I know this is a bit of a spoiler, but an assassin even if not tanking can make the tank do his job 150% easier without ever practicing his defenses. If he's a real assassin, by 30 he's got them all pretty high anyway (90ish). If he's low weight, he's going to dodge pretty well, and with a good shield and a good sword he won't parry or shield block too ####ty either. With caltrap, nerve, kanset and etc you can decrease the chances of getting hit and lessen the damage a tad.

Now in a pk fight, an assassin who misses kot may die to a spam bashing giant. However, haste and dam redux will give you a lot of shots at it, and 100% compared to say 90% isn't really a huge boon.

I haven't perfected #### in about 3 years purposely. I may not be awesome pk-wise, but I don't do horribly either, and contrary to popular belief with exception to sword-specs I've never had an overt problem dealing with any assassin (except the incredibly elite ones) in combat solo combat.