Introduction
The Deadly Shadow build exploits the Shadow Form skill to the maximum effect allowing deep infiltration and swift execution.
Attributes and Skills
| Assassin / Any | Attribute Rank |
| Dagger Mastery | 11 + 3 |
| Deadly Arts | 4 + 3 |
| Shadow Arts | 12 + 1 + 3 |
| Critical Strikes | 5 + 3 |
| Siphon Speed | Black Spider Strike | Twisting Fangs | Black Lotus Strike | Blades of Steel | Deadly Paradox | Shadow Form | Feigned Neutrality |
Equipment
20% Enchanting Daggers
Radiant Armor
Usage
Before closing with the enemy use Deadly Paradox and Shadow Form.
If with a group, try to be the 1st one in to draw enemy attention away from your allies to you.
Just before Shadow Form disappears you use Deadly Paradox and Feigned Neutrality and run away for a few seconds, after 5 sec you can use Shadow Form again allowing for a mere 5 sec downtime, during which you have +80 armor and +7 hp regeneration.
Be sure you use Deadly Paradox before using Shadow Form or else you will be faced with a staggering 35 second downtime.
Counters
Hex breaker will prevent you from unleashing your chain
During the 5-6 seconds you don't have shadow form up your hp will be very low and you can find yourself falling victim to degeneration hexes or conditions that will bring you down rather swiftly.
Any PoE skills such as Inferno can shut down this build quickly.
Touch skills, especially from Touch Rangers can shut this build down as well.
Signets cut through Shadow form making Smite Monks very dangerous to this build.
Conditions and damage taken from a Dervish's enchants can dwindle your hp away, as well as chilling victory's secondary damage.