Cheap Assassin

[Namonaki]

I've been wanting to make an assassin but most of the guides I read here and elsewhere all seem very very expensive.

Basically, I want to have a relatively cheap to gear assassin - of course I'll be aiming for the high end, but it seems like having mid gear is pretty much out of the option for any of these builds.

Another problem is that I'm really not sure what I want out of the assassin. A little bit of kicking might be nice, but I also like the idea of traps and some of the shadow disciplines seem fun (though maybe not too powerful, so that would rule them out). I'm thinking maybe a hybrid would be nice, but back to problem one it sounds like only the most expensive gear would make it work.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap assassin? I think I would like it to either be: alright at PvM and pretty good at PvP OR Very good at PvM.

[Scudstorm]

A kicker/trapper is very good at PvM and totally doable with mid gear.

Guillaume's face +IAS jewel (not needed if you use Treachery, nor if you can get Stormlash)
Stormlash (or Crescent Moon Pb if Stormlash is too expensive)
Duress/Treachery
SS +PDiamond
String of Ears
Drac's (Trang's if you go Venom)
Upp'ed Gores
Ravenfrost
Any other jewelery

Max:

Dragon Talon
Lightning Sentry
Death Sentry

1 in pre-reqs and all the passive tree. It's a good idea (albeit not necessary) to have 3 hard points in Fire Blast for the extra Death Sentry shot.

Last skill to max:
Venom or Shock Web, depending on your focus.

You'll run Fade, and can put a couple extra points in it as you see fit. To run BoS would mean more expensive gear to cover up the resist department.

[alphaz]

Phoenix Strike Natalya's Opium Assassin
http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6496436

[Namonaki]

Oh nice, I actually have a lot of natalyas (just missing the claw) and was hoping I would find a build like that. He said he didnt ue death sentry much though - so I very well may do venom instead. We'll see how I do without it and I'll make that decision at the end.

Thanks for both suggestions - I'm going to try both :)