I'm so lucky, or what we should call, to have a assassin and bartucs and
i need to pump her dex so she can use it, so i guess i can see something
when i play with her.

Shouldn't that be miss bridou

Hmmm... interesting.  For my sins (no pun intended), I got the
information from diabloii.net.  The following page lists Bartuc's
as getting 75% from str/dex.  I remember pumping dex and getting
an increase in damage listed in the lying character screen
although I don't rely on my memory too much anymore.

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:_rITblBR8psJ:www.diabloii.net/items/uniques
/class-asn.shtml+diabloii.net+bartuc%27s+unique&hl=en

They also claim that daggers get a bonus from str/dex and
amazon spears get a 70/30% bonus and various other things.

No idea how accurate they are though.  A lot of people seem
to claim that purely dex affects the damage calculation for
throwing weapons.

Ian

Okay... for 'a lot of people' you can just read "Msr. Bridou" ;)

Where do you have the info for that.
According to arreat summit only bows and crossbows got damage from dex,
unless i missed something.

or Thrown and Melee Weapons:

Final_Min_Damage = Weapon_Min_Damage * (Str + 100) / 100
Final_Max_Damage = Weapon_Max_Damage * (Str + 100) / 100

For Bows and Crossbows:

Final_Min_Damage = Weapon_Min_Damage * (Dex + 100) / 100
Final_Max_Damage = Weapon_Max_Damage * (Dex + 100) / 100

from http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/basics/characters.shtml

I always like a Moser's with 2 PDiamonds, but a nice Ward would be
good too.  I don't think I'd take strength high enough to use a
Storm Shield.  Remember that claws gain a 50% damage bonus from
*either* dex or str and dex is ever so much more useful (better AR,
better blocking).

I really like Bartuc's - it is a great claw.  For an elemental MA-sin
+skills are really quite useful.  I don't know the stats on the other
claws but I can't believe they would beat out Bartuc's.

Hmmm... without a defense boosting skill, you'll struggle to get
enough defence to make a difference in my opinion.  Keep the
str requirements as low as possible.  Mind you, if upg Duriel's
needs less str than upg Goreriders and you have plenty of runes,
why not.

Fair enough :)  (I always think of BF as an MA skill too)

I'd really recommend at least 1 point in shadow master.  With two
+3 shadow disciplines claws on switch pre-buffing her to at least 7
she is an invaluable castable tank in a variety of situations.
Although I'd still prefer a valk.

You're welcome.

Ian

<snip>

What shield would be good then ? Ward ? SS ?

Got Bartuc's, Firelizard and Jade Talon
Duriel's upg maybe ?

75% it is

Will do that :)

NO DS for me, want this to be a pure MA, and as i consider Blade Fury a
martial art :) , i will put 1 point in it

No shadow and max claw mastery, i think

Thanks for your clear and detailled explanation.
Already building the char based on your comments..

Tora

* Disclaimer *

This is more than half theoretical as I became bored of my second
MA assy at level 46.

1. Personally I would go C/S for the resists and additional blocking.
2. I have a Natalya's trapsin with a minor in blade fury and I have
  to say that the high damage ITD claw is pretty nice.  However,
  I'd still go with Bartuc's, upgraded gorerider, duriels or
  something.  Basically, I think a 'sin can do better than Natalya's.
3. 75%... why not?
4. Well, I don't see why not - she has good crowd control skills
  with Mindblast, Cloak of Shadows, Third charge of phoenix and
  potential for high damaging multi-elemental attacks.  I
  believe Chainbreaker said he made Guardian with one in the
  previous ladder.

Build:

Max Phoenix strike
Max Dragon talon
Max Fists of fire

1 point in blade fury, mind blast and cloak of shadows.

A few points in Death Sentry (or from a claw on switch)

Shadow master and claw mastery to taste.

* Rationale *

Fists of Fire synergy -

You can land meteors at least 50% quicker than lighting strikes
(charge, release rather than charge charge release) and the
probability of hitting the wrong charge is that much lower.
Don't be fooled by the damage looking smaller.  Not to mention
the fact that all the CoT charges have been nerfed beyond belief :(

All the most dangerous critters are lightning immune ;)

Max dragon talon -

Max Dragon talon gives you an awesome boss killer.  Keep a black
knout / scourge in your stash.  It also has the huge AR boost that
you'll need to be able to reliably release your charges.

Blade fury / Death Sentry

When you get to the chaos sanctuary, you'll appreciate having a
ranged attack.

Ian

I made one back in 1.09 and if i remember correctly i had Phoenix Strike,
Tiger Strike, Shadow Master & Claw Mastery maxed.

Gear was :
Full Natalay's
4-diamond monarch
Some rare rings and amu

I have some questions for this build

1. C/C (with weapon block) or C/S
2. Go with full natalya's or rather Bartuc's, or another unique Claw
3. If C/S what should blocking be ? 60 ? or max to 75 ?
4. I know melee chars are more of a challenge in 1.10 (from experience) but
would a MA still be able to play in hell ?

All help, hints, informations and comment is welcome (and needed)

Tora