Assassin Subclass Guide and Build

The Assassin is a Rogue subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). Check out our guide for how to unlock the Assassin subclass, its features, as well as its best build.

Rogue Subclasses Rogue Class Guide
Arcane Trickster	Assassin	Thief

Assassin Subclass Overview

Assassin Basic Information

Subclass Overview
	Assassin You prefer to deal sublime punishment to a single foe at a time - not in a duel, mind, because a duel implies chivalry, and you're too busy getting the job done for honor.
Main Class	Rogue
How to Unlock	Reach Rogue Level 3.
Starting Subclass Features
・Grants the Assassinate: Initiative Feature. ・Grants the Assassinate: Ambush Feature. ・Grants the Assassin's Alacrity Feature ・All Rogue Class Features and Proficiencies.

Assassins are all about that first turn kill, boasting high damage if they set up their assassinate ambushes properly. Assassins who are able to Surprise their enemies before battle will be rewarded with guaranteed Critical Hits and Advantage on Attack Rolls, so make sure to position accordingly before dealing the first blow.

How to Unlock the Assassin Subclass

Available Once Your Rogue Reaches Level 3

The Assassin subclass will become available once your Rogue reaches Level 3. In order to earn EXP and level up in Baldur's Gate 3, players will need to complete quests, discover new areas, or defeat enemies they find in the world.

Assassin Subclass Features

Assassinate: Initiative

As an Assassin, your Rogue will gain Assassinate: Initiative at Level 3. During combat, your attack rolls will have Advantage when hitting an enemy that has not yet taken their turn. As you would imagine, this buff only works during the first turn of battle. It does not work as an opener for a fight even in turn-based mode.

Turn order does not matter when factoring in Assassinate: Initiative since it can only ever proc during the first turn of a battle. For example, if it's the second turn of battle and your Rogue is first in the battle order, they still won't be able to proc this passive since all enemies have already (technically) taken their turn.

Assassinate: Ambush

Another feature you unlock at Level 3 is the Assassinate: Ambush passive. Before or during combat, any successful Attack Rolls you get on Surprised enemies will be a guaranteed Critical Hit. This feature is your Assassin's opener. Start a battle using this method for a guaranteed crit on your first target (provided you are hidden).

Unfortunately, it can be quite tricky to set up an ambush that procs the Surprised condition on enemies. The easiest way would be to enter turn-based mode just outside of the enemies' sight cones. From there, have your Rogue perform a ranged attack. If all goes well, your attack should be a Critical Hit that procs the Surprised condition against your foes.

Assassin's Alacrity

Last in your trifecta of Level 3 features is Assassin's Alacrity. Since you'll be wanting to open combat using your Ambush feature, Assassin's Alacrity will ensure that as soon as turn-based combat kicks in, your Rogue will still have both their action and bonus action ready to use. This feature allows you to reliably begin fights while still being able to take advantage of both Assassinate: Initiative and Ambush.

Infiltration Expertise

At Level 9, you gain Infiltration Expertise. Essentially, this is the Disguise Self spell. The effect can also be ended early, otherwise, it will last until your next Long Rest.

While disguised, you will be able to pick racial dialogue options that would otherwise be unavailable to you. For example, disguising yourself as a Drow will unlock Drow-only dialogue options for your character even if they are not originally a Drow.

Assassin Level Progression

Best Assassin Builds

Assassin Build Overview

Note: This build is subject to change as we're currently testing and searching for better gear in the game!

The items on this build are all scattered throughout all three acts. If you don't have them yet, it's best to buy a +1 equipment of the same type from a merchant until you get them.

Helm

Shadow of Menzoberranzan

Shadow of Menzoberranzan gives a Class Action, Shrouded in Shadows, which makes your character turn invisible. It only last for two turns, but you can easily recover it after a Short Rest, unlike the Invisibility Spell that needs a Long Rest.

Shadow of Menzoberranzan: Armor Guide and How to Get

Helmet of Grit

Helmet of Grit gives +1 Dexterity Saving Throws and has an effect called Grit where it gives an additional bonus action to the wearer. However, it requires you to have 50% HP or less for it to activate.

It's a good helmet to have if you have accepted the Illithid Powers and use the Psionic Overload.

Armor

The Graceful Cloth

The Graceful Cloth is recommended for Assassins as it gives the player an increase to their Dexterity score by 2, alongside Cat's Grace, as well as Nimble as a Cat, which adds a +1 bonus to Dexterity Saving Throws and increases the player's Jump distance by 1.5m.

The Graceful Cloth: Armor Guide and How to Get

Gloves

Gloves of Power

Gloves of Power can inflict damage penalty to your enemies when you hit them. It also gives a bonus +1 to Sleight of Hands, which helps if you want to steal an item from someone.

Gloves of Power: Armor Guide and How to Get

Gloves of the Balanced Hands

Gloves of the Balanced Hands is great for Assassins who dual-wield weapons. It can increase your damage by adding the Ability Modifier if you attack using your off-hand weapon, almost doubling the damage your off-hand weapon can inflict.

Boots

Boots of Speed

Boots of Speed gives an additional skill named Click Heel, which doubles your movement speed, and enemies receive Disadvantage on their Opportunity Attacks against you.

It's extremely useful if you already exhausted your Disengage and need to flee from nearby enemies.
Boots of Speed: Armor Guide and How to Get

Disintegrating Night Walkers

Disintegrating Night Walkers is a good replacement for the Boots of Speed. It has a Misty Step spell that you can use to teleport to the location your character can see. As an Assassin, it will help you reposition yourself in combat, reach faraway places, and escape when necessary.

Disintegrating Night Walkers: Armor Guide and How to Get

Melee Weapons

Sussur Dagger

Sussur Dagger is a dagger that can silence enemies when attacking. It's a great weapon to get when you go to the Underdark as there are a lot of enemies who rely on spellcasting until the endgame.

