Assassin Guide & Build (Aion 2)

Your main source of damage (Arthars: about 30% on a training dummy). It only works after a critical hit from any skill. Hits up to 4 enemies and restores 100 MP. 5 s cooldown. You get it at level 4.

• 8Absorbs 0.7% HPLife steal makes leveling and bosses easier (couga54, Grobs, GunghoGuns, Game8).
• 8Engraves 1 Insignia for 10s on hit
• 8Up to +20% Critical Hit when less targets hitcouga54 (Titan) while leveling, Grobs in the midgame. Take it when you lack crits.
• 12Multi-Hit on hit
• 16Resets [Heart Gore] cooldown on landing a Critical HitAt 16 Heart Gore resets after every crit. This is the main goal of the whole class (all sources).

You only get the third specialization slot at 20. So at 16 you swap one of the first two for the cooldown reset.

The other half of your damage (Arthars: about 25%). Picks an enemy from 20 m and hits up to 4 targets. The more Insignias on the target (up to 5), the harder it hits and the higher the stun chance. 10 s cooldown. You get it at level 14.

• 8Adds rotate effect
• 8+50% Multi-Hit on hitGrobs, aLuckyRO, Nellan97, Game8, GunghoGuns.
• 8Keep 2 stacks of Insignias after [Insignia Explosion]After the explosion, 2 Insignias stay for the next one (couga54, Grobs, aLuckyRO, GunghoGuns). Nellan97 thinks it is unnecessary, because he always has 5 anyway.
• 12+1s Stun duration
• 16-3s cooldownAt 16 (couga54, Grobs, aLuckyRO, Nellan97, Game8).

Raise it whenever the game allows (couga54, aLuckyRO, Game8, ExpCarry). The game unlocks the next level every 3 character levels: 4 at 20, 8 only at 32, 10 at 38 (wikily.gg, aion2.gaming.tools).

Your basic attack on the left mouse button. No cooldown, 3 hits on up to 4 enemies, and it restores 100 MP on hit. It is what keeps your mana up.

• 8+20% MP restoredYou run short on mana while leveling (aLuckyRO, couga54, GunghoGuns, ExpCarry).
• 8Absorbs 0.7% HPGrobs takes this while leveling instead of mana.
• 8+50% Multi-Hit on hitAfter 45 instead of mana (aLuckyRO, Game8).
• 12-1s [Insignia Explosion] cooldown on hitEveryone takes it: every hit shortens the Insignia Explosion cooldown.
• 16Ignores Block and Evasion and lands as a Critical HitAt 16 every hit is a crit, and crits trigger Heart Gore. Nellan97: +5–10% damage.

Your second filler, on the right mouse button by default. No cooldown, 3 hits, and it eats mana (GunghoGuns: 120 MP). Every hit applies 1 Insignia.

• 8-20% MP consumedWhen you lack mana (Grobs at the start, GunghoGuns).
• 8+20% Skill Speedcouga54, Grobs, GunghoGuns, Nellan97.
• 8Deals up to 12% more damage when less targets are hitMore damage on a single boss (Nellan97, aLuckyRO).
• 12-1s [Shadowstrike] cooldown on hitcouga54's choice.
• 16Pulls nearby targets on using [Savage Smash]

Going above 12–16 is not worth it (couga54, Nellan97).

A hit on an enemy within 4 m. Deals +30% damage from behind. 10 s cooldown. You get it at level 3.

• 8Engraves 2 Insignias for 10s on landing as a Back attackcouga54's choice.
• 8Absorbs 3% HPAs healing while leveling (Grobs, aLuckyRO, GunghoGuns).
• 8Breaks Protective Shields on hit
• 1250% chance to trigger [Whirlwind Slice] on hit
• 16+2 consecutive usesAfter 45 (couga54, Fextralife).

Grobs and Nellan97: it adds little damage (about 3%) and roots you for about 0.5 s, so you can skip it.

Only works on an enemy in Stagger, that is when the boss's gauge is knocked down to zero. It has no cooldown, so you spam it in that window.

• 8Absorbs 5% HPFor leveling (Grobs). aLuckyRO: HP or mana, your choice.
• 8Restores 120 MP on hitGunghoGuns, aLuckyRO.
• 8Changes to mobile skill
• 12Multi-Hit on hitAt 12 (aLuckyRO, couga54, Nellan97).
• 16-1s all skill cooldowns on hitAt 16 every hit shortens all cooldowns by 1 s, Stigmas included, so Illusive Clone comes back sooner (couga54, Grobs, Nellan97).

Use it while your buffs are on cooldown (Grobs).

Teleports behind an enemy from 20 m, hits and stuns for 3 s. 20 s cooldown. Also triggers the Ambush Stance passive.

