History

The Ninja first appeared in Build 124.0. He is currently the only class to use the Katana and the only class with an ability with two separate functions, speed and damage, packed into his special item - the Shuriken. The Katana's attack range is shorter than that of a dagger, effectively making the Ninja a melee class. Unlocking it requires attaining level 20 with both rogue and warrior. See his stat gains, caps and averages here.

Equipment

The ninja uses [katanas](/wiki/katanas) and wears [leather](/wiki/leather-armors) armor. The katana does medium-high damage as well as piercing, making this a good class for killing monsters that summon mobs of enemies such as night elves, as well as bosses that summon many minions such as Oryx. He is very good for fighting in dungeons; however, his range is often too short to fight large mobs of enemies in Godlands, especially when Ghost Gods are involved. His leather armor reduces his damage-absorbing capabilities to below a Paladin's, but a defense ring can make up for part of his lacking armor.

The Muramasa and Masamune are the best tiered katanas, dealing high damage to multiple enemies with the Ninja's naturally high attack and dexterity stat caps. Build 27.7.X10.3 gave tiered katanas improved damage and range, making them considerably more practical for regular use by Ninjas who have not yet obtained the UT katanas.

The Ray Katana is an untiered katana that has 6.12 range, which allows the ninja to fight from farther away. However, the bump in range comes with a price of significantly lower damage output than most other Katanas. It drops from the [Eye of the Dragon](/wiki/rock-dragon).

The [Doku No Ken](/wiki/doku-no-ken) is probably the most practical katana that a Ninja can use. This katana was much more powerful than the Masamune before Build 27.7.X10.3. Compared to the Masamune, it deals less damage per shot, but has a range of 5.2 & a 120% rate of fire. It has a higher DPS than Masamune against enemies below 40 defense, and its range is superior to tiered katanas. The shots fired from the [Doku No Ken](/wiki/doku-no-ken) travel in a wavy pattern similar to a staff's shots, but meet up at the end of their range, allowing you to attack at maximum range without drawback. ![Void Blade](https://static.drips.pw/rotmg/wiki/Untiered/Void%20Blade.png "Void Blade") The [Void Blade](/wiki/void-blade) is an odd katana that drops from [Toxic Sewers](/wiki/toxic-sewers) that can be played somewhat like the [Wand of the Bulwark](/wiki/wand-of-the-bulwark), shooting slowly and having insanely powerful projectiles that however, cannot move and just sit there for a while (around 5 seconds). Use it whenever you can without getting killed as the DPS is worth it. Stacking shots can even insta some bosses. For example, let public tomb bosses circle into the >1K damage shots and pick up your loot. Let [Limon the Sprite Goddess](/wiki/limon-the-sprite-goddess) run into you as you let these projectiles accumulate and it'll be dead even before the arena phase. Insta [Haunted Cemetery](/wiki/haunted-cemetery) bosses from round 1-3 and pick up easy speed without even trying. In short, if you can find a way to work with 0 range and maybe even abuse stacking projectiles, this is a great swapout.

The [Sullen Blade](/wiki/sullen-blade) (formerly known as the Annoying Firecracker Katana) is a unique katana that fires 3 projectiles in an arc pattern, similar to that of tiered bows. It has the most DPS of all katanas. However, it possesses a very short range of 3.75 and against enemies above 40 defense its DPS is inferior to the Void Blade. Its high DPS can come to use in situations that allow the Ninja to get close enough to fully utilize the Sullen Blade's power.

Ability

When the ability button is held, every shuriken grants the Speedy status, raising your speed by 50% and draining 10MP per second. When the ability button is released, the star is released and MP is drained based on tier. Maxed mana, wisdom and speed will greatly aid you in any rushes you may take part in. The class is well-known for its extended speed boosts while rushing dungeons, attaining the highest sustained speed in the game with the proper equipment. Basic Star

Although the MP cost of 10MP/second does not increase as you move up the tiers, ninjas may opt to carry a low-tier shuriken to conserve MP while using the Speedy effect if they must move precisely and pulse the ability button. This is because a shuriken is thrown every time the ability button is released, which can excessively drain mana at higher tiers. Ninjas may equip this when speed is important and damage is not a priority. Another reason to carry a low level shrunken is to spam shuriken to abuse the 10-15 range, allowing the Ninja to easily attain soulbound damage on difficult-to-approach bosses such as Wine Cellar Oryx.