Sussur Dagger Weapon Guide and How to Get

Justiciar's Scimitar

Justiciar's Scimitar is a weapon you can get in the later parts of Act 2. It gives a Weapon Action, Shadow-Blinding, which can blind your enemies if you attack them while you have the Advantage. Also, it won't remove your concealment or invisibility if you attack using that action.

Stillmaker

Stillmaker is a weapon you can in the early part of Act 3. It gives a level 3 Enchantment Spell, Hold Person, which you can use to hold a target in place. It's not the best in terms of effect since it's more suitable for spellcasters, but it still have a better base damage compared to other Daggers.

Ranged Weapons

Darkfire Shortbow

Darkfire Shortbow gives a Haste Spell to the wearer, where it gains extra movement, becomes harder to hit, and gain an extra action. It is generally good for all classes that are proficient with Shortbows, but it's best used to Assassins to maximize their movement or damage in combat.

Hellfire Hand Crossbow

Hellfire Hand Crossbow has an effect, named Hellstalker, where you can inflict additional fire damage to a target if you're invisible or out of sight. It also gives an additional spell, Scorching Ray, but you won't be able to use it as much as Assassins mostly focus on attacking with their weapons and not spells.
Hellfire Hand Crossbow Weapon Guide and How to Get

Accessories

Moondrop Pendant (Amulet)

Moondrop Pendant is a defensive Amulet that can help your Assassin flee out of combat. Its effect lets the user pass through enemies without triggering an Opportunity Attack when its HP is below 50%. There will be times in the game when you can't avoid head-on combat and will pushed to retreat, and this Amulet will be handy.
Moondrop Pendant: Accessory Guide and How to Get

Fetish of Callarduan Smoothhands (Ring)

Fetish of Callarduran Smoothhands gives Invisibility to your character. It will help with sneaking through enemies or getting to a good position without them noticing. It lasts for ten turns, but requires a Long Rest before you can use it again!

Killer's Sweetheart (Ring)

Killer's Sweetheart is the best Ring accessory for your Assassin. It has a reaction called Executioner, where you can inflict a critical hit on your next attack after killing an enemy. It means you are most likely to succeed in hitting them when the effect is active.

The only downside is it requires a Long Rest before you can use it again. Regardless, it's still good, as you can take out even a boss-level enemy fast in battle.

Best Races to Use As an Assassin

Wood Elf

Movement Speed is very important for an Assassin so setting its race to Wood Elves would help you with that as they have the highest base movement speed. It would help your Assassin character escape or get into an advantageous position anytime in battle.

• Elven Weapon Training grants Proficiency with Longswords, Shortswords, Longbows, and Shortbows.
• Darkvision allows you to see an extra 12m in Dark Areas. For an Assassin, you will be able to take advantage of this, as you will be sneaking a lot of times.
• Fey Ancenstry helps you resist being Charmed and grant you immunity to be put to Sleep.

Wood Elf Subrace Guide and Best Classes

High Elf

High Elf have the same race features as the Wood Elf. The only difference is that you won't get the speed bonus, but you can get a Cantrip of your choice. The best Cantrips you can choose for your Assassin are Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, True Strike, or Blade Ward.

• Mage Hand can be used to move objects and investigate unknown areas. It's also invisible when you summon it, so it won't be hard to sneak past strict areas.
• Minor Illusion can help distract enemies inside or outside of combat.
• True Strike increases your chances of hitting your enemies. It's best used before combat so you can use the effect on the same turn.
• Blade Ward is a defensive spell that reduces melee damage taken (Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing) by 50%.

High Elf Subrace Guide and Best Classes

Drow

Drows are also similar to Elves, specifically Wood Elves, because of their Racial Features. The only difference between them is their weapon proficiencies, but it shouldn't be a big factor if you're playing as an Assassin as you won't be using mostly Shortswords and Daggers.

• Drow Weapon Training grants Proficiency with Rapiers, Shortswords, and Hand Crossbows.
• Superior Darkvision allows you to see an extra 24m in Dark Areas. This is would help you navigate through the darkest areas easily and take your enemies by surprise in the dark.
• Fey Ancenstry helps you resist being Charmed and grants you immunity to spells that can put you to Sleep.

Drow Race Guide and Best Classes

Best Ability Score for Assassin

Ability Score Overview

Dexterity is the primary ability for Assassins. Maxing it out will get you the highest possible damage you can inflict in battle.

Constitution and Charisma should be prioritzed after Dexterity. Having a high Constitution stat will help compensate the low defense and Charisma will help you mostly with conversations.

You can increase Wisdom a bit mostly to help you with Insight and Perception checks.

Strength and Intelligence can be your dump stats as you won't be fighting enemies head on and you won't be casting any spells.

Best Assassin Feats

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter feat maximizes your ranged weapon's damage in the game. Also, you won't have to constantly look for a high ground as you won't receive a penalty when hitting enemies on a high place.

It's best to have if you want your Assassin to excel mostly in ranged encounters.

Sharpshooter Feat Guide and Effects

Mobile

You can move more with the Mobile feat as it increases your movement speed, lets you pass rugged terrains without slowing down when using Dash, and won't trigger an Opportunity Attack from your targets if you move out. Its effects are all beneficial for an Assassin so consider picking this one!

Mobile Feat Guide and Effects

Savage Attacker

Savage Attacker feat lets you roll dice twice and use the higher result as the damage. It's a good feat for Assassins as it will increase their chances of rolling a higher number, resulting in more damage.

Savage Attacker Feat Guide and Effects

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Rogue Class Guide

All Rogue Subclasses

All Rogue Subclasses
Arcane Trickster	Assassin	Thief