Psionic Mind Ripple Assassin Guide

[Dontinquire]

Psionic assassin

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► Show Spoiler

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Introduction

Edit: Wow, thank you to everyone who has used my guide. It's astounding to have this many views. I hope it has been as helpful to you as many of the guides I've used over the years have been to me.

Greetings. Long time Median XL player. Yes, to get this out of the way. I am indeed [this fucking guy]. I've loved Median for a number of years, I play really hardcore for every 2nd or 3rd patch. I came back for 2.0 because it's awesome. I'm still having a lot of fun. The build I wanted to play does not have a guide. So I decided to make one.

The objective of this build is to make a character that can farm Fauzt, Bremm very quickly. They should also be able to clear all boss content up to level 130. This includes Astrogah, Xazax, Atannah, Belial, Uldyssian, Brother Laz, Ureh, etc. The fights I have not completed at all in this game are - Inarius/Samael/Deimoss. This specific character has completed everything else. It is also the first character with which I successfully killed Brother Laz.

Why this build? Great question. Because it's fun as fuck. I've leveled higher and enjoyed it more than any of my previous builds in any previous season.

Disclaimer: I made this build up through trial and error, I have respecc'd approximately 15 times. While leveling I tried SOOOO many stat/skill allocations it's ridiculous. For that reason, the early game might suck if you follow this guide. I have no idea. Additionaly, this is not made with 'newer' players in mind. The end-game gear is really expensive. It is not a self-found build at all. It requires a lot of jewelcrafting/SU/SSU to really shine. Once you reach the mid-game I'm expecting you to start buying some of this end-game gear. You can play it on a budget but I really don't know how far that will get you. Please proceed with this disclaimer in mind.

Playstyle

The playstyle for leveling is to use shuriken flurry until level 20, then max mind ripple. As you level up your AoE size will actually increase with mind ripple. The great thing about mind ripple is that it won't tank your mana pool like psi storm. It has bigger AoE, it's a cleaner attack, no projectile travel time, also converts. It's basically one of the few hitscan attacks I've seen in Median which is why I love it so much this patch.

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Pros
-Can do most of the content
-"FEELS" good to play
-High Avoidance
-No mana problems
-2 distinct DPS skills, Shuriken Flurry/Mind Ripple
-A lot of skill points are loose for preference based allocation
-No penetration stats required on gear! Just scales spell focus/spell damage

Cons
-Takes a lot of expensive gear to really feel 'GG', even then it's probably less effective than other meta builds.
-Defense is halved, relies on avoidance and kiting
-Boss killing skill has janky targeting/sucks against moving targets.

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Utilized Skills and Descriptions

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Mind Ripple
This skill feels better to use than almost any other skill I've tried in median XL. It has innate conversion so you don't have to run a merc or worry about ressurects to tank for you. Your main DPS skill summons tanks. It doesn't wreck your mana pool to spam either. I enjoy it enough to write this build guide.

Shuriken Flurry
Magic Damage and physical damage. Great boss killer (depending on the boss) depending on how many skill points you've allocated. Even when it's not maxed it can wreck mid tier ubers >125. Basically you stand in one spot and spam it and things tend to die. Targeting isn't great against a mobile target or when there are adds (Xazax comes to mind) that block your hits against the boss. Sucks in Scosglen too.

Pinnacle
Going to want to float around the breakpoints for this one. 6/12/18/24 points depending on your level. The synnergy with cognition means it grants a ton of stamina which is extremely helpful for surviving with avoid.

Meditation
I'd put 3 points into this by level 15. Basically solves mana issues early game. The regen is huge, especially before you have any gear with it. I still use 3 points in it.

Shadow Refuge
This skill is massive for early game survival. It's mandatory to spec and you should basically bind it to your left mouse click and ALWAYS keep it up. Gives physical resist and up to 60% movespeed. You can get into melee and use it on ANY fight (including atannah/laz) because of your 70% avoidance.

Blink
One of the big draws for assassin in general. You can teleport and it gives an AoE stun on arrival. Highly effective at changing platforms or going through walls because you can spam mind ripple before enemies recover from the stun and get a convert or two to survive.

Domain
You need 1 point in this (minimum) to clear things like silver spire paths. I've never needed more than 1 but it can't hurt if you can spare the points.

Perfect Being
The best defense in median XL hands down. If you're below level 141 this should be maxed with no exceptions. Unlike the actual 'defense' stat which is set to 0 when you are sprinting, this is always working. 65% from this skill, 5% from your class trinket. 70% avoid is absolutely bananas.

Prismatic Cloak
This makes you extremely effective at defending against attacks from Xazax/Quov Tsin and other elemental damage. Once again, this should be maxed with no exceptions.

Doom
Fuck doom, we don't use it.

Beacon
50% flat movespeed at all times for 1 skill point. Fantastic skill. Frees up points for other skills too.

