Fist

2010-08-23T23:22:34Z

173.49.141.247: /* Assassin's Creed II */

In the [[Assassin's Creed series|''Assassin's Creed series'']], fists are the weakest form of fighting available to the player. Guards will not intervene with a fistfight, unless the player is attacking a guard. [[File:Grab.jpg|thumb|Fists play a heavy part in ''Assassin's Creed II''.]]However, if the player draws a weapon they will attack.

==[[Assassin's Creed|''Assassin's Creed'']]==
[[Altaïr]]'s fists are also the only weapon he can use to [[interrogation|interrogate]] a target without killing or causing them to run, even though the target is always assassinated once Altaïr has his information. When attempting to [[pickpocket]] a [[thug]] for [[Weapons|throwing knives]], if he notices Altaïr stealing from him, he may start a fist fight. You can choose to punch back, or you can draw one of your [[Weapons|swords]] and he will immediately flee. The latter will attract the attention of nearby guards if you don't put it away immediately. As weak as fists are, they are your only weapon available as a [[novice]]. You shouldn't get used to them, as you are only a novice for one mission. At any time, you may use fists to knock out or incapacitate guards.

==[[Assassin's Creed II|''Assassin's Creed II'']]==
[[File:Fistsac2.png|frame|The Fist's inventory icon in ''Assassin's Creed II'']]
In ''Assassin's Creed II'', the main character [[Ezio]] is more skilled in a fistfight. He can perform combos, as well as being able to counter other fist fighters. He may also Disarm those with weapons and use them against opponents, if he has learned the Disarm skill. The special attack while unarmed is to lean down and sweep some sand into the opponent's eyes, opening the weaker enemies to an instant kill. Similarly, if your opponent has sufficiently low health, it is possible to perform an instant kill if you can get behind them.

[[File:Ac2-combat.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Ezio disarming a guard]]
Fists also become a more viable weapon when the Metal Cestus, a hard steel hand-guard that strengthens the attack of the fists, becomes available for purchase from [[Blacksmiths]].

You can earn yourself the achievement/trophy, ''Messer Sandman'', which is worth 10G or a Bronze trophy, by using the sand throwing move on 4 guards at once.

Players should be aware that picking up a body will cause the game to switch automatically back to Ezio's fists. Also, while carrying a body, guards will automatically attack you on sight regardless of Notoriety. Also, if you successfully disarm a guard and keep using his weapon after you kill him, the icon at the bottom left hand of the screen will be the fist icon.

Despite seemingly lethal actions, (like snapping or stomping on a hostile enemy's neck) the person will appear to be in a subdued state and will not be listed as a kill, enabling Ezio to "kill" [[civilians]]. However, during assassinations, these lethal actions do count as a kill to the assassination target. In addition, picking up someone in a subdued state and dropping them at least one story will stop their writhing around and they will be no different than a corpse. However, you will still not be penalised for doing it to a civilian.

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===Stats===
[[File:AC2 Metal Cestus.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Metal Cestus as it appears in ''Assassin's Creed II'']]
Without the [[Metal Cestus]] upgrade, Ezio's fists have 1 damage, 5 speed, and 1 counter. The Metal Cestus boosts the damage stat to 3.

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[[Category:Assassin's Creed Weapons]]
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[[Category:Weapons]]

Hidden Blade

2010-08-23T15:44:42Z

173.49.141.247:

{{Era|AC|AC2|Assassins}}
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[[File:Hiddenblade.jpg|thumb|300px|Altaïr stabbing a crusader with the Hidden Blade.]]
{{quote|The hidden blade has been a constant companion of ours over the years. Some would say it defines us - and they would not be entirely wrong. Many of our successes would not have been possible without it.|[[The Codex|Altaïr's Codex]], Page 13|Assassin's Creed II}}

The iconic weapon of the [[Assassin's Creed series|''Assassin's Creed'' ''series'']], the '''Hidden Blade''' is used both for stealth assassinations and for regular combat(only in Assassin's Creed 2.)

==''Assassin's Creed''==
Although [[Altaïr]] already has this weapon at the start of the game, he loses it when he is demoted to [[Novice]]. At his first promotion to [[rank]] 2, however, he earns it back (along with his Longsword) so that he may perform his first assassination on [[Tamir|Tamir the Merchant]] in [[Damascus]].

