Assassination tips.
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I thinking in creating a murderer for me. The kind of man that strikes from the shadows but I don´t have the know-how about killing people.
Any tips?I don´t want the gank thing. I want the kind of thing a lone assassin would do. A hunter in the night, stalking his prey in the woods, in the sewers, in the streets…..
Also, I would like the player of Orson Crowley to say something here.
Done.
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Personally, when I looked into assassination methods (even if they were rarely used) there is one important point always to consider. Knows your target. Once you know the strengths and weaknesses of somebody you can plan the next steps. There is no universal rule for killing every single person, maybe except throwing off cliffs, but rogues and monks have a tendency to come out of that one.
There are numerous poison vendors around the world, and in some locations you can realy powerful poisons. If you do not know what they do IG, and have nobody to test them on, you can always sneak up to the NWN wiki and check up at least the "basic" ones. However, the better the poison, the smaller the chance of successfuly using it on a weapon, and only a PrC class or a very unique item can help you out.
Magic is a good shortcut when you have to do something to the "fighter classes". However, remember that the "higher levels" tend to protect themelves from their weaknesses, and as such a wand of Hold Person might no longer do the trick. It only comes back to point one, know the target.
When alone attack the target alone. Even a level 1 standing next to your target creates a huge threat. He could run off and call for help if you are not fast enough, and if you have to split your resources between two people it might simply become a mess and instead of a "clean kill", you get messy two.
Something from my personal experience DO NOT GLOAT. I made that mistake. When you know you have somebody close to death, and fleeing, do not start a diabolic monologue, finish the job, then flee. Of course, one might argue that you are fleeing from RP, but in fact the more time it takes, the higher the chance of somebody stumbling upon you, or the target finding still something useful in his pack/spells.
Lastly, remember there are no pure "lone wolves". Everybody needs connections, with informants, the right "Law Bringers", suppliers, task givers. Make a lot of "friends", and those who prove to be the most useful should go on your "Do not Kill" list. Unless the pay is right, that is.
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Something from my personal experience DO NOT GLOAT. I made that mistake. When you know you have somebody close to death, and fleeing, do not start a diabolic monologue, finish the job, then flee. Of course, one might argue that you are fleeing from RP, but in fact the more time it takes, the higher the chance of somebody stumbling upon you, or the target finding still something useful in his pack/spells.
I have to disagree a bit here. "Gloating" also contributes to roleplay - and if your going to kill someone there has to be a fair amount of roleplay for that to happen, gloating or not. If your simply just going to kill someone and flee that will be a very unmeanful death to them.
The main point is there needs to be a significant amount of roleplay between you and the person your planning to murder, which is usually in the duration of which your planning to kill them, and just before the death - just like you would even if you were not an assasin but still wanting to FD a player.
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The problem is, you're in one hell of a dangerous situation, typing stuff takes time and leaves you vulnerable. The idea to be able to just roll on with emotes and RP is nice, but it doesn't work out well IG. You're stressed, you have to go before anyone shows up, bla bla.
Saying someting, or doing something RL would not take longer than a few seconds, but in nwn, talking and emoting takes a lot longer. It's hard enough to play a hunted criminal withouth having to stop and type stuff while half the server is searching for you :P
Not saying there shoudn't be any RP, but in many situations it just doesn't work.
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If you are behind a specific target, you can quickslot some texts or work in windowed mode and copy/paste stuff over that you have prepared up front. Or you learn how to type REALLY fast. Then again .. you could probably just tie up your victim and drag him somewhere where you have a bit of "quiet" time with him/her. There are items in the game that allow you to do such.
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Playing a pure ''murderer'' is never going to work my friend, a concept based just on killing people isn't going to be much fun.
Mix in a few well planned and executed FD deaths to help progress your story and make it fun for people involved and it'll be fine. Yes you will be putting yourself in a dangerous situation for the good of RP and making it fun for people - that's what CoA is about in my opinion and it's something people just don't do.
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Something from my personal experience DO NOT GLOAT. I made that mistake. When you know you have somebody close to death, and fleeing, do not start a diabolic monologue, finish the job, then flee. Of course, one might argue that you are fleeing from RP, but in fact the more time it takes, the higher the chance of somebody stumbling upon you, or the target finding still something useful in his pack/spells.
I have to disagree a bit here. "Gloating" also contributes to roleplay - and if your going to kill someone there has to be a fair amount of roleplay for that to happen, gloating or not.
Unless your assassin is sadistic its not going to be in his character to gloat and its going to make no sense for him to risk his life by doing so. Plus if hes going to just kill him anyway and the other guy is bleeding out waiting to die is it really roleplay?
