AION 2 Assassin guide: skills, stigmas, rotation and macros

The class and who it suits

Many players avoid Assassin because they think it is too difficult. In practice, the class has just two demanding mechanics. First, powerful self-buffs make you extremely dangerous for a short time, so do not waste them — especially in the first season, when their cooldowns are still long. Second, positioning matters: passive and active skills strengthen attacks from behind, so keep track of the boss.

If you enjoy close-range combat and burst damage, choose Assassin. Even without perfect play, it deals a lot of damage.

Your job in combat

What you need to know

• Savage Roar applies insignias to the target, and Insignia Explosion consumes them: the more insignias (up to 5), the stronger the explosion.
• Heart Gore can only be used after a critical hit with any skill. Critical Hit is therefore more important to Assassin than to many classes.
• Quick Slice restores MP, while Savage Roar spends it. Keep them balanced.
• Exploit Weakness can summon clones that apply 5 insignias by themselves. This passive is enough to make Insignia Explosion hit at full strength every time.
• In Settings, open Display → Combat → Boss Direction Indicator and choose Back. This makes it easier to stay behind the boss.

How skills level up

Skill points raise a skill to level 10. Further levels come from Daevanion nodes, Arcana, and gear. Level skills to unlock specializations: these change how a skill works and can noticeably strengthen your rotation.

In Global, Daevanion nodes can raise active skills to level 12, and later to 14. Gear and Arcana can add more levels. Check each specialization description in the client: each breakpoint is not equally useful for every skill.

Skill leveling order

Spend points on your main active skills first. While leveling through the story, choose HP Absorption when available; it makes long fights easier. Then raise your main attacks to their specialization breakpoints, and only after that level support skills and passives.

Active skills in order

1. Heart Gore
2. Quick Slice
3. Insignia Explosion
4. Savage Roar
5. Flash Slice
6. Shadowstrike
7. Infiltrate
8. Storm Rampage
9. Defiance

Adjust the order to suit your fights: if you need more survivability, invest earlier in available HP Absorption or defensive passives. After each new Daevanion node, check skill levels and manually select newly unlocked specializations.

Specializations

Active skills and their role

While leveling your character, take HP Absorption on your main attacks — it makes bosses and mobs much easier. After level 45, switch to the setup below.

Four main attacks

Heart GoreActive · CD 5s · level to 16Triggers on landing a Critical Hit, dealing 111-111 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and restores 100 MP.

5. Resets [Heart Gore] cooldown on landing a Critical Hit
3. Up to +20% Critical Hit when less targets hit
4. Multi-Hit on hit

Main leveling target. At level 16, a critical hit unlocks a cooldown reset — while you keep landing critical hits, you can use the skill nonstop. The extra Critical Hit chance makes this more reliable.Quick SliceActiveDeals 58-58 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and restores 100 MP.

5. Ignores Block and Evasion and lands as a Critical Hit
4. -1s [Insignia Explosion] cooldown on hit
3. +50% Multi-Hit on hit

Use constantly, like a basic attack; it restores MP. At level 16, it is guaranteed to critically hit through Block and Evasion, and each hit also reduces Insignia Explosion's cooldown.Insignia ExplosionActive · CD 10sSelects a target within 20m and deals 604-604 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m, inflicting Stun for 3s.

5. -3s cooldown
2. +50% Multi-Hit on hit
3. Keep 2 stacks of Insignias after [Insignia Explosion]

Damage increases with each insignia. Reduces cooldown from 10 to 7 seconds, adds multiple hits, and preserves two insignias after the explosion.Savage RoarActiveDeals 68-68 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and engraves 1 Insignia for 10s.

2. +20% Skill Speed
1. -20% MP consumed
3. Deals up to 12% more damage when less targets are hit

A chain with no cooldown that spends MP and applies an insignia. Skill speed and MP efficiency.

Movement behind the target

ShadowstrikeActive · CD 20sMoves behind a target within 20m and deals 52-52 damage, rotates, and inflicts Stun for 3s.

2. +20% caster Critical Damage Boost for 5s on hit

Moves you behind a target within 20 m. +20% Critical Damage for 5 seconds — take this at level 8.InfiltrateActive · CD 20sMoves behind a target within 10m and deals 239-239 damage with a 50% chance to inflict Blind for 3s after using [Dodge] or while flying.

2. +10m [Infiltrate] range

Also moves you behind the target, but only within 10 m. The +10 m range puts it on par with Shadowstrike — keep both skills on the same key.Flash SliceActive · CD 10sMoves to the opposite side of a target within 4m and deals 181-181 damage to up to 4 enemies, with a 40% chance to inflict Blind for 3s.

2. +6m Range
4. +1 consecutive use

Moves you to the opposite side of the target. +6 m range at level 8; a second use at level 12.

