Assassin?

All topics including role playing games, board games, etc., etc.
User avatar
Troll Lord
Greater Lore Drake
Posts: 3232
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:00 am

Assassin?

Post by Troll Lord »

So, I'm just curious about this class. Its never played in my game, nor Davis. Last time it was it was nothing more than a fancy rogue.

Steve
_________________
The High Lord, Coburg the Undying

He who sits on the elephants back

Castle and Crusade Society
[email protected]
_____________________________
He Who Sits on the Elephants Back
The Troll Lord
Steve Chenault, President & CEO of Chenault & Gray Publishing, Troll Lord Games

Technomancer

Post by Technomancer »

I've only gotten to play in a couple of C&C games, but someone played an assassin in both. In one of them, the assassin was originally sent to kill one of the other PCs, so he was actually an assassin, not just a glorified rogue.

User avatar
gideon_thorne
Maukling
Posts: 6176
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:00 am
Contact:

Re: Assassin?

Post by gideon_thorne »

Oddly enough, my thief-assassin/psionic character is the most powerful character I have at the improbable level of 27th on average. One of the first batch of characters I created when I first started playing.
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach

serleran
Mogrl
Posts: 14094
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:00 am

Post by serleran »

Like the rogue, the class can fall to the wayside if the Castle Keeper does not consider the more specific nature of the class... which is no to say the character is restricted in adventuring, but to "feel useful" (ie, to use those class functions more often) situations need to exist to allow it, such as not minding if the assassin scouts out the goblin camp and sees which fellow is the leader, and then offs him. It is a different sort of game with the assassin in... and it is one I tend to like. Also, it does not require an urban game to use the class... it just means the assassin has to think a little anti-paradigm, and not be told "no."
_________________
If it matters, leave a message at the beep.
Serl's Corner

User avatar
dachda
Lore Drake
Posts: 1568
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:00 am
Location: Topsham, Maine

Post by dachda »

I've never seen anyone play one. either when I play or CK. Right now I am CKing with a bunch of newbie players. I'd love them to play an assasin in the manner Serleran talks about, but being relatively new to PnP RPGing their imaginations are quite there yet. They're learning quick though!
_________________
Sir Dachda McKinty,

Margrave and Knight of Portlandia
Castles & Crusades Society

User avatar
Deogolf
Lore Drake
Posts: 1548
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 7:00 am

Post by Deogolf »

We used them as a NPC only. Never really found a need for them during a dungeon crawl or for a typical adventure. If you get into a more political intrigue type thing or dealing with nasty, nefarious groups, I can see it being used more often.

But, as a regular PC, nah - not in my game.
_________________
Eulaliaaa!!! Give those rapscallions blood and vinegar, wot?!

Be sure to check out Jim's artwork for sale:
http://jimhollowayart.com/id5.html

User avatar
Lord Dynel
Maukling
Posts: 5844
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:00 am

Post by Lord Dynel »

Is it an ominoding when a mighty Troll Lord asks about the frequency of use of a class? Is the assassin's days numbered?

I put "never" but not because I "hate that class." I don't think anyone does that I've played with, either. I've only seen one assassin in play and that was in 1st Edition. I probably haven't played enough games to see one, but I tell you this - the first game I get to play C&C, I'm going to play an assassin.
_________________
LD's C&C creations - the witch, a half-ogre, skill and 0-level rules
Troll Lord wrote:
Lord D: you understand where I"m coming from.
LD's C&C creations - CL Checker, a witch class, the half-ogre, skills, and 0-level rules
Troll Lord wrote:Lord D: you understand where I"m coming from.

Maliki
Lore Drake
Posts: 1523
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 7:00 am

Post by Maliki »

As an NPC class they are fine, but for my campaigns not as a PC class. I don't see them fitting into the type of games that I run.
_________________
Never throw rocks at a man with a Vorpal Sword!

User avatar
moriarty777
Renegade Mage
Posts: 3739
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Montreal, Canada

Post by moriarty777 »

I've had a player run one in an earlier campaign and we both had some fun with it. We developed a solid background that I could play off of and it made the notion of an assassin-turned-adventurer a lot more practical.

I also played a multi-classes Monk/Assassin (aka my ninja). That character was something else. I was playing in a higher level campaign but the class combo was not a game breaker.

However, I will agree that the assassin, like a couple of the other classes may fit a certain style of campaign more than others.

M
_________________
"You face Death itself in the form of... 1d4 Tarrasques!"

Partner to Brave Halfling Publishing
http://www.arcanacreations.com
Image

CKDad
Master of the Kobold Raiders
Posts: 1205
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:00 am
Location: Somewhere in Maryland

Post by CKDad »

I don't ever recall playing one, but I've been in D&D games with them over the years. What problems I've encountered have always had more to do with the individual playing the character, the GM, or the interaction between them (or sometimes another player), rather than with the class itself.
_________________
"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."
"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."

