Assassin

The **Assassin** is one of four playable types of Heroes in *For Honor*. They are swift and lethal, boasting evasive skills that compound well with their excellent offensive capabilities.

At the cost of lacking defensive options compared to the other three types of Heroes (the Hybrids, the Heavies, and the Vanguards), the Assassins are quick to strike and are speedy on foot. When playing an Assassin, players should rely on their agility to evade attacks or use their signature Deflect to create an opening. They can utilize their speed to hunt down isolated enemies or assault distant control points.

## Attributes

With the ability to seek-and-kill other Heroes effectively, Assassins possess a good selection of attacks that opens up many possibilities for follow-ups. While they lack durability and defensive options, their offense and speed proves to make up for them. This is especially exemplified in their access to the *Deflect* dodge, where dodging into an attack right before it lands gives the Assassin an opportunity to counterattack and turn the tide of battle. Each Assassin's deflect provides different benefits, but all aim to reward the Hero for taking a risk by dodging the attack instead of blocking or parrying it.

In Dominion, Assassins cross the battlefield swiftly, taking Control Zones when the enemy is not attending to them. Their kit also work best when they headhunt, seeking lone foes who are on the retreat instead of trying to stand on their back foot in an outnumbered fight.

## Heroes of the Factions

The Assassin heroes in **For Honor** are:

* The *Peacekeepers* are the silent blade, entering and exiting battle, leaving only a trail of death. Agile, they wield a sword and dagger, with which they get in close, cause their opponent to bleed, before retreating as the enemy's health drains. Fret not any direct attack, as the bleeding effects and their ability to get in and out of fights swiftly will leave you blindsided to impending death.

* The *Berserkers* are terrifying Viking beasts of war, with a brandished hand axe in each hand, using their speed to find targets and their agility to stay alive with their harassing play style. Their choice of weapon grants them the ability to chain together attacks in quick succession, but their tenacity is what gives them the will to take hits to keep performing their barrage.

* The *Orochi* roam like ghostly snakes, slaughtering those unfortunate on the way with the *katana*. Each warrior meant to be able to kill hundreds if not thousands, they are given a balance between harassment and counter-attacking. They strike swiftly and will mow you down with their stylish dodge cancels. Be wary when encountering one of these warriors, as they will rush you down in a flurry of attacks.

* The *Shinobi* were thought to be myths, but have come out of hiding, silent as they are deadly, wielding a set of traditional Japanese *kusarigama*. They fight with a dancer’s grace and kill with precision thanks to a lifetime of disciplined training. Even mobile when in combat, the Shinobi uses literal smoke and the fleet of foot to reposition themselves around their prey, only to get up to close to pin you down with their signature Sickle Rain attack.

* The *Gladiators* are merciless warriors that fought in the stadium for entertainment and personal glory. They fight much like a seasoned boxer, sailing the grounds like a butterfly and letting their Trident sting like a bee. Although they feature a buckler in their off-hand, one should not expect it to be used for defense, as the Gladiator is more than willing to use it to bash their foe. Stay on your toes, as the Gladiator will bob and weave with an array of confounding flurry.

* The *Shaman* lives a solitary life in the forests scattered around Valkenheim. This isolation has left her with little to no civility, appearing as an utter savage. She sees omens and communes with the gods, practicing rituals that only she understands. On the battlefield, the Shaman fights to sate the thirst of her hatchet and dagger. And in her blood-rage will she ensure that none will be left alive.

* The *Nuxia* are trained bodyguards for nobles, but also are assassins who disguise their talents through dance. Their capacity of graceful dancing makes them deadly when combined with the use of the hook swords as they can lay traps within their combos, punishing enemies who play too defensively.

## Trivia

* All Assassins (and Shaolin) used to have a Guard called *Reflex Guard*, where instead of being able to hold a guard direction indefinitely, they could only hold it for no more than a second before it disappears as they hold a neutral stance. This played into the Assassin's class identity of lacking reliable defensive means, making them reliant on their Deflects and otherwise slippery nature to stay alive.
	+ Reflex Guard was removed at the start of Year 7 Season 3, after a long development process behind-the-scenes seeking to give Assassin's proper normal Guard animations. Contrary to popular belief, Reflex Guard was not tied to the Deflect mechanic internally, thus was not a contributing factor as to why it took the Developers so long to remove the mechanic.