - Your elemental skills can exploit the weaknesses of different monsters here.

Act 2 - Tal Rasha's Tombs - Confined spaces allow you to control engagements and maximize your charge-up effects.

Act 1 - The Countess - Efficient for farming runes while testing your combat skills against tight groups of enemies.

Act 4 - Chaos Sanctuary - A challenging area where your martial arts skills can shine against tough demons and Diablo himself.

Phoenix Strike Ice Phoenix Strike Ice - Assassin

Phoenix Strike Lightning Phoenix Strike Light - Assassin

Blades of Ice Blades of Ice - Assassin

Claws of Thunder Claws of Thunder Skill - Assassin

Trapsin Build

The Trapsin Assassin is a master of laying deadly traps that deal substantial lightning and fire damage, making it a superb choice for players who prefer a tactical approach over direct confrontation. This build shines in both solo play and group settings.

Key Skills

Lightning Sentry

Lightning Sentry a trap that shoots lightningto scorch passing enemies Required Level: 24

: Your primary damage dealer, shooting bolts of lightning at enemies.

Death Sentry

Death Sentry trap that shoots lightning at your enemiesor explodes nearby corpses laying waste to more enemies Required Level: 30

: Offers corpse explosion and additional lightning damage, perfect for crowd control.

Wake of Fire

Wake of Fire a trap that emits waves of fire Required Level: 12

: A great secondary trap that deals fire damage, useful against lightning immune monsters.

Mind Blast

Mind Blast using the power of your mindstun a group of enemiesand convert the feeble-minded Required Level: 24

: For keeping the crowd controlled.

Suggested Items

Weapon: 2 ×

Bartuc's

for increased Assassin Skills, Strength and Dex. Alternatively you can use a

D2R Heart of the Oak Flail - 40 All Res - Perfect

Hoto

as your main weapon for Skills, IAS and Resistance.

Helmet:

Griffon's

boosts skills, cast rate and Lightning damage. Socket with a

Light Facet

for even more damage.

Armor:

Enigma

for mobility with Teleport and +skills. Also useful for the Life After Each Kill stat.

Boots:

Aldur's Advance

nice for the Fire Resistance and the Faster Run Walk.

Gloves: Both

Trang Gloves

and

Magefist

are great for the FCR boost. Trang Gloves have the benefit of Cold Resistance.

Sunder Charm:

Lightning Sunder

To break monster Lightning Immune.

Trapsin Tips

Lay your traps in strategic locations to maximize damage output and area control.

Balance your use of Lightning Sentry with Wake of Fire to handle lightning immune monsters effectively.

Maintain mobility and use your Teleport (from

Enigma

) to reposition as needed for optimal trap placement and safety.

Consider your mercenary's equipment and skills as an extension of your strategy, choosing options that complement your traps' damage type and your playstyle.

Best Farming Areas for a Trapsin in D2R

Act 2 - Arcane Sanctuary - The narrow pathways funnel enemies directly into your traps, making it an efficient farming location.

Act 5 - Worldstone Keep - Varied enemy types and high monster density make this a prime location for leveling and loot.

Act 3 - Travincal - Excellent for farming High Council members, with traps providing both damage and crowd control.

Act 1 - The Pit - Known for its good loot table and monster density, making it a great choice for magic find runs.

Lightning Sentry Lightning Sentry - Assassin

Wake of Fire Wake of Fire - Assassin

Mind Blast Mind Blast - Assassin

Whirlwind Assassin Guide

The Whirly Girl: excels in both PvP and PvE. Relies on Chaos Runeword to execute Whirlwind, simultaneously setting traps for area control and additional damage. Effective strategy involves hit-and-run tactics, leveraging Whirlwind for mobility and traps for passive damage. Ideal for players who enjoy dynamic, strategic combat.

Key Skills

Whirlwind

Whirlwind a whirling dance of deaththat cuts a path through thelegions of your enemies Required Level: 30

: The centerpiece of this build, allowing you to spin through enemies, dealing massive damage.

