Before diving in, players looking for a different playstyle may also want to check out our Mage build guide, which focuses on high focus damage and spell-based clears. It pairs well with Assassin setups in co-op and is worth a look if you want more build options.
Assassin builds are among the strongest options in No Rest for the Wicked, especially with the current combat balance and co-op changes. The strongest Assassin setups revolve around bleed damage, crit scaling, and smart focus management.
This guide breaks down the best Assassin builds right now. They share the same core gear and mechanics but play differently depending on how aggressive or controlled you want to be. There is no single best build overall. The best Assassin build is the one that fits how you play.
Assassin Build Basics
All top Assassin builds follow the same foundation:
Bleed is always active and drives damage and sustain
Crit chance and crit damage are the main scalers
Focus is treated as a core resource, not stamina
Dodging is used to trigger damage bonuses, not just avoid hits
Once this foundation is set, the build changes come down to how damage is delivered.
Reaper Build (Sustain Assassin)
The Reaper build is the most aggressive Assassin setup. It is built for chaining kills and staying alive through damage rather than defense.
Core Weapon
Ash Soothe Daggers
Built-in Bleed Infusion keeps bleed active at all times
Chance to deal massive bonus damage on hit
Fatality bonus increases damage after every kill
This weapon rewards clean kills and fast target switching.
Armor Setup
Reaper’s Grimace (Helmet): Crit chance, physical damage, and health gained from focus spent
Dust Child’s Trick (Gloves): Lifesteal against bleeding enemies (mandatory for bleed builds)
Dark Leather Jerkin: Armor penetration, crit damage, combat sustain
Dark Leather Breeches: Damage bonus after dodging
Dodging is part of the damage loop. One dodge, then punish.
Rings
Jade Ring: Stamina back on hit
Scarlet Ring: Swaps max health and focus, turning focus into survivability
Battlecry Ring: Keeps focus flowing so enchantments stay active
This build converts focus into damage and healing. As long as enemies are bleeding, the Assassin sustains through offense instead of defense.
Hood Build (Crit Damage Assassin)
The Hood build is a more controlled version of the Assassin. It keeps the same bleed core but shifts away from crit chance and leans harder into crit damage and efficiency.
Key Armor Swap
Hearthguard Cowl
Higher armor value
Armor penetration
Increased crit damage
Reduced focus cost
You lose crit chance but gain much stronger crit hits when they land.
This build favors cleaner engagements and slower pacing. Instead of relying on kill chaining for survival, it rewards patience and precise damage windows.
This is the best Assassin build for players who want consistent burst without rushing fights.
Dementor Build (Pressure Assassin)
The Dementor build focuses on consistency rather than spikes. It increases crit chance, lowers focus cost, and boosts enchantment power when focus is full.
Core Helmet
Dark Leather Hood
Crit chance
Physical damage
Focus cost reduction
Increased enchantment power at full focus
This helmet defines the build: stay topped on focus and let enchantments do the work.
Gloves Options
Dust Child’s Trick: Higher lifesteal and crit damage
Twine King Fingers: More crit chance, slightly lower sustain
Choose based on whether you want more safety or more consistency.
Instead of bursting enemies down, the Dementor keeps pressure up until enemies collapse. Crits happen often, focus stays stable, and enchantments scale naturally.
Which Assassin Build Is Best?
There is no single best Assassin build in No Rest for the Wicked. Each one excels in a different way:
Reaper is best for fast clears and sustain through aggression
Hood is best for controlled fights and heavy crit damage
Dementor is best for consistent pressure and enchantment scaling
All three builds share the same bleed-based core, making it easy to swap between them without rebuilding from scratch.
If you are looking for the best Assassin builds right now, start with bleed. From there, choose the playstyle that feels right and let the build do the rest.
For more No Rest for the Wicked, make sure check out our top guides below: