Welcome to our Rogue Assassin Guide, updated for Mod 24: Northdark Reaches.
For the latest Neverwinter news, go to the MMORPG.GG Neverwinter Hub.
In Neverwinter, the Rogue Assassin is a melee DPS class that can quickly take down enemies with her powerful attacks.
In this guide, we will give you some tips and tricks on how to maximize your damage as a Rogue Assassin. We’ll also cover some of the best gear and abilities for this class.
So whether you’re just starting out as a Rogue Assassin or are looking to improve your DPS, read on for helpful advice!
Rogues can be either Assassin or Whisperknife, both are DPS-oriented. Check out our Rogue Whisperknife Guide here
The purpose of our class guides is not just to show you a build that you can copy and use on your character, but to show you a base build and teach you the mechanics and stats of the game, so you can understand and play your class to its fullest capabilities.
Try different gear, feats, and powers, and learn to tailor your own build for your playstyle. See our guide to making your own build for more info.
- Basic Assassin Info
- Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
- Boons
- Weapons & Gear
- Artifacts
- Enchantments
- Consumables & Buffs
- Companions
- Mounts
Basic Rogue Assassin Info
Below is all the basic information for the Assassin from race choices to stats.
Other Rogue Builds
Best Assassin Races
What race you play doesn’t play a huge role, but will give you a small boost. Generally, I would advise you to play a race that you enjoy.

- Metallic Ancestry Dragonborn – Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any two Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
- Dragonborn – Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
- Human – 1% Bonus to all stats – +3 To any Ability Score
- Tiefling – 5% + Damage to targets below 50% health – +2 Cha and +2 Con or Int – 10% to reduce damage of target for 5 sec by 2.5%
- Gith – 5% Combat Advantage – +2 Dex and +2 Str or Int – 5% Stamina Regen
- Wood Elf – 5% Critical Strike – +2 Dex and +2 Int or Wis – 20% Resistance to Slow
- Half-Orc – 5% Crit Severity – +2 Dex and +2 Con or Str – 10% Movement Speed for 3 sec when entering combat
Assassin Ability Score Priority
Put all your available Ability Scores into Strength and Charisma.
Assassin Stat / Rating Priority
The Combat Rework introduced major changes to how stats and item level work, for more info see the official post.
Your cap for each stat is based on your item level. To cap a stat, the numbers of the stat need to be equal to or higher than your item level.
If your stat number is higher than your item level, you are wasting stats and should try to allocate stats differently.
For every 1000 points, a stat is lower than your item level you lose 1% in that stat.
You won’t be able to easily cap all stats, but capping your power is quite easy.
Offensive Stats
- Power (90%)
- Combat Advantage (90%)
- Critical Strike (90%)
- Critical Severity (90%)
- Accuracy (90%)
Defensive Stats
- Defense (90%)
- Deflection (90%)
- Critical Avoidance (90%)
- Awareness (90%)
- Health (90%)
Rogue Assassin Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
This part is all about optimizing the Assassin with the best feats, powers, and boons.

Rogue Assassin Combat Powers
At-Will Powers:
- Duelist’s Flurry (ST)
- Gloaming Cut (ST) – Cloud of Steel (AoE)
Encounter Powers:
- Lashing Blade
- Wicked Reminder (ST) / Path of the Blade (AoE)
- Assassinate
Daily Powers:
- Shocking Execution
- Bloodbath
Class Features:
- Oppressive Darkness
- Invisible or Skillful Infiltrator
Rogue Assassin Feats
- Toxic Blades
- Master of Shadows
- Skullcracker
- Back Alley Tactics
- Shadow’s Flurry (ST) or Execution (AoE)
Rogue Assassin Rotation
Single Target Rotation:
Stealth > Wicked Reminder > Lashing Blade > Assassinate > Shocking Execution – Use Gloaming Cut to apply the Bleed, then use Gloaming Cut, then remember to reapply Bleed with Gloaming Cut
AoE Rotation:
Stealth > Blade Flurry x2 > Path of the Blade > Assassinate > Cloud of Steel > Use Bloodbath when available
Rogue Assassin Boons
You should always choose boons based on what stats you currently need. Therefore a selection of several viable boons is available to you for each tier.
