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

Leonardo da Vinci

2011-02-26T23:40:29Z

82.38.253.220: /* Rome */

{{Era|AC2|Brotherhood|Renaissance|Bbook|Project Legacy}}
{{WP-REAL}}
{{Sourceless}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci
|image = Leonardo.png
|imgdesc = Leonardo da Vinci in the Animus database.
|birth = 15 April 1452<br>[[wikipedia:Vinci|Vinci]], [[Italy]]
|death = 2 May 1519<br>[[wikipedia:Amboise|Amboise]], [[wikipedia:France|France]]
|faction = [[Assassins]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''<br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|period = [[Renaissance|Italian Renaissance (15th century)]]
|voice = [[Carlos Ferro]]
}}

{{quote|One thing I am not, is a man of violence.|Leonardo to [[Ezio Auditore de Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] and [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] in [[Valencia]], 1505|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}

'''Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci''' (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was an [[Italy|Italian]] polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, botanist, writer, and best friend of the [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] during the [[Renaissance]].
==Biography==
===Early life===
[[File:Leonardoartwork1.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Leonardo's concept art]]
Leonardo da Vinci was born out of wedlock in Vinci, Italy, a town outside of [[Florence]], in 1452, to a Florentine notary named [[wikipedia:Piero da Vinci|Piero da Vinci]] and a local woman named Caterina. He spent most of his early childhood in nearby rural [[Tuscany]] so as to spare his father the embarrassment of a scandal. However, young Leonardo's innate artistic prowess was obvious to his elders even then, and when he turned fourteen he was returned to Florence, apprenticed to the workshop of renowned painter [[Andrea del Verrocchio]]; while there, he is said to have collaborated with the Verroccio on his masterpiece, ''[[wikipedia:Baptism of Christ|Baptism of Christ]]''.

===Florence===
At age 20, Leonardo was titled a master by the [[wikipedia:Guild of Saint Luke|Guild of Saint Luke]], and opened his first workshop in Florence where he continued to collaborate with his old master. During his time there, he also befriended the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]].

In 1476, Leonardo met Ezio Auditore when the latter accompanied his [[Maria Auditore da Firenze|mother]] to pick up some paintings from Leonardo’s workshop. On the way back to the [[Palazzo Auditore]], Leonardo and Ezio conversed about his work, which sparked the lifelong friendship between the two young men.

After the [[Auditore execution|execution]] of [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]], [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]], and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio Auditore]], Leonardo met Ezio once again, greeting him with a brotherly embrace. He was then requested by Ezio to repair the [[Hidden Blade]] and was immediately fascinated by its sophisticated and advanced design, despite its old age. After what was apparently several hours of work (as Ezio is shown to have fallen asleep for some time), Leonardo finally finished the repairs to the Hidden Blade. Just before handing the weapon over to Ezio, Leonardo claimed that Ezio's ring finger had to be removed because "the blade is designed to ensure the commitment of whoever wields it." It is shown that he was simply joking however, as the blade had been modified so that the removal of the finger was no longer necessary. Immediately after this, a Florentine guard took Leonardo into the latter's yard for interrogation, throwing him to the ground and kicking him several times in order to extract Ezio's whereabouts. Ezio promptly snuck up behind the guard and assassinated him with his new weapon, before hiding the body inside the workshop with others that Leonardo used for anatomical research.

[[File:Leonardo_workshop.jpg|thumb|250px|An overview of Leonardo's workshop.]]

Leonardo and Ezio didn't meet again until 1478, when Ezio visited him with another [[codex]] page attained from his uncle [[Mario Auditore]]. He deciphered the page and, while Ezio practiced the new [[Assassination Techniques|assassination techniques]] explained on the page, constructed a second Hidden Blade to be put at his friend's disposal. This was when Ezio inquired about [[Francesco de' Pazzi]], which prompted Leonardo to discreetly tell him that he needed to seek out [[La Volpe]] ("the fox"). After this, Leonardo appeared at several instances in which Ezio simply visited him to decipher codex pages.

