Assassination is a High-level class ability available to the Thief class, although the Swashbuckler kit is excluded.
The ability can be selected only once.
High-level class abilities were added as a new feature to the BG game with the release of the Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal expansion and are also included in the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition as well.
Description[]
| “ | Assassination Using every clever trick an experienced Thief has learned in countless battles, this ability allows every strike in the next round to act as a backstab, using the Thief's existing backstab modifier to determine damage. |
” |
Gameplay[]
This ability is accessed from the character's "Special Abilities" button, select the button icon with the cursor (or F12 on a keyboard) to open the menu - use the cursor again and click on the desired ability icon or use one of the designated F-keys if playing with a keyboard interface.
Once the ability icon is selected the Assassination power is bestowed and is immediately applied upon the character automatically - the character has a brief 3D effect render on their sprite, as well as a color glow, and a sound effect audibles. The character will show an icon (No. 156) titled "Assassination" on their portrait for the ability's duration.
The ability has a duration of 1 round once applied to the character.
Once the ability is initiated, the character receives the following boons:
- Any successful hit on a target creature applies the Backstab damage multiplier.
- The attack does not require the rogue to be hidden/invisible, nor positioned to the rear of the target.
- All attacks from the main and off-hand that successfully hit can apply the damage multiplier.
Any weapon{s) used during the assassination ability attempt must still adhere to the restrictions for backstabbing - if the weapon isn't one that gets the backstab damage multiplier, then it won't do any extra damage. See the backstab article for a list of eligible weapon types.
As this ability has a short duration, it is unlikely to be removed from the thief, and it isn't subject to being dispelled - however it can be removed by a Breach spell.
With a limited time to take advantage of this ability, it can be best be leveraged with boosting the thieves' Attacks per round and perhaps THAC0 to help ensure a hit.
Devastating damage can be dealt when the thief strikes a target that is Helpless, or even during a Set Time Trap interlude.
A creature that is immune to backstabbing will also be immune to the assassination ability - successful hits will only inflict ordinary damage against those creatures
Note[]
This ability is compatible in BG2EE if the player has enabled the hidden gameplay option "3E thief sneak-attack" by configuring the LUA file.
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset doesn't provide any High-level class abilities as implemented by the BG video game - the HLA's seen in the game are a creation by the developers for the video game series only - however some inspiration was provided to the BG developers from the following sourcebook material:
In 1995 under the Advanced D&D 2.5 ruleset the Dungeon Master Option: High Level Campaigns sourcebook was released. In chapter 7, High-Level Characters and Skills for High-Level Characters is sectioned for Warriors, Wizards, Priests, and Rogues.
It is from these rules and optional suggestions that the developers crafted their own High-Level Skills - or "abilities" as they are called in the game.
In terms of Assassination - the sourcebook has no such skill mentioned.
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Screenshots:[]