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Breakpoints

► Show Spoiler

ATTACK SPEED
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With ANY claw (The only weapons you should use ever):

FPA Cast Speed
11 0
10 7
9 20
8 40
7 75
6 152

HIT RECOVERY
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FPA Hit Recovery
9 0
8 7
7 15
6 27
5 48
4 86
3 200

But where's block? Fuck block, we actually don't want it. Once you get the runeword shield you can't block anyway so don't bother going for improvements to it on gear.

86 Faster Hit Recovery is fairly necessary. Shouldn't be too hard to get across your gear. MO for what's missing.

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Mercenary

► Show Spoiler

I can tell you honestly, I have no idea whatsoever. Go to someone elses build guide and do whatever they're saying. I've never used one beyond leveling. It's annoying enough to gear myself, I'm not doing it twice on a single character. Feel free to yell at me about it, I don't care.

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Early Game

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Gear
Weapon:

Zenith

Zenith
Cestus (4)
One-Hand Damage: 6 to 7
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 5
Required Dexterity: 31
Item Level: 10
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
10% Cast Speed
+(4 to 8)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 20) to Strength
+(11 to 20) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: 13 to 14
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 24
Required Dexterity: 37
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+(1 to 2) to Assassin Skill Levels
15% Cast Speed
+(6 to 12)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 30) to Strength
+(21 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 20 to 23
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 42
Required Dexterity: 51
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+(2 to 3) to Assassin Skill Levels
20% Cast Speed
+(8 to 16)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(31 to 40) to Strength
+(31 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -60%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 23 to 27
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 52
Required Dexterity: 51
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
25% Cast Speed
+(10 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(41 to 50) to Strength
+(41 to 50) to Energy
Requirements -80%
Socketed (3)

->

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

Shield/Offhand:

Zenith

Zenith
Cestus (4)
One-Hand Damage: 6 to 7
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 5
Required Dexterity: 31
Item Level: 10
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+1 to Assassin Skill Levels
10% Cast Speed
+(4 to 8)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 20) to Strength
+(11 to 20) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
One-Hand Damage: 13 to 14
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 24
Required Dexterity: 37
Item Level: 31
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+(1 to 2) to Assassin Skill Levels
15% Cast Speed
+(6 to 12)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 30) to Strength
+(21 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 20 to 23
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 42
Required Dexterity: 51
Item Level: 51
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+(2 to 3) to Assassin Skill Levels
20% Cast Speed
+(8 to 16)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(31 to 40) to Strength
+(31 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -60%
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: 23 to 27
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 52
Required Dexterity: 51
Item Level: 77
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
+3 to Assassin Skill Levels
25% Cast Speed
+(10 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(41 to 50) to Strength
+(41 to 50) to Energy
Requirements -80%
Socketed (3)

->

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

Armor: Akara's Robe ->

Dragon's Blood

Dragon's Blood
Light Plate (4)
Defense: (241 - 284) to (487 - 573)
Required Level: 8
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 19
4% Chance to cast level 8 Wrath on Melee Attack
15% Cast Speed
+(19 to 30)% Damage to Demons
+(11 to 15)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(11 to 15)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Vitality
+(16 to 25) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: (806 - 915) to (1526 - 1733)
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 65
Item Level: 36
6% Chance to cast level 18 Wrath on Melee Attack
25% Cast Speed
+(43 to 54)% Damage to Demons
+(16 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(16 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(41 to 45) to Vitality
+(36 to 45) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2057 - 2268) to (3809 - 4199)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 228
Item Level: 59
8% Chance to cast level 32 Wrath on Melee Attack
35% Cast Speed
+(67 to 78)% Damage to Demons
+(21 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(51 to 55) to Vitality
+(56 to 65) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (5)
Defense: (3094 - 3380) to (5716 - 6245)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 455
Item Level: 85
10% Chance to cast level 45 Wrath on Melee Attack
40% Cast Speed
+(79 to 90)% Damage to Demons
+(26 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(26 to 30)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 60) to Vitality
+(66 to 75) Life after each Demon Kill
Socketed (6)

Helm:

The Allseeing Eye

The Allseeing Eye
Coronet (4)
Defense: 58 to 106
Required Level: 6
Required Dexterity: 17
Item Level: 1
+1 to All Skills
+10% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(31 to 50) Defense
(4 to 5)% to Strength
+3 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (1)
Defense: 144 to 225
Required Level: 23
Required Dexterity: 36
Item Level: 31
+1 to All Skills
+15% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(71 to 90) Defense
(8 to 9)% to Strength
+5 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: 262 to 399
Required Level: 41
Required Dexterity: 85
Item Level: 51
+2 to All Skills
+20% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(111 to 130) Defense
(12 to 13)% to Strength
+8 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (3)
Defense: 337 to 514
Required Level: 49
Required Dexterity: 183
Item Level: 77
+2 to All Skills
+25% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(131 to 150) Defense
(14 to 15)% to Strength
+10 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)

