(re)starting hardcore - first char

Hi everybody. I am returning from a pretty long break from DII and want to start up an HC account again.

I am leaning towards a KT assassin for a starter but would like some input on that. Is it viable with little/no gear? If anyone with some experience in the matter could help me out that would be awesome. Any build or play-style advice would be much appreciated.|||typical good no gear starters: trapper sin, hammer din, blizz sorc, fishermancer.

you might consider joining channel, like banana channel or OP gauss. ( both of them are on 1st page )|||KT more than doable, especially since the kick component is basically covered by IAS and the heaviest boots you can find/buy. Traps, well, that's IAS too, and a bit of +skill. Cakewalk, possibly my favourite build.

Skills I actively use:

20 Dragon Talon

01 Dragon Flight

20 Death Sentry

20 Lightning Sentry

20 Charged Bolt Sentry

01 Blade Fury

01 Blade Sentinel

01 in every shadow skill (don't really need Venom, but it's fun if you like turning stuff green)



Prereqs

01 Wake of Fire

01 Fire Blast

01 Shock Web

01 Dragon Claw

01 Dragon Tail

Done at 97 skill points or level 86.|||oh em gee soc are you really remaking awesome?|||Thanks guys this helps a lot. I'm assuming I'll want to go max block for this. Does kick cause crushing blows? I can't quite remember. As far as maxing out skills goes, what order would you suggest?|||if you would like any concirns about sins, post it in sin forums. to your questions:

most of CTC and crushing blows with + elemntal damage add up, but ED does not.

for more information, visit sins forum |||Yes Crushing Blow carries over to kicks. This allows you to drop Baal/Diablo insanely quickly by stacking high lightning damage at the same time as your CB attacks.

Socialism has suggested probably the best build for a hardcore untwinked KT assassin, so I'd start there. Max block is the way to go here IMO, the safety and flexibility of the gear far outstrips the C/C bonuses when you'll be getting up close and personal with baddies from time to time.

On the up side, this is probably the best use in the game for Treachery. If you're lucky enough to have a Lem rune fall from NM forge you'll be in great shape for hell.

For skill order it depends on how you're playing through. If you are being rushed and doing Baals, might as well max out trap damage early on. If playing solo I'd try to keep a balance between kicks and traps at all times, pushing CBS until last with Death Sentry a higher priority than Lightning Sentry. Party play may require something different, see what your party is lacking and adjust accordingly - it's an incredibly safe and versatile build so there is no wrong answer.

Cheers

-Tai|||Well my new(old) HC adventure is underway. Hopefully you won't be seeing me in the deeds thread.