Assassin (Inquisition)

For the specialization in other games, see Assassin (Origins) and Assassin (Dragon Age II).

Assassin
type	Rogue
description	Any rogue can kill a target, but assassins make death into an art form. They specialize in quick, deadly kills that let them slide back into the shadows undetected, or indirect kills that eliminate targets while the assassin is safely away.

Assassin is a Rogue specialization in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Description

From "Of Granting Death: Blades and Other Means." Heir's words make one passage stand out:

You misunderstand the point of secrecy. Of course they knew that I was there—one of their number was dead. It is never the aim that they are ignorant to my purpose or presence. Death is, after all, a message, and messages are meant to be received. It is paramount that the arrival remain secret, not the result. They know what may come, but never when—until the answer is "now" and there is naught they can do but receive.

A treatise on cutting edges and other debilitating elements follows.

—From Codex entry: Way of the Assassin

Any rogue can kill a target, but assassins make death into an art form. They specialize in quick, deadly kills that let them slide back into the shadows undetected, or indirect kills that eliminate targets while the assassin is safely away.

Many of the assassin's foes are helpless to act as the assassin can employ Knockout Bomb to put them to sleep before the assassin takes their lives.

Acquisition

This specialization is obtainable through the quest Way of the Assassin, obtained from Heir.

Ability tree

Assassin Skill Set

Talents

Hidden Blades

Activated Activation: 65 stamina Cooldown: 32s

They'll swear you leapt from the shadows like the thrown blade and hit your target with a flurry of strikes from every angle... but its obvious that you were nowhere near them at the time. Number of Hits: 3 Damage per Hit: 300% weapon damage

Overkill Upgrade Requires: Hidden Blades

You use Hidden Blades faster and more easily, launching even more strikes on your victim. Cooldown Reduction: 4 seconds Additional Hits: 3

No Witnesses Upgrade Requires: Trespasser

Hidden Blades now also damages enemies near the primary target.

I Was Never Here

Passive Requires: Hidden Blades

You have learned to use the distraction of an enemy's death to slip silently into the shadows. Killing a target removes any cooldown on stealth. Dexterity +3

Knife in the Shadows

Passive Requires: I Was Never Here

You are a deadly threat to any enemy that can't see you coming. When you attack from stealth, you automatically critical hit. Dexterity +3

Throatcutter

Passive

A wounded enemy is the perfect target. Your attacks are even deadlier against targets that are close to death already. Damage Bonus: 2% damage for each 10% missing health Dexterity +3

Knockout Bomb

Activated Activation: 35 stamina Duration: 10 seconds Cooldown: 20s Requires: Throatcutter

You hurl a grenade containing a powerful concoction that put nearby enemies to sleep. Sleeping enemies awaken after taking damage.

Comatose Upgrade Requires: Knockout Bomb

Enemies affected by Knockout Bomb sleep more deeply, allowing your allies to hit them even harder with flanking damage. Flanking Damage Bonus

Dream of Pain Upgrade Requires: Trespasser

Shrapnel from Knockout Bomb now leaves enemies bleeding for a short time.

Gaps in the Armor

Passive Requires: Knockout Bomb

Your attacks slip past armor to find a target's hidden vulnerabilities. Armor Penetration: 25% Dexterity +3

Mark of Death

Activated Activation: 10 stamina Duration: 8s Cooldown: 32s Requires: Knife in the Shadows or Gaps in the Armor

You mark your enemy, and every hit adds part of its power to the mark's damage. Trigger your mark when you are ready, and watch your enemy fall from injuries that were never even noticed. You can manually trigger the mark early for bonus damage. Stored Damage: 100% Duration: 8 seconds

Mark of Doom Upgrade Requires: Mark of Death

While it is active, Mark of Death leaves the target vulnerable to even more injury. Damage bonus if reactivated: 150%

Lasting Mark Upgrade Requires: Trespasser

Mark of Death lasts even longer, but can no longer be manually triggered early for bonus damage. Duration Bonus: 4 seconds Can't be triggered early

Cloak of Shadows

Activated Duration: 3-6-9s Requires: I Was Never Here or Knockout Bomb

You go into stealth, and your allies follow your lead. The entire party remains undetected for the duration of the effect, even while attacking. This ability consumes and is powered by Focus. Tier 1: Duration: 3 seconds Tier 2: Duration: 6 seconds Tier 3: Duration: 9 seconds

Note

• Dorian and Leliana will remark favorably if you speak to them after becoming an Assassin.
• Despite the references to dagger, the Assassin talents are usable by archery rogues.

Known Assassins

• Cole
• Heir
• Argent
• The Inquisitor (possibly; rogue only)