Gloves: Honorfic Gloves
Belt:

Rainbow

Rainbow
Belts
'Eth'
Runeword Level: 15
+5% to Spell Damage
+(6 to 10)% to Summoned Minion Resistances
Regenerate Mana +(5 to 10)%
Elemental Resists +(10 to 15)%
(6 to 8)% Magic Find
+2 to Light Radius

->

Moonwrap

Moonwrap
Sash (4)
Defense: (16 - 18) to (20 - 21)
Required Level: 1
Required Strength: 25
Item Level: 1
5% Cast Speed
+3% to Spell Damage
+(18 to 29)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Cold Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (119 - 129) to (131 - 141)
Required Level: 17
Required Strength: 50
Item Level: 31
15% Cast Speed
+9% to Spell Damage
+(41 to 52)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Cold Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (331 - 353) to (370 - 395)
Required Level: 35
Required Strength: 125
Item Level: 51
25% Cast Speed
+15% to Spell Damage
+(64 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Cold Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (493 - 524) to (542 - 576)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 250
Item Level: 77
30% Cast Speed
+20% to Spell Damage
+(75 to 86)% Enhanced Defense
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Cold Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)

Boots:

Wake of Destruction

Wake of Destruction
Greaves (4)
Defense: (90 - 102) to (135 - 152)
Required Level: 9
Required Strength: 17
Item Level: 19
+(4 to 6)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(11 to 13)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(6 to 8)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(24 to 40)% Enhanced Defense
+(21 to 25) to Energy
Requirements -20%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (333 - 369) to (462 - 512)
Required Level: 27
Required Strength: 33
Item Level: 36
+(7 to 9)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(15 to 17)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(10 to 12)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(58 to 75)% Enhanced Defense
+(26 to 30) to Energy
Requirements -25%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (854 - 930) to (1152 - 1254)
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 158
Item Level: 59
+(10 to 12)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(19 to 21)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(14 to 16)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(92 to 109)% Enhanced Defense
+(31 to 35) to Energy
Requirements -30%
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1274 - 1378) to (1713 - 1853)
Required Level: 52
Required Strength: 272
Item Level: 85
+(13 to 15)% Bonus to Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
+(23 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(18 to 20)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(109 to 126)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 40) to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (4)

Rings:

Ring of Regha

Ring of Regha
Ring
Item Level: 1
Adds 3-5 Damage
+5% to Spell Damage
+(5 to 15) to Strength
+(5 to 15) to Dexterity
Elemental Resists +10%

or Anything +1 Skills/Spell Damage
Amulet:

Witchmoon

Witchmoon
Amulet
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 100
1% Chance to cast level 17 Mana Sweep on Death Blow
+(1 to 3) to All Skills
+(10 to 20) Spell Focus
+(10 to 20)% to Spell Damage
Maximum Mana +(30 to 40)%

or Anything +1-3 Skills/Spell Damage

► Notes for items

This wasn't entirely my process. If I were to go back and do it again this is how I would approach it. All of these items have 1 thing in common. Spell damage/spell focus! Spell damage is basically your best stat on gear. If you find something with spell damage it's likely better for scaling than something with +1 skill points. If you're struggling, look for pieces that lack spell damage/spell focus. The spell damage modifier is typically more important than spell focus. You can easily test this out on junk items as there is an MO for each of these. Put 2% Physical/Magic spell damage on something and see how much of an increase you get (mind ripple damage has no variance, it's a flat min/max spell) and then MO 6 spell focus and see how much of an increase you get. These aren't mandatory either. I never had half of this gear, I got along with rares and junk for a long time. Probably why my experience leveling sucked. Weapons specifically, choronzon wins because of mana regen. You only need a tier 2 claw for the 2 sockets it takes. Don't bother hunting for a t3/t4/sacred base, keep the stat requirement low. You could use one of each claw if you like, that's what I did for a time.

► Notes, Sockets, and MOs

Tiered items
Tiered items are items that have a number behind their name, like this: Boots [1]. The number behind their name is their tier, and tiered items go up to tier 4. Higher tier items have better base defense, and their unique versions have better stats, but their level and stat requirement also increases. The maximum number of sockets depend on the tier of an item. I'll note here, that unique, honorfic (and crafted) items always spawn with the maximum number of avaliable sockets. For base items, check this link:

https://docs.median-xl.com/doc/items/baseitems

Tiered unique (TU) items:

Each tiered base item has a unique verion, called a tiered unique, or TU for short. Each TU item can be disenchanted by cubing it (or up to 10 items at the same time) with a Catalyst of Disenchantement (obtained at the end of normal act 1) for an Arcane shard. Cubing 5 arcane shard together create an Arcane crystal (AC).

Players can use the following cube recipe to turn any tiered item to its unique version:
2 Arcane Crystal + oil of enchancement + item = unique of same tier and same base
The oil is sold by vendors in towns, and base items can either be found or gambled.