Tier 1 Boons
- Recruit’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
- Critical Strike – 0.2% Critical Strike Per Rank
- Critical Avoidance – 0.2% Critical Avoidance Per Rank
- Cultist Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
- Cultist Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. Cultists.
Tier 2 Boons
- Squire’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
- Armor Penetration – 0.2% Critical Severity Per Rank
- Defense – 0.2% Defense Per Rank
- Demonic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
- Demonic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. demons.
Tier 3 Boons
- Knight’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
- Combat Advantage – 0.2% Combat Advantage Per Rank
- Awareness – 0.2% Awareness Per Rank
- Dino Bulwark – 0.2 HP Per Rank
- Dino Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. dinos.
Tier 4 Boons
- Captain’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
- Accuracy – 0.2% Accuracy Per Rank
- Deflect – 0.2% Deflect Per Rank
- Necrotic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
- Necrotic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. undead.
Tier 5 Boons (Choose 2)
- Masterclass – 1% Forte per rank
- Quick Turnaround – 1% Recharge Speed
Master Boons
- Deathly Rage 3/3 or Blood Lust 3/3
Guild Boons
- Offense – Power or Critical Strike Bonus
- Defense – Defence or Hit Point Bonus
Rogue Assassin Weapons & Gear
If you are new to Neverwinter and need to know how to get better gear and increase your item level, check out our Gearing Up Guide.
Note that the best in slot for your build might vary depending on what stats you have.
The best way to gear up in Neverwinter is by making a lot of Astral Diamonds, check out our Astral Diamond Guide to learn all the secrets of AD farming.
Head
- The Dark Maiden Assault Shroud
- Serene Hood of the Dragon Hunter
- Goristro’s Horns (Avernus Hunts)
- Blessed Whisper’s Hood of Quiet (Avernus Hunts)
Armor
- Tactful Leathers of the Dragon Hunter
- Mighty Cuirass of the Dragon Hunter
- Blessed Bone Devil’s Ribcage (Avernus Hunts)
Arms
- Tactful Gloves of the Dragon Hunter
- Wristguards of Precipitation
- Spiked Defenders Vambrace
Feet
- The Dark Maiden Resolution Greaves (Temple of the Spider)
- Wasteland Wanderers
- Rusted Iron Leggings (Avernus Rare Monsters)
Weapons
- Stormforged Set (AOE)
- Masterwork Set
- Lionheart Set
- Scalebreaker’s Wrath
Main Hand Modification:
- Duelist’s Flurry
Offhand Modifications:
- Recharge Speed
Rings
You can use any ring with Swordsman’s Perk (3% Melee Power Damage)
- Eilistraee’s Harmony + Elistraee’s Beauty (AOE)
- Soothsayer’s Ring of Absolution
- Waywatchers Ring of Precision
- Waywatchers Ring of Punishment
- Mightbreaker’s Ring of Elegance
- The Red Eye’s Glare
- Band of Air
Neck & Waist
- Demogorgon’s Wrath Set: Heart’s Twine& Sinous Chord
- Star Set: Starshard Choker & Twinkle of the Stars (Trickster’s Gift)
Shirt
- Mighty Dwarven Body Pattern
- Shirt of the Dragon Cult
Pants
- Mighty Dwarven Limb Pattern
- War-Worn Pants
Rogue Assassin Artifacts
Primary Artifact
- Demogorgon’s Reach
- Envenomed Storyteller’s Journal
Secondary Artifacts
Choose secondary artifacts based on the stats you are lacking.
- Mythallar Fragment
- Neverwinter’s Standard
- Jewel of the North
- Demogorgon’s Reach
Or choose 2 Storyteller’s Journals for the bonus
- Frozen Storyteller’s Journal
- Flayed Storyteller’s Journal
- Darkened Storyteller’s Journal
- Envenomed Storyteller’s Journal
Other Artifact Choices
- Lantern of Revelation
- Arcturia’s Music Box
- Trobriands Ring
- Staff of Flowers
- Halaster’s Blast Scepter
- Shard of Orcus’ Wand
Rogue Assassin Enchantments
When getting enchantments, always get the ones with the stats you are lacking in with your gear, boons, etc in mind.
