Divided by Zer0 (In-Depth Assassin Guide)

Whoayeah!

I'm back with another In-Depth guide, this time is for Zer0 the Assassin. Zer0 has always been my least favourite class as I've never really been interested in staying back hiding and trying to get as many headshots as possible. So I've come up with a build suited for those like me who aren't a huge fan of sniping or even melee.
Like always, my guides are here to hopefully help you get a better idea of the class in itself, get past the general playthrough of Borderlands (Normal - UVHM) or even give some veteran Assassins a different build to try!

Introduction

Zer0 is one big badass on Pandora, said not be human but a number. Whether or not you decide to be a Sniper kind of Assassin, or to run up to the enemies face & cut them up into many pieces.
No matter what you do... NEVER divide by Zer0.

Skill Tree Breakdown

SNIPING

Headsh0t
Gain bonus Critical Hit Damage.
In comparison to it's counterpart; optics, the bonus Critical Damage benefits our build more than increased Zoom & Aim Steadiness. Also to mention that our 12 Pounder can also score Critical Hits.

Killer
Kill Skill. Gain bonus Critical Hit Damage & Reload Speed for a few seconds.
Even though this build's main focus is based around the Infinity Pistol which doesn't need reloading, we will still be using our other 3 weapons which need to be reloaded. Additional Critical Hit Damage is also great to have.

0ne Sh0t 0ne Kill
The first shot from a fully loaded Magazine deals bonus damage.
only grab one Shot one Kill when you have an Infinity Pistol as it's not as good to have without an Infinity. If you decide that you DoN'T want to use an Infinity, don't grab this skill & spend the remaining points in something worthwhile. With that being said it has amazing synergy with our Infinity Pistol & 12 Pounder as we'll be gaining a permanent 6o% Damage with these weapons.

B0re
Shots pierce through enemies gaining a bonus 1oo% damage per enemy pierced. Additionally enemy crititcal hit points are now highlighted while in Deception.
Bore shot is great to have when using Singularity Grenades as the damage bonus stacks, however it's not always worth using a bunch of Singularity Grenades on lesser enemies, but moreso to have against certain boss fights (Eg. Hyperius the Invincible). The critical point highlights are also helpful for those who have trouble scoring critical hits.

CUNNING

Fast Hands
Gain bonus Reload Speed & Weapon Swap Speed.
As stated above, Reload Speed is still useful as we will be swapping to our other weapons which is great because we also gain bonus Weapon Swap Speed to help us with that.

Fearless
Gain bonus Gun Damage & Fire Rate when your shield is depleted.
Fearless works best when fighting harder enemies like Raid Bosses or Badasses as with this build Grim will regenerate our shields every kill making us lose this bonus, however against tougher enemies we won't be killing enemies as often so we won't proc Grim as much as general gameplay.

Rising Sh0t
Each successful Ranged or Melee attack you gain bonus Gun Damage & Melee Damage per stack for a total of 5 stacks. Stacks are decreased at a rate depenedant on the Fire Rate of the weapon.
Rising Shot can give up to 11o% bonus Gun Damage & 99% Melee Damage which is crazy as with the Infinity Pistol we'll be constantly firing & never losing stacks, also Kunai from Death Blossom are considered Melee & gain bonus 99% Melee Damage per Kunai.

• Stacks decrease dependant on the Fire Rate of the weapon held. Therefore you can gain stacks quickly with a faster Fire Rate weapon then switch to a slower weapon so that the stacks don't decrease as fast.

Death Mark
Dealing damage with melee applies the Death Mark debuff for 8 seconds. Enemies marked with Death Mark take 2o% bonus damage from all sources.
Great skill to have once we pick up Death Blossom as Kunai count as Melee & also apply Death Mark. It is strongly recommended to pick up Death Mark after you unlock Death Blossom UNLESS you plan on using a Melee build.

Innervate
While Deception is active, gain bonus Gun Damage, Movement Speed & Health Regeneration.
The 1o% Gun Damage isn't great as it only lasts for your first shot as it'll cause you to leave Deception as well as losing the Innervate bonuses to Movement Speed & Health Regeneration. Innervate makes Deception more versatile in the sense it's not only used offensively but now defensively. Also the Movement Speed is also nice utility when running long distances.

Tw0 Fang
Everytime you fire you have a chance to fire twice.
Such an amazing skill as it's the reason you don't need to rely on bonus damage (Grenades/Kunai etc) when healing with the Rubi, it's kind of like a massive Fire Rate spike but it isn't really bonus Fire Rate. Two Fang synergises really well when using an Infinity Pistol as you never have to reload making your Fire Rate go insane.