The players are rewarded an AC when travelling to act 3, and 1 more ac after killing the council in Travincial, and talking to Cain. These ACs should be used to make the TU totem shield, recommended above. Additional ACs can be esily farmed from Mephisto (drops 2 TUs per kill), or Nihlathak (3 TU per kill)

Tiered items can also be uptiered by cubing them with an AC. Keep in mind, that their level and stat requirement goes up with tiers, always check if you can wear after uptiering or not at this link:

https://docs.median-xl.com/doc/items/tiereduniques

Players should always aim to farm all their TU items, and upgrade them to tier 4 (unless they need lots of str/dex to wear) before stepping in hell.

Runewords
If an item has multiple sockets, they must be filled with Jewels (and not gems, jewels only), with the rune(s) going in the last socket(s). An item can be rerolled with an oil of renewal, to reroll the number of socets on it, or cubed with jewels to add sockets to an item that has no sockets (1 socket per 1 jewel added).
Here is the link for a list of runewords:

https://docs.median-xl.com/doc/items/runewords

Honorfic items
Honorfic items are a special type of items. They have no stats on their own, but they receive double stats from Mystic orbs, allowing you to add the stats you need to make a custom item. Honorfic items are a great way to cap your resistances, and to get str needed to wear items, in addition to combat speeds, and offensive stats.
Honorfic items are made by the following recipe:

Any magic item + Mark of infusion = honorfic item of the same item

The mark of infusion is found by killing Shenk.
Magic items can be made by the following procedure:

Any item + oil of renewal = Normal version of the item
Any normal item + oil of enhancement = Magic version of the item

Mystic Orbs (MO):
Mystic orbs are sold by vendors in towns, they add stat bonuses to your item at the cost of increasing their level requirement. These MOs are pretty expensive, so players should not MO TU items that are not tier 4, because they will be eventually uptiered, and lose the MO bonuses.
The honorfic glove should be MO'd with the following, in order of importance:
-Spell damage
-Spell Focus
-all resistances
-fhr to reach 86 breakpoint
-necessary stats for other gear requirements

ALL MO's should be done in this order on any other gear as well. Spell damage is king.

Sockets:
You can go for max resists in chestpiece with the relevant perfect gems. Early on jewels with spell damage and requirements -10% are very useful as well.

Be sure to use Oil of Luck/Oil of Greater luck on items you plan to keep for a long time:
Amulet: +1 Skills
Armor/Helm/Gloves/Belt/Boots/Shield: 20%ED and/or 1% Phys Res

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Stats
Strength: Enough for gear
Dexterity: Enough for gear
Vitality: The rest
Energy: ~2,000

Energy has a diminishing return dropoff right around 2,000. You'll also note when putting points into it that your damage doesn't go up until you reach a specific breakpoint. Basically, allocate 5 points, check the tooltip, repeat. When you're right around 2,000 and you see your damage go up, stop putting points into it. We don't scale energy, just the energy factor/spell focus formula.

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Skillplan

Until lvl 50, Akara offers free unlimied respecs. Use them to experiment, like I did. Figure out what works for you. This part doesn't really matter so much to me because if you've gotten this far in the guide you're likely targeting level 120+ so you'll get through this eventually regardless.

Before lvl 20:
Meditation - 3
Blink - 1
Shadow Refuge - 1
Shuriken Flurry - Max (assuming mana is okay)

At lvl 20:
Mind Ripple - Max
Meditation - 3
Blink - 1
Domain - 1
Shadow Refuge - 1
Perfect Being - Max

► Notes for skills

Balance between mana cost and defense. If you're dying a lot, put more points into perfect being. If you're killing too slow, put more points in mind ripple. Shuriken flurry is always an option for leveling as well. It will still do great single target damage even if it's much lower level, presuming you've cleared adds first.

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End-Game

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I'm making this guide specifically thinking about end-game. So for me, mid-game is kind of a no-brainer because the early game gear I listed will easily get you through 120 ubers. I don't see any point in providing additional 'mid game' guidance because if you've made it this far you should just start thinking about end-game. So I'm going to essentially skip straight to end game gear. I am presuming you have a little bit of trade gold/end game knowledge. Some of these are things you'll have to buy. They can get expensive. Especially the dumb boots. If you can't afford something listed, the early game gear will still work. We only really care about spell damage/spell focus so anything with those stats can work at any level.