• 8+1s Stun duration
• 8+20% caster Critical Damage Boost for 5s on hitEveryone takes it (couga54, Grobs, aLuckyRO, GunghoGuns, Nellan97, Game8). From level 23 you open fights with it.
• 850% chance to inflict Seal for 5s on hitOnly Game8, for PvP.
• 1250% chance to inflict Root for 5s on hit
• 16Changes to AoE Skill

Grobs and GunghoGuns say the buff lasts 10 s, but the game data says 5 s. Keep it for repositioning, don't press it on cooldown (couga54).

Jumps to the other side of an enemy (within 4 m), hits up to 4 enemies and blinds them (monsters always). 10 s cooldown.

• 8+2s Blind duration
• 8+6m RangeRange goes from 4 to 10 m (Grobs, couga54, Nellan97).
• 8Up to +20% damage when more targets hitaLuckyRO: for groups of monsters.
• 12+1 consecutive use
• 1650% chance to rotate and inflict Stun for 3s on hitting a target afflicted with Blind

It puts you on the opposite side of the enemy, not always behind it (Grobs).

Leaps behind an enemy within 10 m and hits. Blinds when used after a dodge or in flight. 20 s cooldown.

• 8Restores 300 Stamina on landing [Infiltrate]Stamina for dodging (Nellan97, couga54).
• 8+10m [Infiltrate] rangeSame range as Shadowstrike, so you keep both on one key (Grobs).
• 8Breaks Protective Shields on landing [Infiltrate]
• 12Adds [Dark Strike] Chain Skill
• 16+20% [Infiltrate] Blind Chance

Never take “Adds [Dark Strike] Chain Skill” (couga54).

A hit on an enemy within 4 m. Stuns after a successful dodge (monsters always). 10 s cooldown.

• 8+50% Multi-Hit on hit
• 8Changes to AoE damageExpCarry: for farming groups of monsters.
• 8+16m rangeA gap closer from far away (aLuckyRO, couga54).
• 12+20% Stun Chance
• 1625% chance to reset [Whirlwind Slice] cooldown on Evasion

Long animation, so it stays out of the rotation (couga54). Grobs: usually a damage loss.

Leaps to a stunned enemy within 10 m, hits and knocks it down. 20 s cooldown.

• 8Absorbs 10% HPEmergency healing. aLuckyRO: the strongest life steal on your bar.
• 8Engraves 3 Insignias for 10s on hit
• 8-5s cooldown
• 12+1s Knockdown duration
• 16Can be used on targets afflicted with Blind

Mainly a PvP skill (couga54, aLuckyRO). Nellan97 skips it.

Breaks stun, knockdown, airborne, grab, freeze and fear, then gives 5 s of immunity. 60 s cooldown.

• 8Adds [Storm Slice] Chain Skill
• 8Restores 1000 Stamina on using [Defiance]
• 8Restores 20% HP on using [Defiance]Healing at 8 (Grobs, couga54).
• 12+2s Tenacity duration
• 16+50% PvE Damage Tolerance and +25% PvP Damage Tolerance for Tenacity durationcouga54: swap the healing for this at 16.

+3% damage on back attacks and +3% PvE damage (+1.5% PvP), so it helps from the front too. You get it at level 11.

The most important passive (couga54, aLuckyRO, GunghoGuns).

+100 Critical Hit. 25% chance for +5.5% Attack for 10 s. After a crit, 7% chance for 5 clones that hit and apply Insignias by themselves.

Grobs: “it has everything”. Nellan97 and aLuckyRO rank it first. First point around level 6 (GunghoGuns).

+6% Critical Damage. Swift Contract at level 15 boosts it ×1.5.

Near the top for everyone (couga54, aLuckyRO, Grobs, GunghoGuns, Nellan97, Game8).

Extra damage when the enemy is low on HP (30% or less at skill level 1, the threshold rises with level). You get it at level 25.

Important according to aLuckyRO, couga54, Nellan97 and ExpCarry. Grobs and GunghoGuns don't mention it.

After gap-closer skills, for 10 s you have a 50% chance of an extra hit on hit.

Nellan97, Game8 and Fextralife rank it near the top. aLuckyRO: average.

Higher chance of impact effects (e.g. stun).

Disputed: Grobs and GunghoGuns have it in their top four. aLuckyRO: almost useless in PvE. couga54: keep it for PvP.

+200 Evasion, more HP and healing on evasion.

aLuckyRO: at level 10 it gives about 20% more HP. couga54: only with spare points.

15% chance to poison and −12% healing on the enemy.

couga54: under 1% of your damage. The Daevanion nodes will give it a few levels anyway.

−12% enemy Defense for 10 s when you hit a staggered enemy. 20 s cooldown.

couga54: a PvP passive.

Status effect resistance. Once every 60 s it heals 35% HP when you drop to 10%.

Only with spare points (couga54). aLuckyRO: for PvP.

For 10 s (longer with Stigma level, about 20 s at 20: couga54, Grobs) Heart Gore has no cooldown, and 20% of the damage you deal comes back as extra damage. 90 s cooldown. Only for bosses and elites.