Death Bl0ss0m
Action Skill Augment. Throws up to 5 sets of Kunai. Kunai applies a random elemental effect as well as applying Death Mark. Additionally throwing Kunai does NoT break Deception.
Death Blossom is a beautiful skill as not only does it increase your bonus damage from Slag & Death Mark debuffs, but it doesn't break Deception which is amazing as you will still receive Innervate bonuses as well as Deception bonuses, also the damage from all 5 sets combined can be devastating to single enemies. If needed you can switch to any Moxxi weapon (ie. Rubi), enter Deception gain Health Regeneration as well as the damage from Kunai fully healing you.

• Kunai act as Grenades in the sense that they explode after a brief delay, meaning that not only will the elemental effects apply to desired target but also apply to Zer0 himself if he gets too close, making Melee builds in need to be careful when going in for the finishing blow.

BL00DSHED

Iron Hand
Gain bonus Maximum Health & Melee Damage.
Bonus Maximum Health increases our effective health pool by increasing the amount of healing per second we gain from Innervate & Evolution. The bonus Melee Damage is good for those opting for a Melee build, however despite it's counterpart Killing Blow which gives more overall Melee Damage, the bonus from Killing Blow only applies to targets under 33% Health.

Grim
Kill Skill. Regenerate a percentage of your shield per second. Additionally increases the Action Skill Cooldown Rate.
Despite the shield regeneration counteracts our Fearless, when combined with an Evolution we gain gain a lot more effective health as it keeps our Evolution active for longer allowing us to regenerate more health. Additional health regeneration & DPS given from the Innervate, Death Blossom & Death Mark Deception bonuses as we will be using Deception at a faster rate thanks to the Cooldown Reduction from Grim.

F0ll0wthr0ugh
Kill Skill. Gain bonus Gun Damage, Movement Speed & Melee Damage for a few seconds.
Thanks to our Stalker Class Mod, we gain 48% Gun Damage & 64% Movement Speed which is really great considering the bonus Movement Speed while in Deception we'll end up running zooming across the field a lot faster now. Followthrough is also really good for Melee builds if you end up taking Many Must Fall as the Movement Speed helps go from enemy to enemy as fast as possible.

Skills that didn't cut it & why

SNIPING

0ptics
Gain b0nus Z00m & Aim Steadiness.

• D0esn't feel that imp0rtant c0mpared t0 the b0nus Critical Hit Damage fr0m Headsh0t as we'll be using mainly Pist0ls & 0ptics is 0nly w0rth getting if y0u g0 f0r a Sniper build.

Precisi0n
Gain b0nus Accuracy.

• Similar reas0n as t0 why I didn't grab 0ptics, Accuracy isn't as imp0rtant as Critical Hit Damage & Rel0ad Speed given fr0m Killer, which despite being a Kill Skill it's still w0rth taking Killer 0ver Precisi0n.

Vel0city
Gain b0nus Bullet Speed, Gun Damage & Critical Hit Damage

• Vel0city it a great alternative f0r th0se wh0 d0n't want t0 use an Infinity Pist0l & w0uld rec0mmend taking this 0ver 0ne Sh0t 0ne Kill.
  
• H0wever this build is based ar0und the Infinity Pist0l's synergy with 0ne Sh0t 0ne Kill I've decided to get 0ne Sh0t 0ne Kill instead of Vel0city.

Kill C0nfirmed
Gain b0nus Critical Hit Damage dependant 0n h0w l0ng y0u aim d0wn the sights.

• Same reas0n as t0 why I didn't grab 0ptics, we're planning 0n using Pist0ls as 0pposed t0 using Sniper Rifles. H0wever this is well w0rth picking up if 0pting f0r a Sniping build.

At 0ne with the Gun
Gain b0nus Hip-sh0t Accuracy, Rel0ad Speed & Magazine Size f0r Sniper Rifles.

• As stated ab0ve this build is f0r Pist0ls & n0t Sniper Rifles, h0wever w0rth picking up f0r th0se wanting t0 g0 f0r a Sniper 0nly build.

Critical Ascensi0n
Sc0ring a Critical Hit with a Sniper Rifle gives a stack of Critical Ascensi0n which stacks up t0 999 times. Each stack gives +6% Critical Hit Damage & +5% Sniper Rifle Damage. Stacks begin t0 decay if y0u haven't sc0red a Critical Hit in a while.

• As g00d as this s0unds it als0 has equal negatives. Critical Ascensi0n limits y0u t0 the use 0f Sniper Rifles 0NLY as if y0u switch t0 an0ther type 0f weap0n, like a Rocket Launcher t0 help get Sec0nd Winds y0u will l0se all 0f y0ur stacks.
  