Other skills

Storm RampageActiveDeals 107-107 damage to a target afflicted with Stagger within 4m.

5. -1s all skill cooldowns on hit
1. Absorbs 5% HP

Only works on a staggered boss. From level 16, each hit reduces all cooldowns by 1 second, including stigmas. Use it only while your buffs are on cooldown.DefianceActive · CD 60sRemoves Stun, Knockdown, Airborne, Grab, Frost, and Fear from the caster and grants Tenacity for 5s.

3. Restores 20% HP on using [Defiance]

Breaks crowd control and restores 20% HP when used.

Ambush and Whirlwind Slice usually deal less damage than the main attacks. Ambush is only useful for its 3% HP Absorption option.

What to unlock first

A specialization becomes available when the skill reaches the listed level. Then open the skill window and select the option manually; it will not activate on its own. For main attacks, prioritize reliable Critical Hit damage, tempo, and insignia support. Choose only options actually shown in the client for your skill level.

Specialization priority

Heart GoreActive · CD 5s · level to 8Triggers on landing a Critical Hit, dealing 111-111 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and restores 100 MP.

3. Up to +20% Critical Hit when less targets hit

More Critical Hit chance when the skill hits fewer targetsHeart GoreActive · CD 5s · level to 16Triggers on landing a Critical Hit, dealing 111-111 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and restores 100 MP.

5. Resets [Heart Gore] cooldown on landing a Critical Hit

A critical hit resets Heart Gore's cooldownQuick SliceActive · level to 12Deals 58-58 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and restores 100 MP.

4. -1s [Insignia Explosion] cooldown on hit

A hit reduces Insignia Explosion's cooldownQuick SliceActive · level to 16Deals 58-58 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and restores 100 MP.

5. Ignores Block and Evasion and lands as a Critical Hit

Critical hit even through Block and EvasionSavage RoarActive · level to 8Deals 68-68 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and engraves 1 Insignia for 10s.

2. +20% Skill Speed

+20% skill speedInsignia ExplosionActive · CD 10s · level to 8Selects a target within 20m and deals 604-604 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m, inflicting Stun for 3s.

3. Keep 2 stacks of Insignias after [Insignia Explosion]

Two insignias remain after the explosionShadowstrikeActive · CD 20s · level to 8Moves behind a target within 20m and deals 52-52 damage, rotates, and inflicts Stun for 3s.

2. +20% caster Critical Damage Boost for 5s on hit

After a hit, Critical Damage increases by 20% for 5 seconds

Passive skills

Passive skill priority

Exploit WeaknessPassiveIncreases caster's Critical Hit by 100. Has a 25% chance to increase Attack by 5.5% for 10s, and a 7% chance to summon up to 5 clones on landing a Critical Hit. Each…Critical Hit, Attack, and clones that apply 5 insignias. This passive has it all.Rear SmitePassiveIncreases the caster's Back Attack Damage Boost by 3%, PvE Damage Boost by 3%, and PvP Damage Boost by 1.5%.Back Attack damage and +3% PvE damage — works even when you cannot get behind the target.Assault StancePassiveIncreases the caster's Critical Damage Boost by 6%.Critical Damage.Impact HitPassiveIncreases the caster's Impact-type Chance by 11.2% and Double Chance by 0.3%.Chance to inflict Shock effects and Double Chance.

Exploit Weakness helps clones create insignias, while Rear Smite directly increases damage from behind and in PvE. Assault Stance increases Critical Damage. Impact Hit affects the chance to inflict Shock effects and Double Chance. These four passives support the build well.

Choose other passives based on the fight. Defense Break triggers against targets under a Shock effect, Determination helps finish enemies with low HP, and defensive passives are useful if you die often. Do not invest in poison just for PvE damage: its main value is reducing the target's healing received.

Stigmas

Core setup

Illusive CloneStigma · CD 90sRemoves [Heart Gore] cooldown and deals 20% of damage dealt as extra damage for 10s.Main stigma. Removes Heart Gore's cooldown and strengthens it. At first, it lasts 10 seconds with a 90-second cooldown — do not waste it. At +20, it lasts 20 seconds.Swift ContractStigma · CD 60sIncreases the caster's Combat Speed by 20% for 10s.+20% Combat Speed for 10 seconds: shorter animations mean more hits. Always use it with Illusive Clone.Triniel's DaggerStigma · CD 45sDeals 1374-1374 damage to a target within 4m and increases all of the target's skill cooldowns by 5% of their duration. Increases damage by 30% if attacking from behind…A powerful Back Attack. At +10, reduces the current cooldown of all skills by 10% — use it right after your buffs.Savage FangStigma · CD 60sDeals 1074-1074 damage to up to 4 enemies within 4m and engraves 5 Insignias for 10s.An attack that immediately applies 5 insignias. Ideal opener before Insignia Explosion; at +15, gives +10% PvE damage.