After Ezio stopped the [[Pazzi Conspiracy]], he received another codex page from [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] and again visited Leonardo in order to have it deciphered. He was astonished by the new [[Poison blade|blade design]], as it has been developed to allow the wielder to inject poison into their enemies.

Leonardo met Ezio again in the [[Apennine Mountains]] after the fall of the Pazzi Conspirators. He was faced with the problem of a broken [[wagon]] wheel and asked Ezio to lift the carriage, causing him to notice the contraption in the back. This was the first conversation in which Leonardo mentioned his [[Flying Machine]]. Amused by Leonardo’s idea, Ezio offered to drive, and they set off for [[Romagna]]. During the trip, the wagon was attacked by the soldiers of [[Rodrigo Borgia]], threatening their lives all the way through the Mountains. At the end of the trail, Ezio stayed behind to deal with the soldiers so Leonardo can get to Romagna safely. They met back up at the docks in Romagna where they were scheduled to set sail for [[Venice]], after Ezio went through an ordeal involving [[Caterina Sforza]].

===Venice===
[[File:Leonardo's_Flying_machine_Design.jpg|left|thumb|Leonardo's Flying machine drawing]]
Upon arrival in [[Venice]], Leonardo and Ezio were given a tour of the city by a baggage handler by the name of [[Alvise da Vilandino]] before being led to his new workshop. He and Ezio parted ways there with a brotherly embrace.

Ezio again consulted Leonardo for his expertise, but this time for something other than decryption. He inquired about Leonardo’s Flying Machine that he learned of on the way to Romagna in order to invade the [[Palazzo Ducale]] so that he can rescue [[Giovanni Mocenigo|Doge Mocenigo]] from the [[Templar]] [[Carlo Grimaldi]]. After one test flight, Leonardo deemed the machine useless and flew into a fit of rage, but was then inspired by a piece of burnt paper floating from the fire. He concluded that in order for Ezio to reach his destination, they had to light a dozen fires across the city which would cause the air to rise, therefore lifting the machine.

After being accused of the murder of the Doge, Ezio came to Leonardo asking for a [[Carnevale]] mask so that he wouldn't be noticed as the most wanted man in Venice. He also bore another codex page, much to Leonardo's interest, as he discovered it contains plans for a small [[Pistol|firearm]] that could be concealed on Ezio's wrist. After testing the pistol, Leonardo gave Ezio the mask he requested and pointed him in the direction of Sister [[Teodora]] and [[Antonio de Magianis]] so that he could plot to assassinate the new Doge: the Templar [[Marco Barbarigo]].

Leonardo and Ezio met again briefly outside the workshop, just after Ezio discovered the Templar ship was returning the next day. Leonardo pointed out several key facts that he discovered piecing together the markings on the backs of the codex pages such as the arrival of a 'prophet' on the day the [[Piece of Eden]] was brought to the floating city (Venice).

In 1488, Ezio, Mario, and [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] visited Leonardo to see if he was able to make sense of the Apple which they had successfully obtained from Rodrigo Borgia. To their dismay, he couldn't learn any more about it than the Assassins and, following its accidental activation, it was decided that it should be taken to [[Forlì]] to be kept out of Templar hands. Mario also asked Leonardo to come and visit him at the [[Villa Auditore]], which he did at least once, in 1499.

===Rome===
[[File:Armored_car.jpg|thumb|250px|Design of Leonardo's Tank.]]
In 1500, Leonardo was forcibly pressed into designing several [[War Machines|war machines]] for [[Cesare Borgia]], son of Rodrigo Borgia, who was in turn [[Grand Master of the Templar Order]]. Additionally, he was also forced to fashion the ''pistola'' used to kill [[Mario Auditore]], and possibly the firearms used by the [[Papal Guards]], and by Cesare in the [[Siege of Viana]]. Despite this, Leonardo remained an ally of the Assassins, privately informing Ezio of Cesare's plans, and also turning over the locations of the Templars overseeing the war machines.

