The Assassin is a wonderful Diablo 2 class that most fans believe has not gotten its proper due. Featured only in the Diablo 2 Lord of Destruction Expansion, and no other Diablo game, fans of the franchise are very excited for an updated version of the silent killer to emerge in Diablo 2: Resurrected.

Despite what little has been seen of the Assassin throughout Diablo’s rich and expansive history, this class's vast back story, strengths, and abilities make it a prime character worthy of revisiting. In fact, rarely being seen is exactly what the Assassin does best.

RELATED: Everything We Currently Know About Diablo 2: Resurrected

The Assassins are an order of mage slayers that were founded after a horrible tragedy involving two brothers, Bartuc and Horazon. Basically, these two brothers rose to power in a clan of mages known as Vizjerei during the third century. Bartuc and Horazon were consumed by the shared pursuit of power that could only be obtained through Demonic Magic. However, the two men had differing opinions on how that power should be used.

Horazon wanted to harness demons and bend them to his will, but Bartuc sympathized with the demonic authorities and wanted to become allies. Bartuc’s opinion was of course influenced by the demons for whom he claimed to care. These opposing stances on how to best study demons tore the Vizjerei apart, and ultimately culminated in violence between the two sides. The demons were playing with the two brothers to cause a war between them. Once the dust settled, Bartuc was dead, Horazon disappeared into self-imposed exile, and most of the Vizjerei clan was wiped out.

The few surviving Vizjierei sorcerers spurned Demonic Magics and returned to studying Elemental Magics. To ensure that this horrific event would not happen again, they formed a secret order with the purpose of policing mage clans and destroying corruption wherever it’s found. So was born the Viz-Jaq'taar, the Order of the Mage Slayers, also known as the Assassins. A breathtaking class that looks great regardless of whether Diablo 2: Resurrected players use remastered or classic graphics.

Because the Viz-Jaq’taar is so secretive, little more is known about them by most of the other mages of the Diablo world. Stories of their exploits travel the lands by word of mouth and are given life around bonfires. These stories are usually enough to keep mages away from exploring the dangers of Demonic Magic. However, as a demonic influence in the world of Diablo 2 grows, the presence of Assassins becomes more necessary.

Members of the Viz-Jaq’taar are aware that anyone can be corrupted by dark magic at any time, so Assassins maintain the purest and most focused minds. Assassins live in meditation and draw power from within, rather than from the world around them which could be easily corrupted by demonic interference. Assassins do not use magic, but instead, use specially crafted weapons and enchanted items to battle magical entities and creatures. To further protect themselves from the threat of demonic influence, Assassins focus on the abilities of their bodies, both mental and physical.

Every Assassin, even the most novice, is a master in silent infiltration and an expert at lock-picking. Assassins do not require keys to get past locks. Coupled with enchanted items and a mysterious martial arts style that incorporates metal claws, the Viz-Jaq’taar is an incredibly powerful and self-sustaining group standing against the powers of evil.

RELATED: Diablo 2: Resurrected Game Mechanics Players Might Have Forgotten About

The Assassin’s starting attributes are fairly balanced. Players will enjoy equal parts strength, dexterity, and vitality with a little higher energy and mana. This class has higher starting stamina than the popular Barbarian class, but a little less life. An Assassin’s enchanted items will mimic elemental powers and oftentimes can function autonomously. Assassins are trained extensively in the use of metal blades and claws that strap onto the wrists. Claws are incorporated into martial art skills and give the Assassin the ability to dual wield and deliver devastating double attacks.

Since the Assassin has a special set of weapons that were created specifically for it, released with the Lord of Destruction Expansion, players rarely use any other weapon than the various forms and upgrades of Claws. Claws, as previously referenced, can be used as either a one-handed weapon or a two-handed weapon, depending on the type. The Assassin is expressly trained in Claws and using it is the only way the Assassin can dual wield.

Viz-Jaq’taar has its own unique style of martial arts that most foes have never seen. The Martial Arts Skill Tree for this class is divided into two sides. There are six Charge-Up skills and four Finishing Moves. Of course, players can always use the Assassin’s regular attack. A Charge-Up skill can be charged up to three times and each charge will increase the bonus damage delivered. The player must hit the target in order to create a charge. Once charged, the player can release bonuses by performing Finishing Moves that will then also release a set of bonuses. Finishing Moves can be used without Charge Ups, but obviously, Charge Ups will make Finishing Moves more powerful.

The Shadow Discipline Skill Tree is similar to the Amazon’s Passive and Magic Tree, however, it has combat style skills that deal actual damage. The skills Burst of Speed and Fade are similar to the Paladin’s auras in that players can only use one at a given time, but Venom can be used at any time. Shadow Warrior and Shadow Master give the player a shadow AI compatriot during battle. There are minor differences between the two shadow allies that cause them to work better or worse than the other depending on the circumstance.

Assassins are master trappers, and the Traps Skill Tree allows players to swiftly deal with hordes of enemies. Remote devices and projectiles can deal with multiple foes at once. Higher-level Assassins can create up to five sentries that can each deal damage 5-10 times while the player engages in combat. Shadow Disciplines can assist this skill by pushing or keeping enemies near traps. Shadows can also plant sentries, although the player does not have control over a shadow’s actions. Sentries can be thrown anywhere within sight of the player and will continue fighting until the end of its life even after the player leaves the area or dies.

These skill trees make it possible for the Assassin to have some impressive builds. Combining the skills in higher levels can create a mass pool of destruction puppeteered by the graceful and deadly Viz-Jaq’taar.

Diablo 2: Resurrected is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

MORE: If Diablo 4 is as Smooth as the Diablo 2: Resurrected Alpha, Fans Are in For a Treat