Assassin

Hit Points (HP)

Hit Dice	1d8 per level
HP at Level 1	8 + CON modifier
HP at higher levels	1d8 (or 4) + CON modifier per level

Proficiencies

Armour	Light armour, bucklers
Weapons	Simple weapons, cane swords, bladed fans, blowguns, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
Tools	Thieves' Tools
Saving Throws	DEX, INT
Skills	Choose four from Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth

Assassin Table

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Abilities	Skills Known	Sneak Attack Damage
1	+2	Expertise (1), Sneak Attack, Thieves' Cant	1	1d6
2	+2	Cunning Action	2	1d6
3	+2	Blitzkrieg	3	2d6
4	+2	Ability Score Improvement	4	2d6
5	+3	Uncanny Dodge	5	3d6
6	+3	Expertise (2)	6	3d6
7	+3	Evasion	7	4d6
8	+3	Ability Score Improvement, Opportune Backstab*	8	4d6
9	+4	Blitzkrieg Improvement	9	5d6
10	+4	Ability Score Improvement	10	5d6
11	+4	Reliable Talent	11	6d6
12	+4	Ability Score Improvement	12	6d6
13	+5	-	13	7d6
14	+5	Slippery Mind	14	7d6
15	+5	-	15	8d6
16	+5	Ability Score Improvement	16	8d6
17	+6	-	17	9d6
18	+6	Elusive	18	9d6
19	+6	Ability Score Improvement	19	10d6
20	+6	Stroke of Luck	20	10d6

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

(a) a rapier or (b) a shortsword
(a) a shortbow and a quiver of 20 arrows or (b) a shortsword
(a) a burglar's pack, (b) dungeoneer's pack, or (c) an explorer's pack
Leather armour, two daggers, and thieves' tools

Or, you could choose to start with 4d4 × 10 gp and purchase your equipment.

Class Abilities

Sneak Attack

You know how to exploit a foe's distraction or unexpectancy when you strike. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have Advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.

You don't need Advantage if another enemy of the target is within 2 metres of it, that enemy isn't Incapacitated, and you don't have Disadvantage on the attack.

The amount of extra damage increases by 1d6 for every 2 levels that you gain (e.g. at Level 5, this deals 3d6 damage)

Thieves' Cant

During your training you learned Thieves' Cant, a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only another creature that knows thieves' cant understands such messages. It takes four times longer to convey such a message than it does to speak the same idea plainly.

In addition, you understand a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such as whether an area is dangerous or the territory of a thieves' guild, whether loot is nearby, or whether the people in an area are easy marks or will provide a safe house for thieves on the run.

Expertise

At Level 1, choose two of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies. At Level 6, choose two more skill proficiencies (in skills or with Thieves' Tools) to gain this benefit.

Cunning Action

At Level 2, your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You can take a Bonus Action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Blitzkrieg

At 3rd Level, you can build on the momentum of a successful blow to your target, creating a swifter end for your foes. If you bring a creature to 0 HP, you can choose to use this feature. For this turn, you are able to take one extra action or one extra bonus action, but this action cannot be used to cast a spell. After using this feature, you can use it again after you complete a short or long rest.

At 9th Level, you can ignore the once per turn restriction if you trigger Sneak Attack with the extra action for this feature, provided that you target another creature.

Ability Score Improvement

At Levels 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, and 19, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this skill.

You can forgo taking this feature to take a Feat of your choice instead.

Uncanny Dodge

Starting at 5th Level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you.

Evasion

At 7th level, your instinctive agility lets you dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a blue dragon's lightning breath or a Fira spell. While you are not Incapacitated, when you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if you fail.

Opportune Backstab*

From 8th Level onwards, you are able to capitalise on the distraction when your enemy is hit by your ally. You can choose to forgo spending a skill point to learn the Opportune Backstab reaction below:

Reaction Trigger: A creature within your reach is hit by a melee attack from one of your allies.

Effect: Make a melee weapon attack against the creature.

*Attack of Opportunity variant: You can only learn this feature if you are using this variant.

Reliable Talent

At Level 11, you have refined your chosen skills until they approach perfection. Whenever you make an ability check that lets you add your proficiency bonus, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.

Slippery Mind

By 14th Level, you have acquired greater mental strength. You gain proficiency in Wisdom Saving Throws.

Elusive

From 18th Level onwards, you are so evasive that attackers rarely gain the upper hand against you. No attack roll has Advantage against you while you aren't

.

Stroke of Luck

At 20th Level, you have an uncanny knack for succeeding when you need to. If your attack misses a target within range, you can turn the miss into a hit. Alternatively, if you fail an Ability Check or a Saving Throw, you can treat the d20 roll as a 20.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or Long Rest.

Tempest

A flash of steel, a flurry of blades. Assassins who have delved into this skill tree become masters of delivering swift death to their foes. None can run from their might, for they can cross a battlefield in mere seconds.

Weapon Bond. A weapon is considered bonded for the purposes of some abilities in this skill tree if it has spent at least an hour on your person (e.g. during a short rest), and loses this status when you have not touched it in the past 24 hours.

