2.5.0 Shadow Assassin GR 90+ (Videos)

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by BigJohnasty last updated Mar 29, 2017 ( Patch 2.4.3 )

Seasonal

Hybrid

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Skills

Impale Ricochet
- Impale
Cost: 20 Hatred

Throw a knife that impales an enemy for 750% weapon damage.
Ricochet

The knife ricochets to 2 additional nearby enemies within 20 yards of each other.

Impale's damage turns into Lightning.
Companion Wolf Companion
- Companion
Cooldown: 30 seconds

Active: Your raven deals an additional 500% damage on its next attack.

Passive: Summons a raven companion that pecks at enemies for 100% of your weapon damage as Physical.
Wolf Companion

Active: Your wolf howls, granting you and your allies within 60 yards 15% increased damage for 10 seconds.

Passive: Summons a wolf companion that attacks enemies in front of him for 150% of your weapon damage as Physical.
Vengeance Dark Heart
- Vengeance
Cooldown: 90 seconds

Turn into the physical embodiment of Vengeance for 20 seconds.

Side Guns: Gain 4 additional piercing shots for 60% weapon damage each on every attack.
Homing Rockets: Shoot 2 rockets at nearby enemies for 80% weapon damage each on every attack.
Vengeance: Gain 40% increased damage.
Dark Heart

Vengeance fills your heart, reducing all damage taken by 50%.
Fan of Knives Bladed Armor
- Fan of Knives
Cooldown: 10 seconds

Throw knives out in a spiral around you, dealing 620% weapon damage to all enemies within 20 yards. Your knives will also Slow the movement of enemies by 60]% for 1 second.
Bladed Armor

Gain 40]% additional armor for 6 seconds.

Fan of Knives' damage turns into Cold.
Vault Rattling Roll
- Vault
Cost: 8 Discipline

Tumble acrobatically 35 yards.
Rattling Roll

Enemies you vault through are knocked away and Stunned for 1.5 seconds.
Shadow Power
- Shadow Power
Cost: 14 Discipline

Draw in the power of the shadows, gaining 26821 Life per Hit for 5 seconds.

Life per Hit gained is increased by 25% of your Life per Kill.

Awareness
- Awareness
When you receive fatal damage, you instead vanish for 2 seconds and regenerate 50% of maximum Life.

This effect may occur once every 60 seconds.
Cull the Weak
- Cull the Weak
Increase damage against Slowed or Chilled enemies by 20%.
Ambush
- Ambush
You deal 40% additional damage to enemies above 75% health.
Leech
- Leech
Gain 18507 Life per Hit.

Heal amount is increased by 75% of your Life per Kill.

Items

The Shadow's Mask

Set Helm

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+626–750 Dexterity

+626–750 Strength

+626–750 Intelligence

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 40000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.
The Shadow's Burden

Set Shoulders

Primary Stats

+91–100 Resistance to All Elements
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+416–500 Dexterity

+416–500 Strength

+416–500 Intelligence

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 40000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.
The Traveler's Pledge

Set Amulet

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Damage Increased by 51 - 55%

Endless Walk
The Traveler's Pledge
The Compass Rose
(2) Set: While moving, damage taken is reduced by up to 50%.
While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
The Shadow's Bane

Set Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+416–500 Dexterity

+416–500 Strength

+416–500 Intelligence

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 40000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.
Strongarm Bracers

Legendary Bracers

Primary Stats

+220–349 Vitality
Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Enemies hit by knockbacks suffer 20–30% increased damage for 6 seconds.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
The Shadow's Grasp

Set Gloves

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 8.0–10.0%
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+626–750 Dexterity

+626–750 Strength

+626–750 Intelligence

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 40000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.
Chain of Shadows

Legendary Belt

Primary Stats

+85–108 Vitality
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

After using Impale, Vault costs no resource for 2 seconds.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+85–108 Dexterity

+85–108 Strength

+85–108 Intelligence
The Shadow's Coil

Set Pants

Primary Stats

+4 Random Magic Properties
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+416–500 Dexterity

+416–500 Strength

+416–500 Intelligence

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 40000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.
The Shadow's Heels

Set Boots

Primary Stats

+416–500 Vitality
+4 Random Magic Properties
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+416–500 Dexterity

+416–500 Strength

+416–500 Intelligence

The Shadow’s Mantle
The Shadow's Bane
The Shadow's Coil
The Shadow's Heels
The Shadow's Grasp
The Shadow's Mask
The Shadow's Burden
(2) Set: While equipped with a melee weapon, your damage is increased by 1200%.
(4) Set: Shadow Power gains the effect of every rune and lasts forever.
(6) Set: Impale deals an additional 40000% weapon damage to the first enemy hit.
The Compass Rose