User avatar
Aladar
Lore Drake
Posts: 1261
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:00 am
Location: Elgin, OK

Post by Aladar »

I have had players who have occassionally played an assassin. I agree that it is up to the CK to determine how well this class fits into his/her campaign.

I had one player who I worked with used his assassin effectively to infiltrate a group of bandits and then take out certain key leaders inconjunction with the player group's assault on the bandit stronghold. We had a lot of fun that night.

I usually try and let each member of the PC party really shine and be the focal point at least once during a campaign, this one scenario highlighted the assassin PC.
_________________
Lord Aladar

Warden of the Welk Wood

Baron of the Castles & Crusades Society

The Poster formerly known as Alwyn

Senior Gamer - Member of the Senior RPG Tour

"NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT - At least not in Yu Gi Oh"
http://www.cncsociety.org/
Lord Aladar
Warden of the Welk Wood
Baron of the Castles & Crusades Society
The Poster formerly known as Alwyn
Senior Gamer - Member of the Senior RPG Tour
"NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT - At least not in Yu Gi Oh"

http://www.cncsociety.org/

User avatar
gideon_thorne
Maukling
Posts: 6176
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:00 am
Contact:

Post by gideon_thorne »

The only trouble I see with the assassin is when players become too clich with it. The class isn't Captain Obvious. They don't all walk around in dark goth and act creepy in the corner. Like the illusionist, this class requires a lot of subtlety to play. Not something the typical 'kill the monster and take its stuff' player has.
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach

Treebore
Mogrl
Posts: 20660
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Arizona and St Louis

Post by Treebore »

I have two in my games right now, the highest being level 9 (I think, might be 8th), I have several rules that keep it from being a problem, a couple fo which apply to everyone who plays in my games.

1. Players never, ever, screw with each others characters. This means no killing each other or stealing from each other. You feel the need to do such things, don't play in my games.

2. When playing Assassins in my games think James Bond, not mafia hit man.

Its worked real well in my games. I know of several instances where letting people play evil and/or assassins has led to serious game group problems. My rules has kept me from having similar problems.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames
Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael

Grand Knight Commander of the Society.

User avatar
gideon_thorne
Maukling
Posts: 6176
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:00 am
Contact:

Post by gideon_thorne »

I always like the assassin, Raoul, in Weis and Perin's Mag Force 7 novels. A most colourful, but effective, character.
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach

Joe Mac
Hlobane Orc
Posts: 149
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:00 am

Post by Joe Mac »

NPC only!

I do like having rules for assassins, to send them after PCs on occasion...

User avatar
Fiffergrund
Lore Drake
Posts: 1118
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:00 am
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Post by Fiffergrund »

Read Crusader 12.
_________________
Sir Fiffergrund, Lord Marshal of the Castle and Crusade Society.

He Who Hides Behind The Elephant's Back
Marshal Fiffergrund, Knight-Errant of the Castle and Crusade Society

CKDad
Master of the Kobold Raiders
Posts: 1205
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:00 am
Location: Somewhere in Maryland

Post by CKDad »

gideon_thorne wrote:
They don't all walk around in dark goth

Is there any other kind?
_________________
"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."
"I don't wanna be remembered as the guy who died because he underestimated the threat posed by a monkey."

User avatar
gideon_thorne
Maukling
Posts: 6176
Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:00 am
Contact:

Post by gideon_thorne »

CKDad wrote:
Is there any other kind?

*grin* Actually, there's quite a variety of goth out there. And the outfits can range from the silly, to the quite creative.
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach

User avatar
Julian Grimm
Greater Lore Drake
Posts: 4609
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 7:00 am
Location: SW Missouri
Contact:

Post by Julian Grimm »

Used one in a test run of C&C and dumped it. It's too much like and altered rogue and the rogue can fill in for the class nicely. Like the monk the assassin was expelled from my games.
_________________
The Lord of Ravens
My blog
Lord Skystorm

Grand Knight Commander KoTC, Member C&CS

Donner Party Meats: We're here to serve YOU!

AD&D per se is as dead a system as Latin is a language, while the C&C game has much the same spirit and nearly the same mechanics. --Gary Gygax 8/16/06

User avatar
Sir Ironside
Lore Drake
Posts: 1597
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 7:00 am

Post by Sir Ironside »

Like all classes, even if you personally don't like it- or play it, it is good to be in there for those who do. Doesn't affect anyone's game if they exclude a class but will if it is eliminated.

Me personally, I like all the classes and hope to have them all played in my games over time.
"Paranoia is just another word for ignorance." - Hunter S. Thompson

Treebore
Mogrl
Posts: 20660
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Arizona and St Louis

Post by Treebore »

Sir Ironside wrote:
Like all classes, even if you personally don't like it- or play it, it is good to be in there for those who do. Doesn't affect anyone's game if the exclude a class but will if it is eliminated.