The Wind Circle/Ice Star/Doom Circle are the best stars, they have the highest damage output but cost the most MP per throw. The Wind Circle in particular has a higher range and projectile speed, while the Ice Star and Doom Circle have higher damage. Unlike most quivers, shuriken do not pass through enemies, so aim carefully.

The [Midnight Star](/wiki/midnight-star) is a rare, UT star. It does not do as much damage as the Doom Circle, and should not be used if trying to get SB, assuming you have a Doom Circle with you as well. However, it can paralyze an enemy for an entire 4 seconds! This can make it useful while rushing if you are being chased. This *could* be used as a primary star, but only if you are comfortable with it and can use this star to its full potential.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Ninja is a swift and lethal class. Its Katana deals medium-high short-range damage, similar to the playstyle of the Assassin - but the Katana pierces multiple enemies, allowing the Ninja to clear groups of enemies at once. Its ability grants it extreme speed, similar to the speed boost of the Warrior - but that of the Ninja can be activated or deactivated at will, allowing it a comfortable flexibility it utilizes to rush dungeons or evade shots. Its shuriken grants it high burst damage; resembling the quiver shot of the Archer, but focused towards pure damage and sacrifices the ability to pierce enemies. Its weaknesses consist of its relatively short range paired with its fragility and low vitality relative to the melee classes. To overcome this, the Ninja uses its extreme speed to evade damage, and its damage output to defeat enemies quickly - paired together, the Ninja often closes up on its target quickly and brings it down before he takes too much damage. Its low vitality can be eliminated with a decent Heal pet; likewise their low wisdom can be offset with a good Magic Heal pet.

Group Role

The Ninja's main group role is its use of the Katana. Similar to a dagger class using the Bone Dagger or a bow class, the Ninja can eliminate minions while dealing damage to the boss, allowing other players who cannot pierce enemies to deal damage. He can also rush dungeons far quicker than any class other than possibly the Rogue or Trickster, allowing a group to more quickly complete a difficult dungeon such as a Tomb of the Ancients.

Event and Dungeon Bosses

While his low defense hinders his ability to defeat Skull Shrines and Cube Gods that a Warrior would have no trouble with, he can easily get his damage in and escape, throwing the shuriken as a last attack. His entire style with these two bosses is to hit and run, similarly to the Assassin. Against the Rock Dragon, he is excellent for bringing the Dragon's Body Segments down, but it's difficult to get damage in during the eye phase. Pentaracts are even easier than normal with a good Ninja; the speedy boost allows you to get damage in on multiple towers far quicker than other classes. Hermit Gods can be taken down quicker, but you have to watch out for being chain-paralyzed; you cannot take as many hits as other melees. His short range and high power allows for precision against Tomb bosses, and his piercing allows you to get damage in during minion and artifact phases. His high power allows you to kill weaker bosses in record time; only the Warrior, Wizard, and Archer have higher damage output, and only the Warrior can compare against higher defense enemies.

Summary

The ninja is a good class if you care about killing things quickly and have an itchy trigger finger on your space bar. If you try to hunt down defense potions and succeed, and strive for a piercing melee class, then choose the Ninja.