Claw Mastery

Claw Mastery passive - improves your skillwith claw class weapons

: Increases damage and attack rating when using claws, essential for maximizing Whirlwind's effectiveness.

Burst of Speed

Burst of Speed increases attack and movement speedfor a period of time Required Level: 6

: Enhances your attack and movement speed, crucial for positioning and dodging attacks.

Fade

Fade raise all resistances and resist cursesfor a period of time Required Level: 18

: Provides resistance bonuses and reduces curse duration, bolstering your survivability.

Death Sentry

Death Sentry trap that shoots lightning at your enemiesor explodes nearby corpses laying waste to more enemies Required Level: 30

: Shoots lightning bolts at enemies, and explodes their corpses for AOE damage.

Suggested Items

Primary Weapon:

Chaos Claws

for the

Whirlwind

Whirlwind a whirling dance of deaththat cuts a path through thelegions of your enemies Required Level: 30

skill, plus increased attack speed and damage.

Secondary Weapon:

Fury Claws

has some insane stats to compliment

Whirlwind

Whirlwind a whirling dance of deaththat cuts a path through thelegions of your enemies Required Level: 30

Helmet:

Guillaume's Face

for Crushing Blow and Deadly Strike, enhancing your physical damage output.

Armor:

Enigma

for

Teleport

Teleport instantly moves to a destination within your line of sight Required Level: 18

...

Boots:

Gore Riders

for Crushing Blow, Open Wounds, and Deadly Strike, further amplifying your damage.

Gloves:

Dracul's Grasp

for

Life Tap

Life Tap curses a group of monsters so thatdamaging them gives the attacker life Required Level: 18

, and Life Leech.

Whirlwind Assassin Tips

Master the art of hit-and-run tactics, using

Whirlwind

Whirlwind a whirling dance of deaththat cuts a path through thelegions of your enemies Required Level: 30

to slice through enemies then retreating before they can retaliate.

Keep

Burst of Speed

Burst of Speed increases attack and movement speedfor a period of time Required Level: 6

active for mobility to ensure you can quickly move in and out of combat.

Use

Fade

Fade raise all resistances and resist cursesfor a period of time Required Level: 18

strategically in areas with high elemental damage or when facing curse-heavy opponents.

Positioning is key; aim to hit as many enemies as possible with each

Whirlwind

Whirlwind a whirling dance of deaththat cuts a path through thelegions of your enemies Required Level: 30

to maximize efficiency and damage output.

Best Farming Areas for a Whirlwind Assassin in D2R

Act 2 - Ancient Tunnels - Low physical resistance enemies make this a lucrative spot for your Whirlwind Assassin.

Act 5 - Chaos Sanctuary - High monster density and the chance for Diablo drops make this an ideal farming location.

Act 1 - The Pit - Offers a good mix of monster types and densities, perfect for testing your Whirlwind prowess.

Act 3 - Kurast Sewers - Spacious areas allow for effective Whirlwind maneuvers, with good loot potential.

Whirlwind Whirlwind - Assassin

Death Sentry Death Sentry - Assassin

Fade

Assassin Mercenary

For an Assassin, your mercenary's role is to tank damage, distract enemies, and provide additional DPS or utility. Depending on your build, certain mercenaries will complement your style more effectively.

For Trapsins, a mercenary that can hold enemies in place or tank damage while your traps do the work is ideal. The Act 2 Nightmare mercenary with the

Holy Freeze

Holy Freeze when active, aura freezes nearby monstersadds cold damage to your attack Required Level: 18

aura slows enemies, enhancing your traps' effectiveness by keeping foes within their damage radius longer.

