In Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, the Assassin class inflicts stacks of the unique 'Bloodrage' effect on foes, which can then be detonated with specific skills for massive damage. Consequently, any build strategy for this class absolutely hinges on including skills that detonate Bloodrage, supplemented by others that support this core mechanic. This is precisely why Rapier skills, incapable of triggering Bloodrage, are generally considered a low-priority investment.

So, with that crucial context in mind, which dual-wielding dagger skills are currently proving most effective? To shed light on this, we've compiled an analysis of how top-ranked players are configuring their dual-dagger skill sets, courtesy of KookminTree.

※ Information gathered as of 1:00 PM, June 4th.
※ Data is based on the top 20 players in the Assassin's Elite Hideout rankings.
※ Skill names are indicated within square brackets [ ].

A Staggering 95% Preference: [Shred] is Practically the Assassin

[Shred] boasts the highest displayed damage among the Assassin's skills, but its true damage output is even greater thanks to its ability to detonate Bloodrage. For this reason, a vast majority (95%) of top-ranked Assassins have opted for this skill.

Both 'Weapon Specialisation' and 'Equipment Engraving' setups are geared towards maximising damage. The 'Frenzy' specialisation boosts [Shred]'s damage against enemies afflicted with Bloodrage, while the 'Exploit Weakness' engraving enhances it against foes debuffed. Given these synergies, Assassins invariably build their skill sets to heavily favour and amplify [Shred].

A Solid 80% Pick: [Venomous Strike] for Constant Attack Power Buffs

Equipping [Venomous Strike] allows the Assassin to apply a Venomous effect with all basic attacks, combos, and skill hits. This effect deals damage over time based on stack count and increases stagger damage. Furthermore, reaching 5 stacks causes regular-grade monsters to become stunned, significantly improving combat efficiency against groups when [Venomous Strike] is used effectively.

The standout feature of [Venomous Strike] is its 'Accumulating Poison' engraving. This provides a substantial attack power boost of up to 20% for 20 seconds, perfectly aligning with its 20-second cooldown for near-constant uptime. It's worth noting that Venomous effects can also be applied via combos, but this method is less favoured due to its higher execution difficulty compared to direct skill usage.

A 40% Choice: [Spinning Kick], the Second Bloodrage Detonator

Reaching the maximum 8 stacks of Bloodrage accumulates surprisingly quickly. If you rely solely on [Shred] to detonate Bloodrage, you'll inevitably encounter downtime. This is precisely where [Spinning Kick] comes into play.

[Spinning Kick] isn't just about detonating Bloodrage; it also synergises brilliantly with the aforementioned Venomous Strike. Both the 'Skull Bash·Destruction' and 'Skull Bash·Sunder' engravings offer additional benefits when [Spinning Kick] is used against enemies affected by Venomous effects. Furthermore, the 'Venomous·Lethal Poison' specialisations amplify [Spinning Kick]'s damage against such targets. Consequently, our investigation revealed that every Assassin player who chose [Spinning Kick] also selected [Venomous Strike] for this potent combo.

A 30% Consideration: [Retreat] to Empower Other Skills

[Retreat] momentarily stuns regular-grade enemies, creating an opening to amplify the damage of subsequent powerful strikes. This proves highly beneficial in scenarios like the Elite Hideout, where dealing with multiple foes is common. However, the primary reason players opt for [Retreat] is its 'Ambush' specialisation.

When investing in the Ambush specialisation for [Retreat], you gain a significant critical hit chance boost of up to 17.5% for 12 seconds. In an environment where acquiring critical hit chance through gear is challenging, this is a substantial advantage. Additionally, it reduces the cooldowns of other active dual-dagger skills. While not a direct combo synergy like [Venomous Strike] or [Spinning Kick], it's remarkably effective for delivering bursts of high damage.

A 25% Play: [Ambush] as a [Shred] Setup

[Ambush] is primarily chosen to bolster [Shred]. The 'Weakening' engraving increases the damage taken by enemies hit by [Ambush]. Coupled with the 'Sneak Attack' specialisation, which can boost [Shred]'s critical damage by up to 25%, it becomes clear why landing [Ambush] before [Shred] is a priority.

However, capitalising on these benefits necessitates that [Shred] lands a critical hit. The current scarcity of accessible critical hit chance from equipment likely explains the lower popularity of the [Ambush] skill.

A 25% Option: The Freely Usable [Dagger Toss]

Even with engraving investments, the performance gains from [Dagger Toss] can be difficult to perceive. While it can increase the damage of basic attacks and the Power Strike combo by 25%, the effect's duration is short, lasting only 8 seconds. Therefore, to make [Dagger Toss] worthwhile, focus should be on its 'Refinement' specialisation rather than engravings.

Investing in the Refinement specialisation allows you to recover 60 Fury every time [Dagger Toss] is used. Since [Dagger Toss] itself consumes 60 Fury, its usage essentially becomes free. Furthermore, it grants a 15% attack power increase for 12 seconds, along with a 15% damage boost for dual-dagger attacks. This makes it a perfectly viable option for harassing distant enemies.