Assassin (Thief Kit)

The Assassin is trained in discreet and efficient murder. They rely on anonymity and surprise to perform their task.

Advantages

• +1 to-hit and damage rolls.
• Backstab multiplier reaches ×7 instead of capping at ×5:
  • Level 17–20: ×6
  • Level 21–30: ×7
• If 3E Sneak Attack is enabled, may sneak attack instead of backstab:
  • Level 1–2: +1d6
  • Level 3–5: +2d6
  • Level 6–8: +3d6
  • Improves by +1d6 every 3 levels, up to +11d6 at level 30.
• If 3E Sneak Attack is enabled, crippling strikes on successful sneak attacks (1-turn duration):
  • Level 3–5: –1 to target's hit and damage rolls
  • Level 6–8: –2
  • Level 9–11: –3
  • Improves by –1 every 3 levels, up to –10 at level 30.
• May use Poison Weapon, +1 use every 4 levels.
  • Poison Weapon: Each hit within 5 rounds injects poison — 2 damage per second (total 12); on failed save vs. Poison, an additional 1 damage per round for 4 rounds.

Disadvantages

• 15 skill points per level in thieving skills (vs. the Thief's 25).

When to pick it

• A ×7 backstab is the highest damage multiplier in the game — late-game one-shots become possible.
• The Assassin's per-level skill point loss matters most at low levels; by level 10+ they have more than enough points.

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Source: iwdee/original_manuals/IWDEE - Mastering Melee & Magic.pdf — "Assassin (Thief Kit)".