Papal Guard

2011-04-08T14:17:35Z

98.154.0.200: /* Combat */

{{era|Brotherhood|Bbook|Templars}}
{{WP-REAL|Swiss Guard}}
{{revamp}}
[[File:Y_1b5d9d53.jpg|thumb|A member of the Papal Guard.]]
{{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 Guard protected [[Rodrigo Borgia|Pope Alexander VI]], and were led by the Pope's son and Papal Commander, [[Cesare Borgia]]. The sole purpose of the Papal guards is to protect the Pope and his family with their lives.

==Combat==
The Papal guards are the most versatile and difficult enemies (excluding bosses and Borgia Captains), as they carry the best of abilities held by all other [[Guards|guard archetypes]] and can easily deflect and counter many of [[Ezio Auditore]]'s attacks.<ref name="Brotherhood Dev Diary 3" />

Papal guards can wield wheel-lock firearms in one hand, and a sword in the other, making them deadly opponents in both short and long range. Other than swords, they can also be equipped with a variety of long weapons, short weapons, and heavy weapons, however those versions are more difficult to come across.

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

Papal guards are often encountered in groups, and will often employ teamwork strategies in battle. One may continuously fire at Ezio from a distance, while the others attack from close range. They may also throw sand or grab Ezio from behind, skills common to [[Seekers]]. Papal guards are not affected by Ezio's taunts.

==Trivia==
[[File:Enemies.jpg|Concept Art of the Papal Guard|300px|thumb]]
===Appearance===
*An early Papal guard design is seen in the game's teaser trailer and ''[[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.
*Although Papal guards are one of the toughest opponents in the game they aren't commonly found in Rome, and will appear more often in storyline missions. However, a group of four Papal guards are always stationed right outside the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] in the [[Vaticano district]], and will also attack Ezio on sight.
*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.
*During 1506 in the ''[[The Da Vinci Disappearance|Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' [[DLC]], when Ezio infiltrates [[Belriguardo Castle]], Papal Guards bearing the Borgia emblem chase after him during the chase sequence, 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 not questionable.
*In the [[War Plans]] missions, the Templars overseeing the [[War Machines]] construction are always papal guards.
*There is a [[Assassination Contract]] called "Graduation" wherein Ezio must kill 4 Papal Guards in the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]].
*During the infiltrating of the French headquarters in Rome, Ezio faces some Papal Guards; altough the Borgia had already left the battle by the this time, it could be an indication of the alliance between Cesare and [[Octavian de Valois]].
*In the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' trailer the Papal guards are shown to have halberds, but in the game the only special weapons they use are heavy and ranged weapons.
*During [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]]'s party, a Papal guard was tasked to bring him the money [[Egidio Troche]] owed Juan. Quite oddly, he spoke with a British accent and some German words. [[Rebecca]] warned [[Desmond]] that the translation software of the [[Animus]] was still buggy and that he could encounter some French or German.

===Others===
*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 were the precursor to the [[wikipedia:Swiss Guard|Swiss Guard]], who have protected the pontiff since 1548.
*The Papal Guards may be less skilled than Ezio, however they are considerably stronger and have a larger build, with all of them being at least a head taller than Ezio,and are exactly 6 foot 3 tall.
*[[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.
*Occasionally when fighting the Papal guard you will hear a female voice.
*The Papal Guard confronted on The [[Aqueducts]] Templar Lair speaks German and has a German accent

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="left">
ACB papalguard.png|A Papal Guard threatens Ezio Auditore at gunpoint.
Papal Guard.PNG|A Papal guard, wielding a spear.
Papal guard.jpg|A Papal guard is impaled by Ezio.
Cesare_and_the_Papal_Guard.jpg|Cesare and his Papal Guards in Inspection
Papalguardledbycesare.png|Papal Guards led by Cesare.
brotherhood2.jpg|a contigent of Papal Guards get ready to attack Ezio and the Assassins
ACBCesareGuards.jpg|Two Papal Guards arrest Cesare Borgia
assassins-creed_-brotherhood-PS3-ss-8.jpg|A Papal Guard is holding a Cardinal with his spear ready in The Pantheon
</gallery>

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

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

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

Papal Guard