Set Ring

Endless Walk
The Traveler's Pledge
The Compass Rose
(2) Set: While moving, damage taken is reduced by up to 50%.
While standing still, damage dealt is increased by up to 100%.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties
Convention of Elements

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+2 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Gain 150–200% increased damage to a single element for 4 seconds. This effect rotates through the elements available to your class in the following order: Arcane, Cold, Fire, Holy, Lightning, Physical, Poison.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Karlei's Point

Legendary Dagger

Primary Stats

+(858–1049)–(1028–1304) Cold Damage
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

Impale returns 10–15 Hatred if it hits an enemy already Impaled.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+626–750 Dexterity

+626–750 Strength

+626–750 Intelligence
Holy Point Shot

Legendary Quiver

Primary Stats

Attack Speed Increased by 15 - 20%

Secondary Stats

Adds 2 - 3% to Fire Damage
Adds 1% to Cold Damage
Adds 1% to Holy Damage
Adds 1% to Lightning Damage
Adds 1% to Poison Damage
Adds 1% to Arcane Damage
Impale throws two additional knives.

+ 4 Random Magic Properties

More Details

Head
- The Shadow's Mask
- Stat Priority: Dex Skill: Impale CHC Vit
Shoulders
- The Shadow's Burden
- Stat Priority: Dex AR CDR AD
Amulet
- The Traveler's Pledge
- Stat Priority: Socket Lightning % CHD CHC
Torso
- The Shadow's Bane
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Reduced Elite Dmg
Wrists
- Strongarm Bracers
- Nemesis Bracers
- Lacuni Prowlers
- Stat Priority: Lightning % CHC Dex AR
Hands
- The Shadow's Grasp
- Stat Priority: CHC CHD Dex Vit
Waist
- Chain of Shadows
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Life
Legs
- The Shadow's Coil
- Stat Priority: Dex Vit AR Armor +
Feet
- The Shadow's Heels
- Stat Priority: Skill: Impale Dex Vit AR
Rings
- The Compass Rose
- Convention of Elements
- Elusive Ring
- Stat Priority: Socket CHC CHD AD
Weapon
- Karlei's Point
- Stat Priority: AS Dmg % Dex AD
Offhand
- Holy Point Shot
- Stat Priority: Lightning % CHC Skill: Impale Dex

Legendary Gems
- Bane of the Trapped
  Bane of the Trapped
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Increase damage against enemies under the effects of control-impairing effects by 15%.
- Pain Enhancer
  Pain Enhancer
  
  Gem
  
  Primary Stats
  
  Critical hits cause the enemy to bleed for 2500.0% weapon damage as Physical over 3 seconds.
  Gain Blood Frenzy, granting you 3% increased Attack Speed for each bleeding enemy within 20 yards. (Requires Rank 25)
- Gogok of Swiftness
  Gogok of Swiftness
  
  Gem
  
  Secondary Stats
  
  Gain Swiftness with every attack, increasing your Attack Speed by 1% and Dodge by 0.5% for 4 seconds. This effect stacks up to 15 times.

Kanai's Cube

Aquila Cuirass

Legendary Chest Armor

Primary Stats

+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

While above 90–95% primary resource, all damage taken is reduced by 50%.
Empty Socket
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+49–60 Dexterity

+49–60 Strength

+49–60 Intelligence
Aquila Cuirass
Elusive Ring

Legendary Ring

Primary Stats

Critical Hit Chance Increased by 4.5–6.0%
+3 Random Magic Properties

Secondary Stats

After casting Shadow Power, Smoke Screen, or Vault, take 50–60% reduced damage for 8 seconds.
One of 3 Magic Properties (varies)

+220–349 Dexterity

+220–349 Strength

+220–349 Intelligence
Elusive Ring

Cubed Weapon: Dawn

Cubed Ring: Wear the best rolled ring you have of the Elusive Ring and Convention of Elements and cube the other.

For Gems:

When not running higher GR, replace the Pain Enhancer with the following:

For speed runs use Bane of the Powerful.

For pushing high GR in a 4man, use Bane of the Stricken.

For extra toughness use Esoteric Alteration.

