I want an assassin

[SangoProduction]

As in the assassin archetype of someone who shows up from nowhere and then suddenly "silences" you for good.

I'd like to avoid spell casters, except gishes.

[Geddy2112]

Well, it is one of the easiest prestige classes to qualify for. (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/prestigeClasses/assassin.html) The only classes that can't become assassins are those who can't be evil.

Typically, you start as a rogue or slayer, but again, saying you want to kill people with a death attack could be almost any class. You do probably want some magic, or at least a good use magic device for invisibility, silence, and other stealth spells.

[Starbuck_II]

As in the assassin archetype of someone who shows up from nowhere and then suddenly "silences" you for good.

I'd like to avoid spell casters, except gishes.

Pathfinder or 3.5?

If not magic (how do you show up out of nowhere)?

[tsj]

Pathfinder or 3.5?

If not magic (how do you show up out of nowhere)?

Extreme disguise, hide and move silent skills?

[gooddragon1]

Well, it is one of the easiest prestige classes to qualify for. (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/prestigeClasses/assassin.html) The only classes that can't become assassins are those who can't be evil.

Typically, you start as a rogue or slayer, but again, saying you want to kill people with a death attack could be almost any class. You do probably want some magic, or at least a good use magic device for invisibility, silence, and other stealth spells.

You don't even have to be evil if you are willing to take some 3.5 material (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070401a).

[dascarletm]

1. Play a slayer.

2. Max stealth, (Disguise/Bluff optional)

3. Take the Assassinate Advanced Slayer Talent

[Sayt]

1. Play a slayer.

2. Max stealth, (Disguise/Bluff optional)

3. Take the Assassinate Advanced Slayer Talent

Assassinate is usually pretty garbage, but on the Slayer it's actually fairly viable, for a couple of factors:

The Slayer grants a scaling bonus to the DC's of it's class abilities against it's favored target
The Headsman's Blade (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/specific-magic-weapons/headsman-s-blade) is a thing. Together, at higher levels, this means that the Slayer's Assassinate ability has a DC 7 higher than, say, a ninja with a comparable ability array and level.


Addiotnally, I suggest picking up Ability Focus (Assassinate) for an additonal +2 to the DC.

For Assassin-y feats, I suggest Hellcat Stealth (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/hellcat-stealth), Dampten Presence (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/dampen-presence) OR Darkstalker (Darkstalker is strictly better, but 3.5 material), and also Darkhidden from .5, if available. It's a lot of feats, but it's unconditional Hide in Plain Sight.