For example, if you’ve capped Crit with your gear and boons, don’t get azure enchantments for your offense slots.
If you still need to refine your enchantments, see our Refinement Guide for tips on how to farm refinement.
Offense Enchantments
- Cobalt Enchantment
- Garnet Enchantment
- Citrine Enchantment
- Amethyst Enchantment
- Jade Enchantment
Defense Enchantments
- Garnet Enchantment
Utility Enchantments
- Garnet Enchantment
Bonus Enchantments
- Recharge Bonus
Combat Enchantments
- Poisoned Thorn
- Cursed Burn
Overload Enchantments
- Rage of Flames or Devil’s Precision
- Various Marks from Stronghold Vendor
- Corrupt Black Ice / Lethal / Piercing
- Black / Red Dragon Glyph
Armor Reinforcement Kits
- Critical Strike or Severity or Accuracy Kit
Jewelry Reinforcement Kits
- Combat Advantage Jewel
Rogue Assassin Consumables & Buffs
Consider getting VIP for the Power of VIP HP buff if you aren’t already. Also always stand in campfires to get the +1 ability campfire buff.
Pick one from each of the categories below depending on the stats you are lacking.
Invocation Blessing: Grace of Battle / Gift of Awareness / Righteous Boon / Gamber’s Fortune
Stronghold Food: Seared Tuna / Prime Rib / Ratatouille
Event Food: Watermelon Sorbet / Hotwings / Squash Soup / Mochi
Elixir: Wild Storm Elixir
Potion: Superior Flask of Potency +1
Reusable Item: Awakened Forger’s Box > Empowered Chain of Scales > Adorable Pocket Pet > Tymora’s Lucky Coin
Rogue Assassin Companions
Summoned Companion
For your summoned companion you have the choice between using Augmented companions which will make it easier to cap stats or an active combat companion which will do damage.
Augment Companion Choices
- Owlbear Cub
- Bulette Pup
- Deepcrow Hatchling
- Ioun Stones
- Quasit
Active Companion Choices
- Pseudodragon
- Honey Badger
- Tomb Spider
- Spined Devil
- Kuo-Toa
- Wayward Wizard (AoE)
- Regis (AoE)
Enchantment Power
- Potency
- Acute Senses
- Potent Precision
- Precision
Companion Powers
Below is a selection of viable companion powers.
Offense Powers
- Wulfgar (Wulfgar’s Wrecking) – 4.7% Combat Advantage & Accuracy
- Drizzt (Drizzt’s Devestation) – 4.7% Critical Change & Severity
- Neverwinter Knight (Neverwinter Knight’s Discipline) – 7.5% Outgoing Damage
- Wild Hunt Rider (Wild Hunt Discipline) – 2/3/5% chance to increase damage by 10% for 5 seconds.
- Siege Master (Siege Master’s Discipline) – Combined Rating – Increases the power of your At-Will powers by 11% (Doubled on Stronghold Map)
- Black Dragon Ioun Stone (Black Dragon’s Insight) – 7.5% Critical Chance
- Staldorf (Staldorf’s Presence) – 7.5% Combat Advantage
- Razorwood (Twigblight’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Accuracy
- Hawk (Hawk’s Insight’s) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Critical Chance
- Armored Orc Wolf (Orc Wolf’s Instincts) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy
- Batiri (Batiri’s Wisdom) – 11% Damage Versus Bosses
- Misc (The Bigger They Are) – More damage against big mobs (bosses)
- Dancing Blade (Dancing Blade’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Combat Advantage
- Flame Sprite (Flamesprite’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy
- Golden Cat (Golden Cat’s Insight’s) – 7,5% Combat Advantage
Defense Powers
- Phasespider (Phasespider’s Presence) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage
- Fire Archon (Fire Archon’s Insight) – 10% on At-Will use to increase Combat Advantage for 10 seconds
Utility Powers
- Alchemist Experimenter (Alchemist’s Discipline) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage
- Golden Cat (Golden Cat’s Insight) – 7.5% Combat Advantage
Companion Equipment
Double offense slotted “Of the Companion” gear
Companion Enchantment
- Companion Enhancement
Rogue Assassin Mounts
Bolster
When it comes to mounts, you should focus on getting them all to Mythic quality to increase Bolster.