• This skill is 0nly w0rth getting if y0u're g0ing f0r a Sniper Rifle 0nly build in which y0u sh0uld c0nsider getting a Chère-amie fr0m the Hyperi0n Circle 0f Slaughter l0cated in the 0re Chasm next t0 Eridium Blight as it's 0ne 0f M0xxi's weap0ns & has in-built Life Steal.
  
• As this isn't a Sniper Rifle 0nly build I've decided n0t t0 grab Critical Ascensi0n.

CUNNING

C0unter Strike
After getting hit y0ur next melee attack deals b0nus Melee Damage.

• C0unter Strike is mainly used f0r th0se wh0 g0 f0r a full Melee build, h0wever at the same time it's n0t used 0ften in Melee builds due t0 the fact that y0u will be in Decepti0n c0nstantly thanks t0 Many Must Fall & theref0re mainly used against Raid B0sses in which if y0u take damage fr0m a Raid B0ss y0u'd m0st likely be playing safely trying t0 heal up with 0ne 0f M0xxi's weap0ns 0r risk healing using Melee meth0ds like the Law & 0rder c0mb0.
  
• As this is a generalistic build mainly f0cused ar0und Pist0ls & n0t full Melee, I've decided t0 g0 f0r C0unter Strike's c0unterpart Fast Hands.

Ambush
Gain b0nus damage when attacking fr0m behind 0r against enemies wh0 are f0cusing s0mething 0ther than y0u.

• Ambush is great when used with Many Must Fall as enemies targetting y0ur Decepti0n receive b0nus damage as y0ur Decepti0n d0esn't c0unt as y0u.
  
• Due t0 this being a generalist build & n0t a full Melee build we d0n't use Decepti0n en0ugh t0 get 0ur p0ints w0rth in b0nus damage. H0wever f0r th0se wh0 decide t0 g0 f0r a full Melee build sh0uld take Ambush instead 0f Fearless.
  
  Unf0rseen
  Y0ur Decepti0n expl0des when y0u bec0me visible again dealing Sh0ck Damage t0 nearby enemies.
  
  • Great when using a full Melee build as y0u can 0nly have 1 x Decepti0n active at a time, expl0ding the previ0us dec0y whenever y0u pr0c Many Must Fall despite staying hiding the entire time.
    
  • H0wever due t0 this being a generalist build & n0t a full Melee build we d0n't use Decepti0n en0ugh t0 get 0ur p0ints w0rth in b0nus damage. H0wever f0r th0se wh0 decide t0 g0 f0r a full Melee build find the p0ints t0 invest in Unf0rseen.
  
  

  BL00DSHED

  
  
  Killing Bl0w
  Gain b0nus Melee Damage against enemies under 33% Health.
  
  • Despite it's high Melee Damage b0nus, it 0nly sh0ws it's value when fighting t0ugher enemies like Raid b0sses 0r Badasses as f0r lesser enemies sh0uld be getting 100% to 0% health instantly, y0u d0 n0t gain the b0nus Melee Damage as they're n0t under 33% health & theref0re Killing Bl0w is wasted p0ints f0r general gameplay.
    
    Be Like Water
    Sh00ting an enemy gives b0nus Melee Damage f0r y0ur next strike. Stiking an enemy gives b0nus Gun Damage t0 y0ur next sh0t.
    
    • Be Like Water is a great skill f0r th0se wh0 plan 0n b0th meleeing & sh00ting their enemies, h0wever t0 gain the b0nus damage y0u need t0 alternate between Melee & Ranged attacks which can be quite tedi0us t0 d0 s0.
    
    Execute
    Melee 0verride Skill. While Decepti0n is active, perf0rm a special melee attack, dashing 3m t0wards the target. Execute has n0 c00ld0wn.
    
    • Execute 0ffers great m0bility as it has n0 c00ld0wn & can be spammed. It's great when used with a full Melee build with Many Must Fall as y0u can g0 fr0m enemy t0 enemy as fast as p0ssible.
      
    • Due t0 this being a generalist build & n0t a full Melee build we d0n't use Decepti0n n0r melee en0ugh t0 get 0ur p0ints w0rth. H0wever f0r th0se wh0 decide t0 g0 f0r a full Melee build sh0uld take Execute as it's 0nly x 1 Skill P0int.
    
    Backstab
    Gain b0nus Melee Damage when striking enemies fr0m behind.
    
    • Unlike Ambush, Backstab 0nly applies t0 enemies fr0m behind which is harder t0 d0 as while in Decepti0n, y0u have t0 race against time in chaining Many Must Fall & the last thing y0u want t0 w0rry ab0ut is p0siti0ning f0r a Backstab.
      
