Hidden Blade

2011-01-26T00:54:49Z

74.193.247.11: /* Assassin's Creed II */

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{{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.]]
In ''Assassin's Creed'', the [[Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] initially wielded the 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 is asked to stealthily assassinate a number of targets, he may only make use of his hidden blade or [[throwing knives]]. Additionally, after successfully [[Interrogation|interrogating]] a target, Altaïr is forced to kill them so they cannot reveal their plans to the enemy, and does so by burying his hidden blade into their stomach.
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==='''''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]'''''===
[[File:Lineage Hidden Blade.png|thumb|300px|left|Giovanni's (later Ezio's) hidden blade.]]
The hidden blade had a more trivial role in ''Assassin's Creed: Lineage'', having only been wielded by [[Giovanni Auditore]] for a small number of scenes.

As outlined in [[The Codex|Altaïr's Codex]], this revised hidden blade was 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 the only known Assassin to do this.

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. There are also no shots of it operating during ''Lineage'', and it would often be shown on the actor's arm either sheathed or already extended.
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==='''''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'''''===
[[File:Codex_Page_3_-_Hidden_Blade.png|thumb|The Codex Page for the hidden blade's design.]]
In ''Assassin's Creed II'', [[Ezio Auditore]] at first carried a single hidden blade that he inherited from his father, along with the Codex page detailing its construction. 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 detailed in Altaïr's Codex. Later on, Ezio was able to learn a variety of assassination techniques (summarized below), from instructions detailed in the Codex.
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==='''''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'''''===
[[File:ACB-HiddenBlade.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Blade with all upgrades.]]
{{Quote|Now I can kill double the guards.|Ezio Auditore, regarding the secondary hidden blade.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
At the start of ''Brotherhood'', Ezio still possessed his two previous hidden blades, and used them in battle as he escaped the [[Vatican]]. After he returned to [[Monteriggioni]], however, he removed his hidden blades, and was only able to salvage the first blade and bracer during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]].

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 second hidden blade for him.

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 is only reserved for the most trusted of Assassins, or those who have earned the rank of the [[Master Assassin]]. The apprentices are 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'''====
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. This feature makes it an ideal choice for running down [[assassination targets]] who flee such as [[Talal]], the slave trader in [[Jerusalem]].

===='''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. Although the move was not covered in the manual or in-game tutorials, this technique does exist, and the controls were documented by "Stabguy" on [http://www.thehiddenblade.com/air-assassinate-guide The Hidden Blade] website. The move was shown in a demo of the game in the assassination of William of Montferrat.

===='''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 mentioned below.

===='''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'''====
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:Hidden_Blade_Gun_Design_by_arceus2012.jpg|250px|thumb|The hidden blade with a pistol upgrade.]]
Through his travels in ''Assassin's Creed II'', 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 - unlike in the original ''Assassin's Creed'' - 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.

In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', further improvements included a Pistol that was both easier to aim, and did not appear to require pulling a trigger to be fired, as well 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 [[Darius]], when he assassinated [[Xerxes]] of Persia. However, his ring finger is still intact and he wields it on his right hand, although this may be inaccurate as this information of his appearance is from a statue.
*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. However, in ''Brotherhood'', his second hidden blade includes a glove, until a bracer is 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''.]]

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Hidden Blade