WATCHMEN

SHADOW / ASSASSIN CODEX 2.1+ - 5/31/2013

Video

INTRO
Welcome to the new 2.1+ Shadow / Assassin Codex. I’d like to get straight down to business. Topics that will be covered will include the following:

- Stats
- Gear (Min/Max)
- Specs
- Notes
- Armory

STATS
Now the stat section of the Assassin / Shadow has been changed not too drastically since the expansion, but enough to make some scratch their heads as to where to go or where not too. Luckily it isn’t as uniform as it was before, but there is a general rule of thumb for each DPS spec.

Basically, here are the stats you want to aim for (Assuming, all buffs)

1262-1516 Damage
95 - 97% Accuracy
25 - 27% Crit
72 - 75% Surge
1072 - 1200 Bonus Damage (Force)
2018 Expertise

This setup ensures that you have enough burst damage with consistency to follow. I’ve been using this and generally topping charts even sometimes on node defense. It is the perfect balance to hit the smooth spots required.

GEAR
Next we’re going to cover the gear section. I automatically assume that you will be aiming for full Conqueror gear. If you aren’t, then you should. Now let’s move onto the more important matter pertaining to gear. First, I’d like to show you the difference between geared vs undergeared.

Now let's start with the initial difference.

http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/490...stalkers-boots
vs
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/489...stalkers-boots

+8 Armor
+9 Endurance
+8 Willpower
+3 Power
+4 Surge Rating

For the sake of saving time and making this easier for readers, let's convert the off stats to 1 stat: Off Stats. So basically, we'll combine Surge, Power, or Crit, Alacrity etc.

+8 Armor
+9 Endurance
+8 Main Stat
+7 Off Stats

Now this is 1 piece of gear, we have a total of 14 pieces to upgrade. So let's multiply these numbers by 14 for the full set.

14x8 = +112 Armor
14x9 = +126 Endurance
14x8 = +112 Main Stat
14x7 = +98 Off Stats

Now this is the shift from full Partisan to full Conq. Next, let's calculate the augment (purple) differences.
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/467...lve-augment-28

+20 Endurance
+32 Willpower

Now, let's multiply this by 14, because we need to augment all our gear.

20x14 = +280 Endurance
32x14 = +448 Main Stat (aka WP for me)

Now, let's total it together in order to find true values of geared people, vs entry-geared players. Remember, these values can change based on the player's profession. IE: Tank, more End.

+560 Main Stat
+406 Endurance
+112 Armor
+98~200 Off Stat

Clearly, there is a major difference between entry-geared players, and not-even-optimized-but-geared players. Don’t let anyone fool you, gear makes a tremendous difference.

Especially considering the fact that people do not die in one hit, so if you want additional math on the gear, multiply each hit you take to kill someone, times that by your entire team (X DPS on your team) and, in addition, multiple how many heals your healers take to heal you up in how many heals. Then, multiply that by how much absorb/end/mitigation your tanks have (1-2?) and now add that all up in comparison to the enemy team.

Now, let’s focus on optimizing our gear to its full potential. We already know what stats we should aim for, but now, let’s discuss what mods/enh are needed to get there. I automatically assume you will be using Conqueror armoring, so I will not go over that.

Prime Mods:
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/458...mettle-mod-28x
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/457...titude-mod-28x

Prime Enhancements:
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/466...nhancement-28x
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/465...nhancement-28x

Notice a trend here? There are no high-WP mods. Why? Wait and see.

Augments:
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/gear/467...lve-augment-28
And that will be your reason why. All augments should strictly be WP, because this grants you access to be more flexible concerning your mods/enh. High WP-Mods are generalist in nature. They specialize in nothing, and therefore, will make it more strenuous to attain min/maxer stats.

SPECS
KC/Darkness (Tank DPS): 36/5/5
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/s...223302-203-221
Standard Tank Build designed for use with a generator. Warning, this spec with DPS gear may not be overly efficient for a specialist-based team.

Infiltration/Deception (Burst DPS):
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/A...320112032223-3
DPS build with emphasis on heavy burst damage backed with respectable consistency and defensive output.

Balance/Madness (DoT DPS):
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/a...11002212230223
DPS build designed for harassment scaled encounters on multiple ranges.

NOTES
The Shadow / Assassin in 2.0+ so far seem to have a solid spot as a DPS. Particularly, Deception / Infiltration are performing (at last) at a balanced level. Madness / Balance, however, are desperately lagging behind and are in need of some serious revamps.

Some changes I’d recommend is to make the tree a lot more tanky. Have it perform similar to that of an Annihilation Marauder. I’ll get into that in more detail for another subject. It should also be noted that Darkness is performing on a solid level, though, lacking the absurd mitigation compared to that of a VG/PT Tank.

Overall, I think the state of the class is in a fine chapter. This is one of the better times we’ve had since launch. Let’s enjoy it.

ARMORY
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/characte...5-9fadd0b2fe10