N
nemesisgm
Guest
Today brings us too the long awaited and probably most contriversal part of the questions Shadowblade, Infiltrator or Nightshade. Having in the first installment focused on the pro's and cons of the Shadowblade and concluding the class is not as bad as off as most of its community consider it to be. We Turn our attention to the highly critised and highly whined Infiltrator. As mentioned in the last installment should assassin be able too melee tanks yes, after all they are a melee orientated Class.
The Infiltrator.
Is the infiltrator as good as people say it is.. lets look at the facts. 2.5 spec spec points allowing for a more defined character template. Considered by many too have been the worse move mythic ever made, the 2.5 spec pts per lvl, by mythics own hand wasto compensate for the lack of class definatition the Infiltrator had. The shadowblade was able to perf with 2 handed weapons, the nightshade had magic, the Infiltrator had... err... crossbows. Was the 2.5 spec points the right way too go, well its history now and not likely too change, and has been argued about a million times, imo 2.5 was too much 2.3 or 2.4 would have been ample to make the infiltrator strong but not powerful. Yes this reporter doesn't deny the power of the Inf he's had one for 2 years. But denfinition too the character was needed and mythic ensured it became defined as the cream of its crop.
Pro's:
2.5 spec points per level, as discussed above.
Duel Wield the superior of the 3 duel wielding mechanics, though not always considered so by many duel to the massive damage capable by left axe in the past. Though duel wield has always been the superior interrupt mechanic from the 3 making reactionary styles harder too hit. And with the increase in duel wields capability in new patches leading too a new found niche for powerful slash spec mercfiltrators, and even thrust spec ones too.
Dragonfang???? is this really that powerful, imo no but thats just my opinion. But as most consider it a bonus too the inviltrators armoury it goes down as a Pro. 9 Second melee stun leading off evade. Long time and in the world of buffs usually spells death for many unable too immediately counter it. Thought by mythic too be brought into line wiht the capping of evade rates at 50%. However for many thrust specced Infiltrator its about the only melee weapon in their armoury, outside that they have garrote not the greatest style in the world to spam due too its defence penalties. Easily beaten by many tanks with shields, and made almost redundant by though using the high alchemy venoms with attack speed debuffs. Again this reporter asks is it really that good?
Crossbow the most damaging of all the ranged attacks from the three assassin classes. though niether class can claim great ranged skills.
Weapon choice. Unlike the shadowblade who is only able to choose slash ot slash based weapons. The infiltrator has the advantage of choosing either thrust or slash, allowing for bonuses against a variety of armours, for the slash spec inf he'll find his sb counter part, most hib tanks, hunters, zerks, and saavge at an immediate armour disadvantage. For the Thrust spec inf the vast majority of midgard will fall into the same catagory, warriors, thanes, skalds, healer, shamans all being chain thrust vulnerable armour.
Spec Af buff, the ability of Albion buffbots too provide spec af buff, increasing the infiltrators. Not strictly a class pro, but in todays modern world of bb's one worth noting.
Vanish. Again only being noted due too the common opinion of the community not just this reporter. The ability to vanish regardless of your current circumstances. Giving the infiltrator vast escape potential and a trick up his sleeves in combat.. vanish and pa mid fight is a trick maneauver but doesn't always come off. Does have the disadvantage of being a stealth toggle, should you vanish accidently whilst stealth it will unstealth you, at times a little embarrassing for the ifn, buti've kow a great many who have done it. All in all a good solid Ra.. not over powering as people make out, but again thats my opinion.
Dex/Str based weapon. A bonus in the wold of assassins as there are very very few shadowblades out there who carry dex/quick based debuff items.. (this reporter carrys many of them) making the standard str/con debuff venom Greater Enervation less effective against a thrust specced inf as it is against a shadowblade or slash specced inf. Similarly with the nightshades peirce and blades. However should a thrust infiltrator find himself str/con and dex/quick debuffed he is in a world of hurt, weapon skill reduced far greater than he could hope for his opponent and evade rate lower greatly too. Tip for all thos sb's out there carry dex/quick debuff items available at all good alchemist, one of which happens too be this reporter
With practice its good tactically against infs.
Cons:
Armour vulnerability... Infs suffer from crush vulnerable armour.. no biggy one would say, but with majority of Champ's and Mid tanks wielding big hammers any inf will tell you they hurt and hurt alot.. LW and the 2 handed machnics of midgard make life very hard for the infiltrator, and should a inf find himself slammed without purge up next too a mid tank using a hammer he might as well just start typing /release.. his opponent capable of doing 700+ dmg a blow for the period he's stunned.
Opposing assassins armour.. though choice of weapons is a bonus it also has its down side you go thrust you have sb's with an armour advantage, slash and the ns is at an advantage.
Given the communities apraoch too infiltrators a lack of respect.. this is not too say its easy being an inf in truth its no easier than being a nightshade or shadowblade.. but due too most community opinions infiltrators are viewed on with disdain for choosing the easy mode, plus the majority of infiltrators tend to work in stealthzergs further worsening their public image. Not this reporters opinion just a public one.
In conclusion the infiltrator is not the GOD everyone considers he has many benefits, more than his counterparts, but many of them can be easily countered, and turned too a disadvantage by the clever opponent.. the negatives an infiltrator has though few are harsh, ask any inf whose been Annihilated by a champ or had a 50 hammer warriro slam and go too handed on him, its not even close too fair, their only melee weapon is dragonfang and for the smart tank, and clever assassin easily countered... In short the inf is a strong class for 1 reason the spec points.. without that they would be poor in an extreme.. but they are not as powerful as the majority consider them.. in a few peoples eyes they are easy picking.. my hammer warriro hammiply goes hunting small groups of 2-3 infs.. safe in the knowledge unless she gets pa'ed alot which does happen she can kill all 3 of em. Plus ToA has a larger negative impact on the infiltrator than any other stealther.
