Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Hidden Blade

2011-02-04T23:25:54Z

60.242.97.70: /* Trivia */

{{era|Chronicles|AC1|Bloodlines|AC2|Discovery|Brotherhood|PL|Renaissance|Bbook|The Fall|Lineage|Assassins}}
{{Revamp}}
{{assassify}}
{{imageneed}}
[[File:Eerste-info-onthuld-over-assassin-s-creed-2_5_460x0.jpg|thumb|300px|Front and back of 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.|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 a weapon used for both stealth assassinations and regular combat, and is the most vertasile weapon in the entire series with multiple upgrades and forms of use.

==Basic Usage==
===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===
[[File:AC_Hidden_Bade.jpg|thumb|200px|Altaïr's hidden blade.]]
The [[Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] initially wielded a hidden blade, however, due to his failure in retrieving the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]], and his breaking of [[the Creed]], he was demoted to a [[Novice]] by [[Al Mualim]], and was stripped of his weapons. At his first promotion to [[Rank]] 2, however, he earned back his hidden blade, along with his [[sword]].

Aside from assassinations, the hidden blade was also used in a variety of [[investigation]]s. For missions given by [[informants]], wherein Altaïr was asked to stealthily assassinate a number of targets, he could only make use of his hidden blade or [[throwing knives]] in order to remain undetected. Additionally, after successfully [[Interrogation|interrogating]] a target, Altaïr was forced to kill them so they could not reveal their plans, and did so by burying his hidden blade into their stomach.
{{-}}

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''===
[[File:Lineage Hidden Blade.png|thumb|300px|left|Giovanni's (later Ezio's) hidden blade.]]
In his own time as an Assassin, [[Giovanni Auditore]] also wielded a hidden blade, albeit one that had been modified with the times. As outlined in [[the Codex]], the revised blade had been designed by Altaïr so that the Assassins, who he intended to go undercover, could not be identified by their lack of a ring finger.

Furthermore, the mechanism did not require a wrist "flick" to extend the blade, thus the user could retract the blade without any wrist or hand movement. Additionally, as pictured, the weapon could be used with a clenched fist, although Giovanni is one of the few known Assassins to use it in that manner.

While there is a rotating wheel atop the rear portion of the mechanism's housing, its function has not been identified, and there are no known schematics or explanations for the mechanism.
{{-}} However in an early Assassin's Creed II trailer, Ezio is seen using, possibly to ready the pistol function.

===''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''===
[[File:Codex_Page_3_-_Hidden_Blade.png|thumb|The Codex Page for the hidden blade's design.]]
Upon inheriting the role and blade of an Assassin from his father, [[Ezio Auditore]] at first carried and made use of a single hidden blade. After he had gained proficiency with the first, Ezio would later gain a secondary blade from [[Leonardo da Vinci]], who built it based upon the designs elaborated in Altaïr's Codex. Later on, Ezio was able to learn a variety of assassination techniques (summarized below), from instructions also detailed in the Codex.

===Modern Times===
During the escape from the [[Hideout]], Desmond obtained a hidden blade and bracer that was almost identical to Ezio's hidden blade. He later used that hidden blade to fend off the [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]] guards who had come to capture him.
{{-}}

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''===
[[File:SecondBlade.jpg|thumb|The Second Blade.]]
{{Quote|Now I can kill double the guards.|Ezio Auditore, regarding the secondary hidden blade.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
Though Ezio possessed the same two hidden blades until 1499, upon the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]], he lost most of his weapons, and was only able to salvage the blade and bracer of his father. Upon his arrival in Rome, he was equipped with a single hidden blade, though its bracer had been replaced, courtesy of [[Niccolò Machiavelli]]. Later on, however, Leonardo da Vinci was again able to reconstruct a secondary hidden blade for him, with Ezio providing him with the money necessary for the materials.

Aside from wielding it in battle, Ezio also made use of the hidden blade to unlock the entrances of certain [[Lairs of Romulus]].

====Apprentices====
{{Main|Apprentices}}
Additionally, Ezio's Assassin recruits were each equipped with a single hidden blade, as the right to use two hidden blades was only reserved for the most trusted of Assassins, or those who had earned the rank of the [[Master Assassin]]. The apprentices were capable of all of the standard assassination techniques.

====Modern Times====
In the [[Animus Virtual Training Program]] developed by [[Rebecca Crane]], [[Desmond Miles]] was given the chance to hone his skills with the hidden blade. Such challenges included Stealth Assassinations and Flawless Kill Streaks using only the hidden blade.

While in the field, Desmond also used the hidden blade to operate a mechanism in the tunnels underneath the [[Sanctuary]].

==Techniques==
{{Main|Assassination Techniques}}
==='''''Assassin's Creed'''''===
===='''High/Low Profile Assassinations'''====
[[File:22358-550x-800px-Assassins_creed_assasination.jpg|thumb|250px|A high profile assassination.]]
Altaïr rams the blade into the victim's abdomen when facing the target, and through his spine when behind the target. When stealth is not a priority, Altaïr may also perform a high profile assassination, which involves sprinting towards the target, jumping and then thrusting the blade into the victims throat or major arteries in the neck as he lands on him. Alternatively, if approaching from behind, Altaïr may push the target onto his knees and stab him in the neck.

The hidden blade is the only weapon that Altaïr may wield while sprinting. When Altaïr is close enough to the victim during a pursuit, he may carry out an assassination. Altaïr will perform a running leap, landing on his victim from behind and burying the blade in the neck.

===='''Air to Assassinate'''====
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.<ref>[http://www.thehiddenblade.com/air-assassinate-guide Hidden Blade Website]</ref>

===='''Open 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 blade in combat against large groups is challenging, as Altaïr is unable to block ''any'' attack. Additionally, the time frame in which Altaïr can counter-attack is extremely small, especially in comparison to that of the sword and the short blade. 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.

==='''''Assassin's Creed II'''''===
===='''Double Assassination'''====
Due to the addition of the second hidden blade, Ezio is able to kill two enemies at once. This technique may be performed on the ground (from behind or between two guards) or from above, as elaborated below.

===='''Air Assassination'''====
[[File:Air assassination.jpg|thumb|250px|An air assassination.]]
Similarly to the "air to assassinate" technique in ''Assassin's Creed''', this allows Ezio to kill an enemy by leaping onto them from above. He may also perform a Double Air Assassination, and kill two enemies from above at once, as long as they are close to each other. However, this technique is easily noticed by guards, and they will immediately attack upon witnessing it.