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Gear

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)

or

Mind Rake

Mind Rake
Claws (Sacred)
One-Hand Damage: 42 to 44
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 400
Item Level: 120
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.13 per Dexterity)%
10% Chance to cast level 60 Doom on Death Blow
+(3 to 5) to Assassin Skill Levels
-50% Cast Speed
+(51 to 70)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
Regenerate Mana +33%
Physical Damage Reduced by 50
+100 Life after each Kill
1% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (3)

Shield/Offhand:

Dead Lens

Dead Lens
Totem Shield (Sacred)
Defense: (1390 - 1737) to (1610 - 2012)
Chance to Block: 4%
(Assassin Only)
Required Level: 80
Required Dexterity: 316
Item Level: 1
(31 to 40)% Block Speed
+(10 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(100 to 150)% Enhanced Defense
+200 to Energy
Requirements -40%
Socketed (6)

Universal Law
(Assassin Psionic Set)

or

Ligeia

Ligeia
Assassin Shields
'OhnUn'
Runeword Level: 115
+6 Life per Cognition
+4 to Assassin Skill Levels
-4% Base Block Chance
50% Hit Recovery
+(20 to 30)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+150% Enhanced Defense
+5000 Defense
(7 to 10)% to All Attributes
+(130 to 150) to Energy
Elemental Resists +(20 to 25)%
Physical Resist 5%

Armor:

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)

or

Robe of Steel

Robe of Steel
Full Plate Mail (Sacred)
Defense: (6692 - 7471) to (8202 - 9156)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 469
Item Level: 105
+(11 to 20)% Bonus to Spell Focus
25% Cast Speed
+(21 to 30)% to Spell Damage
+(115 to 140)% Enhanced Defense
+100 to Strength
+100 to Energy
Elemental Resists +20%
+250 Life after each Demon Kill
50% Bonus to Defense
Requirements -33%
Socketed (6)

Helm:

Arcane Protection

Arcane Protection
Circlets
'ArcSur'
Runeword Level: 100
Psicrown Now Explodes Upon Impact
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
+(5 to 10)% Bonus to Spell Focus
+(15 to 20)% to Spell Damage
+(6 to 9) to Psicrown
+(400 to 600) Defense
Regenerate Mana +(20 to 25)%
Physical Resist (5 to 10)%
Elemental/Magic Damage Reduced by (15 to 25)
+(20 to 30) Life after each Kill
+(20 to 30) Mana after each Kill
(20 to 30)% Magic Find

or

Black Masquerade

Black Masquerade
Bone Helm (Sacred)
Defense: (2420 - 2904) to (2622 - 3147)
Required Level: 80
Item Level: 120
+100 Spell Focus
+100% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(150 to 200)% Enhanced Defense
+200 Life Regenerated per Second
Physical Resist (0 to 10)%
Requirements -100%
Socketed (4)

Gloves:

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)

or

Lamha Na Draoithe

Lamha Na Draoithe
Gauntlets (Sacred)
Defense: (1339 - 1506) to (1567 - 1763)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 625
Item Level: 120
+2 to All Skills
+150 Spell Focus
30% Cast Speed
+(16 to 20)% to Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
+75 to Strength
-100 to Life
Elemental Resists +15%
Socketed (4)

Belt:

Duress

Duress
Belts
'Thal'
Runeword Level: 100
7% Chance to cast Level 5 Lifespark on Death Blow when Below 50% Life
+1 to All Skills
15% Cast Speed
+(20 to 25)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
Slows Attacker by 10%
+(141 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+(150 to 200) to Life
Maximum Mana +(6 to 10)%
Physical Resist 5%

->

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse
Light Belt (Sacred)
Defense: (2091 - 2422) to (2171 - 2514)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+2 to All Skills
+(51 to 60) Spell Focus
25% Cast Speed
30% Hit Recovery
+(10 to 15)% to Spell Damage
+(90 to 120)% Enhanced Defense
+(40 to 50) to Energy
+100 to Life
Elemental Resists +15%
+5 to Light Radius
Socketed (2)

Boots: Enchanted craft ->

Spirit Walker

Spirit Walker
Heavy Boots (Sacred)
Defense: 696 to 737
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 550
Item Level: 120
+1% Physical Resist per 18% Mana Regeneration
+2 to All Skills
+(50 to 100) Spell Focus
(10 to 40)% Movement Speed
Jitan's Gate Cooldown Reduced by 1 seconds
+35% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
-15% to Enemy Elemental Resistances
Socketed (4)

Rings:

Ras Algethi

Ras Algethi
Ring
Required Level: 100
Item Level: 105
2% Chance to cast level 44 Magic Missiles on Melee Attack
+(40 to 50) Spell Focus
+(15 to 20)% to Physical/Magic Spell Damage
+(15 to 20)% to Fire Spell Damage
-10% to Enemy Fire Resistance
Physical Resist -2%

Amulet:

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

On Switch:

