This build has been archived and is not updated by the GuildWiki community. This build is only maintained for historical reference and may contain incorrect or outdated information. Reason: Nightfall release, introduction of better Shadow-Stepping and elites

The Critical Master can tank most melee enemies in PvE. It is best for farming Vermin and Jade Brotherhood Knights. It can also serve as a good hybrid tank and damage-dealer in a full party.

Attributes and Skills

Assassin / Warrior	Attribute Rank
Tactics	3
Dagger Mastery	9 + 2
Shadow Arts	9 + 1
Critical Strikes	12 + 2 + 1

Jagged Strike

Wild Strike

Critical Strike

Wild Blow

"Watch Yourself!"

Critical Eye

Critical Defenses

Way of Perfection

Equipment

• Daggers of Enchanting (+15% enchantment duration or better). The Daggers of Xuekao (unique) are ideal.
• The Nightstalker's set.
• A rune of purity to reduce poison duration.

Usage

• Cast Critical Eye and Way of Perfection.
• Activate Critical Defenses once in melee range of your target.
• Start with Wild Blow. Use Wild Blow whenever a critical hit is needed to keep up Critical Defenses, but do not spam it needlessly.
• Follow with Jagged Strike, Wild Strike, and Critical Strike.
• Repeat this combo as often as needed to kill your target.
• Spam "Watch Yourself!" up to increase your durability: you don't need the adrenaline for anything else.

Weaknesses

• If your critical hits are prevented by blindness or hexes such as Blurred Vision, then you can lose your Critical Defenses and take vastly more damage.

Variants

• Replace "Watch Yourself!" with Signet of Malice if conditions are a concern.
• Replace Jagged Strike with Desperate Strike, trading bleeding for more potential damage, or with Unsuspecting Strike for more damage at a higher energy cost. Unsuspecting Strike allows you to specialize in the Critical Strikes attribute.
• This build is also great for farming Kirin, Wardens, and Undergrowth in Pongmei Valley.
• Replace Critical Eye for Way of the Assassin.