Well, this product is kind of a mixed bag. Nevertheless, if you would prefer a more realistic assassin without spellcasting ability, this book is a good addition to your library.

The assassin presented here is laid out like a core class, rather than a prestige class. Yet it features only 10 levels rather than 20. It almost looks like a prestige class that someone forgot to write down the requirements to. But the class has the background, characteristics, etc., layout common to core classes in 3rd Edition rules.

The class is a bit over-powered at first glance -- but then if you compare it to the spellcasting asassin of the DMG, they seem nearly even. I suppose that if this assassin does seem a bit too powerful in your game, you could always remove a class feature and turn it into a feat.

Whether a bit too powerful or not, all of the class features of assassin are focused on assassination and make perfect sense. This is where the product really shines, as the class features of the actual assassin make more sense than any assassin prestige class I've ever seen. There's no extraneous fluff here, no fantasy-based assassins guild with a Grandfather you'll have to kill eventually. Each class feature is useful and well thought-out. These are the abilities an assassin should have.

All in all, this may present soem difficulty in your campaign since it seems like should be a prestige class but isn't quite written as one, but you can always have the same requirements set for it as the assassin in the DMG. But I think it's worth it, as the class presented here really is a better assassin. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: Content. The class features of the assassin are well thought-out and make sense.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: As I mentioned above, this class is a core class but has only 10 levels. It needs to be advanced to 20th level or made into a prestige class to balance against other core and prestige classes in the game.

One minor nitpick: the image behind the text makes it a bit harder to read. A bolder, somewhat larger font would fix that easily.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>