[[File:Gun_l.jpg|thumb|left|A 12-barreled gun designed by Leonardo da Vinci.]]
To avoid Templar scrutiny, Leonardo and Ezio would meet at different locations, often by Leonardo drawing a picture of a hand on a bench as a signal for Ezio to wait for him there. Over time, Leonardo agreed to reconstruct a second, smaller Hidden Blade that could fit against a standard glove to replace the one Ezio had lost during the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]], along with a [[Metal Cestus#Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|reinforced glove]] to allow Ezio to climb leap, and a forearm-mounted [[Poison darts|poison dart]] launcher. However, due to being paid "very little" by the Templars, he would need Ezio to pay him for the raw materials. After the war machines were finally destroyed, he also agreed to design a [[Parachutes|parachute]] that could also be built by sympathetic Roman [[Tailors]], though his design (or at least the materials used) would not survive the landings, and would need to be replaced after every use.

When the Assassins finally secured the Apple of Eden from the Borgia, Ezio and Leonardo met at the [[Assassins Guild]] on [[Tiber Island]]. Leonardo mourned the need to lock away the Apple, likening it to a masterpiece being hidden away from the world, though he did not oppose Ezio's decision. Additionally, as Leonardo's patron had been arrested and his income was still meager, Ezio turned over a sum of money to his friend, and they parted on good terms.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

According to Assassins creed brotherhood (novel) Leonardo then travelled with Machiavelli and Ezio to Spain to chase Micheletto and stop him from freeing cesare after surviving wild seas, a skirmish in a bar, long horse rides and constructing bombs Leo decides he has had enough of travailing and fighting and returns to Rome leaving ezio and Machiavelli to destroy some war ships and battle Cesare.

===Legacy===
[[File:Leo.JPG|thumb|An in-game model of Leonardo da Vinci.]]
He later worked in [[wikipedia:Bologna|Bologna]] and spent his last years in [[France]], at the home awarded him by Francis I. He took his most famous painting, the ''[[wikipedia:Mona Lisa|Mona Lisa]]'', with him when he retired to France in 1513. He died May 2, 1519. The exact cause of his death is unknown, but could presumably have been a blood infection, due to him suffering from [[wikipedia:Gout|gout]].

Leonardo is renowned primarily as a painter. Two of his works, the ''Mona Lisa'' and ''[[wikipedia:The Last Supper|The Last Supper]]'', are the most famous, most reproduced and most parodied portrait and religious painting of all time, their fame approached only by [[Michelangelo]]'s ''[[wikipedia:The Creation of Adam|Creation of Adam]]''. Leonardo's drawing of the [[wikipedia:Vitruvian Man|Vitruvian Man]] is also regarded as a cultural icon.

Perhaps fifteen of his paintings survive, the small number due to his constant, and frequently disastrous, experimentation with new techniques and his chronic procrastination. Nevertheless, these few works, together with his notebooks, which contain drawings, scientific diagrams and his thoughts on the nature of painting, are an invaluable contribution to later generations of artists; indeed, Leonardo could arguably be considered the most iconic artist of the Italian Renaissance, with only a handful of his contemporaries (most notably Leonardo's chief artistic rival and fellow Florentine, [[Michelangelo|Michelangelo Buonarroti]]) posing a realistic challenge. Leonardo is revered for his technological ingenuity. He conceptualized a helicopter, a tank, concentrated solar power, a calculator, the double hull and outlined a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics. Relatively few of his designs were constructed or even feasible during his lifetime, but some of his smaller inventions, such as an automated bobbin winder and a machine for testing the tensile strength of wire, entered the world of manufacturing unheralded. As a scientist, he greatly advanced the state of knowledge in the fields of anatomy, civil engineering, optics and hydrodynamics.

==Characteristics and personality==
His portrayal in ''Assassin's Creed II'' depicts Leonardo da Vinci as a cheerful and optimistic man. Ezio is his best friend, and as such, he treats him like a brother and has taken great risks to protect him, even though he says later in the game that courage is not his strong suit.