Upgrade order: Triniel's Dagger to +10, then Illusive Clone to +20, then Swift Contract and Savage Fang.

Global has four stigma slots, unlocked at levels 22, 27, 32, and 37. Choose four skills for your role and current content rather than relying on a sixth slot shown in builds from other regions. For damage, start with Illusive Clone, Swift Contract, Triniel's Dagger, and Savage Fang. Swap a slot when you need extra mobility or control.

Rotation

Combat cycle

1. Step 01 — buffsIllusive Clone and Swift Contract.
2. Step 02 — get behindShadowstrike: move behind the target and gain +20% Critical Damage. Use Triniel's Dagger right away to reduce the cooldown of the buffs you just used.
3. Step 03 — macroThen use your macro and Quick Slice. The rest of the time, stay behind the boss and keep attacking.

When your buffs are on cooldown and the boss is staggered, use Storm Rampage: every hit reduces the cooldowns of Illusive Clone and Swift Contract.

Track the boss's facing throughout the fight and move behind it when it turns. Shadowstrike moves you behind the target from up to 20 m away; Infiltrate activates after Dodge or while airborne. Do not dash or move without a target if you will soon need to get behind the boss again. If the boss becomes invulnerable or forces the group to spread out, save short buffs for the next damage window.

Macros

Assassin's macro is one line: Savage Fang → Insignia Explosion → Heart Gore → Savage Roar. Hold the macro button and Left Mouse Button (Quick Slice) at the same time so the game cancels animations for you. Do not add more skills to the macro while leveling; first get a feel for how the attacks work. For more about delays, see the Skill Macros guide.

Keep Shadowstrike and Infiltrate on convenient movement keys separately. If you build a macro with several lines, bind it to one convenient button and test the sequence on a training target first. Do not add an always-available basic attack at the end: it may prevent the macro from moving on to the other skills.

Daevanion

Skill points raise skills only to level 10; after that, Daevanion nodes, Arcana, and gear raise them further. At first, follow the first three boards in order: this gets your main attacks to level 12 (the second specialization) sooner and unlocks important stat nodes along the way. View the Assassin board in the Daevanion section.

In Global, each active skill appears once on each board. Mark the nodes for your four main attacks and the passives you need on your route first; this can raise active skills to level 12, and later to 14. Check that your points strengthen your main attacks rather than skills you selected by mistake.

Gear

Until you get permanent gear, wear pieces with a suitable item level and useful stats. For damage, compare Attack, Critical Hit, Combat Speed, and Back Attack Damage Boost first. Do not trade a large item-level increase for one good stat line without checking the overall result in the character window. Keep defensive stats for difficult content if you otherwise cannot survive the boss's attacks.

Magic Stones

First, fill temporary gear with stones you can afford to replace. Save good stones for weapons and gear you plan to wear for a long time. When rerolling lines, compare the full result: Assassin needs Attack and Critical Damage, but too little Accuracy or survivability can cancel out the gain.

Arcana

Look for skills from the priority list above on Arcana and rings. Quick Slice, Heart Gore, and Insignia Explosion can appear on the Parchment; Savage Roar on the Compass; Assault Stance on the Bell; Exploit Weakness, Rear Smite, and Impact Hit on the Mirror; the Grail can grant any skill. For which gear options to roll and what they do, see the Stats guide.

When choosing Arcana, check its effect and skills in the client: a random bonus to an unused skill is less useful than a suitable upgrade to a core skill. Prioritize upgrades that work in your rotation.

Pet breeds

Cogni, Fera, and Natura pets have the same stats; one slot differs for special pets. Collected souls grant permanent stats, while additional properties unlock in the card's slots. Critical Hit and Attack matter to Assassin, so start by considering Cogni pets: their progression grants HP, then Critical Hit and Might. Choose based on what your character needs.

Slot properties and available values depend on the pet and property quality. Do not apply exact thresholds from someone else's build to Assassin: compare Attack, Critical Hit, and other useful stats on the pet card. Souls for progression are obtained separately, and the soul you need is not guaranteed to drop; decide which pet you want to develop first so you do not spend time collecting at random.

Common mistakes

1. Buffs at the wrong timeUsing Illusive Clone while the boss is invulnerable costs you a 90-second damage window.
2. Triniel's Dagger before buffsIt reduces only current cooldowns, so use it after them.
3. Facing the bossYou lose Back Attack damage from Rear Smite and Triniel's Dagger.
4. A long macro while levelingIt is easy to lose track of what your character is doing.

Checklist before challenging content

Assassin ready

• Heart Gore is level 16, with critical hits resetting its cooldown;
• Quick Slice has guaranteed critical hits;
• Triniel's Dagger is +10, and Illusive Clone is as high as possible;
• the boss direction indicator is set to show its back;
• Shadowstrike and Infiltrate are on the same key.