Increasing Momentum	PASSIVE	You gain momentum in battle as you fight, causing your strikes to land heavier. Whenever you teleport, or hit with a weapon attack using a Finesse weapon, increase the chance of getting a critical hit by 1, to a maximum of 4 times. This bonus ends if one of the following takes place: You are Incapacitated ; You deal a critical hit; You perform any action or bonus action that does not include a weapon attack, a dash, or a teleport; You have not hit a weapon attack on a creature on one of your turns.
Shadow Recall	Ability Time: 1 bonus action Range: Self AoE: Single Duration: Instantaneous Magickal	You infuse Mist into the weapons that you touch, allowing you to recall them to yourself. You may recall any of your bonded weapons with which you've made a weapon attack in the last minute, provided that they are within 40m of you. During the recall, they disappear in threads of black smoke, reappearing on your person (in your hand, at your belt, etc.) Weapons can be recalled beyond barriers, but 60cm of rock, 5cm of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks you. Further, you cannot recall your weapons in areas where teleportation or planar travel is prevented.
Explosive Strike	Ability Time: 1 action Range: Melee Weapon Range AoE: Single Duration: Instantaneous Requires: Level 3	You build on the momentum of the fight against a creature, delivering a blow with great impact. Make a melee weapon attack against the target. On hit, deal the weapon damage and an extra Xd12 damage to the target, where X is the number of times the critical hit chance has increased from Increasing Momentum. The bonus critical hit chance from Increasing Momentum is doubled from this attack. After this attack, the bonus critical hit chance of Increasing Momentum is reset. You can use this ability twice every short or long rest.
Finalise	UPGRADE Requires: Level 9	You take more advantage of the increasing battle momentum, becoming far more likely to deal a critical hit, and striking so fast that no one can react. The bonus critical hit chance from Increasing Momentum is quadrupled. No creature can perform a reaction in response to this skill.
Assassinate	PASSIVE Requires: Level 4	You become a deadly threat to anyone who does not see you coming, and take full advantage of their lack of awareness. You can now add half of your proficiency bonus (rounded up) to your Initiative rolls. During your first turn, you have Advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn. Any hit that you score against a Surprised creature is a critical hit.
Shadow Trespass	PASSIVE Requires: Level 5 Magickal	You become able to teleport with your weapons as you throw them and strike a creature. When you make a melee or thrown weapon attack with a bonded weapon and it hits a creature, you absorb the essence of the creature's shadow as you strike. You can choose to transform into shadow and merge with the weapon you threw, teleporting instantly to a space adjacent to the target, provided that your speed is not 0. The shadow essence you draw from the creature aids you in combat until the end of your next turn: The creature's attack rolls against you have Disadvantage while you are within 2m of the creature, as its shadow seems to intercept their attack. You have Advantage on any Attacks of Opportunity made against the creature, as its shadow distracts it while you attack. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your DEX modifier (minimum once), and this replenishes after you finish a long rest.
Vendetta	Ability Time: 1 action Range: 20m AoE: Single Duration: Instantaneous Requires: Level 7 Magickal	One moment you're far away. The next moment, the enemy finds themselves with a dagger at their back. None are safe. Provided that your speed is not 0, you teleport to a point within 20m that you can see. After doing so, you can choose to perform a weapon attack against one creature within range with Advantage. You can use this ability once every short or long rest.
Blood Feud	UPGRADE Requires: 6 points in Tempest Requires: Level 11	You strike like lightning – swift and deadly. Range increase: +30m (total: 50m). You can now choose to use the Explosive Strike skill when you use this ability, instead of just performing a weapon attack. If you hit with the attack against a creature, it must succeed on a CON saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your DEX modifier) or else become Stunned until the end of their next turn.
Death Strike	UPGRADE Requires: 7 points in Tempest Requires: Level 14	You have become very effective at delivering a brutally swift end to a creature. A Surprised creature that you hit with a weapon attack must make a CON saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your DEX modifier). On a failed save, the creature takes extra damage from your attack equal to half of the total damage. Whether the creature fails or succeeds on the saving throw, its Initiative roll is reduced by 1d10 + your DEX modifier.
Throwing Master	PASSIVE Requires: 4 points in Tempest Requires: Level 7	Your throws have become far more deft, accurate, and forceful with practice. You gain the following benefits when using finesse, thrown weapons with which you are proficient: The short range and long range of your thrown weapon attacks doubles. If your thrown attack is made against a target within its short range, then you can deal +1 damage, provided that you hit, it is a weapon that deals PIERCE damage, and you don't have Disadvantage. Once per turn, when you throw a Thrown weapon, you can draw another Thrown weapon freely, and you may make a thrown weapon attack.

Increasing Momentum

PASSIVE

You gain momentum in battle as you fight, causing your strikes to land heavier.

Whenever you teleport, or hit with a weapon attack using a Finesse weapon, increase the chance of getting a critical hit by 1, to a maximum of 4 times. This bonus ends if one of the following takes place:

You are
Incapacitated
;
You deal a critical hit;
You perform any action or bonus action that does not include a weapon attack, a dash, or a teleport;
You have not hit a weapon attack on a creature on one of your turns.

Shadow Recall

Ability Time: 1 bonus action

Range: Self

AoE: Single

Duration: Instantaneous

Magickal

You infuse Mist into the weapons that you touch, allowing you to recall them to yourself.

You may recall any of your bonded weapons with which you've made a weapon attack in the last minute, provided that they are within 40m of you. During the recall, they disappear in threads of black smoke, reappearing on your person (in your hand, at your belt, etc.)

Weapons can be recalled beyond barriers, but 60cm of rock, 5cm of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks you. Further, you cannot recall your weapons in areas where teleportation or planar travel is prevented.

Explosive Strike

Ability Time: 1 action

Range: Melee Weapon Range

AoE: Single

Duration: Instantaneous

Requires: Level 3

You build on the momentum of the fight against a creature, delivering a blow with great impact.

Make a melee weapon attack against the target. On hit, deal the weapon damage and an extra Xd12 damage to the target, where X is the number of times the critical hit chance has increased from Increasing Momentum.

The bonus critical hit chance from Increasing Momentum is doubled from this attack. After this attack, the bonus critical hit chance of Increasing Momentum is reset.