===='''Hiding Spot Assassination'''====
Ezio may now assassinate enemies whilst hiding. Particularly useful against [[Seekers]], he may perform an assassination from hay stacks, benches, wells or any other hiding spot.

===='''Ledge Assassination'''====
This technique may be performed on any enemy standing above a ledge from which Ezio may hang, and is particularly used against [[archers]]. Depending whether it is done in high or low profile, he will either pull the guard from the roof, or jump up to stab him in the chest.

===='''Open Combat'''====
The hidden blades in ''Assassin's Creed II'' are vastly more useful in combat than they were previously; they can now be used offensively, and Ezio is also able to block attacks with them like any other weapon. The blades are a fast, but low damage weapon, which makes them useful for suppressing enemy attacks.

As in the original ''Assassin's Creed'', every counter attack with the hidden blades is an instant kill. Though the timing window for a counter attack has been lengthened compared to the first game, it is still short compared to other weapons. Unlike the sword or the short blade, the hidden blades can counter attacks from [[Brutes]] and [[Seekers]].

The hidden blade also allows Ezio to attack very quickly, and gives more freedom in movement than the other weapons. For example, Ezio can easily strafe a 180° arc in the time it takes for the enemy to attack. This is barely possible (except from very close range) with the sword or dagger. It also allows Ezio to quickly flee from a battle without having to take the time to sheathe his weapon.

==='''''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'''''===
All of the techniques for the hidden blades in ''Brotherhood'' are the same as in ''Assassin's Creed II'', aside from improvements to the hidden blade upgrades, which are stated below.

===='''Open Combat'''====
[[File:Standard_ACB_SP_S_05_GunCounterKill.jpg|thumb|250px|The pistol used in combat.]]
In ''Assassins Creed: Brotherhood'', combat with the hidden blade has again improved. The time segment where Ezio can counter with the hidden blade is slightly increased, allowing for more counter kills.

Also, a new ability called execution streaks are introduced, allowing Ezio to perform multiple instant kills after killing a single guard. Each kill must be quickly followed up with another in order to keep the streak going. Being attacked cancels the streak, requiring Ezio to start another one.

Ezio is also unable to block multiple attacks with the hidden blades, promoting a more offensive style of gameplay.

==Upgrades==
[[File:ACB-HiddenBlade.jpg|thumb|250px|The Blade with the pistol and poison upgrades.]]
Throughout his travels, Ezio would acquire several Codex pages that, upon decryption, detailed upgrades for the hidden blade that were envisioned by Altaïr. These improvements were then developed for Ezio by Leonardo da Vinci. The first of these improvements was the addition of a second, darker hidden blade made from a difficult-to-obtain metal. The second was a metal plate on top of the primary blade's bracer that would allow one to safely deflect enemy attacks with the blades.

The other upgrades to the hidden blade included the [[Poison blade]], which allowed Ezio to stab an enemy and leave them to die slowly, granting both a low-profile assassination as well as a distraction to kill or bypass other enemies, and the [[Pistol]], which was the more deadly of the upgrades, allowing Ezio to kill from a distance. Additionally, both blades may be supplemented with various vambraces which act as [[armor]], giving Ezio more health.

Upon arrival in Rome, Leonardo also envisioned further improvements to the hidden blade, such as a [[Poison darts|Poison dart launcher]], that allowed the use of the poison blade from a distance.

==Trivia==
*The hidden blade is used in every major assassination. Even if the player begins by attacking the enemy with a sword, the Assassin will always finish them off with the hidden blade.
*In the E3 teaser trailer of ''Assassin's Creed'' (as well as in certain concept art), Altaïr can be seen pushing a button to operate his hidden blade. In the actual games, however, no such button or other trigger mechanism exists.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)]]'', unleashing the hidden blade required the use of a button, via a certain muscle on the forearm being flexed.
*In an ''Assassin's Creed'' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/developer-diary-assassins-creed/13648 Developer Diary] video, Jade Raymond speaks about Altair's lack of his ring finger, which is due to the initiation ceremony when a novice is promoted to an Assassin. The ring finger of the left hand is cut off, the hidden blade is installed and the new born Assassin is ready to complete the missions bestowed upon him or her.
*Despite being equipped with a hidden blade, some Assassins (such as [[Malik Al-Sayf]]) did not have an amputated finger.
*[[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 two blades.
*The first recorded usage of the hidden blade by an Assassin was by [[Darius]], when he assassinated [[Xerxes]] of Persia. However, his ring finger is still intact and he wields it on his right hand.
*The original design of Ezio's second hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed II'' was displayed as a brown glove, however, in-game, it was replaced with a second bracer. This was reverted in ''Brotherhood'', however, where his second hidden blade included a glove, until a bracer was purchased.
*It is unknown why the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' cover and E3 Trailer and other official media depict Ezio with a secondary hidden blade bracer identical to his primary one, as in-game, no such second bracer exists. Most likely a design change late in development. The cape spaulder he wears along side these symmetrical blades is also not found in the game.
*The hidden blade is a [[Crafting in Project Legacy|crafted item]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''. The materials for its construction are 2 Coils, 1 Iron, 1 Hide and 1 Box of Components (which in turn is crafted using 3 Gears, 3 Screws, 1 Chain and 2 Sprockets).
*The second hidden blade is marginally longer than the primary one in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', perhaps designed to be a more effective melee weapon to complement the primary hidden blade's design as an assassination tool.

==Gallery==
[[Video:12 Ways to Wield the Hidden Blade|thumb|300px|left|A video guide for the hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed''.]] [[Video:---The Guide to the Hidden Blade---|thumb|right|300px|A video guide for the hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed II''.]]
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Articles needing images]]

Hidden Blade

2011-02-04T23:17:07Z

60.242.97.70: /* Assassin's Creed: Lineage */

{{era|Chronicles|AC1|Bloodlines|AC2|Discovery|Brotherhood|PL|Renaissance|Bbook|The Fall|Lineage|Assassins}}
{{Revamp}}
{{assassify}}
{{imageneed}}
[[File:Eerste-info-onthuld-over-assassin-s-creed-2_5_460x0.jpg|thumb|300px|Front and back of 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.|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 a weapon used for both stealth assassinations and regular combat, and is the most vertasile weapon in the entire series with multiple upgrades and forms of use.