    • Due t0 this being a generalist build & n0t a full Melee build I've decided t0 put the p0ints elsewhere.
    
    Resurgence
    Killing an enemy with Melee heals y0u f0r a percentage 0f health depending 0n h0w l0w y0ur health is.
    
    • As g00d as Resurgence s0unds, it's n0t w0rth picking up even if y0u're g0ing f0r a full Melee build as if y0u're in Decepti0n with Many Must Fall, y0u w0n't be taking damage & n0t in need f0r healing. F0r th0se times when y0u d0 need healing (Eg. Raid B0sses), kills with melee isn't always a pleasing 0pti0n as y0u c0uld easily heal with 0ne 0f M0xxi's weap0ns.
    
    Like The Wind
    Gain b0nus Gun Damage & Melee Damage while m0ving.
    
    • A great skill t0 have unless y0u're g0ing f0r a Sniper build as y0u sh0uld always be m0ving. Peri0d.
      
    • Despite h0w g00d Like The Wind is, I w0uld much prefer t0 have the remaining p0ints g0 elsewhere, but w0uld rec0mmend finding the p0ints t0 invest int0 it if 0pting f0r a full Melee build.
    
    Many Must Fall
    Killing an enemy with Melee while in Decepti0n depl0ys an0ther h0l0graphical dec0y at the current l0cati0n. Additi0nally extends the durati0n of Decepti0n instead 0f ending it.
    
    • Such an amazing skill when using a full Melee build as it synergises really well with skills such as Ambush, Unf0rseen, Execute, F0ll0wthr0ugh, Resurgence & Like The Wind.
      
    • N0te that failure t0 kill an enemy with x 1 Strike while in Decepti0n will break Decepti0n.
      
    • Due t0 this being a generalist build & n0t a full Melee build I've decided t0 put p0ints elsewhere, h0wever Many Must Fall is vital f0r th0se wh0 seek a full Melee build.

Skill Tree Progression (Based off Story progress)

This very specific build pattern is optimal for a Cunning playthrough.
Generally speaking Normal mode going from levels 1-30, TVHM 30-50 & UVHM 50-61.

Level	Skill
BUILD PATH	Whoayeah's recommended
6-10	Fast Hands
11-15	Fearless
16-20	Rising Sh0t
21-25	Innervate
26-30	Tw0 Fang
31	Death Bl0ss0m
32	Death Mark
Core Build Finished	Remaining points player preference
33-37	Headsh0t
38-42	Killer
43	B0re
44-48	Ir0n Hand
49-53	Grim
54-56	F0ll0wthr0ugh
57-61 Vel0city	For Infinity Users Switch to	57-61	0ne Sh0t 0ne Kill

General Gear

Weapon Slot #1

Use any Non-Elemental (or Explosive) weapon you want as you never want to be solid on a single element due to the fact that when you encounter an enemy that resists said element... You're gonna have a bad time...

Whoayeah's preference;

• Unkempt Harold has an increased drop rate from Savage Lee located in Three Horns Divide at the Marrowfield.
  
• Unkempt Harold can be purchased from anyone of the Torgue Vendors in Torgues Campaign or Carnage DLC for 613 Torgue Tokens.
  
• Despite stated as above, to be solid on a single element is a bad thing to do still remains true, however Explosive is a neutral element & only resisted by very minimal enemies thus being solid on Explosive elements isn't as dramatic as solid on other elements.

Weapon Slot #2

High magazine size weapon oR Moxxi's weapon. If you decide to get an elemental weapon I'd recommend getting Shock or Slag (or both) as they're considered Neutral elements.

Whoayeah's preference;

• The Infinity Pistol has an increased drop rate from Doc Mercy located in the Three Horns Valley.
  
• Doc Mercy can only spawn once part of the sidequest Medical Mystery has been completed.
  
• The Infinity Pistol does NoT consume ammo, therefore it doesn't need to reload.
  
• Due to the Infinity having a Magazine Size of 1, each shot fired gains bonus damage from one Shot one Kill.
  
• Strongly recommend to use either a Non-Elemental oR Shock version of the Infinity.

Weapon Slot #3

Normal & TVHM can use any weapon they want here, but in UVHM I'd recommend a slag elemental weapon as it'll be your main source of slag.

Whoayeah's preference;

• The Rubi can be obtained by handing in the Rakkahol to Moxxi as opposed to Mordecai during the Rakkaholics Anonymous quest.
  
• Due to it being one of Moxxi's weapons, it has an in-built life steal. However unlike most other Moxxi weapons, the Rubi offers 12% life steal as opposed to the standard 2.5%.
  