Israphial's two cent's

People look down on this class, but to me... It's amazing. When the UT katanas get re-released it'll be useful in even more situations. I was fortunate to have a Ray katana before everything went SB, and it makes the class even cooler. Of course, my primary weapon is the T12 katana, but Ray has it's uses. I find it very useful when facing down large groups of gods or when I'm in a madlab. It's also quite good for abysses. Anyways, yes, Ninja is definitely worth maxing. I have experience with every melee class, and I have decided that Ninja is superior to *all* of them. It's caps are already waaay high, especially its attack and dexterity, which gives it its famous DPS. It's vitality is perfectly balanced for the class, and if you have a high-leveled healing pet, it's quite indestructible. The ability is pretty cool. People say that shurikens should pierce, but in my opinion, that's not necessary. On top of that, Ninja can also Speedy, which is useful for getting to events such as Hermits, before anybody else does. It also is amazingly useful when rushing. I have an 8/8 Ninja, wearing one of my two katanas, a Spectral Cloth Armor (for the extra att), a Doom Circle, and a Pyramid ring. I prefer Pyra because all 3 of the stats it boosts benefit Ninja greatly. With all of this equipment on, and maxed life, I top out at 820 hp, which is AMAZING for a class which is built like this. Here's a rating. Events: 7/10 You have to go deep to get a lot of damage in on a Cube God or Skullshrine, which puts you in a lot of danger. Godlands: 8/10, 10/10 if you have Ray Katana Ninja's high DPS allows you to go in deep on gods and kill them before they even get to fire. If you have a Ray, you don't even have to get close to the gods. Because ninja's katana can pierce, it is an excellent class for handling multiple gods at once. Tomb: 9/10 Ninja's speedy ability allows you to blow through multiple rooms in seconds, if you're rushing. Ninja's high DPS also allows you to easily get Soulbound damage on the three Ancients. I usually 3/3 in every tomb I do. Ocean Trench: 8/10 The speedy ability allows you to rush easily, but when you get to Thessal, you'd better get your damage in quickly, because in her later phases, it's incredibly hard to get deep enough to hit her. Wine Cellars: 6/10 Though Ninja can Speedy to Oryx quickly, getting deep enough to get damage in may be hard. However, if you see an opening, fire your shuriken in there. 2 Doom Circle shots on O2 guarantees loot. Survivability: 8/10 Due to having to go deep to get in range, you have to be a good dodger to play this class. If you can dodge and shoot properly, and know your limits, this class is very easy to pick up and play. Just remember, you are a leather class. Being a heavy hitter _does not make you immortal._ Overall: 9/10 Ninja is an excellent all-around class and is very enjoyable. It takes some getting used to, but if you keep working on it and perfecting your ninja playstyle, you'll find out that this class is a very fun class to play.

PlasmaRoar's Recommendation

I'll admit, I was one of those people who looked down on ninja due to popular opinion... But upon reading Israphial's words, I decided to try and max one. It was effing insane. Good insane. Its DPS once maxed is one of the highest. It can literally rip through monsters. I've seen it get sb against several of other meeles without using Shuriken. Blowing past Warriors with helm boost while on speed boost is exhilarating. But here is the catch: you need to be able to dodge and aim at the same time. If you don't dodge your Ninja won't last very long. I recommend maxing as its full potential can only be brought out by maxing. Even if pricey, I recommend Doom Circle as it is essential in looting. Try it before you hate it.

WillsGT's advice on whether or not to make a Ninja

W/O Doku No Ken I currently have a 7/8 Ninja that I have amassed over 1.1k fame with. My experience with the Ninja class is mixed. When not maxed, Ninjas are most likely among the worst, if not THE worst, class in the game. DO NOT make one if you don't have another class to max the Ninja or if you don't already have the pots to max one 4/8 or better. Better yet, don't even bother making one if you are looking for a class that is among the best, because the Ninja is no where close to being useful/outclassing other melees in RotMG. Ninja is a fun class because it is hard to use, and nothing else. W/ Doku No Ken A 7/8 Ninja w/ Doku No Ken in my opinion EASILY outclasses all dagger classes in the game. It has more DPS than a Trickster w/ CDirk, and more range as well. Don't be discouraged by the bullet movement, because really it helps you most of the time more than hurts you. Ninja w/ Doku is quite possibly one of the most lethal setups in RotMG. While the classes that can deal more damage than Ninja per second (Warrior, Wizard, and Archer if you think you can sit on things with a 3-shot bow to get 200 more DPS than Ninja does from 5.2 tiles w/ a Doku) also have more useful abilities, they all are less speedy, with Wizard being the slowest class in the game along with Priest and Necromancer who both have healing capabilities whilst Wizard does not. While an Archer can wear Coral Silk, so can Ninja and Ninja maxes out 10 speed higher than Archer anyways. While Warriors can boost and have a speedy effect for 6 seconds, Ninjas can have basically infinite speedy with a high level MP heal pet (Around 70) and again, max at a higher speed (60 vs. 50) than Warrior. In summary, Ninja is one of the best all-around classes in the game in terms of DPS, SB damage, (Piercing enemies is a HUGE advantage) and rushing. The only weakness a Ninja has is its inability to do damage from long range or its inability to tank things when it has a shorter range weapon. If you have great dodging skills and a Doku, I HIGHLY recommend making a Ninja. ###A Strange Thing About the Ninja... A strange thing with ninjas for me are that if they're quieted, they're still able to use the Speed boost from the shuriken from pressing the space bar, so even if you can't chuck the star from no mana, you're still able to use the speedy. Run into a [Sprite God's boomerang quiet shot](/wiki/sprite-god) and test it yourself with a ninja. It does come in handy while you're fighting a Sprite God and many other gods come in and swarm you, take the hit from the Sprite God boomerang and press the space button and escape to safety.

No navigation