==Basic Usage==
===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===
[[File:AC_Hidden_Bade.jpg|thumb|200px|Altaïr's hidden blade.]]
The [[Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] initially wielded a hidden blade, however, due to his failure in retrieving the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]], and his breaking of [[the Creed]], he was demoted to a [[Novice]] by [[Al Mualim]], and was stripped of his weapons. At his first promotion to [[Rank]] 2, however, he earned back his hidden blade, along with his [[sword]].

Aside from assassinations, the hidden blade was also used in a variety of [[investigation]]s. For missions given by [[informants]], wherein Altaïr was asked to stealthily assassinate a number of targets, he could only make use of his hidden blade or [[throwing knives]] in order to remain undetected. Additionally, after successfully [[Interrogation|interrogating]] a target, Altaïr was forced to kill them so they could not reveal their plans, and did so by burying his hidden blade into their stomach.
{{-}}

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''===
[[File:Lineage Hidden Blade.png|thumb|300px|left|Giovanni's (later Ezio's) hidden blade.]]
In his own time as an Assassin, [[Giovanni Auditore]] also wielded a hidden blade, albeit one that had been modified with the times. As outlined in [[the Codex]], the revised blade had been designed by Altaïr so that the Assassins, who he intended to go undercover, could not be identified by their lack of a ring finger.

Furthermore, the mechanism did not require a wrist "flick" to extend the blade, thus the user could retract the blade without any wrist or hand movement. Additionally, as pictured, the weapon could be used with a clenched fist, although Giovanni is one of the few known Assassins to use it in that manner.

While there is a rotating wheel atop the rear portion of the mechanism's housing, its function has not been identified, and there are no known schematics or explanations for the mechanism.
{{-}} However in an early Assassin's Creed II trailer, Ezio is seen using, possibly to ready the pistol function.

===''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''===
[[File:Codex_Page_3_-_Hidden_Blade.png|thumb|The Codex Page for the hidden blade's design.]]
Upon inheriting the role and blade of an Assassin from his father, [[Ezio Auditore]] at first carried and made use of a single hidden blade. After he had gained proficiency with the first, Ezio would later gain a secondary blade from [[Leonardo da Vinci]], who built it based upon the designs elaborated in Altaïr's Codex. Later on, Ezio was able to learn a variety of assassination techniques (summarized below), from instructions also detailed in the Codex.

===Modern Times===
During the escape from the [[Hideout]], Desmond obtained a hidden blade and bracer that was almost identical to Ezio's hidden blade. He later used that hidden blade to fend off the [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]] guards who had come to capture him.
{{-}}

===''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''===
[[File:SecondBlade.jpg|thumb|The Second Blade.]]
{{Quote|Now I can kill double the guards.|Ezio Auditore, regarding the secondary hidden blade.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
Though Ezio possessed the same two hidden blades until 1499, upon the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]], he lost most of his weapons, and was only able to salvage the blade and bracer of his father. Upon his arrival in Rome, he was equipped with a single hidden blade, though its bracer had been replaced, courtesy of [[Niccolò Machiavelli]]. Later on, however, Leonardo da Vinci was again able to reconstruct a secondary hidden blade for him, with Ezio providing him with the money necessary for the materials.

Aside from wielding it in battle, Ezio also made use of the hidden blade to unlock the entrances of certain [[Lairs of Romulus]].

====Apprentices====
{{Main|Apprentices}}
Additionally, Ezio's Assassin recruits were each equipped with a single hidden blade, as the right to use two hidden blades was only reserved for the most trusted of Assassins, or those who had earned the rank of the [[Master Assassin]]. The apprentices were capable of all of the standard assassination techniques.

====Modern Times====
In the [[Animus Virtual Training Program]] developed by [[Rebecca Crane]], [[Desmond Miles]] was given the chance to hone his skills with the hidden blade. Such challenges included Stealth Assassinations and Flawless Kill Streaks using only the hidden blade.

While in the field, Desmond also used the hidden blade to operate a mechanism in the tunnels underneath the [[Sanctuary]].

==Techniques==
{{Main|Assassination Techniques}}
==='''''Assassin's Creed'''''===
===='''High/Low Profile Assassinations'''====
[[File:22358-550x-800px-Assassins_creed_assasination.jpg|thumb|250px|A high profile assassination.]]
Altaïr rams the blade into the victim's abdomen when facing the target, and through his spine when behind the target. When stealth is not a priority, Altaïr may also perform a high profile assassination, which involves sprinting towards the target, jumping and then thrusting the blade into the victims throat or major arteries in the neck as he lands on him. Alternatively, if approaching from behind, Altaïr may push the target onto his knees and stab him in the neck.

The hidden blade is the only weapon that Altaïr may wield while sprinting. When Altaïr is close enough to the victim during a pursuit, he may carry out an assassination. Altaïr will perform a running leap, landing on his victim from behind and burying the blade in the neck.

===='''Air to Assassinate'''====
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.<ref>[http://www.thehiddenblade.com/air-assassinate-guide Hidden Blade Website]</ref>

===='''Open 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 blade in combat against large groups is challenging, as Altaïr is unable to block ''any'' attack. Additionally, the time frame in which Altaïr can counter-attack is extremely small, especially in comparison to that of the sword and the short blade. 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.

==='''''Assassin's Creed II'''''===
===='''Double Assassination'''====
Due to the addition of the second hidden blade, Ezio is able to kill two enemies at once. This technique may be performed on the ground (from behind or between two guards) or from above, as elaborated below.

===='''Air Assassination'''====
[[File:Air assassination.jpg|thumb|250px|An air assassination.]]
Similarly to the "air to assassinate" technique in ''Assassin's Creed''', this allows Ezio to kill an enemy by leaping onto them from above. He may also perform a Double Air Assassination, and kill two enemies from above at once, as long as they are close to each other. However, this technique is easily noticed by guards, and they will immediately attack upon witnessing it.

===='''Hiding Spot Assassination'''====
Ezio may now assassinate enemies whilst hiding. Particularly useful against [[Seekers]], he may perform an assassination from hay stacks, benches, wells or any other hiding spot.

===='''Ledge Assassination'''====
This technique may be performed on any enemy standing above a ledge from which Ezio may hang, and is particularly used against [[archers]]. Depending whether it is done in high or low profile, he will either pull the guard from the roof, or jump up to stab him in the chest.

