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This build is designed to allow an Assassin to use shadow form in a fight without dying while still dealing damage

Attributes and Skills

Assassin / Mesmer	Attribute Rank
Shadow Arts	12 + 1 + 2
Dagger Mastery	10 + 1
Illusion Magic	8

Golden Fox Strike

Jungle Strike

Death Blossom

Caltrops

Shadow Form

Arcane Echo

Illusion of Weakness

Feigned Neutrality

Equipment

• Weapon
  • Zealous Daggers (Kenshi's Butterfly Daggers or Ceremonial Daggers are recommended)
• Armor
  • Shrouded Armor (Canthan) or any Nightfall set with radiant insignias on head, chest, and legs
• Runes
  • Superior (or major) Shadow Arts
  • Major (or Minor/Superior) Dagger Mastery
  • Any other desired runes

Usage

• Cast Illusion of Weakness when you first zone
• Before or early in battle, cast Arcane Echo then cast Shadow Form
• Once in battle cast Caltrops to cripple surrounding foes
• Choose your target then use the dagger attacks in the correct order (correct order shown above)
• Keep an eye on your Enchantments, when Shadow Form begins to blink, cast the second Shadow Form that appears where Arcane Echo would be (this requires timing unless casted early)
• After the second Shadow Form begins to run out, cast Feigned Neutrality, and stop attacking or it will end.
• If you are hit while regenerating, Illusion of Weakness will boost you back to 150-200 health
• The dagger attack skills listed will deal a lot of damage without taking too many slots

Counters

• On rare occasion a Mesmer may take away Illusion of Weakness after Shadow Form ends but should still give health boost
• Touch Skills still penetrate through Shadow Form

Interchangeable skills

• Heart of Shadow can replace Feigned Neutrality if you do not have Nightfall
• Dagger Attack Skills (Not recommended to change)

Notes

• If your ping measure is red do not fight, orange is not advisable
• Zealous Daggers give energy as you use combos and attack keeping energy around 10