@Koopak I get what you are saying.
I do feel Placate was already one of the most powerful powers in the game. It completely takes a target out of a fight and sets up automatic crits.
Long Assassin's Strike from Hide still automatically crits for ~3x damage doesn't it? Maybe I'm wrong here.
If the Stalker is Hidden, Assassin's Strike becomes extremely potent. First of all, if it misses, the Stalker stays Hidden. If it hits, it crits automatically, for almost triple normal damage instead of double. If the target is another player, this bonus damage ignores his resistances. Whether the target survives or is defeated, all nearby non-player enemies (which may include the target itself!) are Demoralized and suffer a small but irresistable ToHit penalty, and occasionally Fear as well, for eight seconds.
I accept that I play differently from 'the meta'. I thrive on spike damage.