===='''Open Combat'''====
The hidden blades in ''Assassin's Creed II'' are vastly more useful in combat than they were previously; they can now be used offensively, and Ezio is also able to block attacks with them like any other weapon. The blades are a fast, but low damage weapon, which makes them useful for suppressing enemy attacks.

As in the original ''Assassin's Creed'', every counter attack with the hidden blades is an instant kill. Though the timing window for a counter attack has been lengthened compared to the first game, it is still short compared to other weapons. Unlike the sword or the short blade, the hidden blades can counter attacks from [[Brutes]] and [[Seekers]].

The hidden blade also allows Ezio to attack very quickly, and gives more freedom in movement than the other weapons. For example, Ezio can easily strafe a 180° arc in the time it takes for the enemy to attack. This is barely possible (except from very close range) with the sword or dagger. It also allows Ezio to quickly flee from a battle without having to take the time to sheathe his weapon.

==='''''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'''''===
All of the techniques for the hidden blades in ''Brotherhood'' are the same as in ''Assassin's Creed II'', aside from improvements to the hidden blade upgrades, which are stated below.

===='''Open Combat'''====
[[File:Standard_ACB_SP_S_05_GunCounterKill.jpg|thumb|250px|The pistol used in combat.]]
In ''Assassins Creed: Brotherhood'', combat with the hidden blade has again improved. The time segment where Ezio can counter with the hidden blade is slightly increased, allowing for more counter kills.

Also, a new ability called execution streaks are introduced, allowing Ezio to perform multiple instant kills after killing a single guard. Each kill must be quickly followed up with another in order to keep the streak going. Being attacked cancels the streak, requiring Ezio to start another one.

Ezio is also unable to block multiple attacks with the hidden blades, promoting a more offensive style of gameplay.

==Upgrades==
[[File:ACB-HiddenBlade.jpg|thumb|250px|The Blade with the pistol and poison upgrades.]]
Throughout his travels, Ezio would acquire several Codex pages that, upon decryption, detailed upgrades for the hidden blade that were envisioned by Altaïr. These improvements were then developed for Ezio by Leonardo da Vinci. The first of these improvements was the addition of a second, darker hidden blade made from a difficult-to-obtain metal. The second was a metal plate on top of the primary blade's bracer that would allow one to safely deflect enemy attacks with the blades.

The other upgrades to the hidden blade included the [[Poison blade]], which allowed Ezio to stab an enemy and leave them to die slowly, granting both a low-profile assassination as well as a distraction to kill or bypass other enemies, and the [[Pistol]], which was the more deadly of the upgrades, allowing Ezio to kill from a distance. Additionally, both blades may be supplemented with various vambraces which act as [[armor]], giving Ezio more health.

Upon arrival in Rome, Leonardo also envisioned further improvements to the hidden blade, such as a [[Poison darts|Poison dart launcher]], that allowed the use of the poison blade from a distance.

==Trivia==
*The hidden blade is used in every major assassination. Even if the player begins by attacking the enemy with a sword, the Assassin will always finish them off with the hidden blade.
*In the E3 teaser trailer of ''Assassin's Creed'' (as well as in certain concept art), Altaïr can be seen pushing a button to operate his hidden blade. In the actual games, however, no such button or other trigger mechanism exists.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)]]'', unleashing the hidden blade required the use of a button, via a certain muscle on the forearm being flexed.
*In an ''Assassin's Creed'' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/developer-diary-assassins-creed/13648 Developer Diary] video, Jade Raymond speaks about Altair's lack of his ring finger, which is due to the initiation ceremony when a novice is promoted to an Assassin. The ring finger of the left hand is cut off, the hidden blade is installed and the new born Assassin is ready to complete the missions bestowed upon him or her.
*Despite being equipped with a hidden blade, some Assassins (such as [[Malik Al-Sayf]]) did not have an amputated finger.
*[[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 two blades.
*The first recorded usage of the hidden blade by an Assassin was by [[Darius]], when he assassinated [[Xerxes]] of Persia. However, his ring finger is still intact and he wields it on his right hand.
*The original design of Ezio's second hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed II'' was displayed as a brown glove, however, in-game, it was replaced with a second bracer. This was reverted in ''Brotherhood'', however, where his second hidden blade included a glove, until a bracer was purchased.
*It is unknown why the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' cover and E3 Trailer depict Ezio with a secondary hidden blade bracer identical to his primary one, as in-game, no such second bracer exists.
*The hidden blade is a [[Crafting in Project Legacy|crafted item]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''. The materials for its construction are 2 Coils, 1 Iron, 1 Hide and 1 Box of Components (which in turn is crafted using 3 Gears, 3 Screws, 1 Chain and 2 Sprockets).
*The second hidden blade is marginally longer than the primary one in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', perhaps designed to be a more effective melee weapon to complement the primary hidden blade's design as an assassination tool.

==Gallery==
[[Video:12 Ways to Wield the Hidden Blade|thumb|300px|left|A video guide for the hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed''.]] [[Video:---The Guide to the Hidden Blade---|thumb|right|300px|A video guide for the hidden blade in ''Assassin's Creed II''.]]
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Articles needing images]]

Isu

2011-02-04T09:46:05Z

60.242.97.70: /* Bloodline */

{{era|AC1|AC2|Brotherhood|Renaissance|bbook|twcb|Featured}}
[[File:Zw-Minerva-3.png|thumb|[[Minerva]], a representative of "Those Who Came Before"]]
{{quote|We simply came... before.|[[Minerva]]|Assassin's Creed II}}
'''Those Who Came Before''',<ref name="Assassin's Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref> also known as '''the First Civilization''',<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> were an ancient and advanced species on Earth who created the [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]], as well as the [[Humans|human]] race itself. Exactly who they were, where they came from and when they disappeared is largely unknown. With early humans unable to comprehend the First Civilization for what they truly were, they were looked upon as gods.