Paragon Priorities

Core

Movement Speed
Primary Stat
Vitality
Maximum Resource

Offense

Cooldown Reduction
Critical Hit Damage
Critical Hit Chance
Attack Speed

Defense

Resist All
Armor
Life
Life Regeneration

Utility

Area Damage
Life on Hit
Resource Cost Reduction
Gold Find

Build Guide

GR 75 (NS) : https://youtu.be/87KG02kbS58

GR 87 (2 DH) (NS) : https://youtu.be/LgHo9DOA0Sk

GR 90 (NS) : https://youtu.be/TRPtlEVnWGU

GR 82 (768 Para, No Augs) S10 : https://youtu.be/rB9-IMrMe0w

Theory/Background - (The Why)

This build is made possible by the newly revised Holy Point Shot quiver. With the new quiver, impale will throw 3 knives instead of one. Each knife gains the 6p bonus damage from the Shadow Mantle Set. Currently its also possible, if positioned very close to a mob, to land all 3 buffed impales on a single target. So for instance the RG will take 3x the damage from impale than it does w/o the Holy Point Shot if standing very close while attacking it. This is an awesome change. This will greatly increase the effective damage output for impale. Not only that, all 3 knives will return the amount of hatred that is listed on your Karlei's Point dagger. Now with up to 3x the refunded hatred, it is no longer necessary to have a generator, while staying at near full hatred most of the time. This allows using and taking advantage of the Aquila Cuirass chest in the cube for 2x toughness.

Gearing/Game Play - (The How)

Make sure to have at least 36.7% cdr for permanent Vengeance. The required cdr can be accomplished with cdr rolled on one piece of gear, 15% cdr from the Gogok of Swiftness, a diamond in helm and 10% cdr in paragon. Tactical Advantage passive is desirable to use for speed runs. Use Leech for soloing higher GR's. Numbing Traps can be used to buff group toughness if needed. Single out should be used when pushing high GR's in 4man groups. Nemesis bracers are an excellent alternative to Strong Arms and are recommended for speed rifting. For pushing GR's in 4 man's, Lacuni Prowlers can be used for increased attack speed to better stack Stricken. For bounties there is no better choice than the Warzechian Armguards. For pushing high GR's with supports, wear an SOJ and cube the Convention of Elements for more damage, since the with supports the Elusive Ring may not be needed.

Try to stack life after kill on chest, belt, pants, jewelry and weapon if possible. Life after kill works beautifully with this build. Shadow Power will add 50% of your life after kill to life on hit, the leech passive adds another 75%. Together you will have 125% of LoK as LoH. This is a huge gain in health recovery, allowing for safe passage while playing very aggressively.

Note that if you play at a game difficulty where you are one shotting mobs, it will result in running out of hatred because there will be no opportunities for hatred refunds from Karlei's Point. Some examples of where you might run into this would be power leveling friends or running fast low level GR's to level gems. In order to mitigate this problem so you don't run out hatred, run Seethe instead of Dark Heard, replace Cull the Weak with Blood Vengeance and replace Aquila Cuirass with Visage of Gunes in the Cube.

Make sure to spam Vengeance, bladed armor and wolf when off cooldown. The constant activation of these skills can be achieved by num locking them. Beyond that, all that is required is to cast impale to attack and vault for mobility. Its really that simple. You do need to make sure to impale every 2 sec in order to have free vaults. I personally use vault actively to stun elites and RG's to interrupt their special attacks. This can be be extremely helpful in surviving nasty fights. Note that while vaulting you enter into a smoke screen like state that renders you invulnerable to incoming damage for the brief time you're traveling from point to point. Make sure to keep the elusive ring buff up at all times. This can be done by vaulting or casting shadow power. If you find yourself placed particularly well, as in next to an elite that you are impaling, casting shadow power to proc the elusive buff is preferable to vaulting if you can face tank well enough to stay in place. Note that this build requires hunting and killing mainly elites, especially for speed runs, but higher GR's will require gathering up and killing large packs of trash also. Just make sure to take advantage of the oculus circles when doing so.

Summary/Wrap Up - (The Results)

The build is very simple to play and a hell of a lot of fun. It gives insane mobility, good damage and high survivability. In fact fully self buffed with all dps gems and nems, its not uncommon to exceed a toughness of 600 mil at low paragon. That's awesome toughness for a dps class with no support. I have tested this build on the PTR for patch 2.5.0 in HC. In Season 10 with 1.07 mil sheet dps I cleared a GR 82 in 9:43 on the first attempt. This build can be used to compete for pushing the highest GR's for both solo and group play. For speed farming it is superb. GR 75's are taking under 4 min to clear (with 2 mil+ dps). Normal rifts are fast and fun. Split farming 4man T13 bounties is very doable once geared well. In short the build will do everything you need and want within Diablo 3.

I have thoroughly enjoyed playing and testing out this build and I hope you will find as much enjoyment with it as I have. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions. Please Upvote if you find this guide useful. Thanks.

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