Psionic Storm Assassin Updated Guide

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PeterHatEater
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Introduction



After spending several seasons of playing casually and learning the game, this is the first season I've really pushed myself and my character. I decided on the Psionic Storm Assassin and I'm so glad I did. This character is incredibly fun to play. At times, when everything is going right, you'll feel like Mozart on the keyboard. Other times this class can be incredibly frustrating and feel like paper. At the end of the day, it's a challenging yet rewarding class.

The last guide on this character found here is what my character is based on. It's a fantastic and comprehensive guide. However, due to the differences between 1.7 and 2.0, some of that guide may be a little bit misleading (the tooltip damage, for example, is not realistic to obtain in this patch). You should still refer to this guide for things like breakpoints.

I want to keep this short and sweet. The goal of this miniguide is to update some aspects of the previous guide and to add some more choices to gear that I've been experimenting with.

Pros


- Excellent farmer at almost all periods in the game
- Active gameplay
- Can do most bosses

Cons


- Can't tank damage, relies on good movement
- Heavily mana dependent
- Can be carpal tunnel inducing (-:

Psionic Storm



Our main skill
- High damage AoE
- Drains 10% of your max mana per cast (as well as a flat cost)
- Heals you if you have at least 10% of your max mana in the pool
- Scales ONLY off energy and skills

The Theory



We have two choices. We can either maximise our damage by increasing our energy as much as possible from %energy and flat energy OR we can sacrifice some energy for mana regeneration. I've experimented quite extensively with both. They're both excellent choices for late game farming, however, I have recently been leaning towards mana regen and had more success with bossing with this build. The reason being we can cast Psionic Storm more frequently and we can utilise the health regen more effectively, giving us more survivability.

Stats



Early game:
STR and DEX to equip gear, the rest into ENERGY

Late game:
All ENERGY (charms and gear cover our STR/DEX numbers)

Skills



Psionic:
- Max Psionic Storm (duh)
- Max Energize
- Max Pinnacle (only useful every 6 base levels. Keep this in mind when attributing points)
- 1 into Cognition (at least 100 in the tree for Bloodbath, a solid defensive layer. 125 doesn't affect us and 150 is unreasonably high).

Mastery:
- Max Meditation (ASAP!)
- Max Specialization
- Max either Endurance or Chemistry (Chemistry if you find yourself chugging mana pots constantly)

Reward:
- Max Prismatic Cloak (good defensive layer)
- Max Doom (affects Psionic Storm damage)

Ninja:
- 1 into Blink (maybe 1 into Domain if you feel Blink isn't going the distance)
- 1 into Shadow Refuge (enough to get max physical resist. Keep this on left click)
- Max Shadowrush for farming/kiting/happy feet
- Max Perfect Being (awesome defensive skill)


Gear



Now don't take everything I say for gospel. I have 800 deaths this season (lol) but I also got to level 140 in 2 weeks and killed Uldyssian with this build (still grumpy my first Neutrality Pact was +1 :roll: ). I'm yet to try Laz but will update when I get the chance. Anyway, let's call what I've done this season a science experiment (that could certainly be improved upon!)

Early/Mid Game



Weapon:
Fiend

Fiend
Assassin Claws

'SolKo'
Runeword Level: 48
3% Chance to cast level 11 Psionic Scream when Struck
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
+(3 to 4) to Psionic Storm (Assassin Only)
5% to Strength
+(61 to 75) to Mana
Maximum Mana +(5 to 10)%
Poison Resist +30%
+(20 to 40) Mana after each Kill
(7 to 10)% Gold Find
(10 to 15)% Magic Find
--->
Choronzon

Choronzon
Assassin Claws

'SurTal'
Runeword Level: 75
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
20% Cast Speed
+20% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by (15 to 20)%
10% to Energy
Regenerate Mana +15%
+(20 to 25) Life after each Kill
4% Reanimate as: Random Monster
+(40 to 50) Life when Struck by an Enemy
Great mana sustain on these items.
Armour:
Akara's Robe (1)
Akara's Robe
Quilted Armor (1)
Defense: 74 to 100
Required Level: 10
Required Strength: 10
Item Level: 255
+50 Defense
+(6 to 10) to all Attributes
+50 to Life
Elemental Resists +(11 to 15)%
Cannot be Upgraded
Socketed (2)
Use this through normal, nightmare and early hell
Helm:
Topspin
Topspin
Skull Cap (4)