• 5+10% Status Effect Chance for the durationunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10+20% Critical Damage Boost for the durationunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15x1.5 [Exploit Weakness] effect for the durationunlocks by itself at level 15
• 2050% chance to deal extra damage on Critical Hit for the durationunlocks by itself at level 20

The first Stigma for almost everyone. aLuckyRO: essential until Heart Gore reaches 16.

+20% Combat Speed for 10 s. 60 s cooldown. Press it together with Illusive Clone.

• 5-20% MP Cost for the durationunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10x1.5 [Rear Smite] effect for the durationunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15x1.5 [Assault Stance] effect for the durationunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20+10% additional Combat Speedunlocks by itself at level 20

Nellan97: +10% speed is about +5% damage.

A hit within 4 m, +30% from behind. 45 s cooldown. At 10 every hit shortens your current cooldowns by 10%, so press it right after your buffs.

• 5Changes to mobile skillunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10-10% all skill cooldowns on hitunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15Resets cooldown on defeating an enemy with [Triniel's Dagger]unlocks by itself at level 15
• 20+3% all skill cooldownsunlocks by itself at level 20

You don't take it for damage but for the cooldown reduction (Grobs, couga54, GunghoGuns, Nellan97). The level 20 option, “+3% all skill cooldowns”, lengthens the enemy's cooldowns according to its description, so it changes nothing for you.

Hits up to 4 enemies and instantly applies 5 Insignias. Deals a lot of Stagger damage. 60 s cooldown.

• 5Up to +20% damage when more targets hitunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10+50 Stagger Gauge Damageunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15+10% PvE Damage Boost and +5% PvP Damage Boost for 10s on hitunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20Critical Hit on hitunlocks by itself at level 20

For bosses, right before Insignia Explosion (Grobs, couga54, Game8, Fextralife, ExpCarry). aLuckyRO: not worth it early on.

A throw from 20 m that slows the enemy. 30 s cooldown. At 10 it resets when you kill an enemy, so it speeds up questing.

• 5Adds [Shadowblade Pursuit] Chain Skillunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10Resets cooldown on defeating an enemyunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15Critical Hit on hitunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20Changes to AoE Skillunlocks by itself at level 20

For solo leveling (aLuckyRO, GunghoGuns, couga54). Not for bosses (couga54).

For a moment you evade all damage. Restores 110 MP and stamina. 20 s cooldown.

• 5+1 consecutive useunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10Changes to mobile skillunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15+20% Move Speed for 3s on Evasionunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20Restore 10% HP once after successfully evadingunlocks by itself at level 20

A safety net for new players: Nellan97 recommends it instead of Savage Fang until Fang reaches 15. GunghoGuns takes it for dungeons.

Blinds an enemy within 10 m for 5 s.

• 5+10m rangeunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10Changes to AoE Skillunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15Inflicts Slow for 5s on hitunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20+1 consecutive useunlocks by itself at level 20

For PvP (aLuckyRO).

Invisibility for 20 s outside combat.

• 5Critical Hit on attack during Stealthunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10+20% Move Speed for the durationunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15Available in combatunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20Resets cooldown on player kill assistsunlocks by itself at level 20

For PvP (aLuckyRO).

A dash of up to 20 m that removes the enemy's buffs.

• 5Removes up to 2 buffsunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10Rotates and inflicts Stun for 3s when removing 2 or more buffsunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15Removes up to 3 buffsunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20-30s cooldownunlocks by itself at level 20

For PvP (aLuckyRO).

A hit, a jump back and invisibility for 3 s.

• 540% chance to rotate and inflict Stun for 3s on hitunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10Engraves 5 Insignias for 10s on hitunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15+200 Evasion for 10s on useunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20-15s cooldownunlocks by itself at level 20

For PvP (aLuckyRO).

Removes slow and root, +200 Evasion.

• 525% chance of Projectile Immunity for the durationunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10+30% Move Speed for the durationunlocks by itself at level 10
• 1550% chance to reduce all skill cooldowns by 1s on Evasion for the durationunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20+100 Evasion increaseunlocks by itself at level 20

For PvP (aLuckyRO).

An area hit with blind, more Defense for every target hit.

• 5+20% Attack for 5s on hitunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10500 MP damage on hitunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15+10m rangeunlocks by itself at level 15
• 20+20% Blind Chanceunlocks by itself at level 20

aLuckyRO: useless.

A hit that launches the enemy into the air. 120 s cooldown.

• 5+16m [Aerial Bind] rangeunlocks by itself at level 5
• 10Adds [Aerial Slaughter] Chain Skillunlocks by itself at level 10
• 15x1.5 [Ambush Stance] effect for 10s on first strike of [Aerial Bind]unlocks by itself at level 15
• 20-30s cooldownunlocks by itself at level 20

No source recommends it for PvE.