===Basic usage===
This weapon is mostly used for stealthy, low profile assassinations upon soldiers. An unaware soldier may be assassinated without drawing too much attention, with stealth assassinations being possible from both behind and in front of the target. Altaïr rams the blade into the victim's abdomen (front) or through his spine (back). When stealth is not a priority, Altaïr may perform a high profile assassination. This involves jabbing the blade through the target's nose and into the brain when facing Altaïr, or pushing the target onto his knees and stabbing him in the neck when approached from behind.

[[Video:12 Ways to Wield the Hidden Blade|thumb|300px|right|Video tutorial on usage of the Hidden Blade]]The Hidden Blade is the only weapon that Altaïr may wield while sprinting. When Altaïr is close enough to the victim during a foot pursuit, the button on the ''weapon hand ''button on the HUD will change to "assassinate", which can be pressed to carry out the assassination. Altaïr will perform a running leap, landing on his victim from behind and burying the blade in the neck. This feature makes it an ideal choice for running down targets who flee such as [[Talal|Talal the Slave Trader]] in [[Jerusalem]].

Both low and high profile assassinations may fail. A guard wary of your actions may catch your arm when you attempt the kill and throw you back. Attacks from behind and attacks made upon guards who are prone on the ground will never fail, no matter the circumstances. Be aware, of course, that you will lose one third of your [[synchronization]] if you assassinate innocent civilians with the Hidden Blade, just as with any other weapon.

[[File:Altaïr_using_the_hidden_blade.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Altaïr performing an air assassination]]

===Air Assassination===
In a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blXy3W2O2PE 2007 demo] of the [[William of Montferrat]] mission, [[Jade Raymond]] introduced a move called ''air to assassinate'' that combines some of Altaïr's acrobatic skills with his Hidden Blade. From higher ground above a target such as a nearby roof or beam, Altaïr leaps directly onto his victim and stabs him in the throat. Although the move was not covered in the manual or in-game tutorials, air to assassinate does exist within [[Assassin's Creed|''Assassin's Creed'']] and the controls were documented by stabguy on [http://www.thehiddenblade.com/air-assassinate-guide The Hidden Blade] website. All forms of air to assassinate draw attention of nearby guards, even when performed in low profile. Note that in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''Air'' ''to Assassinate'' was renamed ''Air Assassination'' and included as a required tutorial with simplified controls.

[[File:ThroatstabFPS.png|thumb|right|A Hidden Blade is plunged into the throat.]]
===In combat===
The Hidden Blade can also be used while in combat. An enemy who has been grabbed and thrown (or counter thrown with a grab break) can easily be killed while he lies on the ground.
Using the Hidden Blade in combat against large groups is challenging, as Altaïr cannot block ''any'' attack. The time frame in which Altaïr can counter-attack is extremely small compared to the longsword and the short blade, but successfully countering enables one of several different - and always lethal - counter-attacks in which Altaïr stabs his opponent in the chest, head, abdomen, base of the skull, or spine. It is also possible to assassinate the enemy in combat, while he is caught in a moment of inattention or grappling with a vigilante, or if he is taunting Altaïr (this is documented on The Hidden Blade as the "taunting penalty"), but any other time it will fail because the enemy will always block the attack. It is also possible to assassinate your targets even if they are aware of you by getting behind them and assassinating them.

===Mechanism===
In ''Assassin's Creed'', Altaïr has the hidden blade on his left hand. The blade is integrated into the vambrace, and when not in use, sits retracted inside of the slide mechanism. Though not fully or officially understood, as to ''how'' the blade functions, there are a number of theories. One being that when Altaïr flicks his wrist, the blade is ejected with the combined force of Altaïr's arm and gravity. Altaïr is "unhinging" or "releasing" the blade which is kept locked in place. If the player holds down the weapon hand button, the blade stays ejected and Altaïr makes a fist around the blade, which rests in the spot where his amputated ring finger once was. Another popular theory is that a ring mechanism is used and that opening the hand ejects the blade, but this raises the question that why the blade does not activate every time he opens his hand, say when leaping for a ledge, and how he can hold the blade in his fist without it retracting. Another, more sensible theory is that it uses both mechanisms to operate the blade and that the blade wont eject or retract without both systems being used. one being the flicking of the wrist, and the ring mechanism.
[[File:Assassinscreedbladema5.png|thumb|The ring mechanism]]
This explains why he flicks his wrist ''and'' opens his hand to eject the blade and why he can close his fist without it closing and why he can flick his arm without fear of an unexpected stabbing.

