The way I see it, the assassin is the most offensive role of them all. Going into combat (or in for the kill) trying to eliminate a target as fast as humanly possible. Often without regard to their own health. This is a role for those who wish to end combat before it has even started, or even going as far as removing targets without anyone even noticing. So how come, this apex of offense do not get the offensive aptitude automatically?

I was going to put an image of a badass assassin here to prove my point, but no such luck

They are primary stealthy fighters with a very keen eye on their surroundings.

As for going for the kill, that's what their role bonus is for. If you manage to catch your target off-guard, you get a +30 bonus to your weapon skill or ballistic skill check and they can't dodge or parry the attack (Ref: page 231 of the core rulebook).

So combined with their role bonus, they can dish out some nice amount of damage before the battle even started.

If your GM allows, take Offense instead of Finesse for a brute-force styled Assassin.

Or combine Assassin with the Adeptus Arbites background and pick Offense, or combine Outcast with Warrior to become a more stealthy Warrior.

I consider the fact that the Assassin role doesn't have Offense to be part of the balance of the game. It's cleary something a Warrior has naturally to represent his brute force, while an Assassin is more stealthy.

Having no Offense just means that you have "only" 1 matching aptitude for most of those talents instead of 2. Big deal.

You can always houserule it naturally, though I would personally find that to be unnecessary.

If Assassin's are based loosely on Japanese Ninja, (At least the melee based ones) than stealth and surprise are your primary weapons. An Assassin is generally not going to fair well with a "True" warrior in a straight up fight. Their counter point would be that they have no desire to be in a straight up fight anyway! Played correctly, the modifiers for surprise (Unaware target +30, no evasions) more than make up for not having the offence aptitude!

...they can dish out some nice amount of damage before the battle even started.

Exactly; which is kinda the point between an assassin and a warrior.

The way I see it, the assassin is the most offensive role of them all. Going into combat (or in for the kill) trying to eliminate a target as fast as humanly possible. Often without regard to their own health. This is a role for those who wish to end combat before it has even started, or even going as far as removing targets without anyone even noticing. So how come, this apex of offense do not get the offensive aptitude automatically?

I was going to put an image of a badass assassin here to prove my point, but no such luck

Temple Assassins fit your description, but regular assassins are often very different, preferring to use the "silent blade" approach.

Going into combat (or in for the kill) trying to eliminate a target as fast as humanly possible.

This is where you're mistake is; an Assassin doesn't want a combat, he just wants to kill his target. If he gets into a firefight, he's done something wrong. If he gets into a melee, then the proverbial has definitely hit the fan! The Offence Aptitude is primarily focused on melee combat, which is the last place an Assassin wants to be. Where the Assassin wants to be is three blocks away with a high-powered sniper rifle and a good scope. That way he can get a clean kill and get out of dodge, no mess, no fuss.

The assassin role also covers the death cult assassin, which favours Melee over Ranged Attacks.

The assassin role also covers the death cult assassin, which favours Melee over Ranged Attacks.

But they're still focused on unfair fights. Finesse fits much better than Offence.

Assassin can also be social assassin. Bluffs into a party and poisons a target or gives him a knife in the throat. Or shoots him with a silence weapon. All finesse.

As I posted earlier, The Death Cult Assassin is roughly analogous to a feudal japanese ninja. In that case Jolly P would still be correct! Said Assassin would focus on stealth and misdirection to get close enough to their target to strike. It is a common misconception (Brought on primarily by bad 80's movies ) that a Ninja could realistically expect to engage a Samurai in a straight up fight. This is blatantly false! Such a fight typically would end up with a dead Ninja! It is the same thing when a Death cultist goes up against a Warrior in a straight fight!

Let's examine the mechanics of this: An assassin striking from stealth has a base +60 modifier! (+30 unaware target, +30 all out attack [Why would you need to dodge?]).Throw in the various damage adding talents and the Assassin's special damage ability as well as say, Lightning attack and I'm pretty sure your surprised target is pretty well done for! Just sayin...

The assassin role also covers the death cult assassin, which favours Melee over Ranged Attacks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there anything in the Lore that actually confirms that Death Cults favour melee? As far as I'm aware the various Death Cults are as varied as the planets and systems in the Imperium; some will favour melee, sure, but others will prefer ranged sniping, poison or even explosives, to name but a few and that's if they even have such a preference (which is by no means guaranteed).

...and not all Death Cult assasins should be generated with Assasin role, you know.

...and not all Death Cult assasins should be generated with Assasin role, you know.

Exactly. If you want a strong melee combatant, you can take Warrior for your role and still call the character an 'assassin'.

The assassin role also covers the death cult assassin, which favours Melee over Ranged Attacks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there anything in the Lore that actually confirms that Death Cults favour melee? As far as I'm aware the various Death Cults are as varied as the planets and systems in the Imperium; some will favour melee, sure, but others will prefer ranged sniping, poison or even explosives, to name but a few and that's if they even have such a preference (which is by no means guaranteed).

The "classic" death cult assassin refers to the twin sword wielding female in the catsuit. Additionally, the Callidus temple assassin is a natural extension of this concept.

...and not all Death Cult assasins should be generated with Assasin role, you know.

Exactly. If you want a strong melee combatant, you can take Warrior for your role and still call the character an 'assassin'.

Just combine Warrior with Outcast for its stealth I'd say.

Gotta disagree here. The primary skills of ANY assassin are stealth and subterfuge. Not exactly the warrior's strong suit!

The "classic" death cult assassin refers to the twin sword wielding female in the catsuit. Additionally, the Callidus temple assassin is a natural extension of this concept.

IIRC, the Callidus Temple assassin lore mentioned something about women being better suited to that temple; something to do with the chameleoline or somesuch. The "classic" death cult assassin you mention, on the other hand; wasn't that just a model (and a picture)? Is there anything in the lore about death cult assassins favouring melee (or being predominantly women, for that matter)?

The "classic" death cult assassin refers to the twin sword wielding female in the catsuit. Additionally, the Callidus temple assassin is a natural extension of this concept.

IIRC, the Callidus Temple assassin lore mentioned something about women being better suited to that temple; something to do with the chameleoline or somesuch. The "classic" death cult assassin you mention, on the other hand; wasn't that just a model (and a picture)? Is there anything in the lore about death cult assassins favouring melee (or being predominantly women, for that matter)?