As a long-time fan of RPGs like Baldur‘s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Divinity: Original Sin, I‘ve crafted my fair share of assassin characters. There are few video game classes I enjoy more than a properly built killer specializing in stealth takedowns and tactical repositioning.
The thrill of scouting ahead invisible to the enemy, discovering the optimal angle of attack, then surgically striking an unsuspecting foe is unmatched. As Sun Tzu once said: "All warfare is based on deception."
While the assassin archetype has consistently proven powerful across many cRPG titles, they‘ve hit a new high-water mark with Baldur‘s Gate 3. Between the elevation and vision mechanics, expanded skillset, deadly Subtle Spell combos and abundance of magic items, this game enables assassins to reach never-before-seen levels of lethality.
This comprehensive guide aims to push the assassin envelope even further, empowering you to build the deadliest operative Faerûn has ever seen. You too can become the scourge of goblins, specters and beholders across the Sword Coast with these specialized tips and tricks.
Statistical Breakdown
Let‘s begin by examining some key stats for an optimized level 10 assassin build in Baldur‘s Gate 3:
Ability Scores
| Strength | Dexterity | Constitution | Intelligence | Wisdom | Charisma |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 10 |
Armor Class
- 17 (Studded Leather)
- 19 With Shield Spell
Hit Points
- 84 (Assuming +3 Con Modifier)
Skills
- +11 Acrobatics
- +11 Deception
- +11 Perception
- +11 Stealth
- +6 Sleight of Hand
- +4 Thieves‘ Tools
Attack and Damage
| Attack | To Hit | Average Damage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finesse Melee | +11 | 1d8+5 Piercing + 4d6 Sneak Attack | Requires Advantage |
| Hand Crossbow | +11 | 1d6+5 Piercing + 4d6 Sneak Attack | 30/120 Range |
| Death Strike | Auto Crit | 10d6 Piercing | Against Surprised Targets |
As you can see, a properly built assassin dishes out tremendous damage when catching foes unprepared, especially exploiting Death Strike against unaware enemies. And this doesn‘t even factor in bonuses from magical weapons, poisons or special arrows!
Of course with only 84 hit points and base 17 AC, we pay for this offensive potential with vulnerability going toe-to-toe in a stand up fight. But utilizing Invisibility, mobility spells, terrain advantages and our Cunning Action, we can set up, strike, then vanish before taking much retaliation.
Now let‘s dig deeper into optimizing each component of this delicate, yet deadly instrument of annihilation!
Ability Scores – Favoring Dexterity
Given an assassin‘s reliance on finesse weapons and ranged attacks, Dexterity reigns supreme for weapon accuracy, damage bonus and powerful skills like Stealth. As such, I recommend the following ability score array:
- Dexterity – 20
- Constitution – 16
- Wisdom – 14
- Charisma – 10
- Intelligence – 10
- Strength – 8
With Dexterity maxed out, you gain a +5 modifier, helping nearly all your attacks and thief skills. I also favor Constitution for concentration checks and added hit points to offset the vulnerability of light armor. Wisdom boosts key skills like Perception, while Charisma and Intelligence meet basic requirements for social interactions and investigating clues.
As you gain more Ability Score Improvements (ASIs), I generally invest them into Constitution, Wisdom or helpful feats that improve survivability like Alert, Lucky or Tough.
However, an alternative is Elven Accuracy at level 8 to expand critical hit chances when you have advantage on attacks. Combined with Death Strike against surprised enemies, this can enable some positively disgusting opening attack damage!
Skill and Tool Proficiencies – Specializing Your Training
Given an assassin‘s survival depends heavily on their specialized skills and expertise, choosing complementary proficiencies is crucial.
I recommend at least 4 of the following options:
- Acrobatics – Improves mobility in combat and enables advantage on attacks
- Deception – Allows setting up ambushes through trickery
- Perception – Detect hidden enemies before they detect you
- Stealth – Core skill for remaining unseen while scouting or preparing an attack
- Thieves‘ Tools – Unlock doors/chests and disarm traps guarding your target
- Sleight of Hand – Pick pocket for intel or setting up distractions
At 6th and 14th level when you gain additional skill and tool proficiencies from being an assassin, consider rounding out gaps from the above list. I also suggest choosing Perception, Stealth or Thieves‘ Tools for your two starting Expertise choices to really max out your capabilities.