Martial Arts and Shadow Discipline Assassins benefit from a mercenary that can increase their damage output or survivability. The Act 2 Offensive mercenary from Nightmare boosts your damage significantly with the aura

Might

Might when active, aura increases the damagedone by you and your party

, while the Defensive (

Defiance

Defiance when active, aura increases the defenseof you and your party Required Level: 6

) mercenary from Normal can improve your defense.

Helmet:

Andariel's Visage

for poison resist and increased attack speed, or

Vampire Gaze

for damage reduction and life leechy.

Weapon:

Insight

for the Meditation aura to replenish mana, crucial for Trapsins using skills frequently.

Armor:

Treachery

for the

Burst of Speed

Burst of Speed increases attack and movement speedfor a period of time Required Level: 6

and Increased Attack Speed (IAS), providing both resistance and Faster Hit Recovery (FHR), or

Fortitude

for enhanced damage and survivability.

Assassin Playstyles & Strategies

Martial Arts (Mosaic) Build: For the tacticians who relish precision strikes and combo setups. This build is a test of patience and skill, rewarding well-timed attacks with explosive damage. Not the easiest to master but immensely satisfying for those who do.

Trap Sin: The master strategist's choice. Great for crowd control and area damage, this build is ideal for players who prefer a calculated approach to combat.

Whirlwind (WW) Sin: A whirlwind of destruction. This build marries the chaos of spinning attacks with strategic trap placement, making it a powerhouse in both PvP and PvE.

Regardless of your build, positioning is crucial; use your mobility to your advantage, staying out of direct harm while your traps, martial arts, or shadow skills—and your mercenary—deal with the threats.

Always adapt your mercenary's gear to the current challenges, balancing between offense and defense based on the content you are tackling.

Featured Items

Andariel's Visage - 10% Life Leech scl

$1.25

Griffon's Eye - 15% Light Damage scl

$4.25

Vampire Gaze scl

$0.95

Kenshi's Gloves of Alacrity - 3 Martial Arts 20 Ias scl

$2.15

Dracul's Grasp - 10% Life Leech scl

$2.15

Hot

Magefist scl

$0.95

Mara's Kaleidoscope - 30 All Res scl

Arachnid Mesh scl

Gore Rider scl

Bartuc's Cut-Throat - 200% Ed scl

$2.15

D2R Bone Break - 10 Physical Damage - Perfect

Bone Break - 10 Physical Damage - Perfect scl

$4.25

D2R Cold Rupture - 70 Cold Resist - Perfect

Cold Rupture - 70 Cold Resist - Perfect scl

$4.25

Crack of the Heavens - 80-71 Lightning Resist scl

$2.15

Crack of the Heavens - 70 Lightning Resist - Perfect scl

$4.25

Hot

Light Facet - 5% Light Pierce 5% Light Damage - On Death scl

$2.15

Aldur's Advance (Boots) scl

$1.25

Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest (Helm) scl

$1.25

Trang-Oul's Claws (Gloves) scl

$1.25

Natalya's Soul (Boots) scl

$1.25

Guillaume's Face (Helmet) scl

$1.25

Heart of the Oak Flail - 40 All Res - Perfect scl

$3.80

D2R Infinity Cryptic Axe - Ethereal - 255-299% Ed

Infinity Cryptic Axe - Ethereal - 255-299% Ed scl

$3.30

D2R Insight Cryptic Axe - Ethereal - 17 Aura

Insight Cryptic Axe - Ethereal - 17 Aura scl

$4.70

D2R Oath Small Crescent - Ethereal - 210-279% Ed

Oath Small Crescent - Ethereal - 210-279% Ed scl

$1.50

Hot

Chains of Honor Archon Plate scl

$1.70

Enigma Dusk Shroud - 750-769 Defense scl

$2.00

Fortitude Archon Plate - Ethereal - 25-29 All Res scl

$1.85

Hot

Unmade Mosaic +3 Phoenix Strike Claws scl

$4.50

Unmade Chaos - Greater Claws scl

$4.60

Unmade Fury - Greater Claws scl

$4.95