[3.5|ToB] Which disciplines are more suited for an assassin like character?

[Dusk Eclipse]

I am working on a Home-brew prestige class that is based around the shadow hand discipline; but that it uses other disciplines to do their work.
I want to give the class access to three disciplines; but I am having troubles deciding which ones, I have some ideas; but I am not sure, so I want to hear some of your thoughts concerning my pickings.

Shadow Hand: Well... I think this doesn't need further explanation.

Diamond Mind: Focus and clarity in the battlefield, while also taking those ideals out of the battlefield, an assassin would use this to make sure to strike at the right moment in the right place. Also the one-hit-kill abilities usually associated with assassins can be model by the strikes of this disciplines (in particular the Gem Nightmare line)

Setting Sun: An assassin's body is as good as any other weapon he might wield, so a discipline focusing on using it to it's fullest potential makes sense, plus some of the abilities work well when dealing with bodyguards or bystanders (the throwing maneuvers for example).

Having said that, I am not adverse to include access to home-brewed disciplines, so if you know of one that might fit with the assassin archetype please let me know.

Thanks in advance

[Lateral]

Black Rain discipline, (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5471505) but with daggers or shuriken and not guns. It'd be helpful for less melee assassins- snipers, dagger throwers, and the like.

[Dusk Eclipse]

hmm maybe... I'll check it, but I am not sure, for what I remember the discipline was made with guns in mind, and some of the maneuvers don't translate well to other weapons. I might be wrong, I haven't read that discipline in a long time.

[MammonAzrael]

I can see Diamond Mind, as it can easily apply to any combatant that uses clear thinking in combat.

As for Setting Sun...it depends on the character. If you're looking at a ninja-style assassin, that is prone to combat, then I can absolutely see it. But if you're looking at an assassin that prefers a less upfront elimination method (poison, ambush, sleeping coup de grace, magic, etc) then not so much.

If you are going for the more stealthy approach, I think you'll need to comb the huge number of homebrewed disciplines. Off the top of my head Oncoming Storm (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54816) might work.

[Dusk Eclipse]

I can see Diamond Mind, as it can easily apply to any combatant that uses clear thinking in combat.

As for Setting Sun...it depends on the character. If you're looking at a ninja-style assassin, that is prone to combat, then I can absolutely see it. But if you're looking at an assassin that prefers a less upfront elimination method (poison, ambush, sleeping coup de grace, magic, etc) then not so much.

If you are going for the more stealthy approach, I think you'll need to comb the huge number of homebrewed disciplines. Off the top of my head Oncoming Storm (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54816) might work.

:smallredface: I have to admit that I had more ninja-like characters when I started brainstorming this idea, so that is probably why I thought of setting sun first.

Do you have a suggestion on which other official discipline might work?

[Hawk7915]

The Sublime Assassi (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124905)n class from these forums had a homebrew discipline with it, Black Lotus. It focused on sleight of hand, poison, and sneak attacks: pretty solid for a ninja.

Our group playtested it and the player had an absolute blast. Death Shroud is a unique and potentially problematic trick, but overall it seemed to be a solid discipline that had just enough unique stuff to earn a spot amongst the other schools.

I think you could go with Tiger Claw for the high-flying, vicious strikes aspect if you don't want to add a homebrew discipline.

[MammonAzrael]

:smallredface: I have to admit that I had more ninja-like characters when I started brainstorming this idea, so that is probably why I thought of setting sun first.

Do you have a suggestion on which other official discipline might work?

For a ninja? Setting Sun is perfect.

Otherwise...I could see Tiger Claw, given a focus on it's movement and boost maneuvers. Maybe Iron Heart, depending on how martially focused these assassins are.

[Dusk Eclipse]

You know how the forum changes the colour of the links if you have already clicked that link before? well I just noticed that I have already seen all the stuff you have linked at least once :smallredface: Talk about bad memory.

Edit: MammonAzael: hmm you are right, that Tiger claw might work; but the fluff about emulating feral beast and unleashing the inner beast that permeates Tiger Claw discipline, seems at odd with the stereotypical assassin.

Iron Heart seems too much focused on physical might, so I am not sure whether it makes sense...I'll think about it though.

Keep bringing ideas, this is helping me a lot.

[Pechvarry]

It's worth noting that if you give them Setting Sun access, a player who didn't want the kung fu movie aspect could simply not take maneuvers from said discipline. Afterall, it's not like the standard ToB class gets enough maneuvers known to know every maneuver from 3 different disciplines.

Iron Heart does make for an interesting mix, but that's almost a character of its own (Martial Swashbuckler!).

[Xefas]

You could take a leaf from the Sublime Marshal's book and set one or two disciplines, and then have one or more slots "open", with several options to choose from, possible with some other minor benefit exemplifying how that discipline merges with the assassin context.

Setting Sun for the people who want a more ninja-y assassin. White Raven for assassins that work in groups. Fool's Grip (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67879) for a more scrappy, thuggish assassin. Infernal Monster (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176059) for the kind of assassin who rips their target limb-from-limb in broad daylight, and then uses the rent chucks of gore to beat several innocent bystanders to death while shouting "It was me! I did it!"

Y'know, the usual standbys.

[Dusk Eclipse]

It's worth noting that if you give them Setting Sun access, a player who didn't want the kung fu movie aspect could simply not take maneuvers from said discipline. Afterall, it's not like the standard ToB class gets enough maneuvers known to know every maneuver from 3 different disciplines.

Iron Heart does make for an interesting mix, but that's almost a character of its own (Martial Swashbuckler!).

Point taken...well two points taken


You could take a leaf from the Sublime Marshal's book and set one or two disciplines, and then have one or more slots "open", with several options to choose from, possible with some other minor benefit exemplifying how that discipline merges with the assassin context.

Setting Sun for the people who want a more ninja-y assassin. White Raven for assassins that work in groups. Fool's Grip (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67879) for a more scrappy, thuggish assassin. Infernal Monster (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176059) for the kind of assassin who rips their target limb-from-limb in broad daylight, and then uses the rent chucks of gore to beat several innocent bystanders to death while shouting "It was me! I did it!"

Y'know, the usual standbys.


That is actually a pretty nice idea... It just might work.

[Morph Bark]

Over at ENworld there was someone who had created a bunch of really nifty (pun not intended; you'll see) disciplines. I daresay the amount of ToB stuff he created rivals Krimm and TDO.

Here (http://www.enworld.org/forum/d-d-legacy-discussion/187901-tob-bo9s-niffts-compendium.html) it all is. Dancing Fox, Sanguine Lotus and Jade Viper might be for you.