Defense: (76 - 83) to (115 - 125)
Required Level: 3
Required Strength: 28
Item Level: 1
5% Attack Speed
+(31 to 50)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 50) Defense
(3 to 5)% to Dexterity
(3 to 5)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
10% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (1)
Defense: (277 - 301) to (365 - 397)
Required Level: 20
Required Strength: 55
Item Level: 31
15% Attack Speed
+(61 to 80)% Enhanced Defense
+(71 to 100) Defense
(6 to 8)% to Dexterity
(6 to 8)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +1%
20% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (3)
Defense: (704 - 760) to (876 - 943)
Required Level: 37
Required Strength: 192
Item Level: 51
25% Attack Speed
+(91 to 110)% Enhanced Defense
+(151 to 200) Defense
(9 to 11)% to Dexterity
(9 to 11)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
30% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)
Defense: (1182 - 1258) to (1471 - 1564)
Required Level: 47
Required Strength: 384
Item Level: 77
30% Attack Speed
+(121 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+(301 to 400) Defense
(12 to 14)% to Dexterity
(12 to 14)% to Energy
Maximum Elemental Resists +2%
40% Bonus to Defense
Socketed (4)

Belt/Gloves/Boots: Honorifics pumped up with energy, whatever stats you need to wear gear and combat speeds to hit breakpoints
Rings/Ammy: Rares. MO with mana regen!

Late Game



First of all, this build excels with The Sleep trophied with Baal's Trophy because of the insane mana regen. Without that, you certainly need to stack as much mana regen as possible elsewhere.

Secondly, we can either run two claws or one claw and a shield. I personally prefer two claws but there are certainly benefits to the claw/shield setup. I'll list all the best choices I've found for these claw and shield combinations.

Weapon:
Killing Vector
Killing Vector
Cestus (Sacred)

One-Hand Damage: 41 to 43
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 90
Required Dexterity: 349
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+(1 to 3) to Assassin Skill Levels
+(33 to 55) Spell Focus
(21 to 30)% Cast Speed
+(16 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(9 to 16) to Doom (Assassin Only)
+200 to Energy
Socketed (3)

Universal Law
(Assassin Psionic Set)
is almost a necessity. We can pair this with:
Dead Lens
Dead Lens
Totem Shield (Sacred)

Defense: (1390 - 1737) to (1610 - 2012)
Chance to Block: 5%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 80
Required Dexterity: 527
Item Level: 1
1% Base Block Chance
(31 to 40)% Block Speed
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
(21 to 25)% to Dexterity
+(21 to 25) to Vitality
+100 to Energy
Socketed (6)

Universal Law
(Assassin Psionic Set)
,
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
Cestus (Sacred)

One-Hand Damage: 41 to 43
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 349
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
Vessel of Judgement: +3 Targets
+7 to Assassin Skill Levels
+100% Damage to Vessel of Justice
+100% Damage to Vessel of Retribution
+(50 to 60) to Vessel of Judgement
+(100 to 150) to Energy
+(300 to 400) to Life
Maximum Mana +(20 to 25)%
Physical Resist 5%
Socketed (3)
(my personal favourite),
Vizjun's Monitor
Vizjun's Monitor
Katar (Sacred)

One-Hand Damage: 36 to 37
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 80
Required Dexterity: 333
Item Level: 1
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+4 to Assassin Skill Levels
25% Hit Recovery
+(21 to 25)% to Lightning Spell Damage
+50 to Strength
(20 to 25)% to Vitality
(20 to 25)% to Energy
Socketed (3)

Vizjun's Devices
(Assassin Trap Set)
(not a big fan of this) or
Dawn
Dawn
Weapons

'Zol'
Runeword Level: 100
10% Chance to cast level 32 Celerity on Kill
45% Hit Recovery
(301 to 500)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Damage
75% to Strength
75% to Dexterity
35% to Vitality
75% to Energy
+80 to Mana
60% Gold Find
+(2 to 4) to Light Radius
(untested but I think this weapon has huge potential. Celerity might be able to replace the skill points in Shadowrush. I'll update this guide when I get the chance to test it). We can also use an Eerie crafted shield or
Stormflyer
Stormflyer
Kite Shield (Sacred)

Defense: (4190 - 4737) to (4889 - 5527)
Chance to Block: 1% + Class%
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Required Dexterity: 559
Item Level: 120
25% Chance to cast level 60 Forked Lightning on Melee Attack
1% Base Block Chance
+(30 to 40)% to Lightning Spell Damage
-(15 to 20)% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(130 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
(11 to 15)% to Dexterity
(31 to 40)% to Energy
Lightning Absorb 5%
25% Weapon Damage Taken Restores Mana
Socketed (4)
with 40% Energy. Mix and match these claws/shields to see what works for you!
Armour: Eerie craft if you're not using the
Universal Law
Universal Law
(Assassin Psionic Set)

Dead Lens
Hypersurface
Killing Vector
Quantum Bevel

Set Bonus with 2 or more set items:
+2 to Assassin Skill Levels
+20% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage

Set Bonus with 3 or more set items:
+150 to Energy
+500 to Life

Set Bonus with complete set:
+4 to Assassin Skill Levels
+15% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+60 to Orb of Annihilation
+1500 to Mana
Elemental Resists +25%
Physical Resist 5%
+100 Life after each Kill

set. Otherwise
Hypersurface
Hypersurface
Leather Armor (Sacred)

