Lost Ark: Shadowhunter (Assassin) - character class Lost Ark guide, walkthrough

On this page of the Lost Ark guide we have described the class Assassin - character Shadowhunter. It's based on the version from 2022.

Last update: 22 March 2022

This page of the guide covers the features and skills of the Assassin, specifically the Shadowhunter Advanced Class.

• Shadowhunter class description
• Perfect Suppression build
• Demonic Impulse build

Shadowhunter class description

Gender: Female

Combat style: Melee and medium range

Specialization: Shadowburst Meter - when filled, allows to transform into a demon.

Shadowhunter can transform into demon form - which is a high perk of hers. This is not a very difficult class which can attack medium-sized enemy groups. The skills allow for an effective medium-range and - specifically - melee combat.

Transforming into a demon grants the Shadowhunter a new skillset. As with other classes, you can only transform after filling up your Identity Gauge - the Shadowburst Meter and only for a limited time. The demon form greatly increases your crit chance, making it easy to determine how to build the character. Her attacks also have a high Stagger chance.

Perfect Suppression build

This build removes your demonic transformation but increases your stats in human form. It's not chosen often due to long cooldowns and less flashy playstyle.

Engravings:

1. Perfect Suppression - class engraving. Leveling it past level one is not worth it.
2. Master of Ambush - increases Back Attack damage (+25%).

Optional Engravings:

1. Spirit Absorption Raid Captain - More speed and damage. Works well for characters with high Swiftness, like the one in this build.
2. Increase Mass - slower but more powerful attacks. Long cooldowns will affect you less if you don't mind losing some speed.
3. Adrenaline or Hit Master - a free damage boost with Adrenaline increasing Crit damage as well.

Combat stats:

1. Crit - about 70% - this class is heavily reliant on crit damage.
2. Swiftness - about 30% - you can invest a bit more points here if you want your regular attacks to hit harder (with the Raid Captain and Increase Mass engravings).

Skills, tripods, and runes:

Skill	1st Tripod	2nd Tripod	3rd Tripod	Runa
Demonic Slash (4 )	Excellent Mobility	Nimble Movement		Quick Recharge
Cruel Cutter (10 )	Magick Control	Earth Attack	Encroachment Release	Overwhelm
Thrust Impact (10 )	Swift Thrust	Deep Thrust	Spectral Explosion	Overwhelm
Demolition (10)	Weak Point Detection	Wave Attack	Encroachment Release	Galewind
Sharpened Cut (4 )	Enhanced Slash	Vertical Slash	Critical Cut	Galewind
Rising Claw (4 )	Naively Honest	Concussion	Grasp of Death	Galewind
Howl (10)	Quick Prep	Encroaching Power	Scream of Fury	Wealth
Decimate (10 )	Quick Prep	Weak Point Detection	Cruel Hand	Wealth
Gate of Eruption (Awakening)

Playstyle:

Long cooldowns necessitate dealing high burst damage and then backing off until your skills become available again. Virtually all of this build's skills are Back Attacks, which means you should stick to the enemy's back. Be carefully when dodging as the Shadowhunter's dodge (Spacebar) is short-range. The Gate of Eruption skill lets you quickly fill up your Identity Gauge.

Demonic Impulse build

The Demonic Impulse build makes your demonic transformation more powerful. It doesn't work very well at Tier 1 since your low specialization makes it difficult to keep the transformation going for a long time and to fill up the Shadowburst Meter. The class engraving has a similar problem and needs to be at least level 3 to be viable.

Engravings:

1. Demonic Pulse - class engraving, make sure it's at level 3.
2. Adrenaline - free attack and crit rate increase. By attacking constantly you'll be taking advantage of this bonus nearly all the time.

Optional Engravings:

1. Hit Master - damage increase with no drawbacks,
2. Spirit Absorption Raid Captain - keep Raid Captain on level 2.
3. Grudge - optional (higher attack, worse health recovery). Level 3 is a must, you can still reliably heal by small amounts with your transformation.

Combat stats:

1. Crit - 30% - unlike the previous build this one doesn't primarily rely on crits.
2. Specialization - 70% - this stat lets you make better use of the Shadowburst Meter.

Skills, tripods, and runes:

Skill	1st Tripod	2nd Tripod	3rd Tripod	Runa
Demonic Slash (4 )	Excellent Mobility	Nimble Movement	Chain Charge
Thrust Impact (10 )	Swift Thrust	Deep Thrust	Encroaching Power
Demonic Clone (10)	Vital Point Hit	Fist of Destruction	Enhanced Release Encroachment
Rising Claw (4 )	Naively Honest	Giant Hand
Demon Vision (10 )	Concentrated Release	Encroaching Power	Instant Discharge	Wealth
Demon's Grip (4 )	Swift Fingers	Encroaching Power	Stretching Hand	Wealth
Howl (10)	Swift Gingers	Encroaching Power	Scream of Fury	Wealth
Decimate (10 )	Swift Fingers	Weak Point Detection	Cruel Hand
Gate of Eruption (Awakening)

Playstyle:

The Demonic Impulse build focuses on filling the transformation meter and keeping it high. This means the Shadowhunter should constantly be in the heat of battle, made easier by the shorter cooldowns but exposing you to more damage. Remember that transforming restores some of your health. The most important skill for filling the Shadowburst Meter is Blood Massacre. Remember to always have two specific skills on hand (Rising Claw / Death Claw), as they let you effectively counter boss attacks.