Assassin

Assassin is one of the six second-tier Archetypes in Rogue Trader. It focuses on eliminating individual targets with precision attacks.

## In-game description

Assassins are masters at identifying the slightest vulnerabilities of priority target and dispatching them by any means necessary.

Core focus: high damage, dodge and dodge reduction, threat elimination, hit-and-run.

## Archetype Features

The Assassin is an agile fighter that specializes in dealing massive damage to single targets. At the start of an Assassin's turn, each enemy is marked with an opening on a random side. If the Assassin attacks an opening, they deal additional damage equal to 10% of the targets maximum wounds. The opening is then moved to the opposite side. Many Assassin talents and abilities also have extra effects based on Lethality, which is equal to the Assassin's dodge or dodge reduction (whichever is higher).

Assassins are intended to be melee combatants, but many of their abilities also work with ranged attacks. A completely ranged Assassin can be effective, though it may be more difficult to hit openings.

### Characteristics

Assassins can improve the following characteristics during level-up:

* Weapon Skill
* Ballistic Skill
* Agility
* Intelligence
* Perception

### Skills

Assassins can improve the following skills during level-up:

* Awareness
* Lore (Imperium)
* Lore (Xenos)

### Abilities

Keystone

* Seek the Opening

Unlockable

* Danse Macabre
* Death Whisper
* Elusive Shadow
* Feinting Attack
* Killing Edge
* Poised to Strike

Ultimate Abilities

* Dispatch (Heroic Act)
* Dispatch (Desperate Measures)

### Talents

* Seek the Opening
* Inevitable Enervation
* An Eye for the Unscathed
* Professional Acumen
* Perfect Opening
* Bringer of Doom
* Ambush
* Carmine Whisper
* Deadly Calculation
* Flawless Lunge
* Imminent Demise
* Killing Spree
* Leave No Witness
* Lethality Heightens
* Lone Killer
* Mortally Effective
* Seize the Advantage
* Elusive Speed
* Outsmart
* Esquive
* Disarray
* Keep Your Distance
* Morbid Pirouette
* Gruesome Gust

### Progression

Warriors and Operatives can become Assassins when they reach level 16. Assassins gain the following benefits when they level up

* 16. Gain the Seek the Opening ability
* 17. Choose one Ability
* 18. Choose one Talent
* 19. Gain your Ultimate Abilities
* 20. Gain an additional AP and choose one Characteristic improvement
* 21. Choose one Characteristic improvement and one Talent
* 22. Choose one Skill improvement and one Ability
* 23. Choose one Talent
* 24. Choose one Characteristic improvement and one Common Talent
* 25. Choose one Talent
* 26. Choose one Characteristic improvement and one Skill improvement
* 27. Choose one upgrade for your Ultimate Ability
* 28. Choose one Talent and one Common Talent
* 29. Choose one Characteristic improvement and one Skill improvement
* 30. Choose one Ability
* 31. Choose one Talent and one Common Talent
* 32. Choose one Skill improvement
* 33. Choose one Characteristic improvement and one Talent
* 34. Choose one Common Talent
* 35. Choose one upgrade for your Ultimate Ability

At level 36, the Assassin becomes an Exemplar.

## Trivia

Assassin is the most available second-tier Archetype among companions. Marazhai is an Assassin, and Abelard, Heinrix, Idira, Pasqal, and Yriliet can all choose to become Assassins.