Defense: (8272 - 8918) to (8579 - 9257)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength:
315
Item Level: 1
+(172 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+2000 Defense
+200 to Energy
+(401 to 500) to Life
+(101 to 150) Life after each Kill
Requirements -40%
Socketed (6)

Universal Law
(Assassin Psionic Set)

Helm:
Royal Circlet
Royal Circlet
Tiara (Sacred)

Defense: (1740 - 1957) to (1968 - 2214)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 392
Item Level: 105
+2 to All Skills
+50% Damage to Demons
+50% Damage to Undead
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(21 to 25)% to All Attributes
Elemental Resists +(25 to 30)%
Physical Resist 5%
(21 to 25)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)
(no other contenders)
Belt: Honorific, Eerie blessed, pumped up with energy, whatever stats you need to wear gear, resistances and combat speeds to hit breakpoints. Throw a few Auriel's Focus' on this for insane late game damage. You could also use an Eerie craft here or
The Endless Loop
The Endless Loop
Light Belt (Sacred)

Defense: 1101 to 1143
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 105
40% Combat Speeds
+(10 to 19) to Charged Strike
Slow Target 10%
+50 to all Attributes
+75 Life Regenerated per Second
+(0 to 1) Mana on Striking
Socketed (2)
, but I think an Honorific is better.
Gloves:
Lorekeeper
Lorekeeper
Light Gauntlets (Sacred)

Defense: (1018 - 1179) to (1159 - 1342)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength:
300
Item Level: 120
+3 to All Skills
20% Combat Speeds
+(5 to 10) to Firedance
+(90 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
Regenerate Mana +(40 to 60)%
Requirements -50%
Socketed (4)
Insane mana regen. +3 all skills. Awesome item.
Quantum Bevel
Quantum Bevel
Gauntlets (Sacred)

Defense: (1339 - 1506) to (1567 - 1763)
Required Level: 80
Required Strength:
375
Item Level: 1
+(16 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+100 to Energy
Maximum Mana +(11 to 15)%
(16 to 20)% Magic Find
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)

Universal Law
(Assassin Psionic Set)
if you're running the set. Again, an Eerie craft could work here too.
Boots: Honorific works here too. Especially if pumped up with Auriel's Focus'. Eerie craft works here as well but I'm currently running (and loving)
Megalith
Megalith
Boots

'LoFal'
Runeword Level: 73
+1 to All Skills
25% Cast Speed
15% Block Speed
+(115 to 143)% Enhanced Defense
+(10 to 20) to all Attributes
5% to Dexterity
Regenerate Mana +30%
Physical Resist 5%
for the huge mana regen. You can also run
Overseer's Slippers
Overseer's Slippers
Boots

'HemIo'
Runeword Level: 105
Abyss Knights: Chance to cast Chaos Nova on Kill Doubled
4% Chance to cast level 11 Force Blast when Struck
+1 to Necromancer Skill Levels
Attacker Flees after Striking 10%
+(25 to 30)% to Summoned Minion Damage
+(31 to 40)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
+50% to Summoned Minion Attack Rating
+200% Enhanced Defense
-111 Defense
+(200 to 250) to Energy
(25 to 30)% Magic Find
despite basically all the stats being useless because of the ridiculous amount of flat energy.
Ammy:
Vizjerei's Necklace
Vizjerei's Necklace
Amulet

Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
+(1 to 3) to All Skills
+(20 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
(10 to 20)% to Energy
Maximum Mana +10%
+(25 to 50) Life after each Kill
(no other contenders)
Rings:
Ouroboros
Ouroboros
Ring

Required Level: 110
Item Level: 120
+1 to All Skills
(-15 to 25)% to Strength
(-15 to 25)% to Dexterity
(-15 to 25)% to Vitality
(-15 to 25)% to Energy
with really high energy or
Empyrean Glory
Empyrean Glory
Ring

Required Level: 50
Item Level: 120
1% Chance to cast level 40 Singularity on Kill
(6 to 10)% to All Attributes
Maximum Life +5%
Maximum Mana +15%
15% Gold Find
. Both work nicely. Can run one of each if you like.

- Puls (or Phuls if you're rich af) in all armour for energy.
- Sur in all weapons (or Zur if you're RICH AF) for mana regen.
- Sigils of Absolution on gear if you can afford it (I can't).
- Auriel's Focus' on armour and Orb of Annihilations on weapons.
- MO energy on armour. MO mana regen on rings and ammy.
- Psionic Storm relics if you can afford (still looking for my first).
- %Energy and attributes on jewels for Runewords


Final Notes



As I said in the intro, I'm newish to the game and this is my first character that I actually consider strong. I'm certainly open to suggestions and improvements on my ideas. This is also my first attempt at a guide, so feedback on general aspects of the guide are welcome too :D
If this guide gets some traction I will certainly be adding screenshots and videos.

Good luck with this build!