The assassin is a unit in TAO that is provided to both grey and gold account users. It has a special ability as well as a regular attack. This unit has 12 armor and 18 power and 70% blocking. Please see the unit review made before this review for a more basic overview on the assassin.

Basics of Assassin:
The assassin is better used in a grey set-up, but can also be used in a gold set-up. To see the assassin’s statistics click here. It has two attacks, which I will explain below.

Regular Attack:
The assassin’s regular attack, attacks four squares around it. It deals 18 damage, armor reduced. Here is where the regular attack would attack. The blue squares are the ones the assassin would attack. All four squares would be attacked at the same time.



Special Attack:
The assassin’s special attack only works when it is less than 5 HP (4 HP and below). What you do is hold the square the assassin is standing on for 3 seconds then release. This deals 99 damage to the 4 squares around it. The squares that are attacked are the same ones in the picture above. All units on these squares that are dealt 99 damage and killed.

Assassin is Sets:
The assassin can be used in all the forms, but is most effective in a rush. It also works in a bomb and if used correctly, in an anti-rush. Here are some forms that the assassin is shown and used.

Set 1 is a rush that contains an assassin and only grey units.



Set 2 contains an assassin in a gold turtle.



Set 3 contains an assassin in a grey anti-rush/turtle.



Set 4 contains an assassin in a gold rush.



Set 5 contains an assassin in a grey turtle.



Assassin Strategies:

Offensive Strategies for the Assassin:

The assassin has a high movement range and low recovery. This allows the unit to go into an opponent’s set and deal some up front damage and then retreat. It is able to attack four spaces at once. This gives you the opportunity to attack with the assassin then if they attack your assassin, you heal, and then you get another attack to the opponent’s units and retreat. It also has it’s special ability, so if you use it right you are able to take out 2-3 units and if lucky 4 all in one attack.

When the assassin is less than 5 HP, but has to recover to attack again you will want to prevent any of your opponent’s units from attacking it, so you can use it on him. Two ways you can do this is by using the barrier ward on the assassin or you can move one of your units protecting the assassin from an attack. You can prevent a knight from attacking your assassin by moving your knight by your assassin making the knight not capable of reaching the assassin in one turn.

Another use for the assassin is killing off weakened units. When an assassin and a knight are facing another knight, the knight by itself is almost guaranteed to die. You would want to use the assassin’s movement and recovery to your advantage to get around the knight and get a back hit. The assassin also is a good cleric killer, if it can reach the cleric. In 2 attacks the assassin can kill the cleric even if the cleric heals.

Defensive Strategies for the Assassin:

When used defensively the assassin can keep units away from your weak units. You can use it to protect as well and weaken units within your set. Although it doesn’t have an extremely high attack it does attack four spaces at once and deal some damage.

If a unit enters your turtle and has the ability to kill one of your units you need, you can move the assassin in front of that unit. If the unit can’t get to your unit it is trying to kill it will either have to retreat or attack another unit such as your assassin.

If you retreat your assassin from offense to defense then you want to make sure you will be able to heal it and get it back out to attack. If you know your assassin is going to die you might want to make a move where if the unit that is going to kill the assassin moves it will be in a bad position. For example you could make the assassin in place where if it is attacked you will be able to counter attack with a lightning ward attack.

Summary of the Assassin:
Assassins are best used in grey sets, but can be found in some gold sets. In a gold set the Beast Rider is a better choice because it is just about the same as an assassin, but has some better benefits. Assassins are better for offense, but as stated earlier can, if used correctly, be very useful in a defensive set. To make the best of the assassin make sure to protect it and use its attack as much as you can. Try, when attacking, to keep your assassin from being surrounded by knights or other units stronger than the assassin.

I hope this FAQ helped you and I hope it will improve your game!