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Claws of Thunder Assassin Guide

Last Updated: March 2nd 2024

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Kazerk Kazerk! Ah, the sweet sound of electricity in the air! The Claws of Thunder Assassin is an endless symphony of electrocution. Claws of Thunder's flurry of Novas and Charged Bolts flattens virtually every area with any number of Players in the game, while simultaneously providing a free Light show! Dual-wielding Mosaics in Patch 2.6 makes this build deal insane, consistent damage!

This Assassin uses either the Dragon Talon or Dragon Claw Finisher to expend Claws of Thunder and Blades of Ice Charges, dealing Lightning, Cold, and Physical Damage to her targets. This build can vaporize nearly every standard Farming Spot and Terror Zone with the power of Infinity, Griffon's Eye, and Crack of the Heavens.

Compared to the Phoenix Strike Assassin, the Claws of Thunder Assassin deals damage in a slightly reduced Area of Effect (AoE). However, the combination of Claws of Thunder and Blades of Ice still deals similar damage while reducing the need to build up additional Charges, which is preferable for Elite Sniping and fast Terror Zone smashing. It also frees up Skill Points for utility Skills and reduces screen clutter which can make it hard to see (and in many cases cause additional lag/desync). Even though this build is not the best Ladder Starter, a Budget Claws of Thunder Assassin (see Build Variants) can hold its own in certain key Farming Spots such as Arcane Sanctuary. Claws of Thunder makes waves everywhere it goes!

Ideal Standard Setup
Ideal Standard Setup

Claws of Thunder

Dragon Talon

Dragon Claw

Teleport

This build guide assumes you have a Character at Level 75 before transitioning to it. Check out our Assassin Leveling Guide and our General Leveling Strategies to reach Level 75.

Great Elite Hunter ✔
Satisfying Playstyle
Can Farm Everything
Insane Area Of Effect Damage

❌ Weak Starter
❌ Dangerous Playstyle
❌ Complicated Build Mechanics
❌ Requires GG Gear For Full Potential

Sunder Charm Setup

Patch 2.5 introduced a new way of breaking Immunities: Sunder Charms. Any enemy that would be Immune to your damage type is instead reduced to 95% Resistance, before any other Resistance reductions apply. (e.g. Conviction, Lower Resist) The Charm also reduces YOUR Resistance against the sundered damage type! Check out our post on Sunder Charms to learn more about these new Charms. The following setup uses Crack of the Heavens, allowing you to farm anywhere you want.

Sunder Charm Setup
Sunder Charm Setup

Gear Changes

To optimize this Sunder Charm you need as much -% Enemy Lightning Resistance as possible. Equip Griffon's Eye, socket 5/5 Lightning Rainbow Facets into your gear, and equip Infinity on your Mercenary to accomplish this.

Counteract the negative effect of Crack of the Heavens with Lightning Resistance Small Charms, Lightning Resistance Boots, and Lightning Resistance Jewelry.

Terror Zones

The new Terror Zone mechanic combined with Sunder Charms open up a wide range of farmable areas. The following list highlights the best and worst Terror Zones for this build. With the Sunder Charm Setup, more Terror Zones become accessible. Learn more about Terror Zones here and see how they stack up in our Terror Zone Tier List.

Best

Arcane Sanctuary - High Density, Quick Access, No Immunities, Spectres
Tal Rasha's Tombs - High Density, Many Elite Groups, Quick Access, Few Immunities
Worldstone Keep + Throne of Destruction - High Density, Many Elite Groups, Quick Access
Underground Passage + Dark Wood - Many Elite Groups, Quick Access, No Immunities
Pit - High Density, Many Elite Groups, Quick Access, Few Immunities

Worst

Ancients Way + Icy Cellar - High Physical Damage, High Elemental Damage, Immunities
Cold Plains + The Cave - Low Density, Immunities
Burial Grounds + Crypt + Mausoleum - Low Density, Trash Mobility, Immunities
Spider Forest + Spider Cavern - Low Density, Few Elite Groups, Immunities
Stony Field - Low Density, Immunities

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. Claw Mastery
2. Burst of Speed
3. Fade (Max Last)
4. Cloak of Shadows
5. Mind Blast
6. Shadow Warrior
7. Death Sentry
8. Tiger Strike
9. Cobra Strike
10. Dragon Claw

Put 3 or more Skill Points into the following Skill:
1. Weapon Block

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. Claws of Thunder
2. Phoenix Strike
3. Blades of Ice
4. Dragon Talon
5. Fade

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Damage

Utility

Attributes

Note: This section provides you with the standard Stat Point allocation. Build Variants may require different allocations!

Strength

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength to equip all of your gear. Take into account how much Strength your gear provides when equipped.

Dexterity

Allocate enough Stat Points into Dexterity to equip all of your gear. Take into account how much Dexterity your gear provides when equipped.

Vitality

Allocate any remaining Stat Points into Vitality after meeting Strength, Dexterity and Energy requirements.