==Knowledge==
Though various religious beliefs seem to have been based on aspects and misinterpretations of Those Who Came Before, their existence was largely unknown to [[Humans|humanity]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> As early as the 12th century, both the [[Assassins]] and the [[Knights Templar]] knew that the focus of human religions, the gods, did not truly exist, and that miracles and other supernatural occurrences were simply manifestations of the powers of the [[Pieces of Eden]], devices created by Those Who Came Before to control the Human race.<ref name="Assassin's Creed" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> However, it is unclear if the Assassins and Templars understood the origin of the Pieces at that time. By the 15th century, at least one Templar, [[Rodrigo Borgia]], was aware of the existence, if not the nature, of Those Who Came Before; he mistakenly believed that the [[Vatican Vault]] hidden beneath the [[Capella Sistina]] housed a living God.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

The first known instance of a human becoming aware of their existence following their disappearance was that of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], who made mention of them in his [[the Codex|Codex]]. However, it would not be until the year 1499 that humanity would encounter Those Who Came Before again, when the Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] encountered a hologram of a being calling herself [[Minerva]] in The Vault. Even though Ezio told his fellow Assassins of Minerva, they still did not understand her true nature; Ezio himself showed great difficulty in understanding [[Minerva]]'s explanation of her existence.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

By 2012, the Templars in [[Abstergo Industries]] had a greater understanding of the true nature of Those Who Came Before. Whether they learned this information through the use of the [[Animus]] or had found evidence of it earlier is unknown. However, none of the Assassins seen in this time period indicated that they had previous knowledge of the existence of Those Who Came Before until Desmond relived Ezio's memories.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /> Through the memories relived by Desmond, the Assassins were aware of three separate beings: Minerva, [[Juno]] and [[Jupiter]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

==History==
===Creation of humanity===
{{Quote|We built you in our own image, we built you to survive.|Minerva|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Eden-Slaves-Workshop.png|thumb|350px|One of Those Who Came Before; using a [[Piece of Eden]] to control humans.]]
The origins of the First Civilization are unclear; Minerva simply stated that they "came before". They were responsible for the creation of humanity, creating them in their own image to be a docile workforce. While Minerva notes that they built humanity to survive, Juno asserts that they were not intended to be wise; thereby ensuring obedient and resilient cattle to suit their needs.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref> Research by [[Subject 16]] seemed to suggest that Those Who Came Before radically altered the genetic make-up of a pre-existing species on the planet to create humanity, fashioning them to be similar to their "gods", and therefore leaving a large gap in terms of transitional species between archaic hominids and modern humans. By 1997, the Templars had taken note of this and arranged for fake skeletons to be planted in Ethiopia, so as to limit human exposure to the possibility of the existence of Those Who Came Before.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

Control of humanity was assured through use of the Pieces of Eden, which tapped into a neuro-transmitter located deep within the human brain. However, there were some humans born without the neuro-transmitter, hypothesized by Subject Sixteen to be hybrids of the First Civilization and humans, and could subsequently live without being controlled through such means.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===War and catastrophe===
{{Quote|When we were still flesh, and our homes still whole, your kind betrayed us. We who made you, we who gave you life.|Minerva|Assassin's Creed II}}
Eventually, despite humanity and the First Civilization living in peace for some time, war broke out between the two species. The war involved the theft of a Piece of Eden by [[Adam and Eve]], though how this related to the conflict is unclear. While Those Who Came Before were more technologically advanced and powerful, humanity had the advantage of numbers; most likely outnumbering their creators by the millions, far too much for the Pieces of Eden to effectively handle.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

The war did eventually end, although with casualties greater than the First Civilization could have ever anticipated. The distraction of war had blinded them to all else, and their preoccupation prevented them from seeing the signs of an impending danger from the "heavens". By the time they had noticed it, it was too late. [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Lucy Stillman]] later hypothesized that this danger could have been a massive solar flare that flipped the Earth's weakening magnetic field, reversing the polarity and making the planet geologically unstable. This hypothesis was supported by evidence found by [[Subject 16]]:

*"Near the day of purification, there will be cobwebs spun back and forth in the sky. - Hopi"
*"A container of ashes might one day be thrown from the sky, which could burn the land and boil the oceans. - Hopi"
*"They died in the fire from the heavens."
*"[[Toba catastrophe|75ka was not a volcano]]."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

===Aftermath===
{{Quote|You may not comprehend us, but you will comprehend our warning. […] And as life returned to the world, we endeavored to ensure that this tragedy would not be repeated.|Minerva to [[Desmond Miles]], through the memories of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]|Assassin's Creed II}} While both races survived the catastrophe, few of either species remained. Working together, they rebuilt their world, though humanity continued to view Minerva's kind as gods. Despite their survival, Those Who Came Before were unable to fully recover and began heading toward extinction. They knew however, that the catastrophe that had burned their world before would eventually reoccur and so they took steps to prevent it, recording a holographic, yet interactive, message to serve as a warning to those who entered [[the Vault]]. In it, Minerva warned of the impending doom, and spoke of the [[Temples]] that could save Earth from destruction, built by those who "knew to turn away from war."<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

Delivering their message to the Assassin Desmond Miles, who was viewing the memories of his ancestor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], Minerva warned that time was short, and that "[[Templars|the Cross]]" would stand in their way. With the deliverance of that message, one of the last remaining vestiges of the First Civilization died away; confirming that the gods had finally become extinct<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

==Legacy==
{{Quote|They're gifts, Mr. Miles. From those who came before.|Dr. [[Warren Vidic]]|Assassin's Creed}}
Despite the mark they left behind on Earth, the First Civilization faded into obscurity rapidly after their decline; the inability of humans to comprehend their creators as anything but Gods did however allow their names at least, to live on. The lack of evidence for their existence did not prevent all humans from learning about them however, and by the 21st Century, the Knights Templar had a limited understanding of the nature of those who had lived before<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />. Indeed, the technology used to view the genetic memories of ones ancestor – the [[Animus]] – was based off technology utilized by the First Civilization<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

The Templars also knew of the existence of the Pieces of Eden, and regarded them as gifts left behind by the First Civilization for them to utilize<ref name="Assassin's Creed" />. This situation was in significant contrast to the situation in the 15th Century, where it had been the Assassins who knew explicitly of the existence of Those Who Came Before, whilst the Templar Grand Master [[Rodrigo Borgia]] merely believed the Vault to be the location of God himself. This changed however, and five hundred years later, the Order of Assassins knew next to nothing of the First Civilization's existance.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />

==Characteristics==
{{Quote|The rest is up to you, Desmond.|Minerva to Desmond Miles, through the memories of Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Assassin's Creed II}}
The First Civilization were a technologically advanced and powerful race, who seemed to possess precognitive abilities; either natural or technological. This was proven during Minerva's conversation with Ezio Auditore, within The Vault in Rome. Minerva revealed that Ezio was simply a conduit which allowed Minerva to speak to [[Desmond Miles]], who was viewing his ancestor's memories. Furthermore, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] mentioned in [[the Codex]] that his Piece of Eden not only possessed a catalogue of past events, but also future events, implying that the Pieces contain predictions made by Those Who Came Before<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

Those Who Came Before also have connections with many of Earth's religions, and likely influenced their developments directly. During her warning to Desmond, [[Minerva]] made mention of her former names, as well of those of her fellow "Gods"; Menrva, Uni and Tinia, who later became known as Minerva, Juno and Jupiter, respectively. The former names correspond to the Etruscan Triad of Deities, while the latter are the names of their Roman counterparts, who make up the Capitoline Triad. This shift in names may be indicative why various religions have numerous similarities, as they are all based on the story of Those Who Came Before<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />.

