Recommended Assassin Combo for Fast Bloodburst Stacking

The Assassin in 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad' uses a unique effect called 'Bloodburst.' While Bloodburst itself has no direct effect, using skills or combos that players can deal immediate damage based on its stacks when using skills or combos that trigger it. In other words, the Assassin is a class focused on rapidly stacking and triggering Bloodburst to deal continuous damage.

Bloodburst Stacking Methods: Skills, Combos and Artifacts

Bloodburst can stack up to a maximum of 8 times, with the additional damage increasing depending on how many stacks you have when you trigger it. Rather than scaling exponentially, the additional damage increases linearly by 45% per stack. Therefore, you do not always need to reach 8 stacks. In fact, exceeding 8 stacks means wasting Bloodburst, so do not hesitate to detonate it early depending on the situation.

Bloodburst stacks are generally applied through combos, and skills are used to fill in the remaining stacks up to 8. For example, if you use the 'Ambush (Enhanced)' and 'Dagger Throw' skills, you only need to apply 4 stacks via combos. Please refer to the table below for the maximum stacks each skill can grant. Additionally, promoting the High-grade Legendary Artifact 'Rhaegar's Ruby' grants a chance to apply double the Bloodburst stacks. Since its other options are also highly effective against enemies afflicted with Bloodburst, it is a strongly recommended Artifact for the Assassin class.

Steam post image▲ Damage is proportional to stacking (Photo: Created by Gukmin Tree)

▲ List of stackable Bloodlust skills (Photo: Created by Gukmin Tree)

▲ Artifact Rhaegar's Ruby Upgrade Effect (Photo: Gukmin Tree)

Recommendation 1: Dagger Combo I (2 Bloodburst Stacks)

Steam post image▲ Dagger Combo I capable of applying 2 Bloodburst stacks (Photo: Created by Gukmin Tree)

Like other classes, Dagger Combo I is generally recommended for its short motion. With the Mastery [Bloodburst], each hit from a Heavy Strike in the combo stacks Bloodburst on the target and deals extra damage to enemies with Bloodburst. The Heavy Strike of Dagger Combo 1 hits twice, allowing you to stack it twice in total.

The second Mastery choice varies based on your playstyle and equipment set. Allocating points into [Rage] will compensate for the lack of Rage recovery. On the other hand, [Heavy Attack] focuses heavily on offense. Not only does it increase your damage, but it also prevents enemies from countering your Heavy Strike Combos. Investing in this Mastery ensures stable Bloodburst stacking, as enemies will be unable to evade or parry your attacks.

Neither of the final Masteries is particularly useful in boss combat. If you really have to pick one, [Rage] is recommended because it helps you use skills frequently against groups of enemies. While [Amplification] increases active skill damage, its duration is too short to defeat an enemy and stack Bloodburst on another target, making it less practical.

Recommendation 2: Dagger Combo II and III (4 Bloodburst Stacks)

Steam post image▲ Dagger Combos II and III capable of applying 4 Bloodburst stacks (Photo: Created by Gukmin Tree)

Dagger Combo II deals more hits than its Heavy Strike input count, pairing exceptionally well with the [Bloodburst] Mastery. By investing in both [Bloodburst] and [Elimination], a single combo can stack Bloodburst up to 4 times.

Dagger Combo III applies stacks strictly based on your Heavy Strike inputs. While it maxes out at 4 stacks like Combo II, it offers superior damage, Rage gain, and Weapon Gauge gain. However, due to its longer animation, it can easily be interrupted, so pick the one that fits your playstyle best.

Recommendation 3: Dagger Combo II and III (3 Bloodburst Stacks and Groggy Damage)

Steam post image▲ Select [Corrode] in the final mastery (Photo: Created by Gukmin Tree)

Steam post imageSteam post image▲ Difference in the effects of Mastery [Corrode] (Photo: Created by Gukmin Tree)

This setup replaces only the final Mastery with [Corride] from Dagger Combos II and III discussed earlier. While both combos see their Bloodburst stacks reduced to 3, they deal significantly higher groggy damage. Grogging an enemy renders them defenseless for a set duration, allowing you to deal safe, uninterrupted damage. However, keep in mind that its efficiency drops in content with extremely high groggy gauges, such as the Altar of Lost Memories and Altar of Memories.

On a Side Note, Rapier Combo I applies 1 Bloodburst Stack

Compared to Dagger, the Assassin's Rapier combos generally have longer animations, making the controls feel somewhat unresponsive. Combos II and IV create delays due to the movement where you step back before diving in, while Combo I also suffers from low practical efficiency because of the recovery animation after the final hit.

However, you can significantly boost the efficiency of Combo I by using 'Guard Cancel.' The method is simple. Simply tap and release the Guard button immediately as the last hit of Combo I connects. This cuts off the trailing animation with a quick block, letting you smoothly transition into your next attack.

Provided by GameMeca