Assassinate. During its first turn, the assassin has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn. Any hit the assassin scores against a surprised creature is a critical hit.
Evasion. If the assassin is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the assassin instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the assassin deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the assassin that isn't incapacitated and the assassin doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Multiattack. The assassin makes two shortsword attacks.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Description
Trained in the use of poison, assassins are remorseless killers who work for nobles, guildmasters, sovereigns, and anyone else who can afford them.
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Posted Apr 2, 2026If my math is right, these guys do anywhere from 87-238 damage depending on whether one or both attacks hit and whether the enemy saves against the poison effect or not. This is because the way the assassinate ability reads RAW implies they get the critical hit for both attacks as long as the enemy is surprised. Sneak attack still only applies once.
The bottom line here is that the damage range is VERY swingy and unpredictable. The +6 bonus to hit isn’t great but you also have to consider that advantage on both attacks brings the average up to closer than +9 or +10 so even against a PC with full plate the assassin is still hitting more than 55-60% of the time. Against a squishier foe they’re hitting even more often. The tank is likely to survive while the sorcerer or wizard is probably going to be dropped immediately