Unlike the human creations, who were created with only five senses, members of the First Civilization possessed six; the sixth being "knowledge". Following the catastrophe that set the First Civilization on the path to extinction, a concerted effort was made to pass on this sixth sense to humanity, their "final, faultered hope." Ultimately however, they failed; though humanity could ''"''[…]''see the blue shimmer ''[and] ''hear the words,"'' they did not fully possess the "knowledge" of their creators, convincing some, like [[Juno]], that humanity should have simply been left as they were.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" />

===Bloodline===
{{Quote|Why do we have these gifts, these abilities? Because it's in our blood! […] The seeds were planted as two world became one. Behold the Assassins, the children of two worlds!|[[Subject Sixteen]]|Assassin's Creed II}}
The mysterious individual known only as [[Subject 16]] at one point theorized that the true reason behind the [[Eagle Vision|abilities]] of some Assassins was genetic, suggesting a lineage including both human and creator blood. 16's own [[The Truth|genetic memories]] indicated him to be a direct descendant of both Adam and Eve, suggesting that his bloodline, if not many more, would all have access to these abilities. Indeed, Subject 16, Altaïr, Ezio and Desmond Miles all possessed [[Eagle Vision]], while Ezio and Altaïr both showed themselves resistant to the effects of the Apple<ref name="Assassin's Creed" /><ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />. In addition, Ezio was able to use the Staff and the Apple to open The Vault, while Rodrigo Borgia could not<ref name="Assassin's Creed II" />, and Altaïr had previously used the Apple to enlighten the people of Cyprus to [[Armand Bouchart]]'s lies<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</ref>. When Desmond touched the Apple, Juno told him that his "DNA" had activated the it.

==Trivia==
*Though they play an important part in the plot of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', Those Who Came Before are first mentioned briefly, by [[Warren Vidic]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''. When talking to Desmond, Vidic claims that the Knights Templar are responsible for all major human technological advances in history, though he denies that they invented them, calling them "gifts… from those who came before."
*The story of those who came before (creating humanity as a docile workforce and being viewed as gods) bears striking similarity to the ancient astronaut theory, the idea that extraterrestrials visited the earth in ancient times and genetically altered an existing species to create humanity and were seen as gods by their creations.

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}

[[es:Aquellos Que Vinieron Antes]]
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Species]]

Vatican Vault

2011-01-11T10:00:00Z

60.242.97.70: /* Notes */

{{Spoilerhd}}
'''The Vatican Vault''' was a large chamber constructed by [[Those Who Came Before]], located beneath the [[Sistine Chapel]] in the [[wikipedia:St. Peter's Basilica|Vatican]], in order to transmit a warning to [[Desmond Miles]] in the year 2012.

===Entering The Vault===
It appears that the only way to enter The Vault is by combining two [[Pieces of Eden]], an Apple and the Staff, held by a chosen descendant of Those Who Came Before, who is most likely a member of the bloodline of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]. Recognized as "The Prophet," [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] was able to enter The Vault by using [[the Staff]] in conjunction with the [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]]. Despite attempting to use the same two Pieces of Eden, [[Rodrigo Borgia]] was unable to enter The Vault. It is likely that half human/Those Who Came Before DNA was needed to activate them, similar to Desmond activating the Apple.

===Inside The Vault===
[[File:Ezio_fault_1.jpg|300px|thumb|The Vault]]
The floors, walls and pillars of The Vault were covered in glyphs that only appeared to Ezio as he moved toward them for as Those Who Came Before knew, he possessed Altaïr's supernatural gift of [[Eagle Vision]], and was therefore deemed worthy to see the images as The Prophet. It was thought by Rodrigo Borgia, the Pope at the time, that The Vault contained God himself. Unbeknown to all, The Vault instead contained a holographic projector. [[Minerva]], who appeared through this device, explained that she was part of a highly advanced race that existed before mankind, [[Those Who Came Before]] . She explained that her race had created humans, but had soon faced rebellion thereafter. Glyphs on the wall confirmed this, showing an Egyp[[File:Zw-ACBH-Ezio-2.jpg|thumb|left]]tian hieroglyphic with one of [http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/Those_Who_Came_Before Those Who Came Before] holding a Piece of Eden as humans charged toward him with weapons.

According to Minerva, the [[Temples]] were built by "those who knew to turn away from war," presumably those who did not fight or did not want to fight in the war between the humans and Those Who Came Before. The reason for this was a devestating large solar flare, that significantly damaged the Earth and killed off most of both species. Those in the Temples worked to protect the world, and Minerva has tasked [[Desmond Miles]] (speaking to him through Ezio) with locating the other Temples to avert another cataclysm.

=== Minerva's speech===
[[Video:The Vault|thumb|left|300px|Minerva's Message to Desmond]]

<blockquote>"''When we were still flesh, and our homes still whole, your kind betrayed us... We who made you. We who gave you life. We were strong but you were many, and both of us craved war. So busy were we with earthly concerns, we failed to notice the heavens, and by the time we did, the world burned until naught remained but ash. It should have ended then and there, but we built you in our own image. We built you, to survive, and so we did. Few were our numbers, your kind and mine. It took sacrifice, strength, compassion, but we rebuilt, and as life returned to the world, we endeavored to ensure this tragedy could not be repeated. But now, we are dying, and time will work against us. Truth turned into myth and legend. What we built, misunderstood. Let my words preserve the message and make a record of our loss. But let my word also bring hope. You must find the other temples, built by those who knew to turn away from war. They worked to protect us, to save us from the fire. If you can find them, if their work can be saved, so too might this world. Be quick, for time grows short, and guard against the cross, for there are many who will stand in your way.''</blockquote>

<blockquote>''It is done. The message is delivered. We are gone now from this world, all of us. We can do no more... The rest is up to you, Desmond.''"</blockquote>

Minerva's message implies that the Temples contain some sort of assistance or research in saving the world from a repeat of the catastrophe that occurred before.

