Mercenary

2011-06-12T16:34:53Z

68.38.64.23: /* Tuscany/San Gimignana */

{{era|ac2|acb}}
{{Youmay|the mercenaries faction|the [[Mercenary (multiplayer character)]]}}
{{Faction Infobox
|image =AC2 CA 018 Mercenary.png
|imgdesc =Artwork of a mercenary in ''Assassin's Creed II''
|religion =
|nationality =
|location = [[Florence]], [[Tuscany]], [[Venice]], [[Rome]]
|targets =
|game = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
}}
{{quote|I fight at your side, any time!|Mercenary's greeting to Ezio}}
The '''Mercenaries''' (Italian: ''Mercenario'') are one of the three factions helping the main character, [[Ezio Auditore di Firenze|Ezio]] (the other two being the [[Courtesans]] and the [[Thieves]]).<ref name="ACII">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref><ref name="AC:B">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

The Mercenaries in [[Tuscany]]/[[San Gimignano]] are led by [[Mario Auditore]], Ezio's uncle. In [[Florence]], the Mercenaries are led by [[Niccolò Machiavelli]].<ref>[http://assassinscreed.uk.ubi.com/assassins-creed-2/dlc/ Assassin's Creed II DLC Official Site]</ref> In [[Venice]], the Mercenaries are led by [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]].

==Application==
Mercenaries (and all other hired help) cost 150 florins, follow you around, and make comments after a fight. They bear Heavy Weapons and are like a more powerful variation of the [[Brutes|Brute]]. However, Mercenaries encountered in missions (that are not hired) are free and have Longswords and Maces. Due to their lack of armor, their effectiveness is drastically reduced and they can be outmatched by 2-3 Pazzi Guards. Ezio can order them to fight the [[Guards]], thus providing a distraction.<ref name="ACII" />

The Mercenaries are not capable of free running, so it should be avoided if at all possible.

In [[Rome]] the mercenaries act much as they did in the previous game. However, unlike the Thieves and Courtesans, when you reach Rank 5 in the mercenarie's guild they don't gain any sort of extra ability. Bartolomeo d'Alviano and his wife Pantasilea lead the mercenaries in Rome from their barracks. They participated actively in the fight against the [[Borgia]] and their French allies led by Baron de Valois. When Ezio completes all of the Mercenary's Guild challenges he is awarded with Bartolomeo's Axe and a Mercenary's Guild crest which can be located in the armor section in the section of the [[Tiber Island]] Hideout.<ref name="AC:B" />

==Combat==
Mercenaries are the most heavily armored of the three factions available to the player. They usually use heavy, two-handed, weapons, and fight very similarly to brutes in fights. Although, they have quite a bit of difficulty when fighting brutes.

==Known Mercenaries==
===Tuscany/San Gimignano===
*[[Mario Auditore]] (deceased)<ref name="ACII" />

===Florence===
*[[Niccolò Machiavelli]]<ref name="ACII" />

===Venice/Rome===
*[[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]]<ref name="ACII" /><ref name="AC:B" />

==Trivia==
*Mercenaries cannot perform any kind of [[free-running]]. However, [[Mario Auditore]], who behaves like a Mercenary, can.
*Mercenaries have weapons like Brutes, but are easily defeated by them.
*In the [[Cannaregio district]] of Venice, you can hire groups of six Mercenaries instead of the usual four.
*During the mission to assassinate [[Vieri de' Pazzi]], Mario refers to his Mercenaries as his brothers, a term usually reserved for fellow [[Assassins]].
*While distributing Bartolomeo's men to specific spots throughout the [[Castello district]] to distract [[Silvio Barbarigo]], his men act like normal guards instead of Brutes, even being able to sprint.
*It is ironic that Niccolò Machiavelli is portrayed as the leader of Florentine mercenaries when, historically, he was strongly against the use of mercenaries.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', two mercenaries help Ezio operate [[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s [[Tank]].
*In ''Brotherhood'', they are far more powerful and can take out several guards much faster.
*Fabrizio and Prospero Colonna are two notable mercenaries saved during one of the ''Brotherhood'' [[Courtesans|Courtesan]] missions.
*Regular mercenaries can break out of your grabs; the ones in the Monteriggioni training can't unless if you're training with them.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
File:Zw-mercenaries.png|Mercenaries in Venice.
File:AC2 S 042 Wetlands MercenaryCombat.jpg|Ezio in battle with Mercenaries on his side.
tuscany fight with mercanary.jpg|Ezio and a Mercenary fight in the Tuscan countryside.
Ezio Mario and 2 Mercanries.jpg|Ezio, Mario and two Mercenaries.
Mercs.png|Mario's Mercenaries boast more health than others.
</gallery>