• Despite Rubi's lack of damage, it is more effective when used on Zer0 as he the bonuses from Two Shot & one Shot one Kill allow Zer0 to fully heal without the use of Grenades or Kunai.

Weapon Slot #4

High fire power weapon used to get you up from Fight for Your Life ASAP.

Whoayeah's preference;

• The 12 Pounder is a rare drop from Big Sleep located in Hayter's Folly in Captain Scarlett & Her Pirate's Booty DLC.
  
• Big Sleep is encountered during the storyline of Captain Scarlett & Her Pirate's Booty DLC accompanied by Sandman.
  
• Due to the 12 Pounder having a Magazine Size of 1, each shot fired gains bonus damage from one Shot one Kill.

Shield Slot

Nova Shields, Adaptive Shields, Turtle Shields, Absorb Shields oR Amp Shields.

Whoayeah's preference;

• The Evolution is a rare drop from Hyperius the Invincible & Master Gee the Invincible.
  
• Innervate synergises well with no only the Evolutions health regen, but the increased Maximum Health also increasing the total Health per second as the healing rate is percentage based as opposed to flat healing.

Class Mod

Slayer of Terramorphous & Legendary Hunter class mods are accepted however specialist class mods can be proven to be superior.

Whoayeah's preference;

• Despite the increased Magazine Size, it will NoT increase the Infinity & 12 Pounder's Magazine Size due to it needing a total of 1oo% increased Magazine Size to do so.
  
• Pistol Fire Rate synergises amazingly well not only due to this being a predominantly Pistol build, it also has great synergy between Two Shot & Rising Shot.
  
• The increased Shield Recharge Rate also synergises well with Grim.
  
• Bonuses to Rising Shot can increase the total Gun Damage by up to 11o% at 5 stacks.

Grenade Mod

Any grenade mod you want, strongly recommend utility mods like Slag Bouncing Betties, Tesla or even Singularity mods.

Whoayeah's preference;

• Magic Missile is a rare drop from Wizards in Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep DLC.
  
• Magic Missile homes in on enemies & regenerates Grenade ammo over time.
  
• Blue rarity Magic Missles has 2 Child Grenades, while Purple rarity has 4.
  NOTE: I do not display a Purple rarity version of the Magic Missile as I do not own one.

Relic Slot

Use any relic you want as long as it's justifiable.

Whoayeah's preference;

• Sheriff's Badge is a rare drop from the Sheriff of Lychwood.
  
• The Sheriff of Lychwood can only spawn after completing the sidequest Showdown.
  
• Due to this build being a predominantly Pistol build, the bonuses to Pistol Damage & Fire Rate have great synergy with various skills such as Two Fang & Rising Shot.

Additional Notes

The reason as to why my Assassin guide is incredibly short compared to my previous guides is due to the fact that Zer0's skill trees are extreme opposites of each other so instead of composing 'The BEST Sniper' or 'The BEST Melee' guide, I've decided to make a 'Middle-Man' guide where you as a player can decide whether or not to go down a specialist tree or to go for a complete 'Middle-Man' build which doesn't specialise in Sniping or Melee.

Despite this build is designed to be a generalist build, it's somewhat a specialised build around the use of low Magazine Size weapons, more specifically the Infinity Pistol.

If requested enough, I may re-make my Zer0 guide to be more of a specialist class, but until then I have no intentions as to revamp my Assassin Guide.

Related Guides

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=159979320
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=160084008
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=160301141
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=160404986

[patke]

So far it's fun.

[Iorveth]

is this still a valid guide to follow ?

[issack]

Whats that skin

[yunni~*]

Don't remember, I know Oney resist it. Black Queen is kinda tanky against explosives too. Most Spiderants take reduced damage from them. Scaylions resist some too.
Also any enemies that have a shield will resist 20% explosive damage.

[Marvel]

Correct me if im wrong but the ONLY enemy that resists explosive weaponry is Assassin Oney right?
I'm talking about GENERAL MOBS (Bandits, Loaders, Skags, Stalkers, threshers, etc..)
Raid bosses are a totally different thing...

[Whoa]

Yes of course! However I've been thinking of waiting until UVHM 2 before releasing it so I can just make 1 complete guide instead of making one for UVHM now then to make another In-Depth guide a month or so later.

[ds]

Do you plan on making a gunzerker guide?

[Whoa]

Ok thanks I'll add that now!

[Gini]

Well, yeah, but you should at least mention it.

[Whoa]

That wouldn't really be an edit as the grenade mod's the same. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a better version of any of the gear listed then use that instead.