Shamanka

Shamanka
Long Staff (Sacred)
Two-Hand Damage: 56 to 58
Required Level: 100
Required Dexterity: 203
Item Level: 105
Dexterity Damage Bonus: (0.15 per Dexterity)%
+(3 to 6) to Sorceress Skill Levels
45% Cast Speed
45% Hit Recovery
+(21 to 25)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Cold Spell Damage
+(21 to 25)% to Poison Spell Damage
+(6 to 16) to Bloodlust
Maximum Life +(10 to 13)%
Fire Resist +(50 to 70)%
Lightning Resist +(50 to 70)%
Socketed (4)

or 2 crafted claws with bloodlust

► Notes for items

I will link a video of what I'm actually wearing. There are some very expensive items here. The set carried me for quite a while. It wasn't until I hit 125 that I started to feel like I might need to start upgrading the set pieces. Mind rake is really good with a significant downside, I overcame that with just vex runes. It's fairly cheap but super rare. Honestly, I'm decently far off my 'goals' for gear. I still don't have the belt, the helm, or the boots. I'm only using 1 of the rings because I spell focus capped without a second one. Additionally I could min max my jewels some more. With what I'm wearing now which is only half of this listed, I'm still fairly viable. I see the most important pieces as being the bloodlust claws. Those are easily self-made with ANY shrine and will give you a nice damage boost. I didn't make mine until level 134. Because I didn't have a guide to remind me of what's important... like YOU do! So make the claws early. Also the set is fairly trivial to acquire through trade or self farming so I'd recommend it as a good starting point.

► Notes, Sockets, and MOs

Sacred Items
Sacred items can be thought as the next tier of items. They have even higher base stats (and higher str/dex requirements) than tier4 items, but they have their own unique variants (most of them has more than 1), they cannot be gambled, they can be obtained only from drops. Sacred unique items also can not be made by the TU make recipe, they can only be found. There are 2 special things that can be done with sacred items, that are not possible with tiered items: shrine crafting them, and shrine blessing them.

Shrine crafting and blessing:
Players will find various shrines starting from somewhere in nightmare. These shrines are used for crafting your own items. Each shrine comes with 10 charges. Each shrine adds a set of preset affixes to an item, see them HERE.

The recipe to shrine craft items:

Shrine (x charges) + sacred rare/crafted item = randomly rerolled item with added shrine bonuses + shrine (x-1 charges)

An item can be made rare by using Charsi's imbue from the quest reward, use it wisely.
For a list of the random affixes items can get check HERE
The native bonus stat of shrines, and regular affixes on items can stack together, resulting in very strong items.

Players can also bless sacred honorfic, sacred rare, and crafted items ONCE with the following recipe, which adds the shrine's bonuses to the item (doesnt reroll, just adds)

Item + shrine(x charges) + 2 AC = item with shrine bonuses added (again) + shrine (x-1 charges)

Sockets and MOs

The first pick for sockets is tal/thal runes. When you start crafting jewels, these will ALL be Fal based. This will give us 1-2% spell damage. Since spell damage can also naturally roll 1-2%... A god tier jewel will have 4% spell damage/10+ spell focus. You'll likely want to fill your gear with tal/tal runes for 3-4% spell damage before you ever get to that point. Barring that you can go for max resists or FHR or -requirements or whatever else. When your damage starts to suck, look at jewels. They are the easiest thing to miss. Imagine you are like 'aww my damage sucks' and you have 20 slots remaining that only have 0-2% spell damage. You could pick up another 40-50% spell damage in those slots without changing any actual gear out. Keep it in mind.
MO priority: Spell damage? Spell damage. Spell focus? Spell focus. Whatever the fuck else you want? After spell damage then spell focus, sure. Doesn't really matter.

---

Stats

Strength: Hopefully 0
Dexterity: Hopefully 0
Vitality: The rest
Energy: 2,000

---

Skillplan
Blink - 1
Domain - 1
Shadow Refuge - 1
Perfect Being - MAX (NEVER NOT MAXED)
Shadow Rush - 0-6 depending on your level
Beacon - 1
Prismatic Cloak - 15
Meditation - 3
Specialization - 10 (Varies based on level/content)
Shuriken Flurry - 30 (Varies based on level/content)
Pinnacle - 24 (Varies based on level/content)
Mind Ripple - 30 (Varies based on level/content)
Cognition - 1 (Goal is 100 cognition synnergy)

So there's some back and forth here about were and how to spec as you level through the 120-135 range. I'm not really sure what is best. I've gone through trial and error. Essentially it varies by uber. My personal preference is just to have max mind ripple and max shuriken flurry until you kill baal. After that there's some wiggle room, the QoL from 75 to 100 pinnacle is huge. So once you can hit 100 pinnacle you get heals on kill. These heals will save you quite frequently. In conjunction with the Laek on the gear, this is a huge boost to surviving things like duncraig, fauzt, bremm. Each individual uber will kind of vary on what's the 'best' way to kill it. For a lot of them shuriken flurry is the way to go. For others, like Quov Tsin or Astrogah this doesn't work and you'll be spamming mindripple while namelocking them. I haven't 'solved' the build by any means and I'm still trying out variants with 125 cognition. You have to drop avoidance for those which I hate. So ultimately, I don't know necessarily what will be 'best' at end-game. If I get farther along than I am now, I'll update the guide accordingly.