You can use this ability twice every short or long rest.

Finalise

UPGRADE

Requires: Level 9

You take more advantage of the increasing battle momentum, becoming far more likely to deal a critical hit, and striking so fast that no one can react.

The bonus critical hit chance from Increasing Momentum is quadrupled.

No creature can perform a reaction in response to this skill.

Assassinate

PASSIVE

Requires: Level 4

You become a deadly threat to anyone who does not see you coming, and take full advantage of their lack of awareness.

You can now add half of your proficiency bonus (rounded up) to your Initiative rolls. During your first turn, you have Advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn. Any hit that you score against a Surprised creature is a critical hit.

Shadow Trespass

PASSIVE

Requires: Level 5

Magickal

You become able to teleport with your weapons as you throw them and strike a creature.

When you make a melee or thrown weapon attack with a bonded weapon and it hits a creature, you absorb the essence of the creature's shadow as you strike. You can choose to transform into shadow and merge with the weapon you threw, teleporting instantly to a space adjacent to the target, provided that your speed is not 0.

The shadow essence you draw from the creature aids you in combat until the end of your next turn:

The creature's attack rolls against you have Disadvantage while you are within 2m of the creature, as its shadow seems to intercept their attack.
You have Advantage on any Attacks of Opportunity made against the creature, as its shadow distracts it while you attack.

You can use this ability a number of times equal to your DEX modifier (minimum once), and this replenishes after you finish a long rest.

Vendetta

Ability Time: 1 action

Range: 20m

AoE: Single

Duration: Instantaneous

Requires: Level 7

Magickal

One moment you're far away. The next moment, the enemy finds themselves with a dagger at their back. None are safe.

Provided that your speed is not 0, you teleport to a point within 20m that you can see. After doing so, you can choose to perform a weapon attack against one creature within range with Advantage.

You can use this ability once every short or long rest.

Blood Feud

UPGRADE

Requires: 6 points in Tempest

Requires: Level 11

You strike like lightning – swift and deadly.

Range increase: +30m (total: 50m).

You can now choose to use the Explosive Strike skill when you use this ability, instead of just performing a weapon attack.

If you hit with the attack against a creature, it must succeed on a CON saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your DEX modifier) or else become

until the end of their next turn.

Death Strike

UPGRADE

Requires: 7 points in Tempest

Requires: Level 14

You have become very effective at delivering a brutally swift end to a creature.

A Surprised creature that you hit with a weapon attack must make a CON saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your DEX modifier). On a failed save, the creature takes extra damage from your attack equal to half of the total damage.

Whether the creature fails or succeeds on the saving throw, its Initiative roll is reduced by 1d10 + your DEX modifier.

Throwing Master

PASSIVE

Requires: 4 points in Tempest

Requires: Level 7

Your throws have become far more deft, accurate, and forceful with practice.

You gain the following benefits when using finesse, thrown weapons with which you are proficient:

The short range and long range of your thrown weapon attacks doubles.
If your thrown attack is made against a target within its short range, then you can deal +1 damage, provided that you hit, it is a weapon that deals PIERCE damage, and you don't have Disadvantage.
Once per turn, when you throw a Thrown weapon, you can draw another Thrown weapon freely, and you may make a thrown weapon attack.

Subterfuge

Being a mere shadow on the battlefield, the enemy finds themselves dead before they even realise it. Such is the stealthy nature of Assassins trained in this area that creatures who fight them need to always be on guard - for death can come from thin air itself, and the people you thought were allies end up being your enemies.

Blink	Ability Time: 1 action Range: 4m Duration: Instantaneous Magickal	An incredible tool in the hands of one enacting subterfuge, you gain the ability to teleport short distances. You teleport to a point that you can see within 4m of you by taking a single step. This cannot be used if your speed is 0. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your DEX modifier (minimum once), and this replenishes after you finish a long rest
In a Flash	UPGRADE Requires: Level 9	Your agility allows you to perform this skill much faster, and the distance you can shadowstep increases. You can now use Blink as a bonus action instead of using it as an action. Range: +6m (total: 10m)
Into the Shadows	UPGRADE Requires: 2 points in Subterfuge	When you blink, you now remain in the shadows and become invisible. You become Invisible for 1 minute when you use Blink. This invisibility is lost if you attack or cast a spell.
Smoke Bomb	Ability Time: 1 (re)action Range: Self AoE: Sphere (4m radius) Duration: 1 minute Magickal	You condense the Mist around you in a particular way to create a small explosion that releases a cloud of smoke at your location, obscuring vision within the area. (Reaction trigger: When you would be hit by an attack roll.) Effect: You create smoke in the 4m radius sphere surrounding you. The area covered by the smoke is Heavily Obscured. The smoke is blown away when a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 15kmh^-1) disperses it. Further, you only take half damage from the attack that would have hit you. You can use this ability twice every short or long rest.
Disappearing Act	UPGRADE Requires: 4 points in Subterfuge	The smoke is now able to turn you and your allies Invisible. When you use this skill, you and all allies within range of the smoke become Invisible for 1 minute. This invisibility is lost if they attack or cast a spell.
Lingering Shroud	PASSIVE Requires: Level 5	You become a master of concealment, making the most of being invisible. While you are Invisible , the first time you would lose this invisibility from this instance as a result of making an attack, casting a spell, or forcing a creature to make a saving throw, you instead remain Invisible until the end of your next turn.
Infiltrator	PASSIVE Requires: Level 6	You can unfailingly create false identities for yourself. You can spend five days and 25 gp to establish the history, profession, and affiliations for an identity. You can't establish an identity that belongs to someone else. For example, you might acquire appropriate clothing, letters of introduction, and official-looking certification to establish yourself as a member of a trading house from a remote city so you can insinuate yourself into the company of other wealthy merchants. Thereafter, if you adopt the new identity as a disguise, other creatures believe you to be that person until given an obvious reason not to.
Blindsense	PASSIVE Requires: Level 11	You have the gained the ability to sense creatures even when they are not easily visible. You gain Blindsight out to 4m provided that you aren't Deafened . If you already have Blindsight, you increase its radius by 4m.
Ambush	PASSIVE Requires: 7 points in Subterfuge Requires: Level 14	Your attacks while you are hidden have become more deadly to the unaware. Any weapon attack performed while Invisible has a +4 bonus to its critical hit chance, provided that the creature is unable to see or sense you.
Impostor	PASSIVE Requires: 4 points in Subterfuge Requires: Level 9	You gain the ability to unerringly mimic another person's speech, writing, and behaviour. You can spend at least three hours studying these three components of the person's behaviour: listening to speech, examining handwriting, and observing mannerisms. Thereafter, you are able to mimic their speech, writing, and behaviour. Your ruse is indiscernible to the casual observer. If a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection. You also gain the ability to cast the Disguise spell without requiring spell slots. After casting this spell, you can cast it again after completing a short rest.

