This is an Assassin/Mesmer build using Illusionary Weaponry and defensive enchantments do deal constant medium damage while having an above average defense. It is intended for RA and TA.

Attributes and Skills

Assassin / Mesmer	Attribute Rank
Shadow Arts	10 + 3 + 1
Illusion Magic	11
Dagger Mastery	10 + 1

Illusionary Weaponry

Shroud of Distress

Heart of Shadow

Dark Escape

Caltrops

Signet of Malice

Shadow Refuge

Resurrection Signet

Equipment

• your armor of choice
• daggers with an enchantment lengthening mod, Arius' Sai or Daggers of Xuekao for example

Usage

• Before the fight starts, cast Illusionary Weaponry and Shroud of Distress. The latter serves as cover enchantment for the first and as life insurance. Make sure to have Illusionary Weaponry covered at all times so it can't be stripped easily.
• Choose a target. The armor level of your target doesn't matter, so overextending warriors are just as good as the usual monk-first-approach.
• Use Dark Escape offensively for the speed boost. It won't end because you won't hit in melee. Use it defensively when under attack.
• When Dark Escape is recharging, use Caltrops to slow down kiters.
• When crippled, use Caltrops followed by Signet of Malice.
• Use Heart of Shadow and Shadow Refuge to heal when under attack.
• Stop attacking when hexed with Empathy, Spiteful Spirit and the like.

Counters

• Being crippled is not nice, but can be dealt with.
• Heavy enchantment stripping would be devastating but is rarely seen in RA and TA.
• 'On attack' hexes like Empathy and Spiteful Spirit are devastating.

Variants

• Being a Mesmer/Assassin. You would deal more damage because of the higher illusion magic. As a primary assassin you have a better defense.
• Switch Signet of Malice for Inspired Hex or any other hex removal.
• Bring an interrupt like the Leech Signet.
• Drop Shroud of Distress for any other skill of your choice. It's risky because IW can be stripped then.