Me personally, I like all the classes and hope to have them all played in my games over time.

yeah, the assassin and thief do have a lot of overlap, but the differences in their special attacks, poison, picking locks, etc... does make a very noticeable difference.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames
Since its 20,000 I suggest "Captain Nemo" as his title. Beyond the obvious connection, he is one who sails on his own terms and ignores those he doesn't agree with...confident in his journey and goals.
Sounds obvious to me! -Gm Michael

Grand Knight Commander of the Society.

User avatar
slimykuotoan
Greater Lore Drake
Posts: 3702
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:00 am
Location: Nine Hells

Post by slimykuotoan »

I've seen some played fairly well, so I wouldn't want the class to disappear entirely, etc.
_________________
Society Member
http://www.cncsociety.org/
For crying out loud, do what you can with the rolls the dice have given you. This is what separates the men from the boys... -Kayolan

serleran
Mogrl
Posts: 14094
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:00 am

Post by serleran »

My wife currently plays a halfling assassin and enjoys it very much, because no one would ever suspect the cute little bar wench is secretly planning to murder half the occupants. The class definitely has its place... though, for many, that seems to be "as a NPC."
_________________
If it matters, leave a message at the beep.
Serl's Corner

User avatar
Lord Dynel
Maukling
Posts: 5844
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:00 am

Post by Lord Dynel »

Sir Ironside wrote:
Like all classes, even if you personally don't like it- or play it, it is good to be in there for those who do. Doesn't affect anyone's game if the exclude a class but will if it is eliminated.

Me personally, I like all the classes and hope to have them all played in my games over time.

That's how I feel about it. I wouldn't say no to anyone who wants to play it, it's just that no one has, yet. I'd rather it be there and no one play it than someone want to play it and it be gone.
_________________
LD's C&C creations - the witch, a half-ogre, skill and 0-level rules
Troll Lord wrote:
Lord D: you understand where I"m coming from.
LD's C&C creations - CL Checker, a witch class, the half-ogre, skills, and 0-level rules
Troll Lord wrote:Lord D: you understand where I"m coming from.

User avatar
DangerDwarf
Maukling
Posts: 5284
Joined: Sat May 27, 2006 7:00 am
Location: East Texas

Post by DangerDwarf »

Assasins are more played than rogues in my games thus far.

User avatar
Sir Osis of Liver
Unkbartig
Posts: 822
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:00 am

Post by Sir Osis of Liver »

One of the players in my group is running a cleric/assassin multi-class. It's an interesting combination. He (actually, the character is a she) takes care of party healing, but when the party isn't looking, will poison her weapons and those of the party thief. And yes, I say thief instead of rogue.

User avatar
DangerDwarf
Maukling
Posts: 5284
Joined: Sat May 27, 2006 7:00 am
Location: East Texas

Post by DangerDwarf »

Lord Dynel wrote:
I wouldn't say no to anyone who wants to play it, it's just that no one has, yet. I'd rather it be there and no one play it than someone want to play it and it be gone.

Gnomes have skated by on that philosophy for years!

User avatar
Sir Osis of Liver
Unkbartig
Posts: 822
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:00 am

Post by Sir Osis of Liver »

DangerDwarf wrote:
Gnomes have skated by on that philosophy for years!

I would generally oppose the elimination of any of the original 1/e races and/or classes. I think the Trolls have more sense than to do that.

User avatar
Keolander
Red Cap
Posts: 287
Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Tampa, Florida

Post by Keolander »

The way I have it is that Assassins are more politically connected. They aren't simply hired killers as you could get gutter trash for that. As was said earlier, think James Bond (thats a good fit, btw). I have it that the 3 'main' guilds all dislike one another intensely: Thieves, Assassins & Bounty Hunters.

Thieves hate the Bounty Hunters because they most often get caight by them.

Bounty Hunters, being exemplars of Lawful, dislike Assassins on general principle.

Assassins, whose mandate comes from their shadowy guildmasters, dislike both the Thieves Guild and Bouny Hunters because they tend to get in the way. Thieves steal from the rich and powerful, who are the targets most often of the Asssassin's Guild. Bounty Hunters want the corrupt brought to justice on their terms, not those of whomever hired the Assassins. Not anyone can hire an Assassin.
_________________
Lord Lamorek Steelguard, Baron of Calx Mons Montis - The Castles & Crusades Society
"Democracy, too, is a religion. It is the worship of jackals by jackasses." - H.L. Mencken
Μολὼν λάβε

Zebulon

Re: Assassin?

Post by Zebulon »

I have seen this class played as often as paladins. (Both were played rarely though...)
_________________
www.lythia.com: Free resources for Harn but also adaptable to any medieval setting.

Post Reply