Despite being an accomplished and respected artist, as well as deeply curious about the world's wonders, Leonardo da Vinci was also a chronic procrastinator. Most of his commissioned works took years longer than anticipated, and many were never even finished. It is possible that this was because he did not feel his work to be important enough to devote his life to, as when he meets Ezio, he complains that it lacks purpose and he wishes to do something which has more impact on the world, such as architecture. Regardless, when Leonardo is intrigued by something, he becomes insatiably curious and often impossible to communicate with, as demonstrated when Ezio first brings him [[Altaïr|Altaïr Ibn'La-Ahad]]'s [[Codex Pages|Codex pages]] for decryption.

==Trivia==
[[Video:Assassin's Creed 2 - Focus On|thumb|250px|Leonardo da Vinci - Genius Inventor]]
===History===
*Leonardo had no surname; "da Vinci" simply means "from Vinci," identifying the town of his birth, much in the same manner that "Ezio Auditore da Firenze" shows that Ezio was born in Florence.
*Historically, Leonardo would later become a close friend and military engineer for Cesare Borgia, son of Rodrigo Borgia.
*Interestingly, in author Dan Brown's novel [[wikipedia:The Da Vinci Code|The Da Vinci Code]], it is suggested that Leonardo da Vinci was the Grand Master of a secret society known as ''[[wikipedia:The Priory of Sion|The Priory of Sion]]'', an organization that was allegedly connected with the Knights Templar.
*Ezio uses a wheel-lock firearm, based on a design found in the Codex pages, which historically wasn't developed until just after the time-frame of the game. Historically, Leonardo designed some of the first wheel-lock firearms.

===Inventions and Art===
*All of Leonardo's modifications on previously existing Assassin gear are based on designs detailed in Altaïr's Codex. It is possibly from these that Leonardo also designed some of his other inventions.
*Leonardo and Giovanni Auditore are the only known characters that can decipher and translate Altaïr's Codex.
*When Ezio accidentally activates the [[Apple of Eden]] in Venice, images similar to Leonardo's later designs for the [[Tank]] can be briefly glimpsed. This experience may have provided him with the ideas for his later inventions.
*[[File:Mapofimola.jpg|thumb|Leonardo's map of Imola.]]Additionally, when the Apple is activated, both Ezio and Leonardo are largely unaffected, although blinded by the light. Mario and Machiavelli are crippled by the noise and unable to stand.
*Eight of the thirty collectible [[Paintings]] that are placed in the Villa Auditore were painted by da Vinci.
*A map of the city of Imola that Leonardo drew for Cesare Borgia appears frequently in-game; on a wall in the [[Hideout]], in Leonardo's workshop, as the Codex map that Caterina gives to Ezio, and in a [[Lairs of Romulus|Lair of Romulus]], on the ground.

===Appearance and Behavior===
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'', like other main characters, Leonardo's appearance does not change throughout the 23 years he is shown in the game, from his first encounter to the decoding of the Codex in the villa in 1499. This was rectified in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', where Leonardo is depicted as more aged.
*The cut-scene when Ezio visits Leonardo is the same each time (even after Leonardo moves to Venice), except when the Codex pages provide new modifications to Ezio's equipment.
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'' Leonardo is shown as right-handed, but in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', he is left-handed, as he was known to be in real life.
*In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', after Leonardo mentions his work on the ''Mona Lisa'', Ezio warns him not to allow pretty girls to distract him from making the designs he needs. His arm around him, Leonardo lightly assures Ezio that women would ''"provide little distraction"'' to his work, to which Ezio replies, ''"Wait, I don't get it."'' This is a reference to the widely-held belief that the real-life da Vinci was homosexual.

===Others===
*In ''Assassin's Creed II'', the only time the player can explore Leonardo's Workshop is in [[Ace Up My Sleeve]].
*In one of Ezio Auditore's [[Cristina Memories]] in Venice, Leonardo tells Ezio that [[Cristina Vespucci|Cristina]] was attending Carnevale; even hinting that they might be close, despite Leonardo having nothing to do with Cristina in the rest of the story.
*In the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|novel for ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'']], Leonardo is invited to join the Brotherhood. However, he declines, saying that though he will always support their goals, he is on a different path, one that is solitary.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" captionalign="left">
EzioLeo2.jpg|Ezio and Leonardo on the ship to Venice.
Codexleo.png|Ezio hands Leonardo a codex page.
Zw-bof2.png|Leonardo studies the Apple of Eden.
LeonardoJH.jpg|Leonardo as he appears in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
Zw-acb-Leonardo-2.png|Leonardo first greeting Ezio in Rome.
Ezioleoapple.jpg|Ezio and Leonardo debating whether or not to use the Apple.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vinci, Leonardo da}}