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]

Hidden Gun

2011-06-11T23:03:36Z

68.38.64.23: /* Assassin's Creed II */

{{era|AC2|Brotherhood|Renaissance|Bbook|Assassins}}
[[File:Hiddengundessin.jpg|thumb|250px|Concept art of the pistol.]]
{{quote|It seems to be a kind of ''arma da fuoco'' - but as small as a hummingbird!|Leonardo da Vinci, regarding the pistol's design.|Assassin's Creed II}}
The '''Pistol''', which is also referred to as the '''Hidden Gun''', is one of the expansions of the [[hidden blade]]
invented by [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] using the [[Sixth Apple|Apple of Eden]]. After discovering the design for it on one of the [[Codex]] pages, [[Leonardo da Vinci]] managed to craft one for the use of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]].<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref><ref name="ACB">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Assassin's_Creed_II_Poison_blade.jpg|thumb|250px|A close up of the pistol on Ezio's Bracer, Hidden Blade, and Pistol.]]
The pistol consists of a small firearm with a very short barrel that, if aimed properly, can kill a target from a distance. Though an excellent weapon for assassination from afar, it will give away its user's position immediately after firing, due to its loud discharge.<ref name="AC2"/>

Up to 6 bullets may be held at a time, and can be purchased from any [[Blacksmiths|blacksmith]]. However, they are quite expensive, as one bullet costs 175 florins (149 florins with full discount in [[Monteriggioni]]), which is three and a half times the cost of a [[Throwing knives|throwing knife]]. Alternatively, bullets may also be obtained by looting dead [[guards]].<ref name="AC2"/>

{{-}}
==Combat==
[[File:Ezios-arms-maker-da-vinci-video.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio aiming the pistol.]]
The pistol takes about a second and a half to completely aim, though it can be fired before it is fully aimed. Firing immediately without aiming is not advised, as even at close range, it is highly unlikely to result in a hit.<ref name="AC2"/>

Aiming the pistol within guards' lines of sight will automatically make them suspicious. When in combat against a small number of guards, aiming it for several seconds will also cause the group to lose morale and eventually flee, though this tactic cannot be used for [[Brutes]].<ref name="AC2"/>

Though not recommended, it is also possible to quickly switch to the pistol during a battle, and take a random shot from as close as possible to an enemy, before resuming the fight. Despite its low success rate, this method can potentially pick off immobile opponents, or quickly eliminate enemies without the need for counter-kills.<ref name="AC2"/>

==Advancements==
[[File:Pistol.jpg|thumb|250px|The pistol dual-wielded with the sword in combat.]]
In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', the aiming method of the pistol has been modified, and no longer seems to require a trigger pull to be fired (an invisible mechanism similar to the hidden blade's). Though perfect aim is achieved much more quickly, the bullet can only be fired after the shot is fully charged.<ref name="ACB"/>

Ezio also gains the ability to [[Dual-Wielding|dual-wield]] the pistol alongside a medium, primary weapon, like [[sword]]s and [[warhammer]]s. This maps the Pistol to the sword on the weapon wheel, allowing the player to instantly aim and fire the gun anytime without selecting it specifically (so long as the sword in equipped, sheathed or not). It also allows him to easily switch between short and long ranged combat seamlessly in battle, using the pistol with his left and a sword with his right. He may also use the pistol for counters and point-blank kills at anytime during close combat, for example, Ezio can sword-counter an attacking enemy, then instantly fire the pistol on a another to kill two guards at once.<ref name="ACB"/>