==Notes==
*It is made fairly clear in Glyph 19, The Forth Day, that the Solar Flare that devestated the populations of both humanity and Those Who Came Before occured between 69 and 77 thousand years ago, and that evidence of it's happening was mistaken (or perhaps covered up by the Templars) as the [http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/Toba_catastrophe Toba catastrophe].
*The walls of the cavern containing the vault (also built by Those Who Came Before) are covered in amongst other symbols, Sumarian Numerals. It is implied by Minerva that after the Solar Flare, a small number of her kind lingered into early human civilisation before dying out. This may suggest that the Sumarians got their numeral system from Those Who Came Before.
*During Minerva's speech, a glyph of [[wikipedia:Step pyramid|step pyramids]], with what appears to be a Piece of Eden hovering over it, appears on the wall. This could possibly mean that another Temple is possibly a structure located in [[wikipedia:South America|South America]], a [[wikipedia:Ziggurat|ziggurat]] in [[wikipedia:Mesopotamia|Mesopotamia]], or even the ancient [[wikipedia:Borobudur Temple Compounds|Temple of Borobudur]] in [[wikipedia:Indonesia|Indonesia]]. In Project Legacy, one of the memories involves Giovanni Borgia, an Assassin, going to Mexico to find a Piece of Eden, one of the Crystal Skulls.
*The logo of [[Abstergo Industries]] can be seen in the Vault, on some of the walls. This logo, the impossible triangle, came after the original, the cross, and was seen there only because Those Who Came Before knew of the future.
*The Vault in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' appears to have been redesigned: the floor has a shiny, polished look, and the walls and obelisks are blue and give off a dim glow.
*Once leaving the Vault with Mario the player cannot return to The Vault even after completing the game.

{{ACII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vault, Vatican}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Locations]]
[[Category:Rome]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Locations]]

Vatican Vault

2011-01-10T23:53:54Z

60.242.97.70:

{{Spoilerhd}}
'''The Vatican Vault''' was a large chamber constructed by [[Those Who Came Before]], located beneath the [[Sistine Chapel]] in the [[wikipedia:St. Peter's Basilica|Vatican]], in order to transmit a warning to [[Desmond Miles]] in the year 2012.

===Entering The Vault===
It appears that the only way to enter The Vault is by combining two [[Pieces of Eden]], an Apple and the Staff, held by a chosen descendant of Those Who Came Before, who is most likely a member of the bloodline of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]. Recognized as "The Prophet," [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] was able to enter The Vault by using [[the Staff]] in conjunction with the [[First Apple|Apple of Eden]]. Despite attempting to use the same two Pieces of Eden, [[Rodrigo Borgia]] was unable to enter The Vault. It is likely that half human/Those Who Came Before DNA was needed to activate them, similar to Desmond activating the Apple.

===Inside The Vault===
[[File:Ezio_fault_1.jpg|300px|thumb|The Vault]]
The floors, walls and pillars of The Vault were covered in glyphs that only appeared to Ezio as he moved toward them for as Those Who Came Before knew, he possessed Altaïr's supernatural gift of [[Eagle Vision]], and was therefore deemed worthy to see the images as The Prophet. It was thought by Rodrigo Borgia, the Pope at the time, that The Vault contained God himself. Unbeknown to all, The Vault instead contained a holographic projector. [[Minerva]], who appeared through this device, explained that she was part of a highly advanced race that existed before mankind, [[Those Who Came Before]] . She explained that her race had created humans, but had soon faced rebellion thereafter. Glyphs on the wall confirmed this, showing an Egyp[[File:Zw-ACBH-Ezio-2.jpg|thumb|left]]tian hieroglyphic with one of [http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/Those_Who_Came_Before Those Who Came Before] holding a Piece of Eden as humans charged toward him with weapons.

According to Minerva, the [[Temples]] were built by "those who knew to turn away from war," presumably those who did not fight or did not want to fight in the war between the humans and Those Who Came Before. The reason for this was a devestating large solar flare, that significantly damaged the Earth and killed off most of both species. Those in the Temples worked to protect the world, and Minerva has tasked [[Desmond Miles]] (speaking to him through Ezio) with locating the other Temples to avert another cataclysm.

=== Minerva's speech===
[[Video:The Vault|thumb|left|300px|Minerva's Message to Desmond]]

<blockquote>"''When we were still flesh, and our homes still whole, your kind betrayed us... We who made you. We who gave you life. We were strong but you were many, and both of us craved war. So busy were we with earthly concerns, we failed to notice the heavens, and by the time we did, the world burned until naught remained but ash. It should have ended then and there, but we built you in our own image. We built you, to survive, and so we did. Few were our numbers, your kind and mine. It took sacrifice, strength, compassion, but we rebuilt, and as life returned to the world, we endeavored to ensure this tragedy could not be repeated. But now, we are dying, and time will work against us. Truth turned into myth and legend. What we built, misunderstood. Let my words preserve the message and make a record of our loss. But let my word also bring hope. You must find the other temples, built by those who knew to turn away from war. They worked to protect us, to save us from the fire. If you can find them, if their work can be saved, so too might this world. Be quick, for time grows short, and guard against the cross, for there are many who will stand in your way.''</blockquote>

<blockquote>''It is done. The message is delivered. We are gone now from this world, all of us. We can do no more... The rest is up to you, Desmond.''"</blockquote>

Minerva's message implies that the Temples contain some sort of assistance or research in saving the world from a repeat of the catastrophe that occurred before.