The Infiltrator.
Is the infiltrator as good as people say it is.. lets look at the facts. 2.5 spec spec points allowing for a more defined character template. Considered by many too have been the worse move mythic ever made, the 2.5 spec pts per lvl, by mythics own hand wasto compensate for the lack of class definatition the Infiltrator had. The shadowblade was able to perf with 2 handed weapons, the nightshade had magic, the Infiltrator had... err... crossbows. Was the 2.5 spec points the right way too go, well its history now and not likely too change, and has been argued about a million times, imo 2.5 was too much 2.3 or 2.4 would have been ample to make the infiltrator strong but not powerful. Yes this reporter doesn't deny the power of the Inf he's had one for 2 years. But denfinition too the character was needed and mythic ensured it became defined as the cream of its crop.
Pro's:
2.5 spec points per level, as discussed above.
Duel Wield the superior of the 3 duel wielding mechanics, though not always considered so by many duel to the massive damage capable by left axe in the past. Though duel wield has always been the superior interrupt mechanic from the 3 making reactionary styles harder too hit. And with the increase in duel wields capability in new patches leading too a new found niche for powerful slash spec mercfiltrators, and even thrust spec ones too.
Dragonfang???? is this really that powerful, imo no but thats just my opinion. But as most consider it a bonus too the inviltrators armoury it goes down as a Pro. 9 Second melee stun leading off evade. Long time and in the world of buffs usually spells death for many unable too immediately counter it. Thought by mythic too be brought into line wiht the capping of evade rates at 50%. However for many thrust specced Infiltrator its about the only melee weapon in their armoury, outside that they have garrote not the greatest style in the world to spam due too its defence penalties. Easily beaten by many tanks with shields, and made almost redundant by though using the high alchemy venoms with attack speed debuffs. Again this reporter asks is it really that good?
Crossbow the most damaging of all the ranged attacks from the three assassin classes. though niether class can claim great ranged skills.
Weapon choice. Unlike the shadowblade who is only able to choose slash ot slash based weapons. The infiltrator has the advantage of choosing either thrust or slash, allowing for bonuses against a variety of armours, for the slash spec inf he'll find his sb counter part, most hib tanks, hunters, zerks, and saavge at an immediate armour disadvantage. For the Thrust spec inf the vast majority of midgard will fall into the same catagory, warriors, thanes, skalds, healer, shamans all being chain thrust vulnerable armour.
Spec Af buff, the ability of Albion buffbots too provide spec af buff, increasing the infiltrators. Not strictly a class pro, but in todays modern world of bb's one worth noting.
Vanish. Again only being noted due too the common opinion of the community not just this reporter. The ability to vanish regardless of your current circumstances. Giving the infiltrator vast escape potential and a trick up his sleeves in combat.. vanish and pa mid fight is a trick maneauver but doesn't always come off. Does have the disadvantage of being a stealth toggle, should you vanish accidently whilst stealth it will unstealth you, at times a little embarrassing for the ifn, buti've kow a great many who have done it. All in all a good solid Ra.. not over powering as people make out, but again thats my opinion.
Dex/Str based weapon. A bonus in the wold of assassins as there are very very few shadowblades out there who carry dex/quick based debuff items.. (this reporter carrys many of them) making the standard str/con debuff venom Greater Enervation less effective against a thrust specced inf as it is against a shadowblade or slash specced inf. Similarly with the nightshades peirce and blades. However should a thrust infiltrator find himself str/con and dex/quick debuffed he is in a world of hurt, weapon skill reduced far greater than he could hope for his opponent and evade rate lower greatly too. Tip for all thos sb's out there carry dex/quick debuff items available at all good alchemist, one of which happens too be this reporter
With practice its good tactically against infs.Cons:
Armour vulnerability... Infs suffer from crush vulnerable armour.. no biggy one would say, but with majority of Champ's and Mid tanks wielding big hammers any inf will tell you they hurt and hurt alot.. LW and the 2 handed machnics of midgard make life very hard for the infiltrator, and should a inf find himself slammed without purge up next too a mid tank using a hammer he might as well just start typing /release.. his opponent capable of doing 700+ dmg a blow for the period he's stunned.
Opposing assassins armour.. though choice of weapons is a bonus it also has its down side you go thrust you have sb's with an armour advantage, slash and the ns is at an advantage.
Given the communities apraoch too infiltrators a lack of respect.. this is not too say its easy being an inf in truth its no easier than being a nightshade or shadowblade.. but due too most community opinions infiltrators are viewed on with disdain for choosing the easy mode, plus the majority of infiltrators tend to work in stealthzergs further worsening their public image. Not this reporters opinion just a public one.
In conclusion the infiltrator is not the GOD everyone considers he has many benefits, more than his counterparts, but many of them can be easily countered, and turned too a disadvantage by the clever opponent.. the negatives an infiltrator has though few are harsh, ask any inf whose been Annihilated by a champ or had a 50 hammer warriro slam and go too handed on him, its not even close too fair, their only melee weapon is dragonfang and for the smart tank, and clever assassin easily countered... In short the inf is a strong class for 1 reason the spec points.. without that they would be poor in an extreme.. but they are not as powerful as the majority consider them.. in a few peoples eyes they are easy picking.. my hammer warriro hammiply goes hunting small groups of 2-3 infs.. safe in the knowledge unless she gets pa'ed alot which does happen she can kill all 3 of em. Plus ToA has a larger negative impact on the infiltrator than any other stealther.
) dragonfang or spec cleric AF or not.