Assassin
Quick Reference
- Type: Evolution ball (Iron + Dark / Iron + Ghost)
- Effect: Pierces enemy fronts; +30% damage on back-hits
- Solo tier: A
- Role: Single-target / elite specialist
Rating
Assassin is the elite-killing single-target specialist. Iron's raw damage modifier combined with piercing and 30% backstab makes it a burst-damage tool that melts mid-bosses and elites. Solid A-tier.
The "pierce front, +30% from back" mechanic means hit-direction control is the key to maximizing value. Pair with Glacier (freeze enemies in place for guaranteed back hits) or The Ascetic (right-angle bounces multi-hit from various angles) and Assassin's bonus triggers reliably.
Together with Hemorrhage, Assassin forms the "two great Iron-line boss killers." Where Hemorrhage scales on % current HP (best vs. tanks), Assassin delivers flat burst (works equally well at any HP). Run both for full coverage.
Evolution Recipe
| Material A | Material B | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | Dark | Assassin |
| Iron | Ghost | Assassin |
Two valid recipes — having either Dark or Ghost is enough. Standard play: secure Iron, then wait for Dark/Ghost to fuse.
Build Paths
| Build | Order | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Two-boss-killer | Assassin + Hemorrhage | Assassin for elites, Hemorrhage for bosses |
| Assassin + Glacier | Assassin + Glacier | Freeze for guaranteed backstabs |
| Phantom Parallel | Assassin + Phantom | Two Dark-line evolutions for mass clear |
Best Characters
- The Empty Nester — No baby balls means main damage matters most. Assassin's single-target focus is perfectly aligned
- The Tactician — Turn-based mode allows precise back-positioning, guaranteeing 30% bonus
- The Shieldbearer — Shield reflections create multi-angle hits, increasing back-strike chances
Best Passives
- Backstab Dagger — Direct synergy with Assassin's back-hit bonus
- Deadeye's Cross — Crit + backstab compounds damage
- Platinum Dumbbell — Damage multiplier multiplies the +30%
- Wagon Wheel — More bounces = more back-strike opportunities
Playstyle Tips
- Pair with freeze for consistency: Glacier locks enemies, Assassin punches through their backs
- Prioritize elites: The 30% bonus scales harder against high-HP targets in absolute terms
- Launch from edges: Center launches favor frontal hits; edge launches create the angles for back-strikes
- Run multiple Assassins: Different launch angles = different hit sides, so dual Assassins surround targets
TL;DR
Assassin is the universal single-target boss killer — covers both bosses and elites. Where Hemorrhage requires Bleed setup, Assassin only needs Iron + Dark or Ghost (two paths), making it the more reliable Iron evolution when Bleed isn't dropping.