The true mechanics behind the retraction of the blade yet remain a mystery. When the weapon hand button is released, Altaïr loosens his fist and opens his hand. At this point, the blade returns to the vambrace seemingly of its own accord. Some other theories on the blade's mechanics exist, with some maintaining that the blade works on a spring-retraction system, and with others stating that the blade is never truly locked when it is released, and therefore the blade will return if Altaïr is not holding it in place. Many fans of the game have attempted to construct their own hidden blade, with many posting videos of their blade on YouTube.

It is probable that it works on the same system as modern full automatic switchblade knives. There are two springs of equal strength present. The inertia from the pull/push of one spring is enough to overcome the resistance of the other spring for the blade to lock into place.

===Role in investigations and missions===
====Informant missions====
The Hidden Blade is also used for some of the [[investigation]]s given to you by [[informants]]. You are asked to stealthily assassinate a number of targets. If any guard even once confronts you, the mission is failed. If you attack the targets or the guards with [[fists]], the [[Short Blade|short blade]], the [[Longsword|longsword]], or any other high profile weapon, you will fail the mission. Because of this, you may '''only''' use [[Throwing Knives|throwing knives]] or the Hidden Blade to assassinate your targets.

====[[Interrogation]] missions====
During Interrogation missions, after successfully interrogating the target, Altaïr is forced to kill them, so they cannot reveal his plans to the enemy. He will bury the blade in their stomach to kill them, then gently lower their body onto the ground so as not to draw further attention to himself.

====[[Save Citizen]] missions====
In the optional Save Citizen missions to save citizens from soldiers threatening to kill them, this weapon will come in handy. Successfully and stealthily used, you might take out three of the soldiers before they notice you, draw their weapons, and engage you in a swordfight. Also, the Save Citizen missions are commonly located in alleyways or dark corners, so it is possible to begin the mission by starting from an elevated position and performing an air-to-assassinate.

====Assassinations====
The hidden blade is used in every storyline assassination you perform. Even if you begin by attacking the enemy with a sword, you will always finish them off with the hidden blade before it cuts to the death cutscene.

===''Assassin's Creed II''===

{{quote|The blade is designed to ensure the commitment of whomever wields it.|Leonardo da Vinci}}

[[File:Lineage Hidden Blade.png|thumb|300px|right|Giovanni's (later Ezio's) Hidden Blade in Lineage.]]

In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', [[Ezio]] possesses two hidden blades, whereas Altaïr has only one. In addition, unlike Altaïr, who had to sacrifice his ring finger, both Ezio's ring fingers are intact, due to a modification that raises the base of the weapon itself. It is worth noting that the modification was not made by [[Leonardo da Vinci]] as when Giovanni is using the blade in [[Assassin's Creed: Lineage|''Assassin's Creed: Lineage'':]] he has all his fingers intact due to the modification outlined by Altaïr in the Codex. The modification was made so that the Assassin Order could go underground and the assassins could not be identified by the lack of a ring finger.[[File:Demond_blade2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The blade given by Lucy to Desmond]]

Ezio's first blade is the one inherited from his father. The blade is initially broken since the last fight of [[Giovanni Auditore|Giovanni]] against [[Rodrigo Borgia|Borgia]]'s men (see ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''), but Ezio brings it to his friend [[Leonardo da Vinci]] to repair it.

Ezio acquires the second hidden blade when he brings a Codex page to Leonardo for decryption, which details the construction of a hidden blade that is identical in all aspects to the first, but has a metal plate on the top side of the vambrace to deflect enemy attacks and allow the wielder to engage in armed conflict with the blades.

At the end of the game, [[Desmond]] receives one from [[Lucy]], a similar (if not the same) model of the Hidden Blade used by Ezio to face Warren Vidic's henchmen, but the Poison Blade and Gun are seemingly absent.

===In combat===
[[File:Assassins-Creed-II.jpg|thumb|300px|A Double-Assassination technique]]
In ''Assassin's Creed II'', the use of the hidden blade in combat is more classical. It can be used like a regular weapon, and is capable of breaking an enemy's defense. It attacks fairly fast, becoming faster after the acquirement of the second blade, allowing Ezio to unleash a constant barrage of strikes, suppressing a foe's ability to attack or killing them before they can attack. It is also possible to block attacks while using the Hidden Blade unlike the first game (not with the Blade itself though, but with the upgraded vambraces).