{{ACII}}{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Characters]]

Leonardo da Vinci

2011-02-26T23:24:23Z

82.38.253.220: /* Rome */

Fist

2011-02-26T20:46:48Z

82.38.253.220: /* Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood */

{{revamp}}

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 major part in ''Assassin's Creed II''.]]However, if the player draws a weapon they will attack.

==[[Assassin's Creed|''Assassin's Creed'']]==
In ''Assassin's Creed'', [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]'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 [[File:Fistfight.jpg|right|thumb|A thug is knocked out]]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'']]==
In ''Assassin's Creed II'', the main character [[Ezio Auditore]] is more skilled in a fistfight than his predecessor Altaïr. He can perform combos, as well as being able to counter other fist fighters. He may also disarm [[File:Fistsac2.png|left|frame|The Fist's inventory icon in ''Assassin's Creed II'']]those with weapons and use them against opponents, if he has learned the disarm skill. The disarm skill proves helpful when in open conflict with a Seeker, who wields a long weapon. They can be easily executed after they are caught weaponless.

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. 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. Similarly, if your opponent has sufficiently low health, it is possible to perform an instant kill if you can get behind them.
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 [[File:Ac2-combat.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Ezio disarming a guard]]purchase from [[Blacksmiths]].

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.

[[File:AC2 Metal Cestus.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Metal Cestus as it appears in ''Assassin's Creed II'']]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.

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''==
In ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'', the player still has the ability to disarm their opponents but they have a new ability to simply kill them in one swift move by using their fists. The player can walk up to a guard and press X or Square (or the PC equivalent) while the player is using their fists and Ezio will perform a move, he may kick the guard's legs or break their leg, and then pull his neck over his shoulder; therefore knocking him out. This and many other moves besides are always available throughout the game.

The Metal Cestus is now automatically acquired and equipped when the player buys the [[Climb Leap Glove]] (6100 florins) from [[Leonardo da Vinci]].

Guards in ACB can also throw sand in your face (mostly guards with spears or other similer long wepons) but dosn't requare there hands to be free. Similerly Ezio can perform the move if he has he's sword equiped and no more bullets in his hidden gun

{{-}}
===Stats===

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.

{{AC}}
{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}

[[es:Puños]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Weapons]]

Hidden Blade

2011-02-26T20:31:55Z

82.38.253.220: /* Modern Times */

{{era|Chronicles|AC1|Bloodlines|AC2|Discovery|Brotherhood|PL|Renaissance|Bbook|The Fall|Lineage|Assassins}}
{{Revamp}}
{{assassify}}
[[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 [[Assassins]], the '''Hidden Blade''' is a weapon used for both stealth assassinations and regular combat, and is the most versatile 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.

Although the blade is used for stealth, it can be used in open conflict, but only for countering enemy attacks. This is later revised in ''Assassin's Creed II'' and ''Brotherhood'', as it can deflect attacks and deal blows to the opponent.

===''[[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 da Firenze|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.

===''[[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 da Firenze|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.
{{-}}

Note when playing as desmond in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, Desmond has striped the hiden blade down to the blade and a leather strap.

===''[[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 [[Fall 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.[[File:Ceremonial_HB_v.png|thumb|230px|right|A ceremonial Hidden Blade.]]

====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.

The hidden blade used by Desmond is much different than the one he used at the hideout, as it has no bracer and no strings or any mechanisms. One possible explanation is that Desmond removed the bracer from the blade to make it harder to see on his arm.

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, in front 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 while 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.

Unlike other weapons, every counter attack with the hidden blades is an instant kill. The disadvantage is the timing window is 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|A combo attack using the Hidden Blade and pistol simultaneously.]]
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 is one of 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 remained intact and he wielded 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'' box art, 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.
*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:Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]