Blink
Blink

Ability Time: 1 action

Range: 4m

Duration: Instantaneous

Magickal

An incredible tool in the hands of one enacting subterfuge, you gain the ability to teleport short distances.

You teleport to a point that you can see within 4m of you by taking a single step.

This cannot be used if your speed is 0.

You can use this ability a number of times equal to your DEX modifier (minimum once), and this replenishes after you finish a long rest

In a Flash

UPGRADE

Requires: Level 9

Your agility allows you to perform this skill much faster, and the distance you can shadowstep increases.

You can now use Blink as a bonus action instead of using it as an action.

Range: +6m (total: 10m)

Into the Shadows

UPGRADE

Requires: 2 points in Subterfuge

When you blink, you now remain in the shadows and become invisible.

You become

for 1 minute when you use Blink. This invisibility is lost if you attack or cast a spell.

Smoke Bomb

Ability Time: 1 (re)action

Range: Self

AoE: Sphere (4m radius)

Duration: 1 minute

Magickal

You condense the Mist around you in a particular way to create a small explosion that releases a cloud of smoke at your location, obscuring vision within the area.

(Reaction trigger: When you would be hit by an attack roll.)

Effect: You create smoke in the 4m radius sphere surrounding you. The area covered by the smoke is Heavily Obscured. The smoke is blown away when a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 15kmh^-1) disperses it.

Further, you only take half damage from the attack that would have hit you.

You can use this ability twice every short or long rest.

Disappearing Act

UPGRADE

Requires: 4 points in Subterfuge

The smoke is now able to turn you and your allies Invisible.

When you use this skill, you and all allies within range of the smoke become

for 1 minute. This invisibility is lost if they attack or cast a spell.

Lingering Shroud

PASSIVE

Requires: Level 5

You become a master of concealment, making the most of being invisible.

While you are

, the first time you would lose this invisibility from this instance as a result of making an attack, casting a spell, or forcing a creature to make a saving throw, you instead remain Invisible until the end of your next turn.

Infiltrator

PASSIVE

Requires: Level 6

You can unfailingly create false identities for yourself.

You can spend five days and 25 gp to establish the history, profession, and affiliations for an identity. You can't establish an identity that belongs to someone else. For example, you might acquire appropriate clothing, letters of introduction, and official-looking certification to establish yourself as a member of a trading house from a remote city so you can insinuate yourself into the company of other wealthy merchants.

Thereafter, if you adopt the new identity as a disguise, other creatures believe you to be that person until given an obvious reason not to.

Blindsense

PASSIVE

Requires: Level 11

You have the gained the ability to sense creatures even when they are not easily visible.

You gain Blindsight out to 4m provided that you aren't

. If you already have Blindsight, you increase its radius by 4m.

Ambush
Ambush

PASSIVE

Requires: 7 points in Subterfuge

Requires: Level 14

Your attacks while you are hidden have become more deadly to the unaware.

Any weapon attack performed while

has a +4 bonus to its critical hit chance, provided that the creature is unable to see or sense you.

Impostor

PASSIVE

Requires: 4 points in Subterfuge

Requires: Level 9

You gain the ability to unerringly mimic another person's speech, writing, and behaviour.

You can spend at least three hours studying these three components of the person's behaviour: listening to speech, examining handwriting, and observing mannerisms.

Thereafter, you are able to mimic their speech, writing, and behaviour.

Your ruse is indiscernible to the casual observer. If a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.

You also gain the ability to cast the Disguise spell without requiring spell slots. After casting this spell, you can cast it again after completing a short rest.

Duelling

Duelists are Assassins who have mastered the art of combat, analysing opponents to find their weak points and moving at a rapid pace around the battlefield, fighting with elegance and grace. Hard to pin down, and dangerous to engage, this class of Assassin can blatantly deal death to its target and make an impeccable performance of it.

Master Duelist. When you have spent 5 points in this skill tree, you gain this feature. You gain an additional way to use your Sneak Attack; you don't need Advantage on the attack roll to use your Sneak Attack against a creature if you are within 2m of it, no other creatures are within 2m of you, and you don't have Disadvantage on the attack roll. All the other rules for Sneak Attack still apply to you.