Equipment – Outfitting Your Arsenal
While an assassin relies first and foremost on their talents, properly outfitting yourself with the right tools for surveillance, infiltration and surgical strikes certainly doesn‘t hurt!
Wealth Overview
- Starting Gold: 5d4 x 10 gp (avg 112.5 gp)
- Level 1-4: Standard wealth by level
- Level 5-10: Finds ample rare magic items
Here are ideal selections for weapons, armor, magic gear and consumables:
Weapons
- Rapier – Finesse melee weapon enabling Sneak Attack
- Hand Crossbow w/ Poison Arrows – Ranged backup with venomous bite
- Daggers – Useful in sticky situations requiring switching between melee and ranged
Armor
- Studded Leather – Decent AC without hindering stealth
- Elven Chain – Ideal rare magic armor find post level 5
- Shield Spell – For emergency AC boost against ranged attacks
Magic Items
- Boots of Elvenkind – Advantage on Stealth checks
- Cloak of Elvenkind – As above
- Gloves of Thievery – Bonus to pick locks and disarm traps
- Slippers of Spider Climbing – Access hard to reach vantage points
- Ring of Evasion – Boost Dexterity saves against area effects
- Bracers of Archery – +2 damage bonus with ranged weapon attacks
Potions
- Invisibility – Scout unseen or set up the perfect assassination
- Swiftness – Bonus Dash action for re-positioning
- Vitality – Emergency healing without expending Hit Dice
With these items secured by 5th level, you‘ll have an extensive toolkit enabling the following tactics:
- Set ambushes through enhanced stealth
- Scalebuildings and clifftops for aerial attacks
- Disarm traps protecting high priority targets
- Resist debilitating AoEs using evasion
- Exit combat quickly utilizing mobility buffs
- Dish additional damage via enchanted ammunition
- Trick foes using disguise kits acquired via thief tools
Of course as you adventure further, artifacts like weapons granting on-hit poison damage, cloaks conferring dimension door teleports and necklaces or wands boosting your spell slots have incredible potential pushing this build over the top!
But proper tactics also play a tremendous role…
Advanced Tactics and Combat Strategies
Beyond raw damage and equipment advantages, truly mastering the assassin is about reading situations and terrain to best leverage your strengths while masking your vulnerabilities.
Here are several advanced combat strategies I employ in Baldur‘s Gate 3:
- Flank Enemies Already Engaged – Sneak Attack works any time they‘re directly engaged with an ally
- Utilize Choke Points – Restricts enemy mobility and retreat options after ambushing
- Push Off Cliffs/Roofs – Attacking while airborne imparts automatic advantage
- Cast Darkness – Heavily obscured areas enable Sneak Attack at range even if they detect you
- Coordinated Attacks – Have allies strike first to grant you advantage as an unseen ally
- Retreat Through Murder Holes – Create scenarios where enemies must bottleneck through tight passages lined with ball bearings, caltrops and hunting traps
Proper manipulation of line of sight, stealth, spell combinations and zone control allows you to systematically dismantle vastly superior forces. Battles become more about preparation, positioning and subterfuge than simply attacking the nearest target each turn.
While these strategies apply broadly to many RPGs, they prove especially potent in Baldur‘s Gate 3 thanks to the new verticality, emergent environmental interactions and expanded party coordination systems. Mastering these advanced tactics cements your reputation as Faerûn‘s deadliest assassin!
Conclusion – Forge Your Legend
RPGs provide the perfect sandbox for living the assassin fantasy that‘s enthralled gamers for decades across books, movies and games. Baldur‘s Gate 3 in particular delivers unparalleled potential for cunning killers willing to fully embrace cunning, preparation, ambush tactics and surgical efficiency.
This guide provides everything you need to build the ultimate shadow operative. From optimized ability scores and equipment recommendations to next level terrain analysis, you‘ll transform into the scourge of goblins and vampires everywhere. Veterans and newcomers alike will appreciate these specialized tips for maximizing backstabs and critical damage.
Few gameplay experiences compare with stepping out of invisibility behind an unsuspecting beholder before driving twin rapiers through its alien eye stalks during a Death Strike-empowered Surprise Round. So grab your poison arrows, spiked chains and Disguise Kits then make Faerûn quake at the name it learns to fear!
Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite assassin builds or want tips adapting these strategies to other amazing CRPGs like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous!