Energy

Do not allocate any Stat Points into Energy. Mana costs are covered by “x% Mana stolen per hit” on gear, buffs, Charms, and Cobra Strike.

Essentials

Gear Options

Farming Spots

Mercenary

Playstyle

Breakpoints

Hardcore

Build Variants

Starter
Budget
Standard
Magic Find
Hardcore

Setup

The Starter variant of the Claws of Thunder Assassin meets the minimum gear requirements for farming the Starter tagged areas in the "Farming Spots" section above. These areas can be Solo-farmed by this setup (/Players1 on Single Player) in both Nightmare and Hell difficulty. Prioritize + to Skills, Resistances, Attack Rating, Cannot Be Frozen, and Life/Attributes on your gear. Pattern Claws provide you with decent survivability and damage if made in a + to Claws of Thunder Base. Strength Claws are also great for early-game Boss killing due to their Crushing Blow stat. A Staff of Teleportation on Weapon-Swap allows you to travel short distances (Dragon Flight allows you to use monsters to reposition). A Lower Resist Charge Wand on Weapon-Swap can help increase your damage against most mobs. Follow the Assassin Leveling Guide to get your Assassin to Level 75.

Mercenary

A Starter Claws of Thunder Assassin uses an Act 2 Holy Freeze Mercenary with Insight for Crowd Control and Mana Regeneration. Mercenaries require Resistances, Life Leech, and/or Damage Reduction to stay alive. Smoke is a cheap Body Armor option for much needed Resistances. Bulwark is the cheapest Helmet that provides Life Leech and Damage Reduction.

Skills

Allocate 1 Skill Point into Dragon Flight for increased mobility on a Starter Claws of Thunder Assassin. Also, do not bother with maxing Blades of Ice or maintaining its Charges. The rest is the same as the Standard Build.

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. Claw Mastery
2. Burst of Speed
3. Fade (Max Last)
4. Cloak of Shadows
5. Mind Blast
6. Shadow Warrior
7. Death Sentry
8. Tiger Strike
9. Cobra Strike
10. Dragon Claw
11. Dragon Flight

Put 3 or more Skill Points into the following Skill:
1. Weapon Block

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. Claws of Thunder
2. Phoenix Strike
3. Dragon Talon
4. Fade

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength and Dexterity to wear your gear. Put all remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Setup

The Budget Claws of Thunder Assassin achieves solid results with gear that is much easier to acquire than the gear on the Standard Build. This variant can farm almost every Farming Spot the Standard Build can on a lower Player Count. This build makes use of several lower-end gear options that still provide solid Damage, Attack Rating, Resistances, Damage Reduction, and the Cannot Be Frozen stat. Full Natalya's Set with Upgraded Natalya's Soul provides many of these needed stats. 1-2 Mosaics maintains high effectiveness on this setup. Naj's Puzzler provides you with extra mobility. If you can acquire Crack of the Heavens you can kill Immune to Lightning mobs.

Mercenary

A Budget Claws of Thunder Assassin uses an Act 2 Might Mercenary with Insight for Damage and Mana Regeneration. Treachery and Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest are relatively cheap options for improving this Mercenary's damage and survivability..

Skills

Allocate 1 Skill Point into Dragon Flight for increased mobility on a Budget Claws of Thunder Assassin. The rest is the same as the Standard Build.

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. Claw Mastery
2. Burst of Speed
3. Fade (Max Last)
4. Cloak of Shadows
5. Mind Blast
6. Shadow Warrior
7. Death Sentry
8. Tiger Strike
9. Cobra Strike
10. Dragon Claw
11. Dragon Flight

Put 3 or more Skill Points into the following Skill:
1. Weapon Block

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. Claws of Thunder
2. Phoenix Strike
3. Blades of Ice
4. Dragon Talon
5. Fade

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength and Dexterity to wear your gear. Put all remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Setup

This is the Standard Best in Slot (BiS) Dragon Tail Assassin featured in the beginning of the guide. It is the balanced "jack-of-all-trades" version, capable of performing the most tasks well. This variant is the point of comparison for all other variants. It carefully balances Damage, Magic Find, Defensive Stats, and Teleport mobility. Dual-wielding Mosaics allows you to continually use Dragon Talon or Dragon Claw Finishers without losing Claws of Thunder Charges. Crack of the Heavens allows this build to smash Immune to Lightning mobs. This setup reaches the 102% Faster Cast Rate Breakpoint for casting Teleport on its main weapon loadout.

Mercenary

The Standard Claws of Thunder Assassin uses an Act 2 Might Mercenary with Infinity for -85% to Enemy Lightning Resistance and reduced monster Defense from its Conviction Aura. Fortitude and Andariel's Visage socketed with a Ruby Jewel of Fervor maximize this Mercenary's damage and survivability.