Fancy Footwork	PASSIVE	You learn how to land a strike and then slip away without reprisal. During your turn, if you make a melee attack against a creature, you gain 4m of movement and that creature can't make opportunity attacks against you for the rest of your turn. (Two-weapon Fighting Note: Other Assassin characters must use a cunning action to Disengage if they want to escape a melee, but you can use your bonus action to fight with two weapons, and then safely evade each foe you attacked.)
Duelist's Insight	Ability Time: 1 bonus action Range: 10m AoE: Single Duration: 1 minute	Your experience in fighting others allows you to peer beyond a creature's defenses and see opportune moments to strike hard. You can make a WIS (Insight) check against a creature you can see within 10m that isn't Incapacitated, contested by the target's CHA (Deception) check. If you succeed, you can use your Sneak Attack against that target, provided that you don't have Disadvantage on the attack roll. This benefit lasts for 1 minute or until you successfully use this ability against a different target.
Sure Strikes	UPGRADE - Requires: Duelist's Insight - Requires: 2 points in Duelling - Requires: Level 5	As openings arise, your strikes leave lingering wounds that cripple your target's ability to strike back. While a creature is affected by this ability, you gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls against it. Furthermore, whenever you hit it with a melee weapon attack, it is afflicted with Sap 2 , and it takes a 1d4 penalty to the next attack roll that it makes until the end of its next turn.
Eye for Weakness	UPGRADE - Requires: Duelist's Insight - Requires: 5 points in Duelling - Requires: Level 11	You increase your ability to perceive the creature's weaknesses in form. While a creature is affected by this ability, your Sneak Attack damage against that creature increases by 3d6, and you gain a bonus +2 AC against its attacks.
Parry	PASSIVE - Requires: Level 3	You take advantage of a creature's poor attempt in making a melee attack against you and parry their attack, causing them to lose balance. Any creature that is at most 1 size larger than you that misses its melee attack against you becomes Prone , provided that are wielding a melee weapon.
Grand Challenge	Ability Time: 1 action Range: 20m AoE: Single Duration: 1 minute - Requires: Fancy Footwork or Duelist's Insight - Requires: Level 5	Your charm becomes extraordinarily beguiling, rubbing your foe the wrong way as you throw down the gauntlet and challenge them. Target a creature within 20m. You can make a Charisma (Persuasion) check contested by a creature's Wisdom (Insight) check. The creature must be able to hear you, and the two of you must share a language. If you succeed on the check, it has Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you and can't make opportunity attacks against targets other than you for 1 minute. It also becomes Clumsy until the end of its next turn. This effect ends early if one of your companions attacks the target or affects it with a spell, until you are knocked Unconscious, or you and the target are more than 20m apart.
Confident Audacity	PASSIVE - Requires: Duelist's Insight - Requires: 2 points in Duelling - Requires: Level 5	Your confidence as a duelist shows as you quickly take the initiative to dive into a battle. You can now add your CHA modifier to your Initiative rolls (minimum +1).
Riposte	Ability Time: 1 reaction Range: Weapon range AoE: Single Duration: Instantaneous - Requires: Duelist's Insight or Parry - Requires: Level 4	You deftly attempt to parry and take advantage of a creature's missed attack against you, lunging and striking them as they drop their guard. You can only use this ability if you are wielding a melee weapon. Reaction trigger: When a creature makes an melee weapon attack roll against you. Effect: You gain a bonus 1d4 AC against that attack. If the attack misses, you may perform one melee weapon attack against them. If you are wielding a finesse weapon, they are afflicted with Sap 1 on hit. After making this attack, you can move up to 4m, with this movement not provoking attacks of opportunity from your target. (If you have the Defensive Duelist feat, then its effects can be combined with this skill – you instead gain a bonus to your AC equal to 1d4 + your proficiency bonus.)
Elegant Maneuver	Ability Time: 1 bonus action Range: Self AoE: Single Duration: 1 round - Requires: Grand Challenge - Requires: 3 points in Duelling - Requires: Level 9	You have become extremely deft on your feet, able to maneuver yourself with elegance and grace. You gain 4m of movement and Advantage on the next Dexterity (Acrobatics), Strength (Athletics), or Charisma (Performance) check; or next Strength or Dexterity saving throw you make until the end of your next turn.
Sudden Strike	PASSIVE - Requires: Grand Challenge or Riposte - Requires: 7 points in Duelling - Requires: Level 14	Before others know it, you seize the opportunity to strike at mulitple openings. If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can make one additional weapon attack as a bonus action. This attack can benefit from your Sneak Attack if applicable, even if you have already used it this turn, but you can't use your Sneak Attack against the same target more than once in a turn.

Fancy Footwork

PASSIVE

You learn how to land a strike and then slip away without reprisal.

During your turn, if you make a melee attack against a creature, you gain 4m of movement and that creature can't make opportunity attacks against you for the rest of your turn.

(Two-weapon Fighting Note: Other Assassin characters must use a cunning action to Disengage if they want to escape a melee, but you can use your bonus action to fight with two weapons, and then safely evade each foe you attacked.)

Duelist's Insight

Ability Time: 1 bonus action

Range: 10m

AoE: Single

Duration: 1 minute

Your experience in fighting others allows you to peer beyond a creature's defenses and see opportune moments to strike hard.

You can make a WIS (Insight) check against a creature you can see within 10m that isn't Incapacitated, contested by the target's CHA (Deception) check. If you succeed, you can use your Sneak Attack against that target, provided that you don't have Disadvantage on the attack roll.

This benefit lasts for 1 minute or until you successfully use this ability against a different target.

Sure Strikes

UPGRADE

- Requires: Duelist's Insight
- Requires: 2 points in Duelling
- Requires: Level 5

As openings arise, your strikes leave lingering wounds that cripple your target's ability to strike back.

While a creature is affected by this ability, you gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls against it.

