This morning, I was rethinking the AD&D Assassin class.
It's a popular class with some, hated by others.
JB had a big series about them earlier this year, after he and Alexis failed to come to terms with what the class was for and how it should be played. As Paladin in Citadel recently pointed out, the biggest trope D&D brought to fantasy was that of the "adventuring party." With that in mind, what is the point of the Assassin? How do they best fit into the standard adventuring party?
One of the problems (that also appears with OA games and the Ninja), is that the Assassin in fiction is quite often a loner. And due to that plus their alignment restriction to Evil, I've often encountered players of Assassin characters who try to hide the fact from the other PCs, and sometimes from the other PLAYERS as well. I don't remember reading anything in 1E that specifically advises Assassins to hide their true profession, but OA sure does with the Ninja (and the 2E Complete Ninja's Handbook as well).
Screw that. If you're an Assassin in an adventuring party, you're a useful asset, and shouldn't be keeping it secret from the group (or at least from the other players). You've got a job to do, an important role in the party. And it becomes pretty much impossible to perform that role if you're trying to keep it secret.
So what's the role of the Assassin? It's to perform the "surgical strike."
An adventuring party is in a dungeon, or out in the wilderness, and comes upon a lair. Who's in it? Do they have treasure? Can the party take them on with decent odds to come out alive and with the loot? Is there an Alpha Monster or leader? If so, it should be the Assassin's job to set up an assassination of that Alpha Monster/leader, if possible, with the party's help. Then the party as a whole will have an easier time with the lesser monsters/minions.
I've never actually played an Assassin. I haven't really seen that many played, either. And when I have seen them played, usually they end up being sorta second-class Fighter/Thieves. This is either because they're trying too hard to hide their profession, or else because the player or DM seems to think that the assassination ability should only be used on NPCs between sessions when the Assassin PC can go on a solo mission.
I'm sorta itching to try out an Assassin now. One who makes no bones about his profession, and is along with the party to try to be the guy who takes out the Bugbear chieftain before the fight starts, to lower the morale and also prevent the biggest, baddest Bugbear in the lair from getting involved in the fight. With the party's support (scouting by the Thief, spells by the Cleric/Magic-User, diversions created by the Fighters, whatever), it could be a lot of fun.
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I think the Assassin class makes more sense and works best in a party situation if he operates as a bounty hunter - a professional collector of Wanted: Dead or Alive rewards. Instead of acting alone, this guy would benefit from working with other characters of different professions and skills to improve his chances of success.
ReplyDeleteAlso a good idea for how to integrate the class. Especially if there are rewards posted for notorious monsters down in the dungeons or out in the wilderness.
DeleteThe assassin in my campaign is being played by a fairly inexperienced player, who probably would be happier playing a fighter. Still, the assassin uses disguise a bit, and does lots of scouting, and lurks in the shadows, and is a real asset!
ReplyDeleteI've played assassins a fair amount and the last time I did, in a short AD&D campaign, I felt like I should hide my profession from the paladin, at least. Habits like that die hard.
Yeah, Paladins and Assassins don't play well together in AD&D.
DeleteAn interesting thing is that the Blackmoor Assassin (and Frank's Headsman/Thug monster that could become a PC class in the Masters Set) is Neutral, and could actually adventure with a Paladin.
Assassin! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!
ReplyDeleteSay it again!
(Actually, I think assassins make good . . . er, make that effective characters in any party that doesn't include a paladin.)
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ReplyDeleteIn Craig Shaw Gardner's comedy-fantasy "Ebenezum" books, there was a black-clad assassin ("The Dealer Of Death") that adventured with the group. If I remember right, he was the most effective member of the party.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just the people I've played with over the years. I'm not saying the class is worthless, just that I've never seen it used well in person.
ReplyDeleteAll (admittedly few) the people I've seen play one either hamstrung themselves for RP reasons, or the DM was too afraid that the Assassin would ruin one of their "my precious encounters."
I don't use Thief as a class, but I mix the signature techniques into other archetypes to get a result like "assassin". Much like how Conan and crew go from land battles to slitting throats in dark temples. How concerned a DM is with alignment/laws factors into assassin roles.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sci-fi setting but, Thane Krios ( http://youtu.be/vCQ4eCQoJSw ) from Mass Effect is a pretty good example of an assassin fitting in well with the party. He's there for his expertise and is totally up front about being an assassin.
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