If your going to play an assassin then the roleplay part would come in the getting to know your target stage, perhaps you fall in love with your target or perhaps they catch wind of your plot to kill them or perhaps your killer gets some kind of thrill by sending elaborate puzzles to the mark that give away an assassination plot against them. Whatever the case unless the other player actually feels involved in the process then I wouldnt call it fun roleplay.
Playing an assassin is not an easy thing to do in this game from a roleplaying point of view as you want your character to be successful, make sense in their actions while at the same time adding fun for the other player and at least making them think there was some course they could take to avoid the situation.
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Gloating is fine as long as it's done IC. OOC gloating is for lamers
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Instead of making an "assassin", make an "avenger". Assassin, while it makes sense IC, has several problems.
1. You kill characters. This -will- cut RP. The character might have had several plots, lots of intrigue and devilish plans around. If he had, you're effectively stealing that much from the server. If the character was a boring one with no plots and little connections, then there's a high chance that whoever hired you hasn't had that much RP with the target that would lead to the assassination - In other words, the assassination would come out from the blue sky. Which is always bad.
IMO, the target should always be afraid that someone might want to murder him before it actually happens.2. You kill characters quickly. Without giving them a chance. After you take out a few people, their former allies will quickly realize that -someone- (that is, you) has become a problem. If you give no chance for your victims to escape, then don't expect to get another chance yourself.
IMO - It's better to let a victim escape than actually kill them. This will make you more notorious, but will also guarantee that you survive longer.3. It's hard to kill people. You need to be extremely well prepared (mechanically) to kill someone. Once they realize that you're out for their blood, they'll do anything in their power to escape. This means that you need to do everything you can to prevent them from succeeding. Which is costly, and -always- hard due to lady luck.
IMO - If you show them (ICly or OOCly) that you don't plan to deliver F(inal)D(eath) upon their sorry asses, then you are that much less a threat. This doesn't mean that they won't fear you - it's just that instead of frantically clicking away at those quickslotted potions and tricks and whatnot, they can spend the time emoting and RPing.Instead, play an "Avenger".
1.You do not kill characters. You can still advertise your skills like an assassin would (porblem solver, etc). But once youäve got the target alone and cornered, cut out their ear. Stab them in the stomach. Break their leg. Or something. You aren't killing the character, but giving him a clear message to stop what they were doing wrong. Killing a person removes a lot of RP and plots, and adds little - harming them "seriously" adds at least the same amount, possibly more, without taking anything away.2. If you are going to let the victim get away in any case, then there's no need to worry about them "escaping". You've made your point anyway - someone is out for them. Instead of stabbing them to death, you can just pull your sword and threaten to stab them to death. Perhaps attack them once when you're cutting away their finger or something. Point is, when you're going to let them go anyway, mechanical prowess looses it's meaning, and RP gets that much more powerful. It'll also let them live, spreading the tale and making you more famous, more notorious - and thus more succesful.
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Given the nature of the game so to speak it's probably worth thinking about it that most of the pre-RP should really come from the guy handing out the assassination, rather than simply lumping it all on the guy doing the killing.
It's such a fine line for everyone involved, though
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An assassin should be killing for pay. I would suggest that the th e significant part of RP needs to be betwen the victim and the assassin's hirer. As folks have mentioned, the RP before death is very important. The victim should be aware that someone is out for their blood; should have a significant level of fear. The Assassin and Hirer should also be RPing in such a way that there is a chance that they can be found out. IE, all negociations done IG rather than in PMs on the forum. I'd probably go as far as saying all communication should be IG. This can be done anonimously with go-betweens, written notes IG and stuff. PM's prevents the sheriffs or the victime any chance of busting the strike before it happens.
The actual strike, I think, could go ahead with very little RP. After all, an assassin worth his salt should strike first from the shadows with a very significant strike, and then flee. An assassin that gloats over the corpse will die, and quickly. If the RP has happened between Hirer and victim over a week or two, I think folks will understand and appreciate the whole game.
Having said that, assassinations are always going to be a challenge to do well.
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An assassin should be killing for pay. I would suggest that the th e significant part of RP needs to be betwen the victim and the assassin's hirer. As folks have mentioned, the RP before death is very important. The victim should be aware that someone is out for their blood; should have a significant level of fear. The Assassin and Hirer should also be RPing in such a way that there is a chance that they can be found out. IE, all negociations done IG rather than in PMs on the forum. I'd probably go as far as saying all communication should be IG. This can be done anonimously with go-betweens, written notes IG and stuff. PM's prevents the sheriffs or the victime any chance of busting the strike before it happens.