Bolster Contribution depends on the quality of the mount, with Mythic mounts contributing 10% Bolster, this again increases the values of your Equip Power and Combat Power.
Mount Insignia Bonuses
All classes and specs should consider using Wanderer’s Fortune and or Traveler’s Treasures before you have refined all your gear and enchantments, for extra refinement every day.
Insignia bonuses are mostly down to preference. Some boost damage a bit, and some boost survivability, while others add utility.
DPS
- Artificers Persuasion
- Assassin’s Covenant
- Warlord’s Inspiration
- Calvary’s Warning
- Gladiator’s Guile
Self Healing
- Barbarian’s Revelry
- Survivor’s Blessing
- Survivor’s Gift
- Knight’s Rebuke
- Oppressor’s Reprieve
Utility
- Wanderer’s Fortune
- Traveler’s Treasures
Insignia Type
- Insignia of Aggression
- Insignia of Skill
- Insignia of Brutality or Dominance if you still need power
Mount Collars
- Sturdy Crescent Collar
- Wayfaring Barbed Collar
- Unified Crescent Collar
- Supportive Crescent Collar
Rogue Assassin Mount Powers
Mount Equip Power:
- Ferocity
- Ferocious Predator (Power & Critical Severity)
- Armor Breaker (Critical Severity)
- Rapid Accuracy (Accuracy)
- Precision (Critical Strike & Severity)
- Ruthless Efficiency (Critical Strike
- Dominant Force (Power)
Mount Combat Power:
- Golden Touch (Golden Warhorse)
- Divine Intervention (Celestial Wings)
- Tunnel Vision (Several)
- Cauldron Fumes (Hag’s Hexing Cauldron)
- Giant Toad Tongue Lash (Giant Toad)
If you have any questions or suggestions about our Neverwinter Rogue Assassin guide, please leave a comment below!
More info about the Rogue class can be found in the Neverwinter Rogue Facebook group.
WW
Wednesday 22nd of February 2023
is wild hunt rider giving damage increase instead of combat advantage now?
Rick
Monday 11th of July 2022
Uhmmmmm arent Forest Guardian’s Ward/Raid (Vault of Stars) and Lion Guard’s Ward/Raid, items for other classes? when I look them up in the fandom wiki, it says in description "Requires Class: Fighter" or "Requires Class: Fighter, Paladin, Barbarian" the only armor listed that doesn't have those class requirements is the Bone Devil's Ribcage.
Dark
Wednesday 9th of March 2022
It's ptw anyway just sink in a grand and buy almost everything you need
scourge
Monday 13th of September 2021
Skullcracker is not the best choice when you got Duelist's Expertise as an alternative.
Oppressive Darkness is a questionable choice as well.
Upgrading mounts to boost IL you should keep in mind that IL goes up drastically with mythic mounts and it causes your stats to go down bc of %, which means you're dealing less damage and taking more damage undercapped with high IL than capped with lower IL, so stats should always be kept in mind.
Swap Dark enchantments in your Utility slots for Azures if you want additional movement speed; however, keep in mind that Forte is a bit underestimated but nevertheless important stat, as it boosts your Power as an assassin as well as Deflect Severity.
Choosing between STR and CHA as an addition to DEX depends on your playstyle and whether you prefer greater base damage and better stamina gain or like to spam encounters often, since the main bonus of CHA is Recharge Speed (as well as Forte)
Augment companions like Ioun Stones are useless in Mod21, better to have an active comp able to help you with aggro and damage rather than a decoration that does nothing but boost your stats
AOE Rotation mentioned is ridiculous, feel free to experiment and use Smoke Bomb/Path of the Blade before entering stealth, alternatively Path of the Blade > Stealth > Blade Flurry x2 > Smoke Bomb
ST Rotation has a very confusing description as to how&when to use Gloaming Cut
Robbie
Monday 16th of August 2021
Hi thx but what i miss by rotation is how you press r2 or l2, when do you let go, switch, or press 100x in 1 second, i see a great difference in dps with some ppl, cant figuren it out