Furthermore, whenever you hit it with a melee weapon attack, it is afflicted with

, and it takes a 1d4 penalty to the next attack roll that it makes until the end of its next turn.

Eye for Weakness

UPGRADE

- Requires: Duelist's Insight
- Requires: 5 points in Duelling
- Requires: Level 11

You increase your ability to perceive the creature's weaknesses in form.

While a creature is affected by this ability, your Sneak Attack damage against that creature increases by 3d6, and you gain a bonus +2 AC against its attacks.

Parry
Parry

PASSIVE

- Requires: Level 3

You take advantage of a creature's poor attempt in making a melee attack against you and parry their attack, causing them to lose balance.

Any creature that is at most 1 size larger than you that misses its melee attack against you becomes

, provided that are wielding a melee weapon.

Grand Challenge

Ability Time: 1 action

Range: 20m

AoE: Single

Duration: 1 minute

- Requires: Fancy Footwork or Duelist's Insight
- Requires: Level 5

Your charm becomes extraordinarily beguiling, rubbing your foe the wrong way as you throw down the gauntlet and challenge them.

Target a creature within 20m. You can make a Charisma (Persuasion) check contested by a creature's Wisdom (Insight) check. The creature must be able to hear you, and the two of you must share a language.

If you succeed on the check, it has Disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you and can't make opportunity attacks against targets other than you for 1 minute. It also becomes

until the end of its next turn.

This effect ends early if one of your companions attacks the target or affects it with a spell, until you are knocked Unconscious, or you and the target are more than 20m apart.

Confident Audacity

PASSIVE

- Requires: Duelist's Insight
- Requires: 2 points in Duelling
- Requires: Level 5

Your confidence as a duelist shows as you quickly take the initiative to dive into a battle.

You can now add your CHA modifier to your Initiative rolls (minimum +1).

Riposte
Riposte

Ability Time: 1 reaction

Range: Weapon range

AoE: Single

Duration: Instantaneous

- Requires: Duelist's Insight or Parry
- Requires: Level 4

You deftly attempt to parry and take advantage of a creature's missed attack against you, lunging and striking them as they drop their guard.

You can only use this ability if you are wielding a melee weapon.

Reaction trigger: When a creature makes an melee weapon attack roll against you.

Effect: You gain a bonus 1d4 AC against that attack. If the attack misses, you may perform one melee weapon attack against them. If you are wielding a finesse weapon, they are afflicted with

on hit.

After making this attack, you can move up to 4m, with this movement not provoking attacks of opportunity from your target.

(If you have the Defensive Duelist feat, then its effects can be combined with this skill – you instead gain a bonus to your AC equal to 1d4 + your proficiency bonus.)

Elegant Maneuver

Ability Time: 1 bonus action

Range: Self

AoE: Single

Duration: 1 round

- Requires: Grand Challenge
- Requires: 3 points in Duelling
- Requires: Level 9

You have become extremely deft on your feet, able to maneuver yourself with elegance and grace.

You gain 4m of movement and Advantage on the next Dexterity (Acrobatics), Strength (Athletics), or Charisma (Performance) check; or next Strength or Dexterity saving throw you make until the end of your next turn.

Sudden Strike

PASSIVE

- Requires: Grand Challenge or Riposte
- Requires: 7 points in Duelling
- Requires: Level 14

Before others know it, you seize the opportunity to strike at mulitple openings.

If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can make one additional weapon attack as a bonus action. This attack can benefit from your Sneak Attack if applicable, even if you have already used it this turn, but you can't use your Sneak Attack against the same target more than once in a turn.

Ninjutsu

The traditional espionage of the ancient ages. These spies and assassins have woven tradition into their abilities and attacks, tapping into the chakra within. These are the ones whose agility is unmatched – who disappear into the night – the ones whose title brings an undisputed sense of their power. Ninja.

Ki. For each skill point you put into this skill tree, increase your maximum Ki points by 1. Your Ki replenishes when you take a short or long rest.

Some skills in this tree force creatures to make a saving throw. This is calculated as:
Ki save DC: 8 + your proficiency bonus + your WIS modifier

Some Ninjutsu skills require hand sigils, and thus have a somatic component to their activation. You must have at least 2 free hands to use any of the Jutsu skills in this tree.

Upon putting at least 3 points into this skill tree, you gain proficiency with the wakizashi.

Upon putting at least 6 points into this skill tree, you gain the ability to cast the Minor Illusion cantrip, and the Silent Image spell by spending 1 Ki Point.

Upon putting at least 8 points into this skill tree, you gain proficiency with the katana. The katana is considered to be a finesse weapon for you.