After reuniting with Leonardo da Vinci in [[Rome]], Ezio is able to purchase an upgrade to his pistol that allows him to fire small [[poison darts]] from it, in addition to bullets. These darts are usable when the [[poison blade]] is equipped, and share its effects, allowing him to quietly and cleanly kill targets at a safe distance.<ref name="ACB"/>

==Codex Description==
[[File:AC Hidden gun.jpg|thumb|200px|The pistol design from the Codex.]]
''"Success! We have found a way to alter the structure of the hidden blade so that it can be used to launch small projectiles. It is capable of grievous damage – even from great distance. I confess, the means by which I came about the discovery was... risky to say the least. But I have found that in small doses, and with a focused mind, the [[Sixth Apple|Apple]] can be used without ill effect. Or so I hope.''

''"The knowledge of projectile combat is not new to us, having been observed amongst our Eastern neighbors. But their weapons were much larger – and insufficient for our needs. I have now found a way to miniaturize their designs, embedding their fiery weapon into a form that can be worn on the wrist.''

''"We have also refined the formula for combustible powder, such that common ingredients might be used. This is a dangerous bit of knowledge and it is best shared with only our closest allies..."'' -Altaïr in Codex Page 28.

==Trivia==
===''Assassin's Creed II''===
*Often when the pistol is fired, a dog can be heard barking. Though not a surprise as dogs tend to bark at loud noises, no dogs are seen or mentioned in the game.
*Both the pistol and throwing knives are disabled in the [[Secret Locations]] that require the player to chase an [[Agile]].
*Ammunition can be found as an item when looting the bodies of any deceased guards, whether or not they are [[arquebusiers]].
*The pistol does not kill in a single shot during the battles with either [[Dante Moro]] and or [[Rodrigo Borgia]], though it is just as effective as usual when the player is required to assassinate them.
*Due to its interconnectivity with ''Assassin's Creed II'', it is possible to obtain a variant of the pistol that fires throwing knives instead of bullets in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''.
*During Carnavale Teodora suggests to use the hidden gun to assassinate Marco Babarigo. Due to it having the same sound as the fireworks.

===''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''===
[[File:Hidden gun in multiplayer.jpg|thumb|250px|The pistol as a multiplayer ability.]]
*The pistol is also a [[Multiplayer Abilities#Hidden Gun|multiplayer ability]] for multiplayer characters; though it is unknown if they actually possessed the weapon, or if [[Abstergo]] simply added the ability in the [[Animus]].
*Four additional bullet slots for a total of ten shots can be purchased for 30 Units on [[Uplay]].
*For reasons unknown, counter-attacks and executions do not use up bullet ammunition. Although this may be due to the fact that the use of the pistol is automatic in the counter attacks and thus it would be harsh for it to use ammunition as the player has no control over it.
*During a kill-streak, the player can hold down the attack button while targeting an opponent, causing Ezio to perform an automatic double kill with his sword and pistol, using up ammunition in the process.
*The sound of the pistol more closely resembles that of a musket, rather than the cannon-like sound in ''Assassin's Creed II''.
*The [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Apprentices]]' pistols (obtained by rank 5) use the same firing sound as heard in ''Assassin's Creed II''.
*Strangely, the apprentices' pistols are much weaker than Ezio's, taking up to three shots to kill a guard; though this may be attributed to Ezio being more skilled in aiming the pistol at vital body parts.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="120" captionalign="left">
Hiddengunac2.png|The Pistol's inventory icon in ''Assassin's Creed II''.
ACB-HiddenBlade.jpg|The pistol in the inventory screen.
File:Bullet.png|Bullet of the pistol with the [[Assassin insignia]] on the end of it.
Assassins-creed-brotherhood-20101017102302262 640w.jpg|Ezio finishing a guard in Rome with the pistol.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]

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

Mercenary

Hidden Gun