The Assassin class in Blade & Soul NEO has undergone significant changes compared to its previous version in the live game. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the class, including base skills, stealth mechanics, and combat strategies. Whether you're new to the Assassin or a veteran returning to the class, this guide will help you understand how to maximize your efficiency in both PvE and PvP settings.
Understanding the Assassin's Base Skills
Before diving into advanced techniques, it's crucial to understand the fundamental skills of the Assassin. Below is a breakdown of the essential abilities and their functions.
Mobility and Defensive Skills
• Q (I-Frame & Teleport Behind Target) – Allows the Assassin to evade attacks and reposition behind the enemy. Requires a target to activate.
• E (Dash Forward I-Frame) – Provides a quick forward dash that grants temporary invincibility.
• SS (Quick Step Backward I-Frame) – A fast retreat that grants an I-frame.
• Tab (Position Swap / Stealth Entry) – Swaps positions with the target. Can be upgraded to enable stealth upon activation.
• F (Dragon Pulse Ride Activation) – Allows the Assassin to interact with the game's Dragon Pulse travel system.
Stealth Mechanics & Stealth Entry Skills
• Hook Kick – A crucial skill that enables stealth when upgraded.
• Shadow Kick – The opposite of Hook Kick; it takes the Assassin out of stealth.
• Decoy (Counter Mechanic) – Can be used to counter yellow attacks from bosses. Successfully countering moves the Assassin behind the target and grants stealth.
• 1 (Stealth Approach) – A ranged approach skill (4-16 meters) that grants six seconds of stealth. Upgrading this reduces the cooldown, allowing for continuous stealth maintenance.
Crowd Control & Combo Skills
• Close Shave (Petrify) – When used on stunned opponents, it applies a 1.6-second untappable CC (petrification).
• Aerial Skills (Airborne Control)
• Used when a target is stunned or dazed.
• Extend aerial attacks by comboing Tab → LMB → Aerial Extend.
• Bolt Strike (2-second stun & gap closer) – Moves the Assassin behind the enemy while stunning them.
• Z (Knockdown / Ice Mine Option) – Inflicts knockdown; can be upgraded to freeze enemies.
• 4 (Poison Breath / 2-second stun option) – Can be used to maintain poison stacks while applying additional CC.
• V (Lotus of Escape) – A secondary CC escape similar to Tab.
Poison Stacking & Damage Skills
• Poison Breath (4-key skill) – One of the main ways to apply poison stacks.
• Time Bomb (2-key skill, upgraded) – A utility skill essential for maintaining poison stacks.
• Shuriken (Ranged DPS skill) – Grants one poison stack per hit when upgraded.
• Lotus Fury (PvE Stacking Mechanic) – Every hit applies an additional poison stack.
• Shadow Slash (Knockdown/DPS hybrid skill) – Can be used for burst damage or CC.
Escape and Utility Skills
• Tab Escape (CC Escape on 36s cooldown) – Allows the Assassin to break free from CC while entering stealth.
• Shuriken Escape – Usable when knocked down, but if hit within the first second, the Assassin will be knocked down again.
• Shadow Slip (Movement Mechanic) – Can be activated after Backstab or CC Escape.
• Phantom Pierce (Resist-based Skill) – Used when a successful counter is executed.
• Lightning Stride (Movement + Shock Infliction Option) – Used for repositioning and can be upgraded for additional damage.
• Guard Break (2-second stun against blocking enemies) – Disrupts defensive opponents in PvP scenarios.
Assassin Gameplay & Strategy
Stealth Rotation & Poison Stacking
Maintaining stealth is key to playing the Assassin effectively. To ensure you remain hidden and maintain high DPS, follow this general rotation:
1. Initiate Combat: Use 1 (Stealth Approach) from 4-16 meters.
2. Maintain Poison Stacks: Use Time Bomb (2-key), Poison Breath (4-key), and Shuriken (X-key).
3. Cycle Stealth Skills: Use Hook Kick, Decoy, and Shadow Slip whenever available.
4. Aerial Control (When CC'd Enemies Are Available): Execute Tab → LMB → Aerial Extend → Knockdown Combo.
5. Utilize Lotus Fury in PvE: Each attack stacks poison for sustained DPS.
6. Escape & Reposition: Use Tab Escape, V Escape, and Shadow Slip wisely.
PvP Strategy
In PvP, managing CC and countering your opponent is just as important as dealing damage. Use these tactics:
• Control the fight with stuns and aerials – Utilize Close Shave, Bolt Strike, and Highwire to keep your opponent immobilized.
• Stay unpredictable – Alternate between Q/E/SS/I-frame skills to make yourself difficult to target.
• Use Decoy and Tab Escape efficiently – Bait enemy CC attempts before escaping or countering.
• Time your Guard Break properly – Catch opponents off guard when they attempt to block.
Skill Books & Recommended Build
To maximize efficiency, acquiring essential skill books early is recommended. Below is a priority list:
Essential Skill Books for Early Game:
1. Stealth Approach (1-key) – Grey Level
2. Poison Breath (4-key) – Grey Level
3. Decoy Counter – Green Level
4. Lotus Fury (V-key) – Grey Level
5. Time Bomb (2-key) – Grey Level
6. Bolt Strike (Gap Closer) – Grey Level
These skill books provide the necessary foundation for a strong Assassin build in early-game PvE and PvP.
Conclusion
The Assassin class in Blade & Soul NEO is an intricate, high-mobility, stealth-based damage dealer with numerous mechanics to master. By understanding base skills, stealth rotations, poison stacking, and effective combat strategies, you'll be able to dominate in both PvE and PvP encounters.
Mastering the Assassin requires practice, but with Blade & Soul NEO Classic Divine Gems, patience and the right approach, you'll be able to maximize its potential and become a formidable force in Blade & Soul NEO. Whether you're just starting or a returning player, this guide should serve as a strong foundation for your journey.