Frenetic Fighting	PASSIVE	You are able to fluidly weave your attacks with sheathing and drawing your weapons. You gain a +2 bonus to your Initiative. Also, once per turn, you may choose to either sheath a non-heavy weapon or draw a non-heavy weapon as a free flourish.
Throw	Ability Time: 1 bonus action Range: Weapon range AoE: Single Duration: Instantaneous Ki Cost: 1 Ki Point Magickal	You imbue your weapon with some of your ki, causing your throw to be more accurate. Make a thrown weapon attack against a creature using a weapon you are holding. The weapon is considered to be magickal, and have the Thrown (24m/100m) property if it doesn't already. Furthermore, you gain a +2 bonus to the attack roll and the damage roll. If this attack hits, it triggers Sneak Attack if it is a finesse weapon and you haven't already triggered it this turn.
Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger	Ability Time: 1 bonus action Range: Self AoE: Single Duration: 1 minute Ki Cost: 2 Ki Points Requires: - Frenetic Fighting - 2 points in Ninjutsu - Requires: Level 5 Magickal	Double the trouble. You project an illusory shadow clone of yourself in an unoccupied space up to 2m from your current position. This clone lasts for 1 minute, at which point, it dissipates. On your turn, you can move your clone however your wish, and it can either take any basic action (e.g. Dodge), or copy an action you perform, but you can choose different targets for the attacks/abilities. The clone looks exactly like you, and while it is tangible, it can't deal any physical damage. However, it can deal magickal damage from the Jutsu in this skill tree, but only deals half of the damage done this way. The clone has AC equal to 10 + your DEX modifier and uses your ability scores, and upon taking 1 or more damage, the clone dissipates into thin air. You can also end this ability at any time as an action. When the clone dissipates, you recall all of the information that it has learned, making it useful for scouting. This clone counts as an allied creature for all intents and purposes. You cannot use this ability while it is in effect. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your WIS modifier (minimum once) and this replenishes on a long rest.
Myriad Copy	UPGRADE - Requires: Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger - Requires: 4 points in Ninjutsu - Requires: Level 9	Triple the terror. You may pay an additional 1 Ki point when you trigger this ability to create an extra clone in an unoccupied space within 2m of you.
Forbidden Jutsu: Shukuchi	Ability Time: 1 action Range: 20m AoE: Single Duration: 1 minute Ki Cost: 2 Ki Points - Requires: Frenetic Fighting or Throw - Requires: 2 points in Ninjutsu - Requires: Level 5 Magickal	You sink into the shadows, emerging from another creature's shadow, using the dark energy therein to weave together threads of shadow, creating a kunai of solidified gloom in your hand. Select a creature within 20m that is casting a shadow, and teleport to a space adjacent to it. You conjure a cursed kunai, which lasts for the duration. As part of the same action, you may make a weapon attack using the kunai. On hit, it deals 2d10 + your DEX modifier DARK damage to the target, but the caster takes 3 unaspected damage. It has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 8m/20m). In addition, when you use the kunai to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with Advantage. If the weapon is dropped or thrown, it dissipates at the end of the turn. Thereafter, while this ability persists, you can use a bonus action to cause the kunai to reappear in your hand. You cannot use this ability while it is in effect.
Shikkokujou	UPGRADE - Requires: Forbidden Jutsu: Shukuchi - Requires: Level 7	Your kunai weaves together even darker energies, which can be imparted onto your foes. In addition to the damage on hit, the target now becomes marked with a cursed mark (can have a maximum of 3) that lasts for the duration of this ability. As a bonus action, you can choose to trigger the curse, consuming the cursed marks and causing dark energies to erupt from each afflicted creature within 40m of you. Each cursed creature must make a CON saving throw \| Fail: Xd12 DARK damage, where X is the number of curse stacks it has. \| Success: half damage. You regain HP equal to the amount of damage dealt by this effect, and regain Ki Points equal to the number of cursed marks triggered, to a maximum of 3.
Wind Jutsu: Fuuma Shuriken	Ability Time: 1 action Range: Self AoE: Single Duration: 1 minute Ki Cost: 1 Ki Point - Requires: Throw Magickal	You gather strands of wind energy, forging a maelstrom of wind in the palm of your hand, which can be thrown at a creature, where it bursts into a howling gale. You conjure a Fuuma Shuriken made of wind, which lasts for the duration. As part of the same action, you may make a thrown weapon attack using the shuriken. On hit, it deals 1d12 + your DEX modifier WIND damage to the target. Whether the attack hits or misses, the shuriken explodes into a 2m radius sphere of razor, sharp wind. All creatures within range must make a DEX saving throw \| Fail: 2d6 WIND damage \| Success: half damage. The Fuuma Shuriken is ranged, and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 12m/40m).
Enter the Maelstrom	UPGRADE - Requires: Wind Jutsu: Fuuma Shuriken - Requires: 3 points in Ninjutsu - Requires: Level 6	Your control over the air around you now allows you to form a more explosive shuriken. The explosion radius increases by 4m (total: 6m radius). The explosion damage increases by 2d6 (total: 4d6 WIND damage).
Illusion Jutsu: Dream Within a Dream	Ability Time: 1 reaction Range: Self AoE: Single Duration: Instantaneous Ki Cost: 1 Ki Point - Requires: Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger - Requires: 5 points in Ninjutsu - Requires: Level 11 Magickal	Did that really happen? Or was it only just a dream...? Reaction Trigger: At the end of any creature's turn, or when you would be Incapacitated. Effect: At the end of that turn, travel back in time to the position that you were at the start of this turn. You regain all Ki points that you spent this turn and all HP lost since the beginning of this turn, and you remove all negative effects that you gained since that turn started. You can only use this ability once every long rest.
Kakugo	PASSIVE - Requires: Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger or Wind Jutsu: Fuuma Shuriken - Requires: 7 points in Ninjutsu - Requires: Level 14	Your agility and reaction speed has become peerless. You can take an additional reaction per round. Furthermore, whenever you could take a reaction, if you have already used your two reactions this round, you may pay 1 Ki Point and take that reaction as an additional reaction.

Frenetic Fighting

PASSIVE

You are able to fluidly weave your attacks with sheathing and drawing your weapons.

You gain a +2 bonus to your Initiative. Also, once per turn, you may choose to either sheath a non-heavy weapon or draw a non-heavy weapon as a free flourish.

Throw
Throw

Ability Time: 1 bonus action

Range: Weapon range

AoE: Single

Duration: Instantaneous

Ki Cost: 1 Ki Point

Magickal

You imbue your weapon with some of your ki, causing your throw to be more accurate.

Make a thrown weapon attack against a creature using a weapon you are holding. The weapon is considered to be magickal, and have the Thrown (24m/100m) property if it doesn't already. Furthermore, you gain a +2 bonus to the attack roll and the damage roll. If this attack hits, it triggers Sneak Attack if it is a finesse weapon and you haven't already triggered it this turn.

Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger

Ability Time: 1 bonus action

Range: Self

AoE: Single

Duration: 1 minute

Ki Cost: 2 Ki Points

Requires:
- Frenetic Fighting
- 2 points in Ninjutsu
- Requires: Level 5

Magickal

Double the trouble.

You project an illusory shadow clone of yourself in an unoccupied space up to 2m from your current position. This clone lasts for 1 minute, at which point, it dissipates.

On your turn, you can move your clone however your wish, and it can either take any basic action (e.g. Dodge), or copy an action you perform, but you can choose different targets for the attacks/abilities.

The clone looks exactly like you, and while it is tangible, it can't deal any physical damage. However, it can deal magickal damage from the Jutsu in this skill tree, but only deals half of the damage done this way.

The clone has AC equal to 10 + your DEX modifier and uses your ability scores, and upon taking 1 or more damage, the clone dissipates into thin air. You can also end this ability at any time as an action. When the clone dissipates, you recall all of the information that it has learned, making it useful for scouting.

This clone counts as an allied creature for all intents and purposes. You cannot use this ability while it is in effect.

You can use this ability a number of times equal to your WIS modifier (minimum once) and this replenishes on a long rest.

Myriad Copy

UPGRADE

- Requires: Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger
- Requires: 4 points in Ninjutsu
- Requires: Level 9

Triple the terror.

You may pay an additional 1 Ki point when you trigger this ability to create an extra clone in an unoccupied space within 2m of you.

Forbidden Jutsu: Shukuchi

Ability Time: 1 action

Range: 20m

AoE: Single

Duration: 1 minute

Ki Cost: 2 Ki Points

- Requires: Frenetic Fighting or Throw
- Requires: 2 points in Ninjutsu
- Requires: Level 5

Magickal

You sink into the shadows, emerging from another creature's shadow, using the dark energy therein to weave together threads of shadow, creating a kunai of solidified gloom in your hand.

Select a creature within 20m that is casting a shadow, and teleport to a space adjacent to it. You conjure a cursed kunai, which lasts for the duration. As part of the same action, you may make a weapon attack using the kunai.

On hit, it deals 2d10 + your DEX modifier DARK damage to the target, but the caster takes 3 unaspected damage.

It has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 8m/20m). In addition, when you use the kunai to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with Advantage.

If the weapon is dropped or thrown, it dissipates at the end of the turn. Thereafter, while this ability persists, you can use a bonus action to cause the kunai to reappear in your hand. You cannot use this ability while it is in effect.

Shikkokujou

UPGRADE

- Requires: Forbidden Jutsu: Shukuchi
- Requires: Level 7

Your kunai weaves together even darker energies, which can be imparted onto your foes.

In addition to the damage on hit, the target now becomes marked with a cursed mark (can have a maximum of 3) that lasts for the duration of this ability.

As a bonus action, you can choose to trigger the curse, consuming the cursed marks and causing dark energies to erupt from each afflicted creature within 40m of you. Each cursed creature must make a CON saving throw | Fail: Xd12 DARK damage, where X is the number of curse stacks it has. | Success: half damage.

You regain HP equal to the amount of damage dealt by this effect, and regain Ki Points equal to the number of cursed marks triggered, to a maximum of 3.

Wind Jutsu: Fuuma Shuriken

Ability Time: 1 action

Range: Self

AoE: Single

Duration: 1 minute

Ki Cost: 1 Ki Point

- Requires: Throw

Magickal

You gather strands of wind energy, forging a maelstrom of wind in the palm of your hand, which can be thrown at a creature, where it bursts into a howling gale.

You conjure a Fuuma Shuriken made of wind, which lasts for the duration. As part of the same action, you may make a thrown weapon attack using the shuriken.

On hit, it deals 1d12 + your DEX modifier WIND damage to the target.

Whether the attack hits or misses, the shuriken explodes into a 2m radius sphere of razor, sharp wind. All creatures within range must make a DEX saving throw | Fail: 2d6 WIND damage | Success: half damage.

The Fuuma Shuriken is ranged, and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 12m/40m).

Enter the Maelstrom

UPGRADE

- Requires: Wind Jutsu: Fuuma Shuriken
- Requires: 3 points in Ninjutsu
- Requires: Level 6

Your control over the air around you now allows you to form a more explosive shuriken.

The explosion radius increases by 4m (total: 6m radius).

The explosion damage increases by 2d6 (total: 4d6 WIND damage).

Illusion Jutsu: Dream Within a Dream

Ability Time: 1 reaction

Range: Self

AoE: Single

Duration: Instantaneous

Ki Cost: 1 Ki Point

- Requires: Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger
- Requires: 5 points in Ninjutsu
- Requires: Level 11

Magickal

Did that really happen? Or was it only just a dream...?

Reaction Trigger: At the end of any creature's turn, or when you would be Incapacitated.

Effect: At the end of that turn, travel back in time to the position that you were at the start of this turn. You regain all Ki points that you spent this turn and all HP lost since the beginning of this turn, and you remove all negative effects that you gained since that turn started.

You can only use this ability once every long rest.

Kakugo
Kakugo

PASSIVE

- Requires: Shadow Jutsu: Doppelganger or Wind Jutsu: Fuuma Shuriken
- Requires: 7 points in Ninjutsu
- Requires: Level 14

Your agility and reaction speed has become peerless.

You can take an additional reaction per round. Furthermore, whenever you could take a reaction, if you have already used your two reactions this round, you may pay 1 Ki Point and take that reaction as an additional reaction.