The actual strike, I think, could go ahead with very little RP. After all, an assassin worth his salt should strike first from the shadows with a very significant strike, and then flee. An assassin that gloats over the corpse will die, and quickly. If the RP has happened between Hirer and victim over a week or two, I think folks will understand and appreciate the whole game.
Having said that, assassinations are always going to be a challenge to do well.
Sounds right to me.
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I don´t want the gank thing. I want the kind of thing a lone assassin would do. A hunter in the night, stalking his prey in the woods, in the sewers, in the streets…..
So, you like solo ganking then?
Well, in order to be the guy that will most likely be hated both IC and OOC by some. You'll have to try your best to atleast interact with your prey to some extent. Whether it be small talk, whatever. Most people get really mad when they get pwned by people they never heard of. Might as well tip your hat to them atleast once while they are still breathing. (Even though by all accounts assassin shouldn't even have to do this really, at all. They are weapons, that is all. The RP should come from the client)
Regardless, people who play assassins should be well experience with playing on this server before they step into that role. You'll be hated and talked about by nearly everyone, and the OOC stuff may well make you go insane. Infact the last great assassin (actually greatest) this server had went nuts himself…
Well...good luck.
lolz.
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Great tips so far…. However I will only rolepay if i make the psychopath who likes to kill people or have some obssesion. If i Play the assassin for hire I will likely be someone else-s tool.
Or maybe i can play the some evil-purger who does justice in hiw own way. Like a evil batman or something. Mmmmmm.... That sounds interesting....
I´m thinking in playing the vigilante concept.
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Nice.
Apply for a Sheriff.
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Key thing to remember:
Playing PvP from any of view,but especially an evil character, is very serious. You need to have the mindset of a DM.
How can I make this so fun that my victim applauds the event?
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What i also find important, is that if you are an asassin, you need to be damn sure there is a reason for being such. Merely having the prc shouldnt be enough.
Secondly, the winning mentality is the worst thing to run into on CoA, when engaged in pvp . If you are a lvl 9 asassin, being hired to kill a lvl 2 pathetic weasel build, is way too overkill. Always try and find people around your own strength or higher, rather than lower. Being lvl 5, and killing a known hero way above your paygrade is awesome. Being a super villian asassin, and picking off newly arrived adventures, isnt.
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@O'louth:
What i also find important, is that if you are an asassin, you need to be damn sure there is a reason for being such. Merely having the prc shouldnt be enough.
Secondly, the winning mentality is the worst thing to run into on CoA, when engaged in pvp . If you are a lvl 9 asassin, being hired to kill a lvl 2 pathetic weasel build, is way too overkill. Always try and find people around your own strength or higher, rather than lower. Being lvl 5, and killing a known hero way above your paygrade is awesome. Being a super villian asassin, and picking off newly arrived adventures, isnt.
But then, we should assume that Assassins also have some dignity (or at least I like to think that way). I would assume that people who want a level 2 newcomer dead, are themselves, most likely newcomers with some awful grudge, often a completely silly one, against the other character (this happened to me once).
An Assassin in my ear rings a certain degree of "Elitism". You are not a Murderer, Mugger or Cutthroat. You get payed the big coin, for the big things, and as such, anyone who insults you with unrealistic offers (much too low, or much too high) should be simply declined.
A person who takes on every single petty "murder" job, then loots the target clean, should have no right to call himself an assassin. Cheap crook, maybe.
Perhaps what I mean to say, is that nobody is "born" an assassin. Being an assassin means having certain skills and experience. Think of it as a title bestowed on those who are good in a specific type of task.
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Great tips so far…. However I will only rolepay if i make the psychopath who likes to kill people or have some obssesion. If i Play the assassin for hire I will likely be someone else-s tool.
Or maybe i can play the some evil-purger who does justice in hiw own way. Like a evil batman or something. Mmmmmm.... That sounds interesting....
I´m thinking in playing the vigilante concept.
Not to be overly critical but that just screams "Unoriginal" to me, sorry.
EDIT: To add though, Dont play characters for what they do or are capable of, play a character for how they act and react to certain situations, give them a personality, strengths weaknesses, why does he do the things he does, does he kill for a reason? if so, what are they, or does he kill because he can? if so, what drove him to act this way, and how can you get other people involved in the characters backstory?
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If i play the assassin for hire i would likely kill anyone for the right price lolz.
After all i don´t choose my victims.
The vigilante is compelled to kill evil-doers. They do their rp i do mine. Action and reaction.