---

Closing thoughts
[Here's] my actual gear and charm layout so you don't have to guess at where I was at when I wrote this. I'll make some videos of ubers to showcase the build as well. I'll reply to this thread with links. Let me know if there are errors, omissions, better ideas/gear that I've missed (super plausible). I didn't realize the black masquerade helm existed until I went looking for items to put in the guide.

Note: Shamelessly stolen template from [This build guide]
PS: I got a review that I could not ignore. This amazingly describes precisely how I feel about the build.
mortimermcmire said "it's not the most powerful uberbuild ever created but it's right at the intersection of powerful and fun to play."

[Dontinquire]

My plan is to make videos showcasing how I tackle all the content. Unfortunately for you I didn't record anything as I leveled up so you can't see the slog that it was to get to this point (like any decent median XL build). If there's something specific you want to see/know about, let me know and I'll prioritize it.

Disclaimer: My mic sucks, I don't have a pop filter. I gave away my streamer mic, don't wanna stream or be a youtuber or anything. I was just irritated enough that this guide did not exist for me that I went and made these videos with my crappy headset mic. I'm that petty.

PROGRESSION (click [level] for video) [DOCS for more info: DUNGEONS / RIFTS]:
[<59][ Level Challenge: Throne of Destruction -> last wave portal -> Tran Athulua [WP] (kill under level 59 or pay extra AC).
[80] Ennead Challenge: Nightmare Mephisto -> K3BA portal
[105] The Butcher: A1 Stony Field -> Tristram -> inside house [LOCK:20s]
[105] Infernal Machine: A1 Tamoe Highland -> The Pit
[105] Island of the Sunless Sea

[FARMING SPOT: GOLD BIAS]: A2 Rocky Waste -> Stony Tomb 1 -> Treasure Vault -> Kill Gheed's Mentor
[105] Riftwalker (hell): A2 Palace Harem
[105] Death Projector: A3 Flayer Jungle -> Swampy Pit -> Proving Grounds [LOCK:30s]
EXP->110: IotSS / A5 Red portals / End of A5 / A5 Icy Cellar
[110] Creature of Flame: A3 Lower Kurast -> The Vizier @ entrance -> Caldeum [WP] -> Dimensional Sanct [LOCK:20s]
[110] Tal Rasha: A2 Canyon of the Magi -> Tal Rasha Tomb -> Kill guardians of duriel chamber entrance
[110] Akarat: A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles [WP][FARMING SPOT: SIGNET BIAS] -> north
[110] Jitan: A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles [WP][FARMING SPOT: SIGNET BIAS] -> north-west
[110] Inquisitor of the Triune: A3 Town -> Kurast Causeway -> next to the right side temple entrance
[110] Bul-Kathos: A5 Ancient's Way -> Mount arreat -> kill a guy that opens portal [LOCK:120s]
[110] Cow level [FARMING SPOT: SHRINE BIAS]: cube wirts leg in a1 town
EXP->115: Torajan Jungles / Cow Level
[115] Kurast 3000 BA [FARMING SPOT: SET SHRINE AND RUNE BIAS]: A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles -> north
[115] Black Road Challenge: A1 Town (Warriv) -> Bramwell -> Church of Dien-Ap-Sten
[115] Rathma Square: A3 Lower Kurast -> kill The Vizier at the entrance -> Caldeum [WP] -> Rathma Square
[115] Bull Prince Rodeo: A1 Tristram -> Cow level (kill king) -> Another leg -> rodeo portal
[115] Tran Athulua [WP][FARMING SPOT: UNIQUE BIAS]: A2 Dry Hills - >Halls of the Dead level 3 -> kill Kethryes at golden chest
[115] Legacy Of Blood: A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles [WP] -> south-east [LOCK:30s]
[115] Khalimgrad: A4 Plains of Despair -> Izual -> Diamond Gates -> Silver City [WP] -> Library Of Fate (Khalimgrad)
[115] Cathedral of Vanity: A4 Plains of Despair -> Izual -> Diamond Gates -> Silver City [WP] -> Library Of Fate [LOCK:30s]
[115] Azmodan: A4 Chaos Sanctuary -> kill Ghom to obtain Key of Sin
[115] Greater Riftwalker: A4 Chaos Sanctuary -> kill Ghom to obtain Key of Sin -> upper left part of the map
EXP->120: K3BA / Tran Athulua / Khalimgrad / Azmodan level
[120] Judgment Day: A4 Plains of Despair -> Izual -> Diamond Gates -> Silver City [WP] -> Silver Spire 1->2 -> Crystal Arch
[120] Quov Tsin: A3 Lower Kurast -> kill The Vizier at the entrance -> Caldeum [WP] -> Vizjerei Temple
[120] Duncraig [WP][FARMING SPOT: SET AND SACRED UNIQUE BIAS]: A1 Town (Warriv) -> Bramwell -> Subterranean Corridor
[120] Teganze [FARMING SPOT: ELEMENTAL ESSENCE AND RUNESTONE BIAS]: A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles [WP] -> east -> Torajan Cemetery
[120] Ureh: A3 Lower Kurast -> The Vizier @ gate -> Caldeum [WP] -> Vizjerei Temple -> Ureh (path to banner)