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. Claw Mastery
2. Burst of Speed
3. Fade (Max Last)
4. Cloak of Shadows
5. Mind Blast
6. Shadow Warrior
7. Death Sentry
8. Tiger Strike
9. Cobra Strike
10. Dragon Claw

Put 3 or more Skill Points into the following Skill:
1. Weapon Block

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. Claws of Thunder
2. Phoenix Strike
3. Blades of Ice
4. Dragon Talon
5. Fade

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength and Dexterity to wear your gear. Put all remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Setup

This variant stacks as much Magic Find as possible for Elite Pack targeting efficiency. Magic Find Charms and Harlequin Crest are the keys to this build. This setup is designed to quickly farm areas in Low Player Count (/Players1-3 in Single Player) using Dragon Claw and Burst of Speed for quick recovery. Crack of the Heavens enables this build to crush monsters that are Immune to Lightning. The Magic Find version of the Claws of Thunder Assassin achieves the 65% Faster Cast Rate Breakpoint on its main weapon loadout, and the 102% Faster Cast Rate Breakpoint on Weapon-Swap.

Mercenary

Just as with the Standard Build, the Magic Find Claws of Thunder Assassin uses an Act 2 Might Mercenary with Infinity, Fortitude, and Andariel's Visage socketed with a Ruby Jewel of Fervor.

Skills

Max out Dragon Claw instead of Dragon Talon for quicker kills in Low Player Count. 1-Point Dragon Flight can also make for quick kills. Since Burst of Speed is used on this variant instead of Fade, put additional points into it for maximum Dragon Claw Attack Speed. Additionally, do not bother with Death Sentry on this Low Player Count approach. Allocate all remaining Skill Points into Shadow Warrior for a stronger tank. The rest is the same as the Standard Build.

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength and Dexterity to wear your gear. Put all remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Setup

For the Hardcore mode variant, aim for high Damage Reduction and Chance to Block (Weapon Block) to guard against taking extreme amounts of Physical Damage. Additionally, overcap Resistances beyond the natural cap of 75% if possible to counteract hostile Conviction or Lower Resist (Fade helps achieve this). If you choose to use Crack of the Heavens, stack additional Lightning Resistance to counteract its negative effect. This setup reaches the 65% Faster Cast Rate Breakpoint on its main weapon loadout, and the 102% Faster Cast Rate Breakpoint on Weapon-Swap. Consult the "Hardcore" section for more detailed information.

Mercenary

The Hardcore Claws of Thunder Assassin uses an Act 2 Defiance Mercenary for increased Defense. And just like the Standard Build, equip him with Infinity, Fortitude, and Andariel's Visage socketed with a Ruby Jewel of Fervor.

Skills

Put 1 Skill Point into each of the following Skills:
1. Claw Mastery
2. Burst of Speed
3. Fade (Max Last)
4. Cloak of Shadows
5. Mind Blast
6. Shadow Warrior
7. Death Sentry
8. Tiger Strike
9. Cobra Strike
10. Dragon Claw

Put 3 or more Skill Points into the following Skill:
1. Weapon Block

Max out the following Skills in this order:
1. Claws of Thunder
2. Phoenix Strike
3. Blades of Ice
4. Dragon Talon
5. Fade

Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression
Use the Scroll Bar to see Skill Point Progression

Attributes

Allocate enough Stat Points into Strength and Dexterity to wear your gear. Put all remaining Stat Points into Vitality.

Video Guide

Video Guide by DarkHumility

Mechanics

Next Hit Delay

Death Sentry

Teleport

Summary

  • Maintain 3 Charges of Claws of Thunder at all times to deal maximum damage with Dragon Talon or Dragon Claw. Dual-wielding Mosaics enables you to perpetually maintain the 3 Claws of Thunder and 3 Blades of Ice Charge maximum while only using Dragon Talon or Dragon Claw.
  • Use Burst of Speed and a fast Claw Base on your main-hand to quickly build up Charges with your Charge-up Skills.
  • Dragon Flight into monster packs before acquiring Enigma.
  • Blades of Ice and your Dragon Talon Finisher enable you to deal with most Lightning Immunities. With Crack of the Heavens, Griffon's Eye, and Infinity on the Mercenary, you can handle them with the Claws of Thunder damage alone.
  • The Claws of Thunder Assassin has several Defensive Skills that make it possible to survive without amazing gear. Weapon Block grants Block Chance while dual-wielding Claw Weapons (no Shield). Shadow Warrior distracts enemies and absorbs damage. Cobra Strike grants incredible Life/Mana sustain. Fade provides incredible Curse Duration Reduction, Damage Reduction, and Resistances. Cloak of Shadows and Mind Blast situationally mitigate the damage you take. Abuse these abilities to the fullest!
  • This build excels at sniping Elites with any number of Players in the game (Player Count) and in any Farming Spot (including Terror Zones) with a full build. Claws of Thunder is also great at density destroying, dealing crazy damage in a large Area of Effect (AoE). Fry monsters to your heart's content!

We hope you enjoy this build! Novas and Charged Bolts make such a sweet symphony. Electricity is in the air. Electricity is all you need.

Good luck!

Credits

Written by DarkHumility
Reviewed by Teo1904

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