Veterans of ''Assassin's Creed'' combat may want to challenge themselves by using the Hidden Blade(s) in combat. While the counter-kill timing window is very short (a fraction of a second), skillful timing will be rewarded nicely; except for against the [[Brutes]]' smashes which knock Ezio's weapon away (which does not work against Hidden Blades) and [[Seekers]]' (sweep Ezio's feet) special attacks, a successfully timed counter will always kill the guard against which it is performed, even if the guard has high health and/or is a high-ranking soldier.

===Upgrades===
The second Hidden Blade is acquired later and the main blade gets upgraded with the [[Poison Blade]] and the [[Pistol]] installed.

[[File:956856_20090525_790screen003.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ezio performing a 'Hiding Spot' assassination]]

===Techniques===

Later on, Ezio can assassinate enemies below with an Air Assassination, a Double Air Assassination if the target is adjacent

to another, by
leaping from a platform onto the victim. This, however, is easily noticeable by [[Guards]] and they will attack once they see you doing it. It is possible to assassinate two guards at the same time (at ground level) by standing between them and piercing both their throats.

At the same time Ezio learns the aforementioned techniques, he can also assassinate enemies above certain ledges while he's climbing them and is now also able to assassinate them when he is in a hiding spot (e.g. Hay, Wells and Benches).

Ezio can also perform special combo kill animations and counter kill animations with the dual hidden blades.

In addition to this, [[Ezio's apprentices]] can also perform these moves.

==''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''==

[[File:Acbeziohiddenblades.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio's new hidden blades in ''Brotherhood''.]]

In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', 1499, at the beginning of the game, Ezio's hidden blade (or at least its bracer) can be seen on a table while he is sleeping with [[Caterina Sforza]].

However in 1503, Ezio has two new hidden blades with similar bracers on each forearm. These new bracers match the other new parts of Ezio's robes.

[[Ezio's Apprentices]] are equipped with hidden blades, though they only have one.

==Trivia==
[[File:Zw-darius.png|thumb|Darius, the first to wield a Hidden Blade]]

*On one of the [[Codex Pages]] it states that the blade has to be connected or linked with the user, thus explaining part of why Altaïr had his ring finger removed. Altaïr opens his hand and spreads his fingers whenever the blade is extended. Similarly, he never uses the blade with his hand clenched in a fist; all stabbing moves and assassinations are performed with an open hand. The only time the blade sits in the space left by the amputated finger is when the player extends the blade and holds it out (by holding the weapon hand button while out of combat). Holding the button will keep the blade extended, and will act as any unsheathed weapon, scaring away [[civilians]].
*In both games the trigger mechanism is not visible on Altaïr's or Ezio's hands, even when they aren't wearing gloves.
*Masyaf Guards in ''Assassin's Creed'' do sport a hidden blade, though they never use it, nor is their ring finger missing.
*[[Malik]], from the first game, had the hidden blade before he lost his arm but did not have an amputated finger.
*The first recorded usage of the Hidden Blade by an Assassin was [[Darius]], when he assassinated [[Xerxes]]. Moreover, his [[Assassin's Seal|seal]]'s symbol is the Hidden Blade. However, his ring finger is still intact.
*[[Patrice Desilets]], the creative director of the game, stated that the addition of a second blade in ''Assassin's Creed II'' also had a lucid reason: it's ''Assassin's Creed II,'' so there are 2 blades.

*In the film ''Smokin' Aces'', one of the assassins sport a weapon similar to the hidden blade. Also, in the movie ''G.I.Joe: Rise of Cobra'', Storm Shadow uses a weapon similar to the Hidden Blade, though it is limited by the fact it must be operated with both hands. In the new ''Mortal Kombat: Rebirth'' trailer Dr. Alan Zane, a.k.a. Baraka has similar forearm hidden blades. In Soul Calibur : Broken Destiny, the character Dampierre fights with two similar hidden blades, although much bigger in size.

*The Hidden Blade is the only weapon that has a counter attack that cannot be blocked by enemies, though the timing has to be more precise than with a counter with a sword or shortblade.

*Ezio's second Hidden Blade on his right arm in ''Assassin's Creed II'' is black, compared to the original white one.

*In ''Brotherhood'', it seems that Ezio has a new set of Hidden Blades, each of them sporting the gun attachment.
*Eventually the [[Templars]] made their own version of the hidden blade called the [[Switchblade]] used by the [[Hunter]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''.
*According to the Codex, there are only a limited number of Hidden Blades due to how risky it is to retrieve metal they are made from.

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Fist

Hidden Blade