Papal Guard

2011-10-22T14:35:31Z

86.181.232.189:

{{era|Brotherhood|Bbook|ACR}}
{{WP-REAL|Swiss Guard}}
[[File:PapalGuard.png.png|200px|right]]
{{Quote|The Papal guards are basically the ultimate elite guards that we're gonna have in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''.|[[Ubisoft]] developer Christopher Weiler.<ref name="Brotherhood Dev Diary 3">''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XoffSkVgsc&feature=channel ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' Dev Diary 3]''</ref>}}

The '''Papal Guard''' were elite soldiers commanded by the [[Papacy]] to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure.

By 1503, the Papal guards protected [[Rodrigo Borgia|Pope Alexander VI]], and were led by the Pope's son and Captain General, [[Cesare Borgia]]. They were the precursors to the [[wikipedia:Swiss Guard|Swiss Guard]].

==Combat==
[[File:brotherhood2.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A squadron of Papal guards get ready to attack the Assassins.]]
The Papal guards were the most versatile and difficult [[guards]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] faced in [[Rome]], as they possessed the best of abilities held by all other types.<ref name="Brotherhood Dev Diary 3" /> They were skilled at both attack and defense, easily deflecting and countering many of Ezio's attacks.

Papal guards could wield [[Firearms|wheel-lock firearms]] in one hand, and a [[Swords and maces|sword]] in the other, making them deadly opponents in both short and long range. Other than swords, they could also be equipped with a variety of short, long or [[heavy weapons]], though these were rarer than the standard medium weapon.

Much like [[Agile guards|Agiles]], Papal guards were extremely fast and were able to dodge most attacks. They were also difficult to escape from, and would always be able to catch up to Ezio in a chase.

Papal guards often travelled in groups, and would employ teamwork strategies in battle. One could continuously fire at Ezio from a distance, while the others attacked from close range. They would also throw sand, or grab Ezio from behind, skills common to [[Seekers]].

==Trivia==
[[File:Papal Guard by Volta.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Early concept art for the Papal guard.]]
===Design===
*An early Papal guard design is seen in the ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' cinematic trailer, and in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''. While the design for the guards themselves was changed before the game's release, [[Fabio Orsini]] wears the same armor as seen in the original concept, albeit without a helmet.
**Additionally, all the Papal guards seen are shown to have halberds. However, in-game, the only time they can be seen carrying halberds is during the arrest of Cesare.

===Appearances===
*During [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]]'s party, a Papal guard is tasked to deliver the debt money of [[Egidio Troche]]. He speaks with a British accent and some German words.
*During the [[Skirmish in the Campagna district|infiltration of the French headquarters]] in Rome, Ezio faces some Papal guards. Although the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] had already left the battle by this time, the guards are an indication of the alliance between Cesare and [[Octavian de Valois]].
*By Cesare Borgia's arrest in December 1503, the Borgia had lost all their power in Rome. However, when Cesare was arrested by Fabio Orsini and the Papal troops, they still carried the emblem of the Borgia.
*When Ezio infiltrates [[Belriguardo Castle]] in 1506, Papal guards bearing the Borgia emblem chase after him, even though Ezio is in [[Ferrara]] and the Borgia are no longer in power.
**A guard, however, does mention that the Pope lent the Duke some of his own troops, thus their presence is plausible.
*The Templars overseeing the [[War Machines]]' [[War Plans|construction]] are always Papal guards.
*There is an [[Assassination Contract]] called "Graduation," wherein Ezio must kill four Papal guards training within the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]].
[[File:ACB castel papal guards.png|thumb|250px|right|The four Papal guards by the Castel Sant'Angelo.]]
*Papal guards are one of the toughest opponents in the game and are not commonly found in Rome, appearing more often in storyline missions. However, a group of four Papal guards is always stationed right outside the Castel Sant'Angelo in the [[Vaticano district]].
*In a trailer for the Crusader (multiplayer character), the Crusader is seen killing a papal guard suggesting that a papal guard may be a new multiplayer character in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.

===Combat===
*Papal guards are not affected by Ezio's taunts.
*Cesare Borgia himself fights much like a Papal guard, and is able to dual-wield a pistol and sword as they do.
*The Papal guards are considerably stronger than Ezio and have a larger build, with all of them being at least a head taller than him.
*[[Bombs#Smoke bombs|Smoke bombs]] have no effect on a Papal guard while engaged in combat, however, the bombs function as normal if the guard is taken by surprise.
*A Papal guard can only be disarmed if he carries a pistol.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
Enemies.jpg|Concept art of the Papal guard.
Swiss Guard by Collings.jpg|Official artwork of the Papal guard.
Papal Guard.PNG|A Papal guard, wielding a spear.
Papalguardledbycesare.png|Papal guards led by Cesare.
Cesare_and_the_Papal_Guard.jpg|Cesare and his Papal guards in inspection.
ACBCesareGuards.jpg|Two Papal guards arrest Cesare Borgia.
ACB papalguard.png|A Papal guard threatens Ezio Auditore at gunpoint.
Papal guard.jpg|A Papal guard impaled by Ezio.
</gallery>

==Notes and references==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
{{reflist}}

{{ACBH}}
[[Category:Guards]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Gameplay]]

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Papal Guard