==Notes==
*The walls of the cavern containing the vault (also built by Those Who Came Before) are covered in amongst other symbols, Sumarian Numerals. It is implied by Minerva that after the Solar Flare, a small number of her kind lingered into early human civilisation before dying out. This may suggest that the Sumarians got their numeral system from Those Who Came Before.
*During Minerva's speech, a glyph of [[wikipedia:Step pyramid|step pyramids]], with what appears to be a Piece of Eden hovering over it, appears on the wall. This could possibly mean that another Temple is possibly a structure located in [[wikipedia:South America|South America]], a [[wikipedia:Ziggurat|ziggurat]] in [[wikipedia:Mesopotamia|Mesopotamia]], or even the ancient [[wikipedia:Borobudur Temple Compounds|Temple of Borobudur]] in [[wikipedia:Indonesia|Indonesia]]. In Project Legacy, one of the memories involves Giovanni Borgia, an Assassin, going to Mexico to find a Piece of Eden, one of the Crystal Skulls.
*The logo of [[Abstergo Industries]] can be seen in the Vault, on some of the walls. This logo, the impossible triangle, came after the original, the cross, and was seen there only because Those Who Came Before knew of the future.
*The Vault in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' appears to have been redesigned: the floor has a shiny, polished look, and the walls and obelisks are blue and give off a dim glow.
*Once leaving the Vault with Mario the player cannot return to The Vault even after completing the game.

{{ACII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vault, Vatican}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Locations]]
[[Category:Rome]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Locations]]

Eagle Vision

2010-12-26T03:38:16Z

60.242.97.70: /* Trivia */

'''Eagle Vision''' is a supernatural ability that certain lineages of [[Assassins]] possess, like those of [[Marcus Junius Brutus]] and [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]. The user is able to instinctively sense how people and objects relate to him, which manifests as a colored glowing (much like an aura would in a person's "mind's eye"). This ability is known to only be accessible to the descendants and bloodlines of the [[humans]] that paired with [[Those Who Came Before]].

==''[[Assassin's Creed]]''==
[[File:Eagle_vision.jpg|thumb|300px|Desmond identifying Lucy as an ally and Vidic as an enemy through Eagle Vision.]]
To use Eagle Vision, the player must press the Head button. Depending on [[Controls|control settings]], the Head button will most likely be either [[File:PlayStationTriangle.svg]] (for PlayStation 3), Y (for Xbox 360), or E (for PC default layout). In addition, the [[Synchronization]] bar must be at its current maximum capacity, otherwise pressing the Head button will instead result in a first-person view with no extra benefits.

At the end of ''Assassin's Creed'', Desmond [[Bleeding Effect|gains the ability]] to use Eagle Vision outside of the [[Animus]]. He sees [[Lucy Stillman]] (a fellow Assassin) glowing blue and [[Warren Vidic]] (a [[Templar]]) glowing red. Using Eagle Vision will also reveal [[Cryptic Messages|cryptic messages]] [[Subject 16]] wrote with his own blood in the [[Abstergo laboratory]].

===Legend===
*Red = Enemies/blood.
*Blue = Allies/hiding spots (''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' & ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'')
*White = Sources of information/hiding spots (''[[Assassin's Creed]]'') 
*Gold = Targets/person of interest. 

==''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''==
[[File:Glyph20_-_Scuola_Grande_di_San_Marco2--article_image.jpg|thumb|300px|Ezio finding one of the glyphs.]]
During his escape from [[Abstergo]], Desmond discovers a new application of this power; using it on a keypad which Lucy lacks a code to unlock reveals the fingerprints of previous users. A simple process of elimination thus enables him to unlock the door.

Ezio, like Altaïr, was able to use Eagle Vision. [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|His father]] and [[Mario Auditore|uncle]] also possessed this ability, and it is thought that [[La Volpe]] also possessed an advanced form of this skill as well, as it is claimed he can "look through walls". It is used to detect and scan [[Glyphs]] from Desmond's perspective.

In a glyph narration from Subject 16, he says, "Behold the Assassins, the children of two worlds! Why do we have these gifts? Because it's in our blood!" This implies that because Altaïr, Ezio, Desmond and Subject 16 all have Eagle Vision, their bloodline is connected to Those Who Came Before. This theory can be supported by the fact that both Subject 16's blood and light patterns in [[the Vault]] glow when seen with Eagle Vision.

Also Eagle Vision can now be used in 3rd Person and while Ezio is moving, allowing it to be a lot more useful during missions.

==''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''==
When roaming [[Rome]] with Eagle Vision on, whenever you spot a [[feather]] or[[Flags| flag]], it will be marked on your [[map]], so you can pick it up whenever you want later.

Subject 16 has also hidden objects similar to Glyphs in ''Assassin's Creed II'' in Rome, called [[Rifts]]. These Rifts are small openings in structures that expel rays of light continuously. Unlike the Glyphs, the Rifts can only be seen while in Eagle vision, as turning it off will render the rift invisible, and otherwise inaccessible.

In the multiplayer mode a similar ability, Templar Vision, exists as an ability. The ability gives you a few seconds of eagle vision. Targets are blue while pursuers are red.

==Trivia==
*An Assassin guard in the [[Kingdom]] can be seen as glowing red, but reacts as all other guards do. This guard was originally supposed to have been [[Jamal]], an Assassin who aided [[Masun]] in betraying the Brotherhood; however, the sequence where Altaïr assassinates him was cut from the final game, leaving him as a minor Easter-egg.
*A mini-game in the ''Assassin's Creed'' room of PlayStation Home features an Eagle Vision puzzle, which, when completed, opens up the [[Hideout]].
*In the original ''Assassin's Creed'' game, movement was prohibited while using Eagle Vision, and the player was required to be at maximum synchronization. This was changed in succeeding games, allowing the player to use Eagle Vision even while moving and without maximum synchronization.
*When using Eagle Vision, Ezio himself turns into a blue color, indicating him as an ally to any others with the ability.
*In ''Project Legacy'', [[Giovanni Borgia]] also displays this ability, and uses it to locate [[Francesco Vecellio]]. Francesco referred to it as using his "other eyes."
*In ''Brotherhood'', whilst using Eagle Vision and roaming [[Monteriggioni]] as Desmond Miles, a red trail is visible leading to the [[Assassin's Seal]] at the front of the [[Villa Auditore]]'s steps. The trail seems to be made up of many footprints, which then make the more obvious picture of what seems to be the circular pattern of a DNA Sequence.
*''Assassin's Creed'' states that the Eagle Vision ability is actually created by the Animus and not by the Assassin's themselves; however, this is impossible as Desmond posesses the ability outside of the animus. The backstory for Eagle Vision was likely changed later in the series' development.

==Gallery==

<gallery captionalign="left">
al mualim eagle vision.jpg|Altaïr's target is shown in gold
eagle vision comparsion.jpg|Comparison of eagle vision to a normal view
</gallery>

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Genetic skills]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]