[120] Triune [FARMING SPOT: CYCLE BIAS]: A3 Lower Kurast -> kill The Vizier at the entrance -> Caldeum [WP] -> Rathma Square (kill boss)
[120] Kabraxis: A1 Town (Warriv) -> Bramwell -> Church of Dien-Ap-Sten (boss opens portal)
[120] Athulua: A2 Halls level 3 -> Tran Athulua [WP] -> Island of Skartara [WP] (summon from scroll that drops in TA)
[120] Eve of Destruction (Baal) - The Worldstone Chamber
EXP->125: Duncraig / Teganze / Triune
[125] Toraja: A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles [WP] -> east -> Torajan Cemetery
[125] Vizjun: A3 Flayer Jungle -> Swampy Pit -> Proving Grounds
[125] Fauztinville [FARMING SPOT: SU RINGS AND AMULETS, RUNES AND SHRINES]: A5 Open portal using Black Road charm upgraded with Kabraxis Stones
[125] Bremmtown: A5 Fauztiville north-east
[125] Belial: A4 Chaos Sanctuary -> kill Maghda to obtain Key of Lies [LOCK:60s]
[125] Ascendant Riftwalker: A4 Chaos Sanctuary -> kill Maghda to obtain Key of Lies - [LOCK:60s]
[125] Astrogha: A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles [WP] -> north-west
[125] Xazax: A2 Halls level 3 -> Tran Athulua [WP] -> Island of Skartara [WP] -> Wretched Sands (hug left side) [LOCK:300s]
[125] Yshari Sanctum: A3 Lower Kurast -> kill The Vizier at the entrance -> Caldeum [WP]
[125] Spirit of Giyua A3 Town -> Torajan Jungles [WP] -> north-east -> Torajan Cemetery -> Teganze -> Mbwiru Eikura
[125] Startled Witch: A3 Lower Kurast -> kill The Vizier at gate -> Caldeum [WP] -> Vizjerei Temple -> Ureh north [LOCK:60s]
EXP->∞: Fauztinville / Bremmtown / Vizjun / Toraja / Duncraig
[130] Uldyssian: A4 Plains of Despair -> Izual -> Diamond Gates -> Silver City [WP] -> Silver Spire 1->2 -> Crystal Arch
[130] The Void: A4 -> Izual -> Diamond Gates -> Silver City [WP] -> Library Of Fate -> CoV -> Black Abyss [LOCK:1500s]
[130] Brother Laz: A3 Flayer Jungle -> Swampy Pit -> Proving Grounds -> Vizjun (north-east) -> Genesis [LOCK:15s]
[135] Scosglen: A5 Ancient's Way -> Mount arreat -> King Koth -> find town bottom right corner Tur Dulra [WP]
[135] Samael: Farm hell Baal that drops mystery item with clues. [LOCK:1200s]

Shamelessly stolen from [Here]
Edit: Updated the laz video. It's actually a kill now. Added Giyua.

[prolexy]

hey thanks for your working ! hope you can upload a normal gameplay video - maybe u farming like k3k

[Dontinquire]

I added about a dozen videos. 1 of which is bremmtown.

[Lynderika]

Very nice ! I always loved the equivalent of this skill in vanilla, it could really save lots of situation, it's good to see it again. Sin getting more love always is good as well.
Getting singularity replaced entierely was pretty sad still, but it's a build I'll try out eventually.

[mortimermcmire]

it's not the most powerful uberbuild ever created but it's right at the intersection of powerful and fun to play. great guide.

[Matrim]

Ok before I ever get into the guide...wow didn't know that clip existed but I have discovered a new hero of the people today. I will wear my wrist brace, fire up some herbs, and spam some mind ripple in your honor.

I was literally just thinking about a build similar to this but no where near your level of knowledge. Thank you.

E1: "I can tell you honestly, I have no idea whatsoever. Go to someone elses build guide and do whatever they're saying. I've never used one beyond leveling. It's annoying enough to gear myself, I'm not doing it twice on a single character. Feel free to yell at me about it, I don't care." LMFAO 2 points into Hero of the People.

[drv]

very awesome and well detailed going to definitly try this build out

[mhienbr]

how can we reach the cast speed breakpoint when use mind rake (-50 cast speed)? FCR MO in weapon or craft a bunch of FCR jewels?

[Matrim]

You could add "ELD - Shedim -Claws" to early leveling. fixes the mana issues easily so far. I am a MXL noob though